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Records of Early English Drama 

PLEASE RETURN TO 
RECORDS OF EARLY ENGLISH DRAMA 
150 CHARLES STREET WEST 
TORONTO, ONT. M5S 1K9. 
ATTN:SALLY-BETH MACLEAN 
416-585-4504 



David Parry 



RECORDS OF EARLY ENGLISH DRAMA 



Records of Early English Drama 



DEVON 

EDITED BY JOHN M. WASSON 

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO PRESS 
TORONTO BUFFALO LONDON 



Contents 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Vii 

INTRODUCTION 
Historical Background 
Plays and Players xxiv 
The Documents xxix 
Editorial Procedures Ix 
Notes lxv 

xi 

SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY lxviii 

MAPS lxxii 

ENDNOTES 437 

PATRONS AND 
TRAVELLING COMPANIES 

GLOSSARIES 
Introduction 531 
Latin Glossary 535 
English Glossary 552 

INDEX 581 

455 

THE RECORDS 
Symbols 2 
Diocese of Exeter 3 
Boroughs and Parishes 
Monasteries 287 
Households 288 
County of Devon 293 

17 

APPENDIXES 
1 Undated Documents 303 
2 Stonehouse Churchwardens' Accounts 305 
3 Household Accounts of the Courtenays, 
Earls of Devon 306 
4 Sample Church Ale Expenses: 
Braunton, 1562 310 
5 Saints' Days and Feast Days 312 

TRANSLATIONS .315 



Acknowledgments 

Grateful and particular thanks are due for the gracious and most helpful co-operation 
of Mrs Marjorie M. Rowe, Devon county archivist, and to the entire staff at the Devon 
Record Office, as well as to Mrs Audrey Erskine, archivist at Exeter Cathedral. These 
people contributed their expertise, assistance, and encouragement far beyond the ful- 
fillment of their official duties. They gave their time courteously - and saved me from 
embarrassment - on numerous occasions. 
Thanks also go to the executive committee, the editorial board, and the distin- 
guished staff of the Records of Early English Drama. I particularly want to express 
deep and affectionate gratitude to Alexandra F. Johnston, who first encouraged me 
to undertake this project; she generously shared her time, knowledge, and valuable 
experience; she helped me to secure funding; in fact, she has guided the REEr project 
from its inception. I wish also to thank Sally-Beth MacLean for her tireless editorial 
work, her numerous helpful suggestions, her ability to compromise or to stand firm 
when one or the other was needed, and her patience when deadlines were difficult 
to meet. Abigail Young translated the long and difficult Latin passages, unearthed sev- 
eral additional entries from ecclesiastical sources, compiled the Latin glossary, and 
collated the MSS and prepared the text for the Bishop Quinel entry; her knowledge 
of both Latin and church history was invaluable. Anne Quick carefully checked all 
transcriptions against photocopies of the original manuscripts, prepared the English 
glossary with the able assistance of William Cooke, and proofread the manuscript. 
Theodore R. DeWelles proved the most thorough bibliographer and most tireless 
sleuth I have met, tracking stray entries from Hatfield House to Israel and always will- 
ing to track farther when asked. Mary Blackstone read the secondary sources for clues 
to entries which might have been missed in the original documents. Ian Lancashire 
provided me with the original list of primary and secondary sources which might prove 
useful to the project. Elza Tiner did extensive work identifying the patrons of pro- 
fessional companies. Darlene Money served as copy editor and proofreader and also 
checked the index. Annette Jacob helped to check entries and document descriptions 
and ordered photocopies of MSS. William Rowcliffe and Donna Best were responsible 
for the typesetting. William Edwards checked the translations of the French entries 
in Appendix 3. 



Vlll ACINOW| FDGMENTS 

Many others not directly involved in this project deserve thanks for their co- 
operation and assistance when help was requested. Mrs Dorothy Clarke both checked 
and made transcriptions of manuscripts at the Public Record Office. Maurice Davis 
of Netanya, Israel allowed REED tO obtain a copy of Philip Wyot's journal. Lt. Col. 
Cedric Delforce, administrator of the estate of the earl of Devon, answered queries 
about the Courtenay family papers. Christopher McDonough, professor of classics 
at the University of Toronto, checked the edition of Quinel's statutes. P.W. Ellis, 
librarian of the Devon Area Central Library; Miss Jane Fowles, archivist to the 
marquess of Bath; Gerald Gibbens, curator of the Museum Sidmouth; Stanley 
Goodman, of the Old Plymouth Society; Miss Margaret Holmes, archivist at the 
Dorset Record Office; P.L. Hull, archivist of the Cornwall Record Office; Richard 
Johnson, bibliographer at the Newberry Library; Maryanne Kowaleski, assistant pro- 
fessor of history at Fordham University; G.T. Paley, former Devon local history li- 
brarian; Derek M.M. Shorrocks, archivist at the Somerset Record Office;Miss E. A. 
Stuart, senior assistant at the West Devon Record Office; and R.H. Harcourt 
Williams, archivist to the marquess of Salisbury, all responded to queries and provided 
transcriptions or copies of documents when they were needed. 
One can hardly express adequate appreciation for teachers and colleagues from 
whom one has learned and received encouragement. From a succession of such sup- 
porters I would like to acknowledge my mentors, the late Hardin Craig and Virgil 
Whitaker; Stanley Kahrl for his enthusiasm and for his success in obtaining the 
National Endowment for the Humanities grant that supported a fifteen-month stay 
in Devon; David Bevington, Arthur Cawley, and Martin Stevens for their acceptance 
and belief; John Elwood for somehow finding travel money and release time for my 
work; and a host of colleagues, including Robert Potter and David Staines, who 
showed interest and offered ideas. 
I also wish to thank the following institutions for permission to publish extracts 
from manuscripts in their possession: the Devon Record Office at Exeter, the West 
Devon Record Office at Plymouth, the Exeter Cathedral Library, the North Devon 
Athenaeum of Barnstaple, the British Library, the Public Record Office, and the 
Library of the Marquess of Salisbury at Hatfield House. 
As all of the research for this project had to be done in England, it required numer- 
ous trips and considerable expense. My gratitude is due to the following agencies, 
which have provided the financial aid to conduct the project: the National Endowment 
for the Humanities for a research grant, 1979-80, and for additional travel money; 
the American Council of Learned Societies for Grants-in-Aid, 1975 and 1978; the 
E.O. Holland Fund of Washington State University for travel grants in 1978, 1979, 
1981, and 1982; and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada 
for the negotiated grant that made possible editorial visits to Toronto and, indeed, 
publication of this volume. 
My special gratitude and appreciation go to my wife, Barbara D. Palmer, who has 
provided the encouragement and the stimulus for me to complete this lengthy project. 



ACKNOWLEDGMFNTS 
She also has sacrificed time from her own academic and research schedules to serve 
as editor, critic, and even typist as occasion demanded. I dedicate this book to her. 

ix 



Historical Background 

County of Devon 

When Devon was made a part of Wessex in the tenth century, it had already been 
organized as a county not very different in configuration from that defined by its pres- 
ent boundaries. Geographically, the county is dominated by the bleak and inhospi- 
table Dartmoor and Exmoor. In Saxon times, its inhabitants tended to concentrate 
in the valleys of the rivers leading down to the sea from these moors: the Dart, Exe, 
Otter, Plym, Taw, and Torridge. At the time of the Domesday survey, although 
Devon was the third largest county (after Yorkshire and Lincolnshire) and the fourth 
most populous (after Lincoln, Norfolk, and Suffolk), it had only four towns: 
Barnstaple, Exeter, Lydford, and Totnes.  Each of these had a castle built or renewed 
by Alfred the Great, and each had its own mint. Still, most of the county's inhabitants 
were farmers and miners scattered over the valleys of the moors. 
But after the Norman invasion, a change took place. Within two centuries, Devon 
was virtually enclosed. The result was a general migration of landless peasants into 
towns. 2 Enclosure explains both the rapid formation of new towns and the availability 
of the cheap labour needed to make the wool industry boom. By 1238, the county 
had nineteen boroughs.3 (None of these was yet on the open sea: for reasons of safety, 
the early ports had been built as far upstream as the small ocean-going vessels could 
safely navigate - Barnstaple, Bideford, Exeter, and Totnes.) At the same time as the 
formation of these towns, sheep were 'first introduced upon a big scale by the Cis- 
tercian monks of Buckfastleigh.'4 By the end of the twelfth century, when the English 
government first took an interest in the wool industry, Devon was stocked with more 
sheep than any other county.S With an abundance of cheap labour and of the required 
running water, the woollen industry soon became the county's chief industry and re- 
mained so throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Because deep-water ports 
were needed for the growing wool trade with the continent, towns were built at the 
mouths of Devon's important rivers: Dartmouth, Exmouth, Plymouth, Teignmouth. 
With the establishment of these new coastal towns, shipping, and later fishing, became 
increasingly important. It is the wool towns and the shipping towns that provide most 
of the records of early English drama in the county. 



xii HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 

As the seaports grew, other benefits accrued to the county. There are not many 
deposits of tin in Europe, and the best and most abundant of them are in Devon and 
Cornwall. Because the Devon ports were ideally situated for trade with southwest 
France, Spain, and the Mediterranean, and because tin was in demand for pewter, 
bronze, and other products, Devon and Cornwall possessed a virtual monopoly on 
the production of tin for western Europe. 6 Perhaps more important was the wine 
trade. The growth of this business was closely connected with the acquisition of 
Aquitaine through the marriage of Henry II to Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152. 'The ports 
of Plymouth and Dartmouth owe their very existence and early growth to the political 
and commercial relations established by this union. ,7 By 1500, only London and Hull 
exceeded the Devon ports in the importation of wine from southwest France. 8 As the 
seaports expanded for commercial purposes, they also became increasingly important 
militarily, both as bastions of defence and as ports of embarkation for foreign wars. 
Thus throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance, Devon experienced a relatively 
consistent growth in political, military, and economic significance. By the end of the 
sixteenth century, it had a population of some 227,000, most living in Exeter and 
thirty-eight market towns. 9 In the towns, wealthy merchants were both political and 
economic forces. In the county, the aristocracy had never controlled vast tracts of 
land, as it did in many counties under the feudal system. In the sixteenth century, 
after the Courtenays lost power, the only members of the aristocracy residing in 
Devon were the earls of Bath and Bedford; thus, most of the county was controlled 
by the resident gentry. 0 This combination of landed gentry in the county and wealthy 
merchants in the ports and wool towns moved Devon more rapidly than many coun- 
ties out of feudalism into capitalism. That fact may account both for the numerous 
local entertainers and for the surprisingly large number of travelling groups willing 
to venture so far from London or their home bases. 

Boroughs 

BARNSTAPLE 

One of the four borough towns in Devon at the time of the conquest, Barnstaple re- 
tained its importance throughout the period of this study. It was an important pro- 
tected port, particularly for trade with Ireland, Scotland, and other English west-coast 
ports, and as a shortcut across the Bristol Channel to Pembroke and Milford-Haven. 
But Barnstaple was not merely a place for ships to come and go; it was a large market 
town, and it had a famous Michaelmas fair. It was also a centre of the wool industry. 
In fact, if the aulnager's accounts are to be trusted, at the end of the fourteenth century 
Barnstaple and its environs accounted for half the cloth sales in Devon. l Later, its 
population grew to about two thousand by 1560 and about four thousand by 1640. 2 



HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 

xiii 

Judging by expenditures in the receivers' accounts, its chief times of festivity seem 
to have been Christmas, Corpus Christi, and Michaelmas. To this day, celebrations 
and parades are associated with the Michaelmas fair; in the Renaissance, bull-baiting 
seems to have been a major attraction at the fair. At Christmas a mummer's play or 
some other portable play was presented by local amateurs. The records are less specific 
about what took place at Corpus Christi. There seems to have been a procession at 
least in some years, and there are frequent expenses for setting up stalls or tables. On 
Midsummer Eve the mayor walked the boundaries accompanied by local musicians. 
And like all the towns for which there are records, Barnstaple had its share of church 
ales. 
Although accounting procedures clearly changed from time to time and there are 
long periods even in the extant records when no payments to entertainers are recorded, 
still those records reveal, for instance, fifty-nine visits by acting companies between 
1532-3 and 1636-7, including most of the important troupes of Shakespeare's time - 
Leicester's, Worcester's, the queen's, Strange's, even the king's men in 1604-5. Con- 
sidering its distance from major population centres and that it was at the end of the 
highway rather than on the way to a larger town, the number of entertainers who came 
to Barnstaple is somewhat surprising and gratifying. 
As was the case with numerous towns in the seventeenth century, dominated as 
they were by middle-class merchants, Barnstaple came under heavy puritan influence, 
perhaps especially because of the local power of the strongly puritan earls of Bed- 
ford. 13 After 1616-17, nearly all the payments to players were to guarantee that 'they 
should not play within the Towne.' It seems odd that players should continue to ap- 
pear for another twenty years after they were no longer welcome, especially at a town 
so remote as Barnstaple. If they were consistently sent away, one wonders how they 
could possibly have existed on the payments made to prevent their playing - or for 
that matter, how they stayed in practice if they were almost never allowed to act. 
Among the extant Barnstaple receivers' rolls, one series covers seventeen of the 
twenty-one years between 1461-2 and 1481-2. These few rolls, made at a time when 
entertainers were receiving gratuities (even refreshments after performances) and when 
those payments were being consistently recorded, contain 180 entries relevant to this 
collection, compared to only 156 entries from the other 103 years of extant accounts. 
That is five times the average for the other years. During the same twenty-one-year 
period, the Exeter accounts record only one bull-baiting and one bear-baiting - no 
minstrels, mimes, players, musicians, tumblers, or fools. Are we to assume that 
entertainers by the score were bypassing Exeter and going on out to Barnstaple? Surely 
this apparent concentration of entries from one brief period reflects not a short-lived 
renaissance of entertainment at Barnstaple under Edward Iv, but rather, an idea of 
what the complete picture for the county might look like if all receivers' accounts were 
as detailed as these seventeen and if there had not been long periods at many towns 
when the civic fathers neglected to provide gratuities to entertainers. 



HISTORICAl BACKGROUND 

DARTMOUTH 

At the time of the Domesday survey of 1086, the only port on the Dart River was 
Totnes. Three small villages, Clifton, Dartmouth, and Hardeness, on the south bank 
of the river's mouth, and a larger one, Kingswear, on the north bank, were under the 
control oi the lord of Totnes. 4 Kingswear was the market town, but when the larger- 
decked ships came into use in the twelfth century Dartmouth's superior harbour soon 
made it more important than Kingswear or Totnes. In 1147, the great northern Euro- 
pean fleet gathered at Dartmouth for the start of the Second Crusade, and in 1190 
more than one hundred ships assembled there to begin the Third Crusade. s As early 
as 1200-1210 Dartmouth had been made the borough of Clifton-Dartmouth- 
Hardeness for more efficient management of its growing position as a port and trade 
centre. 6 Although it was outstripped by Plymouth, Dartmouth retained its significant 
position throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance. A typical impressment of ships 
for troop transport to France in the fifteenth century took twenty from Dartmouth, 
ten from Plymouth, and three from Exeter. .7 As late as 1572, Dartmouth still had 
far more ships registered than did Plymouth, 8 although Plymouth's deeper moorage 
attracted more foreign vessels. Dartmouth's sheltered position also made it much bet- 
ter protected from foreign attack, especially after the erection of a stronger castle at 
the river's mouth in the late fifteenth century and the construction of a great chain 
that could be stretched from the castle across to the Kingswear side.9 
Dartmouth has fortunately preserved an almost bewildering variety of its medieval 
and Renaissance records. Although few of these exist in unbroken series, sufficient 
evidence remains to show that Dartmouth had a tradition of local drama and other 
entertainments and that at least ten different companies of actors came to town, Queen 
Elizabeth's most often (four times). The records seem to suggest that the chief times 
of local festivity were Easter week (references to a Palm Sunday procession and an 
Easter sepulchre), St George's Day (23 April, references to gathering money and St 
George's sword and armour), and Corpus Christi Day (regular expenses for gun- 
powder and the firing of cannon). 
An unusual revelation of the Dartmouth records is that they show no acting com- 
panies being sent away without playing until 1634-5, very late compared to 
Dartmouth's neighbours and indeed much of England. That fact seems to fit the gen- 
eral character of the town, which the records show to have been less puritanical than 
its sister port, Plymouth; Dartmouth remained a loyalist stronghold in the Civil War 
until forced by Fairfax to surrender. The court books of Dartmouth record more com- 
plaints, for instance, about illicit games - and more different kinds of illicit games - 
than any other town in Devon. Year after year the authorities recorded complaints 
that the citizens were using the churchyard as a ballpark and the archery grounds as 
a bowling green rather than for the target practice required by law of all male adults 
(there were not even any targets set up). There are also far more complaints about 
houses of ill repute than elsewhere. Dartmouth during the Renaissance, in short, 



XVi FI ISIORIC A k BACKGROUND 

Hooker, uncle of Richard Hooker and one of the finest of Renaissance antiquarians. 
His 'Commonplace Book,' 'Description of the Citie of Excester,' and other writings 
serve not only as a basic history of the town but also as a custumnal, recording such 
matters as the basic duties of the city waits. 
One would expect to be able to put together from all of these records a very full 
picture of entertainments at Exeter, and indeed they have provided hundreds of entries 
for this volume. Unfortunately, accounting procedures changed from time to time, 
and the receivers' accounts are often not specific regarding gifts and gratuities, where 
one expects to find payments to entertainers. In the fourteenth century, such gifts were 
usually merely summarized; in the sixteenth century, they were itemized in separate 
paper books, and only a few of these have survived. Nevertheless, much important 
information can be gleaned from these documents. We know, for instance, that Exeter 
may have had one of the earliest Corpus Christi cycles, considered a tradition in 1413- 
14. It also records the earliest Robin Hood play I have thus far encountered, in 1427. 
It had city waits from the middle of the fourteenth century. And it hosted a wide vari- 
ety of entertainment, from Henry v's leopard keeper, to a 'Tournament of Tot- 
tenham,' to the best acting companies of the Renaissance. 
Exeter became the see of Devon and Cornwall in 10S0, and as St Peter's was not 
a monastic cathedral, the Dissolution caused no disruption of its records. As a result, 
the cathedral and diocesan records at Exeter are almost overwhelming in their number 
and variety. Among the diocesan records at the Devon Record Office, for instance, 
are the extraordinarily rich episcopal registers from 1257; act books from 1513; 
deposition books beginning in 1508, complete after 1566; and incomplete sixteenth- 
century consistory court depositions and presentments. In St Peter's Cathedral 
librar , along with the more famous Exeter Book and Domesday Book, there are, 
among many other records, cathedral statutes, 1100-1663; fabric rolls from 1279; 
stewards' ccounts from 1296; refectory accounts from 1305; visitations from 1313; 
chapter act books beginning in 1382 although not a complete series; dean and chapter 
ordinary and extraordinary expenses from 1377; manorial ministers' and collectors' 
accounts from 1386; obit books from 1428; excrescence accounts from the same date; 
quotidian accounts beginning in 1479; Iiber Officiorum of the dean and chapter's 
peculiars, 1521-1629; and vicars choral account books from 1586. 27 
Except for prohibitions and warnings in the bishops' registers, these many sources 
and others produce disappointingly few references to early drama. What seems clear 
is that the bishops were eager to suppress profane and scurrilous plays and that neither 
dean and chapter nor vicars choral were fundamentally interested in religious drama. 
The emphasis was always on processions, such as the annual procession in and around 
the cathedral on Corpus Christi Day, financed by" the parish of Widdecombe-in-the- 
Moor with an oblation also from the Skinners' guild of Exeter, which was responsible 
for the play at Corpus Christi when one is noted in the civic records. (Widdecombe 
paid for the oil and wax, the Skinners gave gratuities to the canons in charge of the 
procession. ) As early as 1397, the cathedral also presented something called the 'Prosa 



HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 

xvii 

sancti Andree' after a procession to the altar of St Andrew, but the entries do not in- 
dicate that there was anything dramatic about the presentation. 
Exeter provides most of the earliest churchwardens' accounts in the county - in 
fact, some of the earliest in England. The accounts of St John at Bow begin in 1412, 
those of Holy Trinity in 1415, St Mary Steps in 1421, St Petrock in 1425, St Mary 
Arches in 1507, and St Mary Major in 1530. In a large borough, individual parish 
churches would have had no concern either with civic productions or with visiting 
entertainers, as they would, for instance, at St Andrew's, Ashburton. Consequently 
the Exeter churchwardens' accounts contain only a few scattered references to Robin 
Hood and St George presentations. We could certainly not know from them that by 
1509 there were so many Robin Hood 'riots' in Exeter that the city council called a 
virtual halt to them; this we discover from the Chamber Act Books. 
As at York, Coventry, and elsewhere, a potential source of additional dramatic 
references should be the records of craft guilds in Exeter. Although Exeter seems never 
to have had as many guilds as some of the larger towns, we do know from the mayors' 
court rolls and surviving guild records that there were several important ones: the Cor- 
pus Christi guild (Skinners); St John the Baptist (Tailors); Assumption of the Blessed 
Virgin (Tuckers, Weavers, and Shearmen); Holy Trinity (Cordwainers); Blessed Vir- 
gin and St Clement (Bakers); St Eligius (Smiths); Barbers; and the Cappers and Haber- 
dashers. Extensive records remain only of the later guild of Weavers, Fullers, and 
Shearmen, and they are of no help to the history of drama. For the Tailors' guild, 
only a minute book, 1478-1600, has been preserved. It contains an inventory that men- 
tions torches, streamers, and a banner, but nothing related to the Corpus Christi plays 
orother drama. For the beginning of the fifteenth century, when some of the guilds 
seem to have been involved in the production of a Corpus Christi cycle, no relevant 
records remain. At the close of the century, only the Skinners were responsible for 
a Corpus Christi play, and their records do not survive. 
Although Exeter was not, like Plymouth, given to spontaneous 'triumphs" and 
celebrations, the records show that there was considerable regularly scheduled civic 
pageantry providing entertainment of one sort or another. Chief among these were: 

May Day: parades and May or Robin Hood plays (15th-early 16th c) 
Corpus Christi (sixty days after Easter): processions, plays (lSth-early 16th c) 
Nativity of St John the Baptist (Midsummer, 24June): perambulation of the city 
boundaries, torchlight parade with music, annual muster (15th-17th c) 
St Peter ad vincula, or Laminas (1 August): opening of the annual fair, with a parade 
of dignitaries and musicians (14th-17th c) 
Election day (Monday after Michaelmas, 29 September): waits playing throughout 
the city (14th?-17th c) 
Swearing in of new officers (Monday after Election day): parade to the guild-hall, 
music (13th?-17th c) 



HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 

xxi 

have hosted numerous groups of entertainers because of its fairs and markets, its sur- 
viving records pertinent to the study of early drama are disappointingly scarce. Only 
enough remains to tell us that Tomes did indeed have a strong tradition of local drama 
and was a regular stopping place for travelling entertainers. No receivers' accounts 
exist before 1554-5 and only six between that date and 1584-5. But each of those six 
contains a number of contributions for this collection, including payments to the 
queen's players, Leicester's, Worcester's, and several other companies. There are 
seventeen receivers' accounts between 1605-6 and 1642-3, but these give no additional 
information, because the arrangements to dispense gratuities changed sometime after 
1585. We learn from an incomplete series of mayor's accounts that this task had passed 
to the mayor, although the extant accounts are too late to include many entries. More 
important, in 1631-2 the mayor, Samuel Wise, records receipt of a fine from a group 
of players caught drinking after hours 'in a tipling house'; the significance of this entry 
is that if the players had not broken the law we would not know either from the 
mayor's account or the receivers' account that they had been in town at all. We cannot 
know how many other unnoticed troupes of players passed through Tomes, even in 
the few years when some gratuities are recorded. Similarly, we know much more about 
the local drama - plays acted by 'the boys of Totnes' - from their visiting perfor- 
mances at Dartmouth and Plymouth than we learn from any references to them at 
home. 

Parishes 

Of some 430 parishes in Devon whose records were checked in this search, only forty- 
five have preserved - or had until recently - appropriate records early enough to pro- 
vide entries relating to entertainment. Two of these, Ashcombe and Bigbury, have 
lost or misplaced their earliest churchwardens' accounts. 4 That leaves forty-three, 
or just ten per cent, on which to base generalizations about the nature and extent of 
parish drama. While this may not seem an impressive number, the surprising thing 
is that any relevant records have survived at all: from 1538, every parish was required 
to keep its register of births, deaths, and marriages, but no church could be expected 
to keep for centuries the annual accounts of receipts and petty expenses that give us 
our only clues to local drama. In any case, a modern pollster might be very well satis- 
fied with that extant ten per cent, for it seems a truly representative cross-section of 
the county. It includes moorland and sea-coast parishes, urban and rural, rich and 
poor, congested and isolated, compact and far-flung. 
Keeping in mind that not one of these parishes has complete and detailed accounts 
from early in the Middle Ages - none before 1392 - and continuing all the way 
through the Renaissance, we still learn from these fragments that sixty per cent show 
clear evidence of drama and other entertainment, a percentage that holds for both rural 
and urban parishes. In addition, almost every parish held church ales or other income- 



XXii HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 

producing events that could well have provided relevant entries had the records been 
more specific. All told, we know of thirty-six parishes that definitely held church ales. 
Some parishes had other means of raising money that at least suggest some kind of 
entertainment was provided: the 'gathering money of St George' at Dartmouth, the 
'maidens' money' at Morebath, the 'dancing money' at Plymouth, and the 'young 
men's store' in many parishes. 
Rather than the system of two churchwardens in charge of income and expenses 
familiar to most of England, Devon parishes generally had a far more complex system, 
regardless of their size. Often there were the 'four men,' a sort of village council before 
which all other groups rendered their accounts. Reporting to the four men would be 
churchwardens, and coexistent but not necessarily responsible to the churchwardens 
would be the wardens of various 'stores.' For example, at Chagford during the 1480s, 
accounts were rendered by the Hoggeners, who collected customs from the four quar- 
ters of the village and from the alewardens; by wardens of the Blessed Virgin 'in 
capella,' in charge of expenses for the Mary chapel; by wardens of the Blessed Virgin 
'in ecclesia,' who derived income from the church sheep and pasture rental and were 
responsible for lights in the church; by wardens of St Michael, the churchwardens 
proper who took care of the church fabric; and by wardens of the great guild of St 
Katherine, who rented cattle and sheep, collected from fraternity members, and paid 
the rector his salary. In 1513-14 the Hoggeners paid for the building of fourteen 
'pageants'42; but in the following year the 'church receivers' paid for five more, so 
that the division of responsibilities is not always clear. By the 1530s, the Hoggeners 
had become the wardens of the High Cross, a guild of St Nicholas had replaced one 
of the two St Mary's guilds, and there were new guilds of St Eligius and St Anthony. 
After the Reformation, instead of being disbanded, these guilds simply changed their 
names to something less 'papist': Robin Hood and his Hoodsmen, for instance, and 
the alewardens, the young men's store, the maidens' store, the market wardens, and 
the St George wardens. The whole arrangement seems complicated, but it was a way 
of keeping the community involved in church and temporal affairs, and it was appar- 
ently the normal arrangement in Devon parishes outside of borough towns - that is, 
where the parish officials were also the temporal officials. In the 1530s, for instance, 
accounts were rendered by as many as ten different 'stores' in the tiny parish of 
Morebath. 43 
Another uncommon characteristic of Devon parishes was that there seemed to be 
no prejudice against appointing women as churchwardens. This was not the case else- 
where, at least not in the eastern counties: in all of Norfolk and Suffolk, for instance, 
there is not a single example of a woman's having served as churchwarden. But in 
Devon, although men still far outnumbered women as churchwardens, no one noted 
it as unusual when Agnes Francis was appointed churchwarden at Shobrooke, or 
Cecily Gybb at Clyst St George, or Joan Rumbelow or Margyt Borston or Margaret 
Taylor at Morebath. 44 Again we seem to have a conscious effort to involve the entire 
community in parish affairs- women, men, maidens, young men. 



HISTORICAL BACKGROUND XXH 

Households and Monasteries 

Household and monastic expense accounts useful to a study of entertainment in Devon 
are, unfortunately, almost nonexistent. 
There are a few merchants' account books, mostly irrelevant to this study, and two 
diaries of some help, but accounts from such powerful families in Devon as those of 
Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Francis Drake, or the Lords Russell, Courtenay, and Dinham 
are almost nonexistent. From the Courtenay family there remain only fragmentary 
accounts for parts of four years: a roll of about 1395 when the earl of Devon still re- 
mained at Okehampton Castle; a book of expenses of Katherine, countess of Devon, 
for 1523-4; a book of expenses for January and February of 1519; and a book of ex- 
penses of Henry, marquess of Exeter for part of 1525. 
Monastic accounts in Devon were, if anything, even less carefully preserved. Unlike 
some areas such as Yorkshire and Suffolk, where literally thousands of accounts rolls 
are extant, Devon seems to have lost virtually all of these at the Dissolution. Great 
masses of title deeds, wills, and court rolls were kept by the lords and the towns who 
benefited from the dispersion of monastic lands, but the records of daily expenses have 
not survived. 4s We are left with little clue to entertainment at such great religious 
houses as Torre Abbey, Tavistock Abbey, Buckfast Abbey, Plympton Priory, or the 
collegiate churches at Crediton and Ottery St Mary. Only one entry in this entire col- 
lection is of monastic origin. 



Plays and Players 

What the extant records tell us about professional drama in Devon is that it was both 
earlier and more widespread than the old histories of English drama would lead us 
to expect. In the twelfth century, members of the clergy were warned not to associate 
with the players - nor to imitate them. In 1339, Bishop Grandisson complained that 
.actors were performing plays under the shelter of a structure overhanging a cemetery 
n Exeter. By the time civic officials were giving gratuities to players, we find that 
all the major touring companies were making regular visits to Devon and that there 
were also a number of local professional companies that seem not to have strayed much 
beyond the boundaries of Devon: the players of Master Cayne, the bishop of Exeter, 
Master Greenfield, Thomas Triplyn, and others. What we do not learn is anything 
about the repertory of all these companies: neither a single title of a play nor a de- 
scription of a performance is included in the extant records. 
One rather interesting connection between patronage and political power deserves 
to be pointed out. Without reference to history books, a researcher can tell from the 
patrons of the professional entertainers who was in power in government and who 
was out at any particular period in history. To give just one example, at Barnstaple 
during the reign of Edward Iv, there are early payments to minstrels of the kingmaker, 
Warwick; these cease abruptly with his fall from favour, and instead there appear pay- 
ments to minstrels of the queen (Lady Elizabeth Grey) and of her brother, Lord Riv- 
ers. The king's own entertainers, and those of his brothers Gloucester and Clarence, 
appear frequently, as do those of Edward's most powerful nobles, Norfolk and Buck- 
ingham. But of Lancastrian supporters, only the entertainers of the local duke of Exe- 
ter appear in the records. The same thing happened, of course, in Yorkshire, Suffolk, 
Kent, and elsewhere in England, but the change is particularly apparent in the 
Barnstaple records because of their detail and completeness during this period. 
The nature and extent of amateur drama in Devon conform fairly closely to what 
researchers have found in other parts of England. There seems to have been more folk 
drama than religious drama, and it occurs earlier than is generally supposed. Even dis- 
regarding Bishop Grandisson's objections to scurrilous and profane plays or games, 
there is still clear reference to a May play as early as 1417 and to the first Robin Hood 
play in 1427. The most popular folk plays seem to have been Robin Hood plays, 



PLAYS AND PLAYERS xxv 

though there is evidence of St George plays as well. Robin Hood is mentioned in the 
records of a surprising number of towns and villages: Ashburton, Barnstaple, Braun- 
ton, Chagford, Chudleigh, Colyton, Exeter, Farway, Honiton, and Woodbury. One 
must be careful, however, in concluding that all of these references are to actual drama: 
as the chief function of Robin Hood and Little John was to collect money for the parish 
church and often to serve as alewardens, some of their appearances may not have been 
dramatic in any real sense. The records are clear in a few cases, but not clear in most. 
In religious drama, the emphasis seems to have been on nativity rather than resur- 
rection plays; at least plays were performed at Christmas more often than at any other 
time. The clerks, doubtless assuming that anyone who cared to read their accounts 
would know what the plays were about, seldom bothered to note titles or subjects. 
Clearly, however, Corpus Christi plays were not common in the county. Plymouth 
notes players at Corpus Christi in only one year, 1516. Pageants were to be provided 
for the Corpus Christi guild annually, at least one of which ('the shipp') went about 
the town; but according to the Plymouth records, the highlight of the day was the 
church ale at St Andrew's, all wards being required to attend. Some kind of celebration 
also took place at Barnstaple on Corpus Christi Day, though the records give no clue 
to its nature. At Ashburton, in addition to the Christmas play and the Robin Hood 
play, there was a Corpus Christi play. It seems not to have been the same play every 
year:in 1538 there is an expense for Herod; in 1556, God and 'St Rosmont' appeared 
in it; and in 1559 Christ is mentioned. Finally, we learn that Exeter once had a Corpus 
Christi cycle drama, which in 1414 was disrupted by a recalcitrant skinner who was 
supposed to give the actors their parts but either refused to do so or else corrupted 
the scripts. There is no other mention of this cycle play, and there are no civic expenses 
for it. For several years toward the end of the fifteenth century, a single play was pre- 
sented on Corpus Christi Day by the Skinners' guild. The town council did contribute 
toward the expenses of this play, but they made no regulations concerning it and give 
no clue to the method of presentation. 

Playing Places and Properties 

For local actors, the first choice of location was always the parish church; playing sites 
other than the church are very seldom mentioned, although in one or two instances 
the churchyard may have been used. At Woodbury in 1574-5, for instance, twenty- 
five yards of canvas were purchased to make Robin Hood's house, a structure that 
presumably would be set up outside the church. And at Morebath, the churchyard 
was cleaned before 'revel Sunday' or 'St George's Tide,' when a St George play or 
other entertainment was provided. Christmas mummers, of course, could perform 
almost anywhere; in borough records they are most likely to be rewarded for perform- 
mg at the mayor's house, and on one occasion in the street before his doorway. 
Professional actors understandably preferred a site that could accommodate large 
audiences and where admission could be controlled - that xs, after they had acted the 



xxvi 

PLAYS AND PLAYERS 

obligatory mayor's play at the mayor's house or wherever convenient. In towns large 
enough to have a guild-hall, that would be the first choice. (The guild-hall at Exeter, 
rebuilt in 1330 and still standing, was often the site of such performances.) If the guild- 
hall was not available or if the village had none, the church was the obvious alternative. 
It seems not to be generally recognized that the professional actors continued to per- 
form in churches well into the Elizabethan age. This was true from Lincolnshire to 
Essex to Devon. Certainly as late as the 1560s, Leicester's and the queen's players were 
still acting in churches at Dartmouth and Tavistock, respectively. Although we do 
have Bishop Grandisson's complaint about the actors performing under an overhang- 
ing structure in a churchyard, which they had fitted up as a stage, nowhere is there 
any hint that they ever acted from board and barrel stages at street corners or on village 
greens. Nor, if we can judge by the records, did they ever act in inns or innyards, 
except occasionally for the 'mayor's play' at Barnstaple. In fact some negative evidence 
strongly suggests that they did not do so. An order by the Devon county justices of 
the peace on 19 April 1604 accuses innkeepers of almost every conceivable abuse - 
allowing gambling, whoring, swearing, riotous behaviour - but it does not mention 
plays despite the known antipathy of the justices to plays. That same order reminds 
constables throughout the county that no person who was a resident of the parish 
where an inn was located, or a resident of any parish adjoining, was allowed to fre- 
quent that inn. If actors had tried to perform at the inns, they would have drawn no 
local customers. The evidence suggests that they did not bother to try. 
Although the expense accounts of a number of parishes show that costumes and 
hand properties were provided to local players when needed - painted cloaks, a fool's 
coat, beards, heads of hair, golden skins, a silver arrow for Robin Hood - it does not 
appear that either amateur or professional actors required much if anything in the way 
of staging. Aside from the canvas house for Robin Hood at Woodbury, only two en- 
tries out of the hundreds concerning drama in the county suggest that players used 
anything but the bare floor for a stage. At Dartmouth in 1567-8 there is an expense 
for 'caryng of bordes to the curche for the players,' and at Plymouth a single similar 
entry for 'bearing of Bordes' to the guild-hall along with 'other fourniture' for a play 
presented in 1580 by Worcester's men. There is one expense at Barnstaple for mending 
the ceiling of the guild-hall broken by the players, but whether that entry suggests 
elaborate staging or sheer carelessness is debatable. In any case, if the church was the 
normal playing place, actors would hardly need anything more elaborate than what 
was already available, the nave floor before the choir screen, for the normal choir 
screen of a medieval church would have provided an almost ideal stage faqade. There 
would be the doorways to the north and south aisles or chapels for exits and entrances, 
and the larger centre entrance to the choir in case a bed or throne were needed, and 
there would be the rood loft in case an actor needed to appear 'above' or 'on the castle 
walls.' (The dismantling of rood lofts in the reign of Elizabeth would of course have 
hindered the latter possibility.) What is clear, at any rate, is that even at Ashburton, 
where there were many expenses for costumes, there were no expenses at all for 



PLAYS AND PLAYERS xxvii 

staging. And nowhere in the county is there any clue that religious drama was ever 
presented from pageant wagons. Plymouth had its 'shipp' of Corpus Christi that went 
about the town, but there is no hint that it was used in connection with a play. 

Gaps in the Records 

Ironically, the closer a researcher comes to 'completeness" in a project such as this, 
the more apprehensive that person becomes that the mass of records collected will 
still not give a true picture of entertainment in the county. To what extent would the 
records of ten abbeys, two collegiate churches, and numerous priories have altered 
that picture? Would the conclusion then have been that religious drama in Devon con- 
sisted primarily of saints' plays and resurrection plays instead of nativity plays? Or 
can we be sure that the missing records of half the boroughs in the county would have 
paralleled those of Exeter and Barnstaple? Would survival of the churchwardens' ac- 
counts that are missing from ninety per cent of the parishes in Devon simply have 
increased the number of entries without altering the general impression given by the 
surviving ten per cent? We cannot know. We can only be aware that what is extant 
is one scene from a larger play and be very cautious about making generalizations. 
In some ways more disturbing than these great gaps in the extant records is the 
knowledge that the records that do exist can be very misleading. Scribes in any age 
tend to make note of the unusual rather than the commonplace. If the queen's players 
come to town, that may be worth noting, but if everyone in the village saw the res- 
urrection play last Easter, why bother to record the fact unless special expenses were 
involved? We cannot know what was left out of the records, but we have some clues 
that a very great deal was in fact omitted. For example, to judge by the Exeter receivers' 
accounts, one would conclude that the only Corpus Christi play presented was the 
one mounted by the Skinners in nine of the years between 1481 and 1497. If one 
troublemaker had not been summoned to the mayor's court in 1414, we would never 
know that Exeter once had a Corpus Christi cycle. We would only know that the 
Dominicans and the Franciscans had some vague connection with a Corpus Christi 
procession at that time. Similarly, when one reads the complaint of the churchwardens 
of Brixham in 1584 that they will have to find a new source of income now that 'the 
libertye of Brewynge of Chourcheale is taken awaye' and that in the same year the 
wardens of Shobrooke sold their brewing equipment, one might conclude that church 
ales disappeared forever. But court records show that Colbrooke, for instance, held 
church ales until 1636-7. It appears that almost every parish produced revenue by 
holding church ales and that the tradition of doing so was at least as old as 1444. 
Some of these ales clearly provided the customers with drama and other entertain- 
ment; are we to conclude that the churches that do not mention such entertainment 
provided none? One would hardly think so. Even today at a church ale or villa.ge lest 
there are likely to be games and contests, singing and dancing, at the very least a Punch 
and Judy show or morris dancers with a hobby-horse. The fact that entertainments 



xxv111 PLAYS AND PLAYERS 

were common is indicated not by the parish records, which keep very quiet about 
these forbidden practices, but by the constant complaints and prohibitions issued by 
the county justices of the peace. Their order of 1595 forbids 'Mynstralcy' and 
'dauncynge' at the time of 'Maye games, playes, Church or parishe Ales.' From 1599 
on, the iustices frequently prohibited revels and May games and maypoles and drink- 
ings. The curiosity is that we would not know of a single one of the entertainments 
to which they obiect, whether Rewe revel or Collumpton maypole, if they had not 
bothered to object. Unfortunately, many of the prohibitions do not name the specific 
villages but complain generally about 'manie great outrages' and 'the infinite number 
of Inconveniences dailye ariseinge' from revels and church ales and other entertain- 
ments such as bear-baiting and bull-baiting. What they do tell us is that long after 
such references disappear from parish records the entertainments were still going on. 
These are only a few examples of the kinds of information too often missing even 
from the extant records. There are many others. To cite another, we learn from a plea 
roll that as early as 1325 there were 'ystrionibus maribus et feminis' in Exeter, but 
except for the dancing wife in 1531 none of these women entertainers ever appears 
in the records. They were present, but without that one gratuitous grammatically 
explicit phrase we would not know of their existence. Perhaps these scattered examples 
suggest why a researcher feels not only that the extant records are a small sample upon 
which to base generalizations but also that even those records we do have are not telling 
the whole truth. Did all professional entertainers except bearwards really disappear 
from Barnstaple between 1485 and 1525, or did a change in bookkeeping methods 
omit them from the receivers' accounts? Did the Skinners of Exeter give over their 
Corpus Christi play in 1497, or did the town council simply stop subsidizing it? These 
are frustrating questions and the answers merely guesses. It is to be hoped that these 
records of early drama in Devon will add considerably to our knowledge, but they 
can hardly give a complete or totally accurate picture. 



xxx THE DOCUMENTS 

reform the clergy and to prevent insolencies by boy-bishops and choristers. Chanter 
3 has the controversial references to 'the theatre of our city of Exeter,' which we have 
here given the safer translation, 'a public place' - though Grandisson does seem to 
have a particular public place in mind. Chanter 4 (f 136v) contains a curious account 
of a Robert Hode, who after his ordination lapsed into apostasy, left the priory of 
Plvmpton, and for a long time 'extitisset in seculo dampnabiliter vagabundus'; when 
he at length repented his evil ways and applied for readmission to the monastery, the 
prior told him firmly, 'In nullo modo.' 

Register of Bishop Thomas Brantyngham 

Exeter, Devon Record Office, Chanter 7; ! 370-94; Latin; parchment; 298 leaves; 320mm x 
225mm; modern foliation; parts of margins of ff 1-24 lost when Ms rebound, some mould; 
19th c. binding in board and half-calf. 

The first 154 folios once comprised a separate institutions book. Then follow fifty- 
six numbered folios, three unnumbered folios, eighteen numbered slips of accounts 
and receipts, and sixty-seven more numbered folios. 
There are no direct references to drama in this volume, though there are many calls 
for processions. Chanter 7 is partly a continuation of Brantyngham's Register from 
Chanter 6, largely dating from 1385-94. The register reflects the troubled times, with 
references to the plague, to Wycliffites, and to the Peasant Revolt (in 1388, there are 
excommunications of the peasants who violently amputated the genitalia of John 
Pypard, a priest from Plymouth, and of Henry de Synford, a monk of Totnes). Wars 
against France, Spain, Scotland, and the anti-pope are also mentioned. 

Register of Bishop Edmund Lacy 

Exeter, Devon Record Office; Chanter ! 1 ; 1420-55; Latin; parchment; 340mm x 250mm; 
581 leaves; foliated j to CCCClxxxxv by scribe, continued in modern ink from 496 to 581, 
these last pages consisting of wills and ordinations and probably originally bound separately; 
19th c. binding in board and half-calf. 

In addition to the two entries transcribed here, Bishop Lacy's Register contains 
many mandates for good crops, success of the English in war, against 'turbid tempests 
and vehement inundations,' for the success of Cardinal Beaufort at a peace conference, 
and the like. There is also an order that the parishioners of Plympton have their palms 
blessed by the prior rather than by their chaplain for their Palm Sunday procession. 

Statutes of Bishop Peter Quinel 

Exeter, Cathedral Library, D & C Exeter MS 3549A; ! 5th c. copy of Bishop Quinel's statutes 



THE DOCUMENTS xxxiii 

BIDEFORD 

Decree in Chancery 

Exeter, Devon Record Office, R 2379 A/Z 2; late 18th c. ; English; paper; 6 leaves; 372mm 
x 227mm; contemporary pagination (1 - 11 ); bound with 5 other booklets in 18th c. board 
binding with gold title on red spine: CHARTERS I &c I B1DEFORD. 

This is a copy of a copy apparently made on 8July 1656 of a Chancery decree made 
during Trinity term 1608. It is in a collection containing copies of various charters 
and other documents pertaining to the borough of Bideford. While the date of the 
decree is 1608, there is no indication in the complaint of the dates on which the feoffees 
of the long bridge squandered town money by attending stage plays. Although the 
copy was made fifty years later, there is no reason to doubt the authenticity of the 
document. 

BRAUNTON 

St Brannock's Churchwardens" Accounts 

Exeter, Devon Record Office, 1677A/PW1a; 1554-1611 ; English;paper; 135 leaves; 300mm 
x 200mm; modern foliation; heavily but carefully repaired; leather binding. 

The book is a collection of originally separate leaves. It begins with the accounts 
of the wardens of'the store of St Brannock,' apparently the churchwardens, 1555- 
1611 ; then it begins again in 1554 with the accounts for the store of St John and St 
George and continues until 1599, when the two sets of wardens were combined. The 
collection concludes with a series of constables" accounts for 1591-9, a few miscel- 
laneous accounts of vicars and collectors for the Marshalsea, and finally a few later 
seventeenth-century fragments of parish register. In general, the guild of St John and 
St George was responsible for the vicar's salary and church lights, and the wardens 
of St Brannock's for the church fabric and civic affairs, but there is some cross-over 
even in the early accounts. By 1570, there is hardly a discernible distinction. Each 
guild held two church ales a year, St Brannock's at Christmas and Midsummer, and 
St John and St George's at Easter and Whitsun. The latter guild was in charge of the 
Robin Hood play, while St Brannock's wardens appear to have paid visiting players. 
The early accounts show clearly that there was a tabernacle or shrine to St George 
in the church. 

Visitations Book 

Exeter, Devon Record Office, 1677A/PWS, formerly Phillipps MS 15755; 1608-28; paper; 



THE DOCUMENTS 

xlix 

Although this is called the Widey court book, its first 302 folios are receivers' ac- 
counts; the final leaf contains a list of citizens who contributed to gifts for James 
in 1615 and Charles  in 1631. The accounts do, however, give considerable informa- 
tion about local entertainment, particularly on May Day. 

Black Book 

Plymouth, West Devon Record Office, W 46; 1535-1707; English and Latin; paper; 360 
leaves; 240mm x 380mm; 8 leaves at the beginning unnumbered, remainder foliated 1-352; 
original board and leather binding. 

R.N. Worth, Calendar of the Plymouth Municipal Records, describes the Black 
Book: 'This is a large folio containing 360 leaves of thick paper, bound in oaken boards 
covered with leather. Commonly known, from the dark colour of its binding, as "The 
Black Book," it is called in the old records the "town ligger," entry being made in 
1535-6 that for it and for writing therein all that was in the old ledger twenty shillings 
were paid. The earliest dated contemporary entry is for 1540; and the original intention 
evidently was to make the book a record of all matters of importance relating to the 
civic life.' It begins with a list of mayors since the reincorporation of the borough from 
Sutton Prior to Plymouth, the first in 1441 ; from 1500 to 1540, beside each mayor's 
name, is a brief history of England for that year in the style of the Anglo-Saxon 
Chronicle. Clearly, the entries made in 1540 are of ordinances of much earlier date, 
as there was no guild of Corpus Christi in 1540. After 1540, the entries continue 
sporadically until 1707, most of those during the Commonwealth period having been 
obliterated at some later date. 

St Andrew's Churchwardens" Accounts 

Plymouth, West Devon Record Office, W 129; 1483-1583; Latin and English; paper; 167 
leaves; 210mm x 310mm; no foliation; repaired and in good condition; cased in thick leather 
wrapper. 

The flyleaf inscription reads: 'Iste liber deliberatus fuit Thome Tresawell m aiori ville 
ac burgi de Plymouth xxj die Octobris anno regni regis Edwardi iiij ti xxij per Thomam 
Tregarthen maiorem burgi predicti Anno precedente viz. Anno xxj Eiusdem domini 
Regis.' There are some St Andrew's churchwardens' accounts and a few mayors' 
accounts at the beginning, particularly those that relate to the building of an aisle and 
the steeple of the church. Folios 6-20 and 24-84 are blank; the remainder of the vol- 
ume contains accounts of the collectors of the tonnage and of assize rents from 1514 
to 1583. 



THE DOCUMENTS 
277mm x 170ram (190ram x 130ram); foliated for binding as 
reverse; good condition; bound as above. 
Draft Inquiry, Somerset Justices of the Peace 
Taunton, Somerset Record Office, Trevelyan Papers, DD/WO 57/11 ; undated (early 17th c.); 
English; paper; single sheet; 157mm x 198ram. 

lix 
f 108, numbered 39 m on 



Editorial Procedures 

The material in this edition is arranged by place, type of document, and chronology. 
Entries pertaining to the diocese of Exeter in general have been placed first, in 
chronological order. (Any references to specific places will be cross-referenced under 
location in the index.) Parishes and boroughs follow in alphabetical order, the entries 
for each place being chronological. Within boroughs, when entries from a particular 
 ear are from more than one source, the following order of document classification 
will be obser'ed: court rolls/books; mayors" accounts; receivers' accounts; cathedral 
accounts (in the case of Exeter); parish accounts; and miscellaneous documents. 
Following boroughs and parishes will be transcriptions from monasteries, private 
households, and the Devon County Quarter Sessions Books. (Any references to spe- 
cific places will be cross-referenced under location in the index.) The few undated en- 
tries as well as entries from household accounts referring to payments made outside 
of Devon will be placed in appendixes. The editorial headings give dates in as much 
detail as possible, document identification, and folio or page numbers. 
An attempt has been made in the edited text to approximate the format of the orig- 
inal manuscripts. As far as possible, headings and marginalia appear in the positions 
they occupy in the manuscripts, although the routine marginalia identifying types of 
payments have been standardized in editorial subheadings throughout. Original 
paragraphing has been preserved, but not original lineation. 
The texts themselves are not emended, except in the case of Bishop Quinel's 
'Statutes of Exeter,' where a collation of thirteen extant manuscripts was required to 
derive an error-free text. Original spelling, capitalization, and punctuation have been 
preserved throughout, but gratuitous marks such as line-fillers have been ignored. 'I' 
and 'J' have been uniformly rendered as 'I'; 'Xp' is expanded as 'Chr,' as in 'Christi.' 
The few entries taken from printed sources preserve the spelling and punctuation of 
those sources but do not follow the early printers' habit of italicizing numerous words 
and phrases. The varying forms 'vv' and 'VV,' used occasionally by early printers, 
are standardized to 'w,' 'W.' 
Most scribal abbreviations have been expanded, with the letters supplied printed 
in italics. When it was not possible to tell from the context whether the scribe intended 
a singular or a plural ending, the word has not been expanded and the abbreviation 



ixii EDITORIAL PROCEDURES 

the entries have been deleted. For the information of those who feel that a church ale 
automatically would include some form of entertainment, a list of the Devon parishes 
known to have held church ales follows. The dates indicate the first and last (or only) 
mention of an ale in the extant records. 

Ashburton (1487-1622) 
Barnstaple (1526-59) 
Braunton (1554) 
Brixham (1584) 
Broad Clyst (1522) 
Chagford (1480-1571) 
Chudleigh (1561-94) 
Chulmleigh (1541-77) 
Colbrooke (1637) 
Collumpton (1608) 
Dartington (1483-1616) 
Dean Prior (1566-9) 
Exeter Holy Trinity (1483-1547) 
Exeter St John's Bow (1444) 
Exeter St Mary Steps (1554) 
Farway (1564-7) 
Harberton (1607) 
Honiton (1570-81) 

Kilmington (1556) 
Kingsbridge (1557-81) 
Modbury (1542-7) 
Monkhampton (1542) 
Morebath (1529-80) 
Plymouth (1499-1536) 
Plymstock (1554-83) 
Rewe (1620) 
Shobrooke (1562-94) 
Sidbury (1621) 
South Tawton (1524-71) 
Stoke Gabriel (1611-21) 
Torbryan (1560) 
Washfield (1568-82) 
Winkleigh (1519-33) 
Wolborough ( 1554-1600) 
Woodbury (1541-1606) 
Woodland (1560-3) 

While church drama has been included in this collection, processions and cere- 
monies within the church, as well as expenses for singing, organ playing, bell-ringing, 
and the like are excluded. As there is no reference to drama, expenses for building 
or repairing the Easter sepulchres at Dartmouth, St John's Bow, Morebath, and 
Woodbury have been deleted. The same is true of pageants and tabernacles when they 
were not clearly taken outside the church for celebrations primarily popular rather 
than ecclesiastical. Ashburton, for instance, had tabernacles of Holy Trinity, St 
Andrew, St Christopher, St George, St John, St Mary, and St Thomas, but there is 
no hint that they were ever taken outside the church or used for any of Ashburton's 
many dramatic performances. Chagford may have held the record for these structures 
with nineteen pageants and a tabernacle of St Eligius. Other such tabernacles were 
at Braunton; St Petrock's, Exeter; Kilmington; and Woodbury. The yearly Corpus 
Christi celebration and procession at Exeter Cathedral are also excluded, as they took 
place in and around the cathedral; other processions, purchases of musical instru- 
ments, and such items as payments to choristers similarly are excluded. While refer- 
ences to boy-bishops and abbots of misrule throughout the county will be found in 
this collection, the cathedral's boy-bishop service will not: it is a straightforward 



EDITORIAL PROCEDURES lxiii 

religious service promulgated by Bishop Grandisson to prevent the horseplay com- 
mon elsewhere. 47 
Ceremonial practices such as the annual walking of the boundaries or mayors' feasts 
are not included unless there is clear evidence of music or other entertainment; guild 
feasts and the mayor of Exeter's annual procession to the cathedral likewise are 
excluded, even though the latter includes a payment to the choirboys in the procession. 
(That procession, incidentally, is still an annual feature of Exeter's civic pageantry.) 
The same exclusion pertains to royal entries into Exeter: while such entries often pro- 
duced magnificent shows and pageants elsewhere, there is no evidence that similar 
spectacles occurred at Exeter. 48 Except for the visit of Henry Iv in 1402, when he and 
his queen were entertained by waits and minstrels, the royal visitor would merely be 
met at the gate by appropriately dressed civic and ecclesiastical dignitaries, welcomed, 
and escorted to his or her lodging. The only entertainment provided was food, drink, 
a gift of money, and perhaps a tour of the city, as in the instance of Richard m's in- 
spection of the castle and his shock at hearing it called Rougemont, a scene later made 
famous by Shakespeare. 
Court cases involving individual entertainers are transcribed only if the case relates 
to the performance of their art, however peripherally. Such cases as the 1471 Exeter 
mayor's court decision that 'Master John Fool,' a juggler, was guilty of assault and 
battery on a Spaniard have been deleted, but that of a harper who lost his harp is 
included. Because they give evidence of travelling players in the county, one instance 
of an acting troupe caught drinking after hours and another involving the murder of 
an actor also are retained. 
Bull-baitings are included, but routine annual costs for repair of bull chains, ropes, 
stakes, and the like are not unless the entry actually refers to a bull-baiting. Likewise, 
expenses for shooting of guns or for drums or drumsticks for Midsummer musters 
are omitted, although drummers at celebrations such as May Day are included. 
After some deliberation, it was decided not to print references to sports, games, 
and contests. A study of games in Devon, both legal and illicit, is fascinating in itself 
but beyond the scope of this project. It is also the source of extended controversy 
over which of the literally hundreds of possible entries ought to qualify. Would the 
endless church-organized fox, badger, and wildcat hunts qualify as sports, for in- 
stance, or the proposed musket-shooting contest between Dartmouth and Totnes in 
1616? One also must sacrifice, however, somewhat more interesting entries such as 
those pointing to the possibility of an early church-sponsored football league. Certain- 
ly one is surprised to discover the churchwardens buying footballs at Halberton and 
at Coldridge or paying to repair the lawn on the bowling green at Chudleigh ruined 
at the football match. The early references to tennis courts at Dartington, Dartmouth, 
and Winkleigh also are omitted here, as well as the bowling greens at Chudleigh, 
Dartmouth, Exeter, Halberton, Plymouth, and Sheepstor. The number of present- 
ments for unlawful games is almost startling, as are those for breaking windows while 



lxiv F DITORI #.L PROCEDURES 

playing cricket in the churchyard during the time of divine service. Among the un- 
lawful games for which presentments were made are the following, some of which 
are unidentified by the O,D: 49 

alias (or ales) nine holes 
boiling shuffleboard 
bowling alleys skystgrote 
carding stool ball (early cricket) 
coillyng tables 
coyting taxillos (dice) 
globes trappe 
kevlles tutte 
klasshe 

Finally, this collection cannot include the myriad entries that made interesting the 
days on end when no references to dramatic performances appeared in the records, 
entries that brought to life and humanized the people of the Middle Ages and Renais- 
sance. It was the sidelights of history, some amusing, some pathetic, that painted a 
picture of Devon that cannot be conveyed in this collection of dramatic records. There 
was the beautiful Dartmouth 'Magnificat,' inserted without contextual gloss into a 
1484 court book. There was the raped woman with no legal recourse except to sue 
the rapist for money to help support her illegitimate child, or the ineffective deposition 
of Alicia Braninger that Sir Walter Raleigh was the father of her illegitimate child. 
There was the touching enthusiasm of Exeter civic leaders as they offered the newly 
imported orange marmalade to the countess of Devon, and the troubles resulting from 
the Prayer Book Rebellion, and the desperate attempts by churchwardens to conform 
to their rulers' religious views by tearing down and rebuilding and tearing down again 
their shrines and rood lofts. To read the Devon County Quarter Sessions Books is 
almost to read a detailed refutation of every generalization about law and order and 
conformity proposed in Tillyard's The Elizabethan World Picture - and it is also to 
understand something of the fierce pride and determination of the people in a rural 
county faced with externally imposed changes in their way of life. 



Notes 

1 H.P.R. Finberg, West-CountryHistoricalStudies (Newton Abbot, 1969), p 104. 
2 William George Hoskins, Industry, Trade, and People in Exeter 1668-1800 (Man- 
chester, 1935), p 13. 
3 Finberg, p 104, citing Assize Rolls J.., 174, mb 25. 
4 Douglas Francis St Leger-Gordon, Portrait of Devon. 2nd ed (London, 1968), 
p 120. 
5 Ibid, p 121. 
6 John Hatcher, English Tin Production and Trade Before 1550 (Oxford, 1973), 
pp 21-6, 110-11. 
7 W.G. Hoskins, Devon (London, 1972), p 202. Hoskins notes that of the wine 
fleet of two hundred ships belonging to English ports in 1408, nine belonged to 
Plymouth and twenty-seven to Dartmouth; these thirty-six ships together com- 
prised eighteen per cent of the entire wine fleet. 
8 Ibid, p 203. 
9 Eugene A. Andriette, Devon and Exeter in the Civil War (Newton Abbot, 1971), 
pp 12, 15, citing Hooker's Synopsis Chorographical, printed in Reportand Trans- 
actions of the Devonshire Association, 47 (1915), 335-8. 
10 Ibid, p 16. 
11 Hoskins, Devon, p 125. 
12 Ibid, p 113, and Andriette, p 19. 
13 Finberg, p 212. 
14 Percy Russell, Dartmouth: A History of the Portand Town (London, 1950), p 4. 
15 W.G. Hoskins, Old Devon (Newton Abbot, 1966) p 164. 
16 Hoskins, Devon, p 383. 
17 M.M. Oppenheim, The Maritime History of Devon, rpt (Torquay, 1968), p 21. 
18 IbM, p40. 
19 Russell, pp 40, 51-6. 
20 St Leger-Gordon, pp 20-1. 
21 Ibid, p 21. 
22 Josiah Cox Russell, British Medieval Population (Albuquerque, 1948), p 142. 



NOTES 

lxvi 
23 Wallace T. MacCaffrey, Exeter, 1540-1640: The Growth of an English County 
Town (Cambridge, 1958), pp 12-13. 
24 Edward A. Freeman, Exeter, 2nd ed (London, 1890), pp 84-5; George Oliver, 
The History of the City of Exeter (Exeter, 1861), p 249. 
25 MacCaffrey, pp 3-11, 158-9. 
26 W.G. Hoskins, O/d Devon p 74. 
27 For a complete list of these accounts, see Audrey M. Erskine, 'The Medieval 
Financial Records of the Cathedral Church of Exeter,'Journaloftbe Soctety of 
Archivists, 2 (1962), 254-66. 
28 See, eg, Geoffrey of Monmouth, History of the Kings of Britain, Sebastian Evans 
(trans) (London, 1958) I. 16, pp 26-7; Edwin Greenlaw, Charles Osgood, and 
Frederick Paddleford (eds), The Works of Edmund Spenser, A Variorum Edition 
(Baltimore, 1932-49), vol 2, p 128. 
29 Crispin Gill, Plymoutb: A New History, 2nd ed, vol 1 (Newton Abbot, 1979), 
pp 56-8, 67-9, 81-3. 
30 lbid, pp 78-9. 
31 Oppenheim, pp 35-6. 
32 Andriette, p 15. 
33 W.G. Hoskins, 'The Wealth of Medieval Devon,' Devonshire Studies, W.G. 
Hoskins and H.P.R. Finberg (eds) (London, 1952) pp 223-4. 
34 Hoskins, Devon, p 109. 
35 Finberg, p 212. 
36 Andriette, pp 75-80, 97-101, 120-1, 123-34. 
37 Hoskins, 'The Wealth of Medieval Devon,' p 224. 
38 Michael Laithwaite, 'Totnes Houses 1500-1800,' The Transformation of English 
Provincial Towns 1600-1800, Peter Clark (ed) (London, 1984), pp 63-4. 
39 Hoskins, Devon, p 506; Laithwaite, p 64. 
40 Laithwaite, p 64. 
41 For a third parish, Axminster, we have a lost document of another kind; see 
Charles Sisson, 'Shakespeare Quartos as Prompt Copies: with Some Account of 
Cholmeley's Players and a New Shakespeare Allusion,' Review of English 
Studies, 18 (1942), 129-43, who mentions a Star Chamber case dating from the 
late 16th or early 17th century and involving libellous stage players of Axminster. 
Sisson does not document the reference, and I have been unable to locate the 
record at the PRO. 
42 These "pageants, 'like most others in the county, were apparently shrines or taber- 
nacles permanently located in the church. They were not related to any cycle 
drama and probably not to external religious processions. 
43 DRO: 2983A/PWI. See especially 1536 and 1537. 
44 Agnes Francis was churchwarden of Shobrooke in 1575-6 (DRO: 1048A/PW10, 
f 1). Cecily Gybb was warden of Clyst St George in 1596-7 (DO: Clyst St 
George PWS). Margaret Taylor and William Norman's mother were wardens 



NOTES lxvii 

at Morebath in 1571, Joan Rumbelow in 1557, Margaret-at-Borston in 1528 
(PRO: 2983A/PW1, ff 5, 156, 172v). Among others in the county, Elizabeth 
Grendfyld was churchwarden at Kilmington in 1557-8 and Joan Banke in 1560-1 
(PRO: 3047A/PW1, ff 5, 7v). 
45 A great many of these title deeds and other evidences came into the possession 
of the earl of Bedford, who at the Dissolution was grantee of Tavistock Abbey 
and other monastic lands. After centuries in the library at Woburn Abbey, they 
have now been deposited in the Devon Record Office. 
46 For Gogmagog, see note 28 above and Newcastle upon Tyne, J.J. Anderson (ed), 
Records of Early English Drama (Toronto, 1982), pp xv, xxxviii, note 18. 
47 The boy-bishop was involved in the services at Exeter Cathedral on 27 and 28 
December. The text for the service is in Bishop Grandisson's 'Ordinale Exonien- 
sis" in the cathedral library (D & C 3502, f 30). George Oliver, Lives of the Bishops 
of Exeter (Exeter, 1861), pp 228-9, cites a few regulations concerning the boy- 
bishop - the maximum amount to be spent on his breakfast, for instance - but 
these are not now to be found among the civic or cathedral records. 
48 For a discussion of these entries, see John Gidley, History of Royal Visits to the 
Ancient and Loyal City (Exeter, 1863), and Cecily Radford, 'An Unrecorded 
Royal Visit to Exeter, Report and Transactions of the Devonshire Association, 63 
(1931), 225-63. Royalty who visited the city included Edward  (1285 and 1299), 
Edward the Black Prince (1371 ), Henry iv (1402), Henry v (1451 ), Edward iv 
(1469), Queen Margaret (1471), Richard m (1485), Henry vii (1497), and 
Katherine of Aragon (1501). 
49 The jury presentments in the early Dartmouth Court Books, 1484-1649 (DO: SM 
1981-SM 1989) contain references to almost all of these illicit games as well as 
complaints of all sorts about the times and places they were played. SM 1981 also 
contains (ff 3v-6) the beautiful Dartmouth 'Magnificat.' 



Select Bibliography 

The select bibliography consists of books and articles containing first-hand transcrip- 
tions of primary records and some essential reference works. No attempt has been 
made to hst all works cited in the Introduction, textual footnotes, and Endnotes. 

Amery, John S. "The Accounts of the Receiver of the Corporation of Totnes in the 
Year 1554-5,' Report and Transactions of the Devonshire Association for the 
Advancement of Science, Literature, and Art, 12 (1880), 322-31. 
Binney, J. Erskine (transcr). The Accounts of the Wardens of the Parish of Morebath, 
Devon: 1520-1573. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries, 3, pts 1-4 (1903-4). 
Brushfield, T.N. 'The Financial Diary of a Citizen of Exeter, 1631-43,' Report and 
Transacttons of the Devonshire Association for the Advancement of Science, Liter- 
ature, and Art, 33 (1901), 187-269. 
Butcher, J.H. (ed). The Parish of Asbburton in the 15tb and 16tb Centuries as It 
Appears from Extracts from the Churchwardens' Accounts, A.D. 1479--1580 
(London, 1879). 
Chanter, J.R. Sketches of the Literary History of Barnstaple (Barnstaple, 1866). 
- and Thomas Wainwright (eds). Reprint of the Barnstaple Records, 2 vols 
(Barnstaple, 1900). 
Cornish, Harper W. 'Presidential Address. Strolling Players in the West when Shakes- 
peare Trod the Boards,' Annual Reports and Transactions of the Plymouth Institu- 
tion and Devon and Cornwall Natural History Society, 7 (1949-56), 147-60. 
Cotton, William and James Dallas. 'Exeter City Muniments,'Notes and Gleanings: 
A Monthly Magazine Devoted Chiefly to Subjects Connected with the Counties of 
Devon & Cornwall, 2 (1889), 75; 3 (1890), 8. 
Dunstan, G.R. (ed). The Register of Edmund Lacy Bishop of Exeter, 1420-1455, 
Registrum Commune, 5 vols. The Canterbury & York Society (in coniunction with 
the Devon & Cornwall Record Society) (Torquay, 1963-72). 
Finberg, H.P.R. 'The Tragi-Comedy of Abbot Bonus,' Devonshire Studies. W.G. 
Hoskins and H.P.R. Finberg (eds) (London, 1952), 198-211. 
Hamilton, A.H.A. Quarter Sessions from Queen Elizabeth to Queen Anne; 



IXX SE! ECT BIBI IOGRAPHY 

Jewitt, Llewellynn. A History of Plymouth (London and Plymouth, 1873). 
Jones, Mary. The History of Chudleigh, Devon; with a Descriptmn of the Surrounding 
Scenery, Seats, Families, etc. 2nd ed. William W. Snell (rev) (Exeter and Chudleigh, 
1875). 
Karkeek, Paul Q. 'The First Visit of Charles  to Devon, 1625,' Report and Trans- 
actions of the Devonshire Association for the Advancement of Science, Literature, 
and Art, 10 (1878), 223-36. 
Lysons, Daniel and Samuel. Magna Britannia: Being a Concise Topographical Account 
of the Several Counties of Great Britain, vol 6, Devonshire (London, 1822). 
Morey, Adrian. Bartholomew of Exeter, Bishop and Canonist: A Study in the Twelfth 
Century (Cambridge, 1937). 
Murray, John T. English Dramatic Companies, 1558-1642.2 vols (London, 1910). 
Oliver, George. Lves of the Bishops of Exeter and a Hstoryof the Cathedral(Exeter, 
1861). 
Osborne, Francis Mardon (transcr). The Church Wardens'Accounts of St Michael's 
Church, Chagford 1480-1600 (Chagford, 1979). 
Powicke, F.M. and C.R. Cheney (eds). Councils & Synods with Other Documents 
Relating to the English Church, vol 2, A.D. 1205-1313, pt 1, 1205-1265; pt 2, 1265- 
1313 (Oxford, 1964). 
Prince, John. Danmonii Orientales Illustres: or, the Worthies of Devon (Exeter, 1701). 
Radford, Cecily. 'Early Drama in Exeter,' Report and Transactions of the Devonshire 
Association for the Advancement of Science, Literature, andArt, 67 (1935), 361-70. 
-'Medieval Actresses,' Devon  Cornwall Notes  Queries, 26 (1954-5), 26. 
- 'Three Centuries of Playgoing in Exeter," Report and Transactions of the Devonshire 
Association for the Advancement of Science, Literature, and Art, 82 (1950), 241-69. 
Vowell, John alias Hoker. The Description of the Citie of Excester. 3 pts. WalterJ. 
Harte, J.W. Schopp, and H. Tapley-Soper (eds and transcrs) (Exeter, 1919, 1947). 
Watkin, Hugh R. Dartmouth, vol 1 - Pre-Reformation. Parochial Histories of De- 
vonshire, no 5 (Torquay, 1935). 
Watkins, John. An Essay towards a History of Bideford in the County of Devon (Exe- 
ter, 1792). 
Welch, Edwin (ed). Plymouth Building Accounts of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth 
Centuries, Devon & Cornwall Record Society, ns, vol 12 (1967). 
Worth, R.N. Calendar of the Parish Records of Tavistock (Plymouth, 1893). 
- Calendar of the Plymouth Municipal Records (Plymouth, 1893). 
- 'Men and Manners in Stuart Plymouth,' Report and Transactions of the Devonshire 
Association for the Advancement of Science, Literature, and Art, 15 (1883), 455-75. 
- 'Men an d Manners in Tudor Plymouth,' Report and Transactions of the Devonshire 
Association for the Advancement of Science, Literature, and Art, 14 (1882), 603-30. 
- 'Notes on the Early History of Stonehouse,' AnnualReports and Transactions of 
the Plymouth Institution and Devon and Cornwall Natural History Society, 9 
(1884-7), 338-74. 



SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY lxxi 

Wright, W. H. K. (ed). Some Account of the Barony and Town of Okehampton: Its 
Antiquities and Institutions. Including the Journals Kept by Messrs. Rattenbury and 
Shebbeare, Gents. and Burgesses from the 21James ., to the Death of William m; 
with Notes Genealogical, Descriptive, and Explanatory. Edited and Enlarged from 
the Collections Made by William B. Bridges, the Rev. C. Thomas and the Rev. H. G. 
Fothergill, Rector of Belston. A New Edition with Additional Chapters Edited by 
W.H.K. Wright, F.R. Hist. Soc., Borough Librarian, Plymouth (Tiverton, 1889). 



Map of Devon from John Speed, The Tteatre of the Empire of Great Britaine, by courtesy 
of the Huntington Library 



Map of Exeter from Braun and Hogenberg, Ciwtates Orbis Terrarum 1572-1618, by 
permission of Theatrum Orbis Terrarum B.V. 



Map of Plymouth from BL: Cotton Augustus Li.38 by permission of the British Library 



RECORDS OF EARLY ENGLISH DRAMA 



Symbols 

A 
BL 
DNB 
DRO 
ECA 
FDRO 
EUL 
HH 
NDA 
PRO 
SIC 
WDRO 
[ ] 
(blank) 
o o 

Antiquarian Compilation 
British Library 
Dictionary of National Biography 
Devon Record Office 
Exeter City Archives 
East Devon Record Office 
Exeter University Library 
Hatfield House 
North Devon Athenaeum 
Public Record Office 
Short-Title Catalogue 
West Devon Record Office 
(after folio, page, or membrane number) see endnote 
lost or illegible letters in the original 
cancellation in the original 
a blank in the original where writing would be expected 
matter in the original added in another hand 
interlineation above the line 
interlineation below the line 
caret mark in the original 
ellipsis of original matter 
change of folio or membrane in passages of continuous prose 
right-hand marginalia 
marginalia too long for the left-hand margin 



DIOCESE OF EXETER 1287 5 

ludos huiusmodi, quamquam improprie dictos eo quod ex eis crimina 
oriuntur, exercuerint, predicti sacerdotes eorum nomina loci 
archidiacono vel ipsius officiali denuncient vt per ipsos pro suis 
demeritis canonice puniantur. 

(Chapter seventeen) 
De vita & honestate clericorum xvii 
...Item clerici modesti sint & sobrii abstinentes se a crapula & 
ebrietate. Nam vt air beatus Gregorius, 'Guloso nichil turpius, cuius 
fetor in ore, pallor in facie, tremor in digitis, & in cuius corde nullum 
later secretum.' Et vt inter clericos & histriones (sicut est) ita & 
appareat omnibus dispar professio, districte precipitous quod ad 
conuiuia non accedant, maxime sacerdotes, nisi a domino domus 
specialiter sint inuitati. Quod si inuitari contigerit, sese non 
ingurgitent sed protinus post prandium ad propria sobrij reuertantur. 
Nusquam tabernas excerceant nisi peregrinacionis causa in itinere 

15 

Collation continued: 1 quamquam] B or B 2 corrects quamquam to quamuis in 
marg. 1 quod] A adds [quod] or quid after quod, CP add quid 1 ex] ore. E 
2 exercuerint] excercuerint GH, ore. D, but D 2 adds exercerunt, ore. N 2 predicti] 
ore. D but D 2 adds 2 J adds [sacerdotibus] after predicti 3 archidiacono] 
archidiaconi K 3 ipsius] eius N 3 officiali] officialis K 3 denuncient] denunciet 
G, de nuncierit K 3 per] ore. HL 4 canonice] ore. E 4 puniantur] p,'ulniantur 
E 9honestate]honesteE 9clericorum]clerumP 9xvij].16. D, Faddsxviijm 
marg., rubrica H, Jadds Capitulum .xvij. in marg., 17. K, ore. BCGN 10sobrij] 
sobriij A 11 beatus Gregorius] underlined in a lighter colour of ink in P 11 beatus] 
ore. H 11 Gregorius] apparentlyrubricatedin B 11 Guloso] GuloseA, Gulosi C, 
gulo H, G|oso K 11 nichil] mihi C 11 turpius] DEHN add est after turpius 
12 fetor] DHKNaddestafterfetor 12-13tremor... secretum]om.J 12 tremor] 
terrmorE 12&]om. BEH 12cuius]om. DKLN 13Et]om.H 13vt]Kadds 
aitaftervt 13c|ericos]Baddsestafterclericos, expungedbyBorB 2 13&2]ore. 
BDHLN 14 appareat] appariat C, apparet H, DHJLN add in after appareat 
14 omnibus] ore. K 14 dispar] disse G 14 professio] prosessio C 14 districte] 
DistriteH, NorN2 corrects-tri-overerasure 14 ad]om.K 15conuiuia]conuiuium 
E, J reads conuiua, but gives conuiuia as catchword, -ia corrected by N or N 2 over 
erasure 15 accedant] K adds & after accedant 16 specialiter] spiritualiter KN, 
correctedto spiritualiterovererasurebyNorN 2 16 sint] fuerint EH, sicut A', ore. 
ABCFGJP 16 inuitati] N or N 2 corrects over erasure 16 Quod] quos DKN, orn. 
B si]om.B 16inuitari:imitariA,om.B 17ingurgitent],[in'gurgitemB, Dor 
D 2 corrects over erasure 17 ad propria] om. G 17 sobrij] sobriij A, ore. K 
17 reuertantur] reuertentur ACFGHP, reuertant DE, K corrects -entur to -antur 
18 Nusquam] Numquam FG 18 tabernas] H adds non after tabernas 
18 peregrinacionis causal causa peregrinacionis DEN 18 in] dittographyJ 
18 itinere] itnere G, itenere P 



DIOCESE OF EXETER 1352 11 

1352 
Register of Bishop John de Grandisson 
f 172v* (9 August) 

DRO: Chanter 3 

ooo 
Iohannes &c. dilecto in christo filio.. Archidiacono Exoniens# vel eius s 
.. Officiali'. salutem, graciam & benediccionem. Inuidus hostis 
antiquus malorum omnium insensator, qui agit assidue vt 
tranquillitatis humane delicie, extra mundi terminos exularent, ibi, sue 
venena nequicie, lacius nititur diffundere: vbi se seuerius estimat 
obfuturum. Sane, licet artes mechanicas, vt rerum experiencia continue 10 
nos informat: mutuo, necessitate quadam, oporteat se iuuare: pridem 
tamen intelleximus, quod non nulli nostre Ciuitatis Exoniensis 
inprudentes fili/, inordinate lasciuie dediti, fatue contempnentes que 
ad ipsorum & vniuersalis populi indigenciam, fuerunt vtiliter 
adinuenta, quendam ludum noxium qui culpa non caret, immo verius ,s 
ludubrium in comumeliam & opprobrium allutariorum, necnon 
eorum artificij, hac instanti die dominica, in theatro nostre Ciuitatis 
predicte publice peragere proponunt, vt inter se statuerant & 
intendunt, ex quo ut didicimus, inter prefatos artifices/& dicti ludi 
participes, auctores pariter & fautores, graues discordie, rancores & 20 
rixe, cooperante satore tam execrabilis ire & inuidie vehementer 
pululant & insurgunt. Adeo, quod nisi ab illorum illicito proposito, 
spiritu ducti consilij sanioris, se abstineant totaliter & desistant, 
insultus & aggressus terribiles, pacis Regis & regni turbacio, verbera 
& sediciones, ac eciam ex consequenti, animarum amarius deploranda 2s 
pericula proch dolor insequentur: Considerantes igitur, quanta mala 
corporum & animarum sub velamine & colore ludi eciam liciti 
stimulante diabolo, eueniunt & contingunt.' ad resistendum in 
quantum possumus talium fluctuum & procellarum principijs ne 
deterius inde sequatur, non inmerito prouocamur. Quocirca, vobis 3 
iniungimus firmiter & mandamus: quatinus ne aliqui, quocumque 
nomine censeantur, dictum ludum tam acerbis periculis indicia 
ministrantem, in nostra diocesi, et presertim in nostra Ciuitate 
predicta, inchoate, vel inchoatum perficere presumant quomodolibet 
vel attemptent.' primo, secundo, tercio & peremptorie inhibeatis 3s 
publice & expresse, sicuti ipsis tenore presencium inhibemus, sub pena 
excommunicationis maioris, quam in ipsos & ipsorum quemlibet si 
monicionibus & inhibicionibus huiusmodi non paruerint cure effectu 
,,'exnunc, prout extunC ferimus in hijs scriptis. Ad hoc quia memorati 
artifices, qui, vt clamosa insinuacione vulgi recepimus, in mercibus suis 40 
distrahendis plus iusto precio, modernis temporibus a contrahentibus 
cure eisdem, adeo excessiue recipiunt & extorquent, quod ipsorum 



14 DIOCESF OF EXETFR 1360--72 

publicauimus & huiusmodi mandatum vestrum in quinque libris 
ecclesie magis vsualibus ad perpetuam memoriam transcribi fecimus. 
Nosque omnes & singuli eidem mandato vestro reuerenter paruimus. 
Et quia nulli contra presens mandatum vestrum venire presumpserunt 
ad citandum huiusmodi delinquentes minime processimus. Et sic 
mandatum vestrum reuerendum in omnibus reuerenter sumus executi. 
Data apud Otery sancte Marie penultimo die mensis decembris anno 
domini supradicto: 

1372 
Register of Bishop Thomas Brantyngham 
f 14v (31July) 

DRO: Chanter 7 

10 

Thomas &c discretis viris. Archidiaconis Tottonesii & Barnastapule & s 
Decano de Toritona ac etiam Rectori ecclesie parochialis de Toritona 
& omnibus & singulis curatis in eisdem archidiaconatibus diuina 
celebrantibus Salutem in domino Querelam lohannis Skydmore. 
Mareschalli aule nostre grauem recepimus continentem, quod quidam 
subditi nostri sue salutis inmemores, quorum nomina ignoramus. & 20 
personas vnam citheram de charecta nostra ceperunt & asportarunt, 
& apud eos detinuerunt atque detinent occupant & concelant absque 
causa racionabili seu licencia quacumque temere & inuste, contra 
voluntatem ipsius Iohannis Skydmore & in ipsius preiudicium valde 
graue, non absque graui suarum periculo animarum super quo a nobis 25 
remedium ecclesiasticum postulauit/deuocioni igitur vestre 
communiter seu diuisim in virtute obediencie firmiter iniungendo 
comittimus & mandamus, quatinus in ecclesijs r& alijs locis 
archidiaconituum predictorum quibus per pattern ipsius lohannis 
fueritis requisiti.' cum maior in eisdem ecclesijs affuerit populi 30 
multitudo, moneatis surruptores asportatores, detentores occupatores 
& concelatores Cithere predicte, quod infra viii dies monicionem 
vestram proximos sequentes huiusmodi citheram restituant, 
effectualiter liberent atque tradant sub pena excommunicacionis 
maioris, quam in eosdem lapso termino predicto suis culpa & mora 35 
precedentibus, canonice fulminetis & eosdem excommunicetis ac 
postmodum excommunicatos publice & solempniter in locis predictis 
auctoritate nostra denuncietis & denunciari faciatis pulsatis campanis. 
candelis accensis & extinctis & cure omni solempnitate alia. in similibus 
denunciacionibus fieri consuetum, diebus dominicis & festiuis ad hec 4o 

401 consuctum for consuetis 



Boroughs and Parishes 

ASHBURTON 

1487-8 
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2141A/PW1 
f 12v (6 May-5 May) (Gifts, rents, and other receipts) 
...Et de xx s xj d ob. receptis de Roggero Colpstone & lohanni fferys 
pro le play ale ... 

1489-90 
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2141A/PWI 
ff 17-17v (6 May-5 May) (Costs and expenses) 
o.o 
... Item in Solucione Thome (druyste)I pro custodia togorum ludorum 
xij d ... 

10 

f 19v (Expenses) 

...Item Iohan Soper pro factura Togarum ludatorum x d ... 

5/lohanniforlohanne 
12/togorumfor togarum 

20/lohannifor lohannis 
23/lohanfor lohanni 

1490-1 
15 
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts DRO: 2141A/PW1 
f 18v (6 May-5 May) (Gifts, rents, and other receipts) 
...Item respondent de [x] xxxiij s, iiij d [ex] de (p..)ment seruicie vocate 
the playerryn ale per manus Galfridi Mayne & lohanni Geffre ... 



ASHBURTON 1499-1509 19 

1499-1500 
St Andrew's Churchwardens" Accounts 
f 32 (6 May-5 May) (Expenses) 

DRO: 2141A/PW1 

...Item in Solucione pro le [le] Skowryng de le latyn Sense & pro 
emendacione de le churche walle & pro pavyng & pro cariagio sabuli 
& pro sibo & potibus lude[sores] in die Corporis christi [v]iii s [vii] 
riii 1 d 

1500-1 
St Andrew's Cburcbwardens' Accounts DRO: 2141A/PWi 
f 33 (6 May-5 May) (Gifts, rents, and other receipts) 

...Item respondent de xij s. receptis de player money hoc anno ... 

1501-2 
St Andrew's Cburcbwardens" Accounts DRO: 2141A/PW! 
f 35 (6 May-5 May) (Gifts, rents, and other receipts) 

...Item respondent de iii i s receptis de Iohannis Hoper pro player 
money ... 

10 

15 

20 

1505-6 
St Andrew's Cburcbwardens' Accounts DaO: 2141A/PW! 
f 40v (6 May-5 May) (Expenses) 
...Item for pergettyng and playstryng of the mantell in dorzed is house 
and bred & ale to the playeres iiij s v d ... 

1508-9 
St Andrew's Cburcbwardens' Accounts 
f 45* (6 May-5 May) (Expenses) 

DRO-" 2141A/PW1 

...for mendyng of player clothys vij s vii d payde to prestes & klerkes 
& chylder viii d ... 

25 

30 

35 

7/siboforcibo; lude[ sores lfor ludo ? 
20/HoperforSoper? 

20/lohannisfor lohanne 



ASHBURTON 1523-9 21 

1523-4 
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2141A/PW1 
f 84 (6 May-5 May) (Repairs, payments, and external costs) 
... Et de xvj d solutis pro custodia pannorum [la] lusitorum ibidem hoc 
anno ... 

1524-5 
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2141A/PWI 
f 87v (6 May-5 May) (Repairs, payments, and external costs) 

...Et de xvj d allocatis pro custodia pannorum lusorum ibidem hoc 
anno ... 

1525-6 
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2141A/PWI 
f 90v (6 May-5 May) (Repairs, payments, and external costs) 

... Et de xvj d pro factura & emendacione pannorum lusorum ibidem 
[xvj d] hoc anno ... 

1526-7 
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2141A/PWI 
f 93 (6 May-5 May) (Repairs and external payments) 

...Et de xvj d solucione pro custodia pannorum lusorum/Et de iij s 
x d solutis pro noua tunica pro Robyn Whode facta hoc anno ... 

1527-8 
St Andrew's Churchwardens" Accounts DRO: 2141A/PW1 
f 95 (6 May-5 May) (Repairs and external payments) 
...Et de xvj d solutis pro custodia pannorum lusorum hoc anno ... 

1528-9 
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts )Ro: 2141A/PW1 
f 98 (6 May-5 May) (Repairs and external payments) 

... Et de ix s ix d solutis Iohanni Gobyng pro pincione riij s 1 pannum 

10 

15 

2O 

25 

3O 

35 

4O 

40/pannum for pannorum 



ASHBURTON 1540-3 25 

1540-1 
St Andrew's Churchwardens" Accounts DRO: 2141A/PWI 
f 133v (6 May-5 May) (Payments and allowances) 

...Et de ij s solutis certis lusoribus pro Regardo in Tempore Natalis 
domini ... 

f 134 

... Et de v s iiij d solutis pro factura qiij s * tunicarum pro lusoribus & 
pro Custodia rxvj d  earum ... 

1541-2 
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts DUO: 2141A/PWI 
f 135v (6 May-5 May) (Payments and allowances) 

... Et de xix s xj d solutis pro empcione tunicarum pro Roberti Hode 
cure eis adherentibus hoc anno ... 

f 136 

...Et de v s iiij d solutis pro rewardo cuidam viro pro riij s iiij d 1 
Castigacione vrcium & certis rij s 1 lusoribus in die Epiphanie vltimo 
preterito... Et de xx d solutis Wille/mo Bond pro Custodia pannorum 
lusorum. 

1542-3 
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts DRO." 2141A/PW1 
f 137 (6 May-5 May) (Church house and other external receipts) 
...Et de viii d Receptis pro ,roccupacione 1 vestimentorum lusoribus 
ibidem hoc anno 

f 138 (Payments and allowances) 

...Et de ij s solutis ex regardo lusoribus tempore Natalis domini infra 
tempus istius Compoti ... Et de xx d solutis Willelmo Bound pro 
Custodia panni lusorum et de ij s j d solutis pro capitibus diabolorum 

10 

15 

2O 

25 

30 

35 

40 

171 Roberti [or Roberto 



ASHBURTON 1546-54 
f 144v (Payments and allowances) 
...Et de ii s solutis Willelmi Bound pro Custodia vestimentorum 
lusoribus hoc anno ... Et de iii d solutis pro i pair Cerotaci & Coles 
pro lusoribus hoc anno ... 
oo. 

27 

1546-7 
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2141A/PWI 
f 145v (6 May-5 May) (Church house and other external receipts) 
...Et de vj d receptis pro lone vestimentorum lusoribus ... 

f 146v (Payments and allowances) 
... Et de ij s iij d solutis Willelmo Bound pro vestimentis lusoribus & 
les Colers pro ceretads ... 
o.o 

1547-8 
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2141A/PW1 
f 148v (6 May-5 May) (External payments and allowances) 

15 

2O 

...Et de vij s iiij d pro iij noue Togis lusisorybus hoc anno Et de x s 25 
iiij d solutis Nicholao Crown for factura eiusdem cure coloribus Et 
de ij s viii d solutis Willelmo Bound pro factura eiusdem & aliis 
vestimentis lusoribus Et de ij s solutis lusoribus in festo corporis Christi 
hoc Anno ... Et de ij s solutis Willelmo Bond pro Custodia 
vestimentorum lusoribus hoc anno ... 30 

1553-4 
St Andrew's Churchwardens" Accounts DRO: 2141A/PWI 
f 159 (6 May-5 May) (Payments and allowances) 

...Et de xvj d solutis pro potu pro lusoribus hoc anno ... 

35 

31 Wiilelmi for Wiileimo 
25/ noue fornouis 

25/iusisorybusforlusoribus 



ASHBURTON 1557--63 
Thomas Denys & payed to William r(ii s) 1 Bound for kepyng of the 
playrs clothz. 

29 

1557-8 
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2141A/PW1 
f 170 (6 May-5 May) (Payments and allowances) 

...Et de iij d payed for mendyng of the Rattylbagys a corpus christi 
daye/... Et de xxj d payed to William Bound for mendyng of the 
players clothyng ayenst corpus christi daye ... Et de ij s iiij d payed 
to William Bound for mendyng of the players clothez dewe to hym 
the yet befor .... 

10 

1558-9 
St Andrew's Churchwardens" Accounts DRO: 2141A/PWI 
f 172v (6 May-5 May) (Payments and allowances) 

...Et de ij s payed to William Bound for kepyng of the pleers clothyng 
Et de ij d payedfor a payr of Glouys for hym that played chryst on 
corpus christi daye/Et de ij d payed for [Callers] rCullers 1 Et de iiij d 
payd for mendyng of the players clothyng ... 

15 

2O 

1559-60 
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2141A/PWI 
f 174v (6 May-5 May) (Payments and allowances) 

... Et de ij s payed to William Bound for kepyng of the players clothez 
Et de ij d payed for Glovez for the pleers Et de xx d payed for payntyng 
& Colers for the pleers Clothez ... 

25 

3O 

1562-3 
St Andrew's Churchwardens" Accounts DRO: 2141A/PW1 
f 182v (6 May-5 May) (Payments and allowances) 

...Et de iij s iiij d solutis Custodi vrsorum domini Roberti Dudley/... 

35 

1 / ij s z, mtten over something else 201 chr3.,st: h wrttten over something ehe 



3O 

ASHBURTON 1564 / BARNSTAPLE 1462 
1563--4 
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2141A/PW1 
f 186 (6 May-5 May) (Payments and allowances) 
...Et de ij s payed to the players ... 
BARNSTAPLE 

1435-6 
Receivers' Accounts rqDA: Book 3972 
no 4 (External expenses) 
... Et de xl d datis Mynstrell' Et de xl d datis Mynstrell' domini Comitis 
Hundyngtone 

10 

1454-5 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Book 3972 
no 3 (External e.xpenses) 

20 

Et de viii d datis ij Minstrallis domini de Warwyke. Et de viii d datis 
Minstrall' Cancellarij Et de viii d pro Minstrall' domini ffytz Waryn 
Et de xvj d pro j Minstrallo & j herhavde comitis deuonie ... Et de 
xl d datis v Minstrallis domini ducis Exoniensis Et de viii d dat8 ij 
Minstrall8 Ciuitatis Exoniensis ... Et de xl d datis Minstrall' domini zs 
Regis ... Et de viii d datis Minstrall' Henrici Courteney ... 

1458-9 
Receivers'Accounts ND: Book 3972 
no 5 (External expenses) 
...Et de vj d datis Mynstrall' domini Exoniensis ... Et de ij s. datis 
Mynstrall' domini Regis Et de xij d Mynstrall' domini fritz Waryn ... 

3O 

35 

1461-2 
Receivers' Accounts NDA: Roll 2003 
mb I (External expenses) 
... Et de xx d datis vno mynstrallo ... Et de xij d datis minstrall' domini 

4O 

41/ vnofor vni 



32 8ARNSYAPLE 1465--8 

domini fritz Waryn Et de iiij d. datis Willelmo Grevyll Et de iiij d. datis 
i trumpard Et de iiii d datis minstrall' domini de Reueris ... Et de xx d. 
datis mistrall' per assignacionem Maioris Et de xij d. datis al' minstrall' 
Et de xx d datis minstr(..) dno de Arundell Et de xvj d. datis mistrall' 
domino Clarendon ... 

1466-7 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Roll 2007 
mb 1 (External expenses) 
Et de iiij d datis Minstrall' Et de iij d ffustulator" Et de xvj d datis 
Minstrall' domini ffitzwaryn ... Et de xvj d datis Willelmo Grevyll 
Et de xvj d datis ffustulator' & al' minstrall' Et de ij d datis ffyssh & 
Gy ffustulariis... Et de iiii d datis Minstrall' Et de ij d datis al' Minstrall' 
... Et de xvj d datis Thome Harper Et de xij d datis, ij b" Minstrallis 
in Nocte Nativitatis sancti Iohannis baptiste Et de iiij d datis alii 
Minstralo vocato Nytherton Et de xl d datis Minstrall' domini Regis 
Et de ij s iiij d datis Minstral' Regine ... 

2O 

1467-8 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Roll 2008 
mb 1 (External expenses) 
ooo 25 
Et de xx d. datis minstrall' Comitis Arundell Et de iiij d. in vino dato 
similiter Et de xij d. datis Willelmo Grevyll Et de ij d. in vino similiter 
... Et de xx d. datis minstrall' Iohanni Arundel Militis Et de iiij d. 
datis Iohanni harper Et de iiij d. datis Thome Lurer Et de xij d. Iohanni 
Lurer Et de viii d. datis minstrall' Exoniensis ... Et de iiij d. datis 30 
Iohanni Gye ... Et de iiij d. pro j Minstrallo eodem nocte ... Et de 
xij d. datis Thome Harper Et de xvj d datis ij. minstrallis de domino 
Bourcher ... Et de xij d. datis minstrall' domini fferrys Et de iiij d. 
in vino dato similiter Et de xl d datis minstrall' domini Regis Et de 
viii d. in vino dato similiter ... 3s 

3,4/mstrall'forminstrall" 
4/dnofordommi 
5/dommofordomini 

28/lohanmfor lohannis 
31 / eodemfor eadem 
31 / eodem nocte: St John's Eve, 23June 



BARNSTAPLE 1477-9 

de xij d Ricardo Barbour & socijs pro ludo eorum tempore natalis 
domini Et de viii d. alijs ludatoribus in ebdomada Natalis domini. Et 
de viii d. minstrall" de Arundell in Cornubia Et de iiij d. minstrall' 
ducis de Bokyngham Et de iiij d. Minstrall' Henrici Botrugan. Et de 
viii d. Custodi vrsorurn domini Clarencij. Et de v s. solutis vj 
Ministrallis domini Regis .... Et de xij d. duobus Ministrallis ducis 
Gloucestrie Et de iiij d. vno alio minstrallo extraneo .... 

35 

1477-8 
Receivers'Accounts NDA." Roll 2016 
mb 1 (External expenses) 

10 

...Et de viij d. solutis ludator' coram maiore ... Et de iij s. iiij d. solutis 
ministrall' domini Regis. Et de viij d. solutis ministrall' Magistri ts 
Sepcote. Et de iiij d. solutis ministrall' domini Denam. Et de vj d. 
solutis ministrall' ambulant" coram maiore in vigilia sancti Iohannis 
Baptiste. Et de iiij d. solutis Willelmo Grevell ministrallo domini 
ffuaryn Et de iiij d. solutis ministrall' Magistri Crocker. Et de iiij d. 
solutis ministrall' [dni] Magistri Norbury. Et de viii d. ij b's ministrallis 20 
ducis Glowcestrie. Et de ij d. duobus ministrallis magistri botregan. 
Et de ij d. ministrall' Magistri Greynefyld. Et de ij d. Ricardo 
Netherdon .... 

1478-9 2s 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Roll 2017 
mb 1 (External expenses) 
o.o 
...Et de ij s. in Mimis principis Et de iiij d. in vino eodem tempore 
Et de vj d. Mimis Willelmi Curtenay Militis Et de ij d. vno fistulatori. 0 
Et de xij d. ludator' Magistri Beamont ... Et de xvj d. ludator' de 
Torynton Et de xij d. ludator' Willelmi hayn & Alijs .... Et de xij d. 
duobus pueris cantando in festo Natali domini... Et de iiij d. ludator' 
in cymboll ... Et de iiij d. ludatori vocato tumbeler ... Et de vj d. 
Ministrall' Magistri Arundell Et de viii d. lutorio vocato freer eodem s 
die Et de vi d. duobus fistulatoribus in vigilia Nativitatis sancti 
Iohannis Baptiste .... Et de ij s. vj d. Ministrall' domine Regine ... 

7/vnoforvni 30/vnoforvm 
7/ a|iofor alii 



BARNSTAP[ E 1480-3 

1480-1 
Receivers'Accounts tDA: Roll 2018 
mb I (External expenses) 
Et de viii d. solutis ii 's Mirnis ad mandatum Maioris qui fuerunt in 
domo Iohannis Cutler. Et de iiij d. solutis vno Mimo Domini 
Dynham. Et de iiii d. Solutis vno saltori. Et de ii s. solutis quinque 
lusoribus & vno ffistulatori. Et de xii d. Solutis lohanni Wexmaker 
& consortibus suis pro vno lusu in domo Maioris. Et de xij d. Solutis 
Iohanni Steynour & consortibus pro vno lusu in domo maioris. Et 
de iiii d. solutis pro allacione garlamenti Iohannis Wolston A hianton 
vsque ad domurn Maioris. Et de xii d. solutis Mimo Magistri Stukley 
& vno alio existent/cure eo. Et de iiii d. solutis Mimo Magistri 
Arondell ... 

1481-2 
Receivers'Accounts NDA; Roll 2019 
mb 1 (External expenses) 
Et de iii s. iiii d. solutis Mimis domini Regis in domo maioris Et de 
xvi d. in vino eodem tempore ibidem Et de ii s. solutis Mimis ducis 
eboraci Et de viii d. Mimis domini Denam Et de iiii d. Mimis Magistri 
Arundell. Et de viii d. Mimis Magistri Norbury Et de viii d. solutis 
Mimis domini Soche Et de iiii d. Mimo Magistri Copelston Et de xii d. 
solutis Iohanni Wexmaker & sociis suis pro ludo coram maiore in 
festo Natali domini ... 

1483-4 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Book 3972 30 
no 9 (External expenses) 
ooo 
...Et de xv d. solutis vii tern saltoribus de comitatu Somersete. Et de 
viii d. ministrall' Magistri Sepcote .... Et de iiii d. ministrall' domini 
Denam .... Et de xx d. datis Ministrall' domini Arundell ... 3s 

5,6,12,13/ Mimis, MJmo: Minis, Mimo MS 
6,7,13/vno ]'or vni 
il/hianton probably Heanton Punchardon, separated from Barnstaple by two small parishes 
13/alio for alii 
14/first I of Arondell written over h 



38 BARNSTAPLE 1528-35 

1528-9 
Receivers' Accounts NDA: Book 3972 
no 41, mb 1 (Expenses) 
... Item the ii d day of luly payed to Mr Comer for Mynstrelles ij s .... 
1531-2 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Book 3972 
no 51, mb 2* 
.oo 
Item payd to the Bereherd in a Rewarde iij s. iiij d .... 

1532-3 
Receivers" Accounts 
no 42, mb 2 

NDA: Book 3972 

... Item payd to sir Thomas dennes Mynstrelles at master Mayre ys 
furst dynner xvi d. Item payd vnto the kynges Mynstrelles yn Rewarde 
vj s. viii d. Item to my lorde of deuonshyre ys Mynstrelles yn Reward 
ii s. Item to my lorde daubney ys players yn Reward v s .... 

1533-4 
Receivers' Accounts NDA: Book 3972 
no 43, mb 2 (Expenses) 

...Item yn Rewerd to sir Thomas Dennes Mynstrelles xij d .... Item 
yn Rewerd to the Dukes Mynstrelles v s. Item yn Rewerd to the 
bereherd iij s. iiij d .... 

1534-5 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Book 3972 
no 44, mb 2* (Expenses) 

... Item to the players of Cornewall yn Rewarde iij s. iiij d .... Item to 
my lorde of Norffolke ys Mynstrelles ij s .... Item yn Rewarde to the 
Shyraffys Mynstrell ij s .... 

10 

15 

2o 

3o 



BARNSTAPLE 1537-43 39 

1537-8 
Receivers" Accounts 
no 45, mb 2 

NDA-" Book 3972 

...Item yn Rewarde to the Kynges players vii s. vj d. Item yn wyn 
Spente vppon them at Mawte gages x d .... 

1538-9 
Receivers" Accounts 
no 46, mb 2 

rqDA: Book 3972 

...Item yn Rewarde to the players of Lyscarde iij s. iiij d .... 

I0 

1540-1 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Book 3972 
no 49, mb 2 
...Item a Rewarde to my Lorde of Bathes bayrewerd v s. x d Item payd 
to my Lorde Erie of Brougewaters player(.) v s Item yn expences 
vppon them xi i d... Item yn Rewarde to my Lorde of Bathes players 

no 49, mb 3 

... Item to my lorde of Bathes Mynstrelles with there expences v s... 
Item yn Rewarde to my Lorde of Bathys bereherd v s ... 

1541-2 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Book 3972 
no 50, mb 2 (Expenses) 
... Item to my Lorde of Bathis mynstrTlles with there dryncky(.) v s .... 

1542-3 
Receivers" Accounts NDA : Book 3972 
no 52, mb 2 (Expenses) 

... Item yn Rewarde to the Erie of Bathes players vj s... Item to my 

25 

3O 

35 



44 BARNSTAPLE 1565-74 

1565-6 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Book 3972 
no 73, mb 2 (Allowances) 

... Item (...) Beareward vj s. viii d... Item paid to the Musicyonis of 
Exceter v s .... Item geven to the Musici (...) Bristole by master Maiores 
Commaundement v s .... Item geven to dunne the Luther and his 
felowe iiij s .... 

1568-9 
Receivers" Accounts 
no 75, mb 3 

NDA : Book 3972 

10 

Item paid to Certen Players at Master majors Commaundement vj s 
viii d ... 

15 

1569-70 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Book 3972 
no 78 (Payments and expenses) 

... Item paid to Wyat the Cobler for amendynge the Bull Ryngg j d 
... Item paid to Iohn Gorton for the lone of a Rope at the beatinge of 
A Bull ij d... Item paid the Erleof Lecesteres men by Master Maiors 
commaundement - xij d ... 

1570-1 
Receivers' Accounts 
no 86 (Expenses) 

NDA: Book 3972 

to Dunne the Luter ij s vj d Item paid to the Erie of Worcestoures 
Interlude players x s Item paid to the Lord Mounges Interlude players 
xiij s iiii d ... 

2O 

2 

3O 

1573-4 
Receivers" A ccounts 
no 95 (Expenses) 

NDA: Book 3972 

... Item to Dunne the Luter for a Reward iiij s .... 

35 

5 (...):25ram 6/(...):20ram 



BARNSTAPLE 1574-85 
Item geven to certen players on Wetes v s .... 

45 

1574-5 
Receivers' Accounts 
no 97 (Allowances) 

NDA: Book 3972 

Also he asketh allowaunce paid to the Quenes Maiesties Berewardes 
beynge here this yere v s Item to Iohn Lewne for settynge the bull 
rynge iiij d .... Item geven to the Waytes of Brystowe by Master 
Maiores Commaundement v s ... Item paid to the lord Staffourdes 
players by Master Maiores Commaundment xij s ... 

10 

1575-6 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Book 3972 
no 101 (Allowances) 

...Item paid to a Beareherd x s ... 

15 

1583-4 
Receive' Accounts 
no 116, mb ld 

NDA." Book 3972 

And paid to certen musicions this yere ij s vj d .... And payd to the 
Lord Bartlettes men beynge Enterlude players this yere v s... And for 
the waytes of South Hampton ij s... And to certen other Enterlude 
players x s ... And paid to my Lord Stranges players ij s ... 

2O 

25 

1584-5 
Receivers" Accounts 
no 118 (Payments) 

NDA." Book 3972 

...And towardes the charges of the Watch on midsomer evenynge 
XV S ... 
...And to sir Robart Denys his musicions by master rnaiors 
commaundement v s ... 
...And for v s paid to the earle of Oxfordes musicions ... 

3O 

35 



46 BARNSTAPLE 1585-1601 

1585-6 
Receivers' Accounts NDA: Book 3972 
no 121, mb 1 (Allowances) 
...And geven to certen musicions at the lawe day by master majors 
comrnaundement iii s iiij d .... 

mb ld 

...And geven to my lord Staffordes players ij s ... 

1592-3 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Book 3972 
no 141, mb ld (Expenses) 

...And geven to the Quenes playeres that came to this Towne by 
Master Harrys Commaundement x s... And paid for amendynge the 
Seelynge in the Guildhall that the Enterlude playeres had broken 
downe there this yere vj d .... 

1599-1601 
Philip Wyot's Journal 
f 21" 

REED: English MS 1 

.oo 
This Yere at the Request of Sir Robert Bassett one Sharland a Musician 
was retaind by Mr. Major & his Brethren to go about the Town[el 
about iiij o clock in the Morning with his Waits & is promisd viii I - 
began on all saints day & to continue till candlemas. 

1600-1 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Book 3972 
no 158, mb 1 d (Charges and allowances) 

...And paid the Wayte players to make owt there whole stipend there 
this yere xiiij s ... 

10 

15 

2O 

25 

3O 

35 



BARNSTAPLE 1604-13 

1604-5 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Book 3972 
no 166 (Allowances) 
...geven to the kynges players beynge in Towne this yere x s, and geven 
to the Duke of Lenoxe players beynge Lekewyse in Towne this yere 
.KS 

1607-8 
Receivers' Accounts 
mb ld (Allowances) 

NDA." Roll 2525 

10 

... and geven to the Erie of Darbies players beynge in Towne by Master 
Maiors Comaundement x s ... and geven to the Queenes Maiesties 
players beynge in Towne this yere x s ... and geven to the Kynges 
Maiesties players beynge in Towne this yere by Master Maiors 
Comaundement xx s ... 

1608-9 
Receivers" Accounts NDA: Book 3972 
no 173 (Allowances) 

15 

ooo 
...and paid vnto Sherland the player one the Waites for his pencion 25 
there this yere iiij li .... and geven vnto certen players that came to 
Towne this yere by Master Maiores Commaundement x s .... 

1609-10 
Receivers' Accounts 
no 175, mb 1 

Book 3972 

ooo 
... & geven to tomlyn players beynge in Towne this yere by Master 
Maiors Comaundement xx s, and geven to Sharland the Wayteplayer 
there this yere x s ... 

3O 

35 

1612-13 
Receivers' A ccoun ts 
no 183, mb 1 

NDA." Book 3972 

ooo 
...And geiven vnto Sherlandes boy by Master Mayors 

4O 



50 BARNSTAPLE 1620-30 

1620-1 
Receive'Accounts 
no 195 

NDA: Book 3972 

...And paid to Players that they should departe the Towne and not 
to play xlvij s ... 

1621-2 
Receivers' Accounts NDA: Book 3972 
no 197, mb 2 
Likewise the saide Receivor demaundeth allowance geven vnto the 
Princes players because they should not play within the Towne xl s... 

1622-3 
Receive'Accounts 
no 200, mb 1 

NDA: Book 3972 

... And of xxx s geven to the Lady Elizabeths players by master Mayors 
order.., paid for Candells to hange by a Bull that was not beaten ij d... 

1623-4 
Receivers' Accounts 
no 201, mb 2 

Book 3972 

... And geven to three seuerall Companies of Players at Master Mayors 
comandemente iij li. ij s .... 

1624-5 
Receivers' Accounts 
no 205, mb 1 

NDA: Book 3972 

oo. 
... And geven vnto twoo companies of players to departe the Towne 
this yeire by Master Mayors order xlij s .... 

1629-30 
Receivers' Accounts 
no 214, mb 3 

NDA: Book 3972 

... And of L s given to Players at two seuerall tymes to ridd the Towne 
of them ... 

10 

15 

20 

25 

30 

35 

40 



54 CHAGFORD 1545--58 

1545-6 
St Michael's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 1429A/PW4 
p 36 (Rendered 10January) 
(lg'ardens of the Church Store: Allowances) 

... Item payed Warryng ffor playeng at Whyettsonday 

viii d... 

1554-5 
St Michael's Churchwardens" Accounts DRO: 1429A add/PWl 
f 7 (Rendered 7 April) (Young Men's Guild) 

The accompte of the yongemen off the parysche of Chagfford Iohn 
Northecott and other for the howde made the vii th day of Aperell yn 
the yere and Raygne of phylepp and marye Kyng and quene of yngland 
the ferst & second for one holle yere before past. 
There Reseytte ys Clere x s 

10 

15 

1555 
St Michael's Churchwardens'Accounts DRO: 1429A add/PWl 
f 8 (Rendered 20 December) (Church Receivers" Receipts) 

...Item of lohn Northcutt And other Roben Howde ys Company ! 
X S/ ... 

2o 

1555-6 
St Michael's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 1429A add/PWl 
f 273 (Rendered 22 February) (Hoodsmen's Account: Expenses) 

The accompte of Robard lopass lohn frend and other of the howde 
ys men of the parysche of Chagford made the xxij th day of ffebreary 
yn the yere of owre lord god 1556/for one holle yere be forre past 
...Item of iiij s payd for ii Cotes ... 

3O 

35 

1557-8 
St Michael's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO." 1429A add/PW1 
f 19v (Rendered 12 February) (Hoodsmen's Account) 

The accompte of lohn Newcomb lunior and other of the howddes 

4O 



CHAGFORD 1558-64 

men with yn the parysche [f] of Chagfford made the xij day of febreary 
yn the yere of owre lord god 1558 for one holle yere be forre past. 
There holle Ressyettes Ys Clere xxiiij s iiij d 

St Michael's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 1429A add/PWl 
f 283 (Rendered 26 January) (Hoodsrnen's Account: Receipts) 

The accompte of Roberd lopas Iohn penycott and of other of the 
howdde ys men yn the parysche of Chaygford made the xxvj day of 
Ianewary yn the yere of owre lord god 1558 for the yere of owre 
lord god 1557 
ooo 
...Item of vj s viii d for the howddes Cote ... 

1558-9 
St Michael's Churchwardens'Accounts DRO: 1429A add/PWl 
f 20 (Rendered 15 January) (Accounts of the Four Men: Receipts) 
Item of Robert Lapas howdde 13at yere xx s viii d 
Item of Iohn Newcomb Iumor & other owddes 
men that yere xxiiij s iiij d 

1559-60 
St Michael's Churchwardens'Accounts DRO: 1429A add/PW1 
f 24 (Rendered 14 January) (Church Receivers" Receipts) 
Item of Iohn [Newcomb(.) Iunior] 'Row 1 & other hys 
felowys howdesmen v s. 

25 

3O 

1563-4 
St Michael's Churchwardens'Accounts DRO: 1429A add/PW2 35 
f 5* (Rendered 23 April) (Hoodsrnen's Account: Receipts) 
The accompte of Nycollas peryman & otheres of hys Companye the 
howdes men made the xxiii day of aperell yn the yere of owre lord 
god 1564 for one holle yere be forre past 



CHUDLEIGH 1561 57 

CHUDLEIGH 

1561 
St Martin 'S and St Mary's Churchwardens' Accounts 
DRO, EDRO: Chudleigh PW1 
p 5* (Rendered 12 February) 
(Account of Robin Hood and Little John) 

ooo 
The Count of Robyn Hodde & Litle Iohn in the yere of our Lorde 
god .M.ccccc lxj rthe xij daye of february" Anno domini 1561 

10 

Recettes 

In primis Receiued of theyr Gathering 
in the parishe 
Item Receiued of the parishe 
Item Receiued of William showbrocke 
Item Receiued for our Alle Solde 
Sum totall vj li. vj s viii d 

XX S 
xl s 
v i s viii d 15 
iij li. 

Expences 

In primis paid for the clothe of vii Cottes xl s 20 
Item paid for the Hoodes Cott cloth xj s iij d 
Item paid for the vyces cott ij s 
Item paid for Sylke & bottonse for 
the same Cortes vj s iiij d 
Item paid for sylke & whyplasse for :5 
the Hoodes Cott iij s 
Item paid for making of ix Cottes x s 
Item paid for the Cuckes wages 
& the brewsters iiii s 
Item paid for A pere of showes for the vyce xvj d 3o 
Item paid for wrytting this Acount ij d 
Sum totall iij li. xviij s i d. 
And so Remaynethe declare xliiij s vii d finis 

St Martin's and St Mary's Churchwardens' Accounts 
DRO, EDRO: Chudleigh PWi 
p 6 (Rendered27December) (Accounts of the Four Men: Receipts) 
Item Receiued of Robyn Hoode ,rRichard pynson 1 xliiii s vii d 

35 

4O 

10/ 1561: I zvrttten over 0 



58 CHUDLEIGH 1568-88 

1568 
St Martin 'S and St Mary's Churchwardens" Accounts 
DRO, EDRO: Chudleigh PWI 
p 44 (Rendered 12 December) 
(Accounts of the Four Men: Allowances) 
paid to the plears 

xvj d 

1569 
St Martin's and St Mary's Churchwardens" Accounts 
DRO, EDRO: Chudleigh PWI 
p 50* (Rendered 12 December) 
(Accounts of the Four Men: Allowances) 
Item payd to the players 

xvid 

1577 
St Martin "s and St Mary's Churchwardens" Accounts 
DRO, EDRO: Chudleigh PWI 
p 85" (Rendered 24 February) (Accounts of the Four Men: Expenses) 
Itm paide to v singinge men by consente of the reste v s 

1580 
St Martin 'S and St Mary's Churchwardens" Accounts 
DRO, EDRO: Chudleigh PWI 
p 100" (Rendered 19 February) 
(Accounts of the Four Men: Payments) 

Itm paide to Nycholas Sexson the singinge boye 

XS 

1588 
St Martin "s and St Mary's Churchwardens" Accounts 
DRO, EDRO: Chudleigh PWI 
p 163" (Rendered 9 February) 
(Wardens of the High Store: Allowances requested) 

ooo 
Item payde vnto Hennocke for the parishe 

xviij d 

10 

15 

2O 

25 

3O 

35 

4O 



CHUDLEIGH 1588 / COLYTON 1583 
Item payd vnto hynnycke men for one Somerode 

xviij d 

59 

1590 
St Martin's and St Mary's Churchwardens' Accounts 
DRO, EDRO." Chudleigh PW1 
p 177 (Rendered 22 February) (Accounts of the Four Men: Receipts) 

Item Receued of william woode for tow Summer Rodes 

iis 

I0 

1594 
St Martin's and St Mary's Churchwardens" Accounts 
DRO, EDRO: Chudleigh PW1 
p 201" (Rendered 10 March) (Accounts of the Four Men" Payments) 

o.o 
Item payd to one man that played with a pyck at the 
younge mens ale by consent 

COLYTON 

15 

ijss 

20 

1583 
Bishop's Audience Court Depositions DRO: Chanter 858 
ff 127v-30 (19 July) 
Responsio personalis Roberti Tompson de Colyton etatis xxx ta 
annorum aut eo circiter vbi mansit ab incunabulis &c ad articulos sibi 
ministratos dicit in vim iuramenti sui vt sequitur, videlicet. 

30 

That [on] lohn Blackmore [came vnto this respondent] and this 
respondent three daies before ascention daie last past met together at 
the saide Blackmores house in Coliton where Blackmore tolde this 
respondent that he had bespoken certen pieces of gonnes and other 
Chamberes at Seaton against [assentio] the tyme they I were to be 3s 
vsed which was Ascention daye following and prayed him this rondent 
that he would take the paynes to trawayle with his horse vnto Seaton 
and fetche the sayd Chambers and bring them vnto the forsaid 
Blackmores house. Wherupon this respondent graunted and [did bring 
the said peces vnto Blackmores house] went vnto Seaton Whether 40 

18/s s: dtttography 36/rondentfor respondent 



60 COl  ]-ON 1583 

w/thin a short space the said Blackmore came and mett with this 
respondent and helped him to lode the said gonnes, and after he had 
so donne this respondent by the said Blackmores appoyntment 
brought them to Blackmores house in Coliton and vnladid them at 
his dore. And on Ascention daye [last] following the said Peces were 
planted on the Church of Coliton but by whome he knoweth not 
 et he verelv beleueth the said Blackmore to bee the doer therof. And 
afterwardes vpon misliking of this action by some of the parish the 
said Blackmore tooke them downe and caryid them to his house, and 
aboute xii of the clock at noone the same day brought one of them ,0 
and placed him a quoytes cast from the Church dote in the 
Churchvarde and shot him of and likewise after supper he brought 
an other and placed him in the Churchyard as aforsaid which hee 
shot of and brake in the discharge but did no harme eyther to the 
people or to [the] any parte of the Churche And further this respondent 
saith that neyther he nor the sayd Blackmore were at morning prayer 
the same tyme, by meanes he applyed his markett and that the I said 
Blackmore was absent only in setting forth that play then in hande. 
Also he saith that the same day at the end of morning prayer there 
came into the Churche yarde of Coliton certen persons to the nomber 
of an C with a minstrell and horses coverd with white certin ryoung 
men 1 r[children bo] 1 [women] ryding on them. And so went about 
som part of the Churche yarde [al] and there short of certen calyuers 
without offence as this respondent thinketh et aliter nescit deponere 
per me Robart 
Tamson 

Iohannes Blackmore altas Hellyer. confesseth this article to be trewe 
in euery parte saving that after he had placed the Chambers on the 
leads of Colyton Church and that his doing rwas misliked he tooke 3o 
them downe againe and caryid them to his house and at xij of the 
clock ,tin the after noone of the same day 1 brought onely one pece 
into the midle of the Church yard and there dischargid him to the 
hurt of none present nor any parte of the Church or windowes. 
likewise after supper when the youth had dischargid theire calyuers 35 
in the Church yarde this respondent brought one other chamber and 
placed him against an Ash in the Church yarde and  there in dis- 
charging of him the same burst in peces yet to no harme at alle wherof 
he thanketh god. ferther saith that the same day he was absent from 
his Church in the for noone being applyed in repayring the Queenes 40 

22 [children bo] wrttten over [women], young men 'rttten over certin 



62 COLYTON 1583 / DARTMOUTH 1494-1530 

seruing of god which was also to the evell example of christian people 
for the which we are I hartily sory and do prey god to forgiue vs and 
desire you here present to pray for vs promysing hensforward neuer 
to do the like againe. 

CREDITON 

1581-2 
Warden's Account for Corporation of Crediton 
pRO: 1660 A/41 
mb 4 

10 

Paymenttes to Rynggers for ye Quenes Maiestie, And to others for 
sundry thinges as more at Lardge it may. appeared" 
...Also paid for beardes and other thinges occupied by ye 
Schollers in playeng of theyr Tradeges & Commodies in 
ye Schoule this yere x s .... 

DARTMOUTH 

15 

20 

1494-5 
St Saviour's Churchwardens' Accounts PrO: DD 61218 
mb 1 (Rendered 22 November) (Costs and expenses) 

Item paid to George for payntyng of the clothes for the 
play on Ester day 

viii d 

25 

1528-30 
Mayors' Accounts DRO'. DD 61322 
f 2 (Costs and expenses) 

ooo 
Item pade to the kynges Iogelar 

ooo 
Item pade to the Wates of exeter by the consell of 
my brederen in Rewarde 

ooo 
Item pade to the kynges playares by the atvyce of my 
bredern for thare Rewarde 

iiisiiiid 

iij s iiii d 

iij siiiid 

30 

35 

40 



DARTMOUTH 1530-52 63 

f3 
Item pade to the Wates of exeter by the consent 
of my bredyrn 
ooo 

1531-3 
Mayors" Accounts 
mb 1 

DRO: DD 61330 

Item paid to the Wakes of Exeter in my first yere by the 
commaundment of the towne 

1533-4 
St Saviour's Churchwardens' Accounts 
mb 1 (External receipts) 
Item recevid of Weysey ffor the getheryng 
mony of Seynte george 

DRO: DD61333 

1540-1 
St Saviour's Churchwardens" Accounts PRO: DD 61341 
mb 2d (Warden of the High Altar) (Expenses) 
Item for the skowryng of .S. georges swerd & salett 

1541-2 
St Saviour's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: DD 61342B 
mb ld (Warden of the High Altar) (Expenses) 

Item for skowryng of .S. georges Sailer & De small 
Candelstykes in De church 

1551-2 
St Saviour's Churchwardens'Accounts DRO: DD 61391 
f [3] (Rendered 12 December) (Payments and charges) 
Item payed to mestrells/the Kings maiestes servants a 

iij s iiij d 

iij s iiij d 

mj s 

vid 

vid 

I0 

15 

2O 

25 

3O 

35 

4O 



64 

DarTMOUtH 1552-61 
mighel mas daye for a Reward a mountes 

1552-3 
St Saviour's Churchwardens'Accounts DRo: 
nab 3 (Payments for wages and other costs) 
Item paide to lohn lackeman to delyuer to the 
players at Churche 

DD 61391A 

1558-9 
Account o[ the Collector o[ Rents 
f 62 (Allowances) 

orO: SM 2002 

Item to Mr Mayor for a rewarde to my 
Lorde Awdeles mvnstrelles 

f 63v 
Item pad to the mynstrelles of brystoll 

1559-60 
Account of the Collector o[ Rents t3ro: 
f 66 (Expenses) 
Item paid to my Lorde Dudleves seruantes 
for playeng an enterlude 

SM 2002 

f 67 
ooo 
Item paid vnto My Lorde bvsshoppes seruantes 
for playeng an enterlude 
ooo 

1560-1 
Account of the Collector of Rents oro: SM 2002 
f 69 (Expenses) 
Item paid to the players that were Mr henry 

V$ 

XS 

iiisiiiid 

iisvid 

xiii s iiii d 

vi s viii d 

10 

15 

2o 

25 

3o 

35 

4o 



DARTMOUTH 1.561--5 
fortescues seruntes 
Item paid to the players yat came from tomes 
Item paid vnto the quenes Majesties players 
Item for wyne & suger after ther playe 
f 69v 
Item paid vnto the players that came from totmes 
f 70 
Item paid vnto Mr Richard fortescues seruntes at ther 
playen here the last of Ianuary 
1562-3 
Account of the Collector of Rents DRO: SM 2002 
f 73 (Expenses) 
Item to the quenes playrs & for the bankett 
1563-4 
Account of the Collector of Rents DRO: SM 2002 
f 75 (Expenses) 
Item to the Waytes of execeter 
1564-5 
Account of the Collector of Rents DRO: SM 2002 
f 78 (Expenses) 
Item pd to hym that played the fowle in maye 
Item to the quenes playrs for ther rewarde 
f 79 
Item paid to the Lorde of hundesdons seruntes 

vii s 
vj s viii d 
XX $ 
iijsiid 
vj s viii d 
xxvj S 
vj s viii d 
xii d 
xvsxd 

65 

5 
I0 
15 
20 
25 
30 
35 

4O 



DARTMOUTH 1568-74 67 

1568-9 
Account of the Collector of Rents PRO: SM 2002 
f 92v (Expenses) 
Itm pd to Laurence Iamys for mynstrelles & to the 
flatcher for goyng to exceter 
Itm to the pleyers 

f 93 
Itm to the players 
Itm paid to the quenes players 

5 
--li. 2s4 

--li. 10 s 

I0 

f 93v 
Itm to the players 

--li[6s8]r13s41 20 

1569-70 
Receivers'Accounts DRO: DD 61448 
f [3] (Payments) 
paid vnto my Lorde of Leasters men the plaid at church 
xxx of Iulie 

1573-4 
Receivers' Accounts DRO: DD 61460 
f [3] (Payments) 
paid to holland of Tomes for a playe the first of ffebruary 

25 

jli 

3O 

00--06--08 35 

f4 
paid to Iohn treherne for the tombler the 6 of may 

00--04--00 40 



68 

DARTMOUTH 1579-1604 
1579-80 
Receivers'Accounts t3ro: DD 61503A 
f [2] (Expenses) 
ooo 
Item payd to my Lord ofdarbye is pleares 
,oo 

--li 5 s 

1588 
Borough Court Books i3ro: SM 1986 
f 429 (15 April) 
Item presentant that the [minstrelis] 'Tayiors  which dweileth at ye 
 ose in Mr Babbes howse kepeth lie rule with minstreiis and causeth 
mens servantes to resort there at vnlawfuii tymes 

f 429v 
Item presentant that Mathewe Shere kepeth a harper which is his 
\Vieffe brother which maketh & kepeth bade full 

10 

15 

2O 

1592-3 
Receivers" Accounts 
f [4v] (Payments) 

DrO: DD61583 

Item by mr maiors appointment vnto players 

XS 

25 

1598-9 
Receivers'Accounts t)ro: DD 61619 
f [3] (6 November) (Payments) 
ooo 
for somytche gyven to the Queens Pleayers in benevolens 

00010-- 

3O 

1604 
Borough Court Books t)ro: SM 1987 
f 177 (6 April) 
ooo 
Item presentant that Iohn lames the harper doth keepe badd rule with 
mens servantes in keeping of them at night tyme, in his house, and 

4O 



EXETER 1362-7 
Trompours precepto Maioris dimidio marce ... 

71 

1362-3 
Receivers" Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

...Item soluto lohanni Beare Wayte per annum xiij s iiij d ... 

1363-4 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 1 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

... Item soluto Iohanni Beare Wayte pro seruicio suo pro dimidio anno 
dimidium marce ... 

1364-5 
Receivers" Account Rolls 
mb 1" (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

...Item soluto Petro Wayte dimidium marce 
...Item soluto Petro Wayte xiij s iiij d 

10 

15 

2o 

1365-6 
Receivers" Account Rolls 
mb 1 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

...Item soluto Petro Bylewyne Wayte Ciuitatis predicte xiij s iiij d 
pro dimidio anno ... 

25 

3O 

1366-7 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 1 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

...Item soluto Thome Wayte pro feodo suo per annum xxvj s viii d 

35 



72 EXETFR 1367--71 

1367-8 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 1 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

...Item soluto Thome Wayte pro feodo suo xxvj s viii d 

1368-9 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 1 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

...Item soluto Thome Wayte pro feodo suo xxvi s viii d 
o.o 

mb 2 (External expenses) 

...Item soluto Ministrallis die Mercurij in septimana Pentecostes 
quando homines Ciuitatis ostenderunt armas coram Comite Deuonie 
x s Item eisdem die sabati proximo ante festum sancti Augustini pro 
eodem xii d ... 

1369-70 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 1 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

... Item soluto Thome Wayte pro feodo suo per annum xxvj s viii d 

1370-1 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 1 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

...Item soluto Thome Wayte pro feodo suo per annum xxvi s viii d 

mb 2 (Gzfts and grants) 
...Item in dono Ministrall' domini Principis x s ... 

17/die Mercunl ... Pentecostes: 23 May 1369 
19/die sabati ... festum sancti Ptugustini: probably 19 May 1369 fAugustlne of Canterbury); 
possibly 25 August 1369 (Augusnne of Hippo) 

10 

15 

2O 

25 

3O 

35 



EXETER 1371-86 73 

1371-2 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 1 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

...Item soluto Thome Wayte pro feodo suo per annum xxvj s viii d 

1372-3 
Recezvers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 
...Item soluto Thome Wayte pro feodo suo per annum xxvi s viii d 

1373-4 
Receivers' Account 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 

Rolls DRO, ECA 

...Item soluto Thome Wayte pro dimidio anno xiij s. iiij d 

1380-1 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Externalpayments) 

... Item soluto fustulatoribus equitantibus erga Comitem cantabriggie 
xx d ... 

1384-5 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 1" (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

...In vj lagenis vini emptis de Henrico Holle & datis fratribus 
Predicatoribus & Minoribus venientibus ad processionem iiij s ... 

1385-6 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 1 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO ECA 

... In vj lagenis vini rubij datis fratribus predicatoribus & Minoribus pro 
processione eorum in die corporis christi iiii s ... 

10 

15 

2O 

25 

3O 

35 



EXETER 1387-92 
Schillingford fferlby. Blacborne Povton. Pyl. & Broclond ac Magistro 
Iohanne More Notario publico & Robto Lyngham clerico 

75 

1387-8 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO ECA 

...Item fratribus predicatoribus & minoribus venientibus ad 
processtonem per preceptum Maioris iiij s ... 

(External expenses) 

...In dono ad Mynstrell' domini Thome de Periehay per preceptum 
Maioris xii d ... 

1390-1 
Receivers" Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

...Item fratribus predicatoribus & Minoribus venientibus ad 
processzonem per preceptum Maioris iiii s 

10 

15 

20 

1391-2 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

...Item soluto Iohanni Eget & socijs suis pro officio de Wayte hoc 
anno ex conuencione xxvj s viii d ... 

(Gifts and grants) 

...Item fratribus predicatoribus & minoribus venientibus ad 
processionem iiii s... [Item dato fratribus predicatoribus & minoribus 
Exoniensis ex precepto Mai ( .... ) iiii s.] 

25 

30 

35 

2! Robto/or Roberto 



76 

EXFTER 1392-6 
1392-3 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 
...Item soluto lohanni Eget & socijs suis pro officio de Wayte hoc s 
anno ex conuencione xxvj s viii d ... 
1393-4 
Receivers" Account Rolls OgO, EC, 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 
... Item soluto Iohanni Eget & socijs suis pro officio de Wayte xxvj s 
viii d ... 
(External expenses) 
... Item soluto ffratribus predicatoribus & Minoribus in festo corporis 
christi pro vino iiij s. 
20 
1394-5 
Receivers' Account Rolls i)Ro, EC 
mb ld (Finaladjusemenes) 
...Et postea allocant eidem iiij s datos fratribus predicatoribus & 2s 
Minoribus in festo corporis christi ... 
1395-6 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 
...Item fratribus predicatoribus & minoribus venientibus ad 
processionem iiii s 
35 
mb ld (Externalpayments) 
...Item Iohanni ( ..... ) Piper pro pensione eorum essendi Wake isto 
arlrlO xx s ... 

38/ ...... : 2 words illegtble 



EXETER 1396-1401 
1396-7 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO) ECA 
mb ld (Gifts and grants) 
...Item fratribus predicatoribus & minoribus venientibus ad 
processionem in festo corporis christi iiii s ex consuetudine 

77 

1397-8 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

...Item fratribus minoribus & predicatoribus venientibus ad 
processionem in festo corporis christi iiij s ex consuetudme 

10 

1398-9 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 1 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

...Item fratribus predicatoribus & minoribus venientibus ad 
processionem in festo corporis christi, iiij. s. ex consuetudine... Item 
fustulatoribus Ducis Exoniensis. dimidium marce ... Item cuidam 
Trompet ad equitandum contra Ducem. vj. d .... 

mb ld (External payments) 

...Item Iohanni Eget & socijs suis essendi Waites in Ciuitate. xxvj. 
s. viii. d .... 

1400-1 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb ld (Gifts and grants) 

...Et de vj s viii d solutis iijbus fustulatoribus domini Regis ex dono ... 

25 

3O 

35 

28/essendi for essendo 



EXETER 1403-7 
mb ld (Externalexpenses) 
...Item soluto fratribus predicatoribus & Minoribus pro processione 
in festo Corporis christi iiii s .... 

1403-4 
Receivers" Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 

DRO ECA 

... Item soluit a les Waytes pro robis suis ex precepto Maioris xxvj s. 
viii d ... 

robs ld-2d (Externalexpenses) 

... Item fratribus Minoribus pro processione in I festo corporis christi 
1111 S .... 

79 

10 

15 

1405-6 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (External expenses) 2o 
...Item computat soluto a lez ministralles domini Thome filij Regis 
ex precepto Maioris iij s. iiij d. Item a lez Ministralles domini Ducis 
Eboraci xx d Item a lez Ministralles domini de Louell xx d ... Item 
ffratribus predicatoribus & Minoribus pro processione in festo 
Corporis christi ex consuetudine &c iiij s. 

mb 2d (Final adjustments) 

... Et allocatur eidem xxvj s viii d pro robis trium Waytes per preceptum 
Maioris & Communitatis ... 

3O 

1406-7 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 3 (External expenses) 

...Item soluto fratribus predicatoribus & fratribus Minoribus pro 
processione corporis christi ex consuetudine iiii s .... 

22/dommi Thome filij Regis: Thomas of Lancaster, later duke of Clarence 

35 



8O 

EXETER 1407-10 
mb 2d (Final adjustments) 
...Et eidem xxvj s. viii d pro robis de les Waites hoc anno .... 
1407-8 s 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 
... Item competat dato quatuor fustulatoribus domini Regis ad Festum 
Natiuitatis sancti Iohannis Baptiste vj s viii d... Item computat dato 0 
fustulator' domini Principis ad festum sancti Petri quod dicitur 
Aduincula per preceptum Maioris iij s. iiij d ... 
(External expenses) 
15 
... Item in vii lagenis vini & quatuor panibus pro Maiore & socijs suis 
in domo fratrum predicatorum tempore ludi ibidem v s .... Item soluto 
fratribus Minoribus & fratribus predicatoribus pro precessione 
facienda in festo Corporis christi ex consuetudine iiij s .... 
20 
1408-9 
Receivers" Account Rolls t)Ro, ECA 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 
...Item soluto fustulator' domini Principis Anglie ex dono. per 2s 
preceptum Maioris iij s. iiij d. Item soluto fustulator' domini Thome 
filij Regis Anglie ex dono per preceptum Maioris. xxd ... 
(External expenses) 
3O 
... Item fratribus Minoribus & predicatoribus pro precessione facienda 
in die Corporis christi ex consuetudine iiij s. 
,oo 

1409-10 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

...Item dato a les ministrallis domini Comitis Somersete precepto 

9/competat for computat 
18/precessione for processione 
26-7/dommi Thome fib/Regis Anglte: Thomas of Lancaster. later duke of Clarence 
31 / precessione for proccssione 

35 



EXETER 1410-1:2 81 

Maioris iij s iiij d ... Item soluto fustulatoribus domini de la Souch 
ex dono xij d. Item soluto fustulatoribus Ciuitatis pro equitacione die 
iune in Crastino festi Pentacostes ex dono xij d .... Item soluto 
fustulatoribus Ducis Eborad ex dno xij d Item soluto fustulator' 
domini Regis ex dono xx d ... 

mb ld (Externalexpenses) 

... Item solutis Thome Wode Trompet in die Corporis christi equitantis 
per villam per preceptum Maioris ij. s ... Item solutis fratribus 
Minoribus & predicatoribus in festo Corporis ,[christi] pro processione 
ex consuetudine iiij s .... 

10 

1410-11 
Receivers' Account Rolls PRO, ECA ,S 
mb 2* (Gifts and grants) 
... Item soluto administraii' domini de Camys ex dono per preceptum 
Maioris xij d ... 
20 
(External expenses) 
...Item soluto fratribus Minoribus & predicatoribus pro processione 
in festo Corporis ,[christi] ex consuetudine iiij s .... 
25 
mb 2d* (Final adjustments) 
...Et eidem vj s viii d solutis administrailis domini principis Ducis 
Clarancie & dommi Iohannis filij Regis ex dono .... 
30 
1411-12 
Receivers' Account Rolls pRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 
...Item soluto administrai' die iune in septimana Pentacostes ex 3s 
preceptu Maioris xx d ... 

4/dno for dono 
9/equitantis for equitanti 
29/dormni lohannis: John of Lancaster. later duke of Bedford 
35/die lune in septrnana Pentacostes: 23 Mar 1412 



EXETER 1413-4 83 

panelli de ordinale ludis predicti extracti in scriptis quibusdam Iohanni 
Benet & Willelmo ffrenssh & alijs vt Magistris Capitalibus artis 
pellipariorum per petrum Sturte adtunc Maiorem ex assensu 
Communitatis predicte ad ludendum ludum predictum iuxta 
porcionem & effectum paiectorum & panellorum predictorum liberati 
fuerunt ad quem diem Martis & antea idem Iohannes Benet accessit 
ad diuersos lusores ad panellos & paiectos dicte artis pellipariorum 
& aliarum arcium ludendos assignatos & eos procurauit abectauit quod 
ipsi panellos illorum ludere non deberent Et die illo diuersos panellos 
alias Speches dictis pelliparijs assignatos & in custodia ipsius Iohannis 
pro ludo predicto ludendo existentes penes se retinuit Ira quod duo 
paiecti & panelli de arte dictorum pellipariorum ad diem ilium ludendi 
remanserunt in obprobrium tocius Ciuitatis & contemptum Maioris 
& tocius Communitatis predicte & contra ordinacionem predictam/ 
et instanter eodem die ludo predicto nondum perluso Maior predictus 
dictum lohannem Benet de defectu predicto alloquebatur & ab eo 
pecijt / quare sic ludum predictum impediuit & tale obprobrium 
Maiori & Communitati fecit/qui ei respondit derisorie & vultu 
derisorio dorsum suum erga eum vertendo dixit/Parde a man shall 
noght be an hange with outhe onsser/Et sic contemptuose & derisorie 
ab eo recessit/Et super hoc communi rumore & clamore eidem Maiori 
per Communitatem dicte. Ciuitatis de dictis obprobrio & contemptu 
factis prefatus Iohannes Benet in plena Curia Ciuitatis predicte apud 
Exoniensem tenta isto die lune proximo ante festum Natiuitatis sancti 
Iohannis Baptiste anno regni regis henrici quinti post conquestum 
secundo de & super premissis allocutus humiliter inde se submisit 
gracie eiusdem Maioris &c 

Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

...Item soluto administrallis dominorum Willelmi Hankeford & 
Ricardi Hankeford ex dono. xij d Item administrallis domini de 
Camys. & domini Ricardi fratris Ducis Eboraci ex dono. xij d Item 
administrall' domini Ducis Eboraci ex dono. xij d... Item administrall' 
domini Comitis de arundell die electionis Maioris ex dono xij d ... 

3O 

35 

1/ordinale for ordinali 
1/|udis for ludi 
8/procurauit: et omitted after this word 
8/abectauit for abettauit 



EXETER 1416--17 85 

supra viii. d... Item dato administrall' domini Ducis Clarancie. xij d 
... Item dato administrall' domini Comitis Huntyngdon. iiij. d ... 
Item dato lohanni lynde & Hanys administrallis Ciuitatis. pro eorum 
vestura, xvij. s. x. d ... 

mb 2 

...Item dato administral' ad cenam in domo Maioris iiij d ... Item 
dato alfons Ministrallo iiij d... Item dato Ministrallis domini Comitis 
Deuonie & domini de Powes xij d ... Item dato Ministrall' domini 
Hugonis de Courtenay vj d Item dato Ministrall' domini Berkeley 
viii d ... 

mb ld (Externalexpenses) 

...Item soluto fratribus minoribus & predicatoribus pro processione 
in festo Corporis christi iiij. s ... 

1416-17 
Receivers" Account Rolls 
mb 1 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

...Item dato duobus Ministrallis in presencia Maioris xij. d ... Item 
in vestura data Ministrallis Ciuitatis hoc anno xxvj s viii d ... [Item 
dato pro vino pane & vna pagena emendanda pro Ministrall' in 
Crastino festi Pentacostes xl d] ... Item dato vno Ministrallo in 
Crastino festi Pentacostes & pro tota septimana xij. d ... 

mb 2 

... Item dato Ministrall' domini Regis precepto Maioris ij s Item dato 
Ministrall' domini Comitis Deuonie xij d ... Item dato Ministral' 
domini de Botriaux. iiij. d ... Item dato fustillator' vj d ... 

mb ld (External expenses) 

...Item soluto fratribus Minoribus & predicatoribus pro processione 
.tin festo 1 Corporis christi iiij s .... 

10 

15 

2O 

25 

3O 

35 

25-7/in Crastino festi Pentacostes: 31 May 1417 
26/vno for vni 



86 EXETER 1417-19 

1417-18 
Receivers" Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

...[Item dato vno Citheratori in domo Maioris perpreceptum Maioris 5 
iiij d]... Item in vestura trium fustulatorum ,'Ciuitatis 1 eisdem datis 
xxvj s viii d ... Item dato Thome Claryner [pro] quando Major & 
socij sui venerunt de Conuiuio domini Episcopi iiij d ... Item dato 
fustellatoribus domini de Botriaux ex dono xl d [Item in vino dato 
eisdem Ministrallis in domo Maioris xij d] ... 0 

mb 3 

...Item dato Ministrallis Comitatis pro eorum labore in vigilia 
Natiuitatis sancti Iohannis Baptiste pro eorum labore ex dono xx d... 5 
Item administrall' domini Comitis Deuonie xx d Item dato lohanni 
Lynde equitanti versus Bristoll & pro conductione equi sui pro 
administrallis querendis v s Item dato administrallis Ciuitatis 
Exoniensis xx s... Item dato administrall' domini ducis Clarancie xx d 
Item dato vno Custodi leopardi domini Regis viij d Item dato 20 
administrall' domini de Botriaux xx d ... 

1418-19 
Receivers" Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

... Item dato administral' domini Comitis Deuonie. iiij. d... Item dato 
administral' domini Comitis Deuonie. xij. d... Item dato administrallo 
de Bristoll. iiij. d ... Item dato administrall' Ciuitatis. pro Maij. 
introducendo ad festum Pentecostes xl. d. Item dato lusoribus qui 
luserunt ante Maij. iiij. d ... Item in vino dato ijbus adrninistrallis 
cure [id]/hominibus  ire deberent ad mare. ij d ... 

mb ld (Necessary expenses) 

...Item soluto administral' eadem nocte xij d ... 

25 

3O 

5,20/vno for vni 
14/Comitatis for Communitatis 
30/ad festum Pentecostes: 4 June 1419 
36/eadem nocte: annual feast after the perambulation 



EXETER 1419-23 87 

1419-20 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (External expenses) 

DRO, ECA 

...Item compotat soluto ffratribus predicatoribus Exoniensis pro 
processione in festo Corporis christi ex consuetudine, ij s ... 

mb 2d (Final adjustments) 
... Et eidem xxvj s. viii d pro liberata adminstrallorum dicte Ciuitatis 
eisdem data hoc anno .... 

1420-1 
Receivers" Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

...Item dato Ministrall' domini Comitis Warrwici xij d 

(External expenses) 

...Item soluto Ministrallis dicte Ciuitatis pro eorum labore eadem 
nocte xii d ... 

1422-3 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

... Item in expensis factis in vigilia Natiuitatis sancti Iohannis Baptiste 
tam in administrall' quam in Cressanntes Ardentes coram Maiore 
tempore Spacij per Ciuitatem iiij s viii d ... Item in rewardo facto 
administral' domini Ducis Exoniensis vj s. viii d ... 

(External expenses) 

Et de ij s solutis ffratribus predicatoribus Exoniensis pro processione 
in festo Corporis christi hoc anno Et de ij s. solutis ffratribus minoribus 
Exoniensis causa supra. 

10 

15 

2O 

25 

35 

21-2/eadem nocte: annual feast after the perambula.on 



88 EXETER 1423-6 

mb ld (Final adjustments) 

De quibus allocantur eidem xiij s. iiii d soluti administralis Ciuitatis 
Exoniensis per annum pro eorum pensione ex conuencione facta ... 

1423-4 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

...Item in vino dato Maiori & socijs suis & in Ministrall' & 
Crescentibus nocte diei festi Natiuitatis sancti Iohannis Baptiste vj s 
ix d. ob... Item dato administrallis domini Ducis Exoniensis xl d Item 
in vna lagena vini missa dictis administrallis ex dono. viii d ... 

(External expenses) 

...Item soluto ffratribus predicatoribus pro processione facienda in 
festo Corporis christi, ij s. Item soluto ffratribus minoribus causa supra 

1424-5 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

...Item dato administrallis domini ducis Exoniensis vj s. viii d. Item 
datis dictis administralis alia vice iij s. iiij d. Item soluto pro liberatura 
data a les Waites Ciuitatis xxvi s. viii d .... 

1425-6 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mbs 1-2 (Gifts and grants) 

IO 

15 

2o 

25 

... Item soluto Ministrall' domini Regis ex dono iij s iiii d Item soluto 
vno fatuo Iohannis hals Iusticiarij ex dono ij d ... Item soluto pro 3s 
purgacione armorum vnius I hominis portantis ,'le penon 1 xx d Item 
soluto ministrall' Ciuitatis. ex dono in die Monstri Maioris & 
Communitatis viii d Item dato vno homini portanti le penon coram 
Maiore eodem die vii d... Item dato Ministrall' domini Regis ex dono. 
xl d Item Ministrall' domini Comitis Warrwici ex dono xij d... Item 4o 
dato Ministrall' dicti Comitis vj s viii d Item.dato Ministral' domini 

41 / &ct, Comitis: earl of Huntingdon 



90 EXETER 1428--9 

Receivers' Account Rolls pRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 
...Item dato tribus ministrallis Ciuitatis pro liberata sua hoc rAnnol 
xxvi s. viii d Item dato ministrallis domini de Botriaux per mandatum 
Maioris xx d [Et in vino dato eisdem in domo Maioris xij d.] rqu/a 
sine warranto 1 ... Item compotat soluto Ministral' domini de 
Hungerford ex dono xx d Item dato al' ministral' Comitis de Mortyn 
viii d ... Item dato ministrall' domini Comitis Warrwici iij s. iiij d 
Item ministrall' domini Regis ad festum aduinculam sancti Petri 
ex dono x s. Item dato ministrall' domini Comitis Huntyngdon vj s. 
viii d... Item in ij lagenis vini datis ministral' domini Regis in domo 
Maioris xvj d ... Item dato ministrall' domini Comitis Northumbrie 
xl d ... 

10 

15 

1428-9 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 1 (Gifts and grants) 
... Item in dono tribus administrallis domini de Berkeley xij d .... Item 
soluto diuersis lusoribus pro luso ludendo ante ostium domus Maioris 
ex dono xx d. Item soluto diuersis administrallis domini de Talbot & 
Comitisse Deuonie ex dono xx d .... 

mb 2 (External expenses) 

2O 

25 

...Item soluto administrallis domini Comitis Deuon domine de 
haryngdon hugonis lutrell xii d ... Item soluto adminstrall' domini 
de hungerford ex dono xij d .... Item soluto Olifaunt administrallo 
ex dono iiij d .... Item soluto quinque admistrallis & vno whaferer ex 
dono iiij s .... Item soluto administrall' dicti Comitis ex dono xx d .... 
Item soluto pro cepe roson & Ocom pro les Crescentes inde faciendis 
in vigilia Natiuitatis sancti Iohannis Baptiste ardendis ii s. ij d Item 
soluto a les Waytes Ciuitatis eodem tempore xx d Item soluto alijs 
diuersis administralis viii d. Item soluto pro vino eadem nocte vj s. 
viii d .... 

31/admistrallis for adminstrallis 
32/dtcti Comitis: earl of Huntingdon 



EXETER 1440-6 97 

mb 2d (External expenses) 

...Item soluto pro .ix. virgis de Canefas emptis & deputandis pro le 
May erga le Mayday precepto Maioris & sociorum suorum precto 
virge iiij d iij s .... 

1442-3 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 
10 
...Item in sex homimbus locatis ad portatdum le May die lune in 
septimana pentecostes ij s. Item in duobus hustrionibus locatis eodem 
tempore ij s. iiij d. Item in duabus libris Cere emptis pro duobus 
torticijs inde factis ad ardendum in vigilia Natiuitatis satcti Iohannis 
Baptiste coram Maiore & Commutitate xv d. Item in duobus is 
hominibus locatis ad eadem tortic/a eodem tempore portanda iiij d. 
Item in wocombe & Roson pro stuffura de lez crescentys eodem 
tempore iiij d. Item in duobus hominibus locatis ad portandum lez 
crescentys ij d. [Item in duobus hustrionibus locatis eodem tempore 
vj d.] ... 20 

(Necessary expenses) 
...Et de viii s v d solutis pro panno lineo empto pro vno Olyfaunt 
inde faciendo die lune in festo pentecostes Et de vj d solutis pro factura 
eiusdem ... 

25 

1443-4 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Gifts and gratts) 
...Item in sex homimbus locatis ad portandum le May die lune in 
septimana pentecostes ij s .... 

1445-6 
Mayors' Court Roll DRO, ECA: MCR 24/5 Henry v 
mb 2d (11 October) (Waits' pledges) 
Plegij Administrallorum pro lez Scogennys Iohannes Clyston 

11-12/die|une...pentecostes: lO]une 1003 
33-4/die ]une...pentecostes: I June 1044 

40/Clyston: Clyfton(?) 

4O 



98 

EXETER 1446--55 
Ricardus Bradmore. Et per estimacionem (blank) 

Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

...Item soluto pro robis trium ad ministrallorum xxvj s. viii d .... 

1447-8 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

...[Item dato administrall' domini Ducis Suffolicie vj s. viii d. Item 
dato administrall' domini Ducis Bukyngbamie vj s. viii d.] ... 

10 

1450-1 
Receivers" Account Rolls pRO, ECA 
mb 2* (External expenses) 

...Item in iij togis emptis de Hugone Germyn pro administrallis 
Ciuitatis xx s .... 

15 

20 

mb ld (Finaladjustments) 
... Et eidem v s pro le Brauderyng togorum administrallorum Ciuitatis 

25 

1453-4 
Receivers' Account Rolls pro, ECA 
mb 2 (External expenses) 

oo. 
...Item ira ij togis emptis pro administrallis Ciuitatis xiij s. iiij d .... 

30 

1454-5 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

... Item soluto pro robis iij ffustulatorum Ciuitatis hoc anno xxiiij s .... 

35 



EXETER 1456-8 99 

Nora 

1456-7 
Mayors' Court Roll DRO, ECA: MCR 35/6 Henry v 
mb ld (4 October) (Waits' pledges) 
Manucaptores Iohannis Dowe Willelmi halyday & lohannis agaunt 
electi in administrallis pro Ciuitate Exoniensis hoc anno videlicet pro 
lez Scogenys & de se in occupacione predicta in omnibus se bene 
gerendis &c Thomas kelly pro Willelmo Halyday. Et pro lohanne 
agaunt lohannes Barsaby Et pro lohanne Dowe Willelmus hoigge 

Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

... Item in argento dato Carnific' Exoniensis pro le baytyng cuiusdam 
Tauri apud le boleryng ex antiqua consuetudine xij d .... [Item dato 
administrall' dicte ducis Exoniensis per preceptum Maioris & sociorum 
suorum vi s. viii d.] Item dato administrall' domini Ducis Exoniensis 
de rewardo per preceptum Maioris vj s viii d .... 

10 

15 

(Necessary expenses) 

...Item soluto hugoni Germyn pro togis administralorum Ciuitatis 
hoc anno xxvj s viii d ... Item in expensis factis circa reparacionem 
& emendaczonem de le [May & le] Olyfaunt & le May die lune in 
septimana pentecostes vii s iiij d ... 

2O 

25 

Nota 

1457-8 
Mayors" Court Roll PRO, ECA: MCR 36/7 Henry Vl 
mb ld (3 0ctober) (Waits' pledges) 30 
o.o 
Nomina administrallorum Iohannes Dowe & Willelmus halyday pro 
hoc anno elect/plegijpro Iohanne Dowe secundum consuetudinalem 
viam lohannes Coteler & Iohannes Bobyche Item plegii pro dicto 
Willelmo haliday dicti lohannes Coteler & lohannes Bibiche 35 

6,33/electi for electorum 
7/second se unnecessardy repeated 
24-5/die lune ... pentecostes: 6 June 1457 



100 

EXETER 1458--60 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb ld (Externalexpenses) 
Imprimis in ii togis emptis pro ffustulatoribus Ciuitatis hoc anno xvj s. 
iiij d .... 

St John's Bow Churchwardens" Accounts pRO, ECA: DD 36766 
mb 31 (Cash recezpts) 

...Et de iii s v d receptis de incrementis pro I ludo ibidem ... 
oo. 

1458-9 
Mayors' Court Roll DRO, ECA: MCR 37/8 Henry w 
mb ld (2 October) (Wait's pledge) 
Manucaptor Willelmi holedey vnius [M] Administralorum Ciuitatis 
Exoniensis pro le Scogyn Reddendo & de se bene Iurendo pro Anno 
sequenti Iohannes Gildon 

Receivers' Account Rolls DO, EC, 
mb 3 (Gifts and grants) 

...Item In ij Togis emptis pro administrallis Ciuitatis xiij s. iiij d .... 

1459-60 
Mayors' Court Roll DO, EC,: MCR 37/8 Henry v 
mb 29d (16 April) 
Memorandum that Where as by longe tyme yeris and deyes be fore 
this tyme grete contrauercy discorde & debate hath be by twyne the 
Cordeners and the Weuers & Tokers of the Cite of Excetre as for 
ther goynge yn disporte on Midsomer nyght With the Maier of the 
Cite for the tymes beynge atte Whiche tymes for defaute of 

4/ Imprimis: inprinis MS 
1 I/ib,dem: St John's Church 
19/lurendo for gerendo 



EXETER 1460-1 101 

punysshement of suche of ham as haue ben Wylfull refusynge to obeye 
good rule manslaghter & other myschyves dedis by likelihode hath 
by like sorte come. Wherapon now late for the good appesynge of 
the seid contrauercy and debate ameene is hadde and fully assented 
& concluded yn the premysses by the Maier now beynge and the 5 
xxiiij men of the comyn Counseill of the seid Cite that on seynt Iohn 
ys ,rnyghtl next comynge yn the goynge & ridynge of the puple of 
ye Craftis forseid with the seid Maier euer a man of the Cordoners 
& a Weuer or a Toker for 1 a Sherman to geder pesibilly & whiche 
of the said Craftis be more puple thos same to goo two and two to 0 
geder be fore. And as for the ridynge & goynge on disporte with the 
Maier on Witmoneday next comynge euery man of the seid Craftis 
to goo generally two & two to geder & frendly be haue ham Self. 
And that this ordynance be obserued obeyed and kepte apon the grete 
peyne that may falle theryn whron the Maier to do execucion . 

Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 
...Item soluto ad le Trumpet Willelmi Bastardi Exoniensis eodem 
tempore per preceptum dicti Maioris xij d .... 

2O 

mb ld* (Necessary expenses) 

... Item in Rewardo dato Ministrallis apud ffloyeryshmershe in ffesto 
Pasche iiij d. Item in Rewardo dato eisdem tempore existentis domini 
Comitis Deuonie apud ffloyerysmershe vj d. 

25 

1460-1 
Receivers" A cco un t Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO ECA 

...Item in argento dato Carnific' Exoniensis pro le Bolebaytynge in 
Exoniense per ij vices ij s per preceptum Maioris ... Item in iij togis 
emptis pro administrallis Ciuitatis Exoniemis xxvj s. viii d. 

3O 

35 

20-1/eodern ternpore: 11 November 1459. z,hen the earl of Devon came to Exeter 
27/vi written over iiii 



104 EXETER 1473-5 

Admmistralh 

Manucaptores Roberti Beaumont tercij speculatorum ibidem pro 
eodem anno electi pro scuto suo et de se bene gerendo in omnibus 
que ad officium suum pertinet per ipsum agendis scilicet Iohannes 
Bunne & Iohannes Ector 

Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 
...Et pro robis trium mimorum xxvj s. viii d .... 

10 

1473-4 
layors' Court Roll DRO, ECA: MCR 13/14 Edward v 
mb 2d (ll October) (Waits' pledges) 
Manucaptores Willelmi fillmore vnius mimorum Exoniensis pro hoc 
anno sequenti electi pro scuto suo et de se bene gerendo in omnibus 
que ad officium suum pertinet per ipsum agendis scilicet Ricardus 
Baker & Iohannes Clyston Et Iuratus est Et remanet 
Manucaptores Henrici Crede alterius mimorum ibidem pro eodem 20 
anno electi pro scuto suo et de se bene gerendo in omnibus que ad 
officium suum pertinet per ipsum agendis scilicet Robertus Chubb & 
Ricardus Tournor Et Iuratus est 
Manucaptores Roberti Beamont tercij mimorum ibidem pro eodem 
anno electi pro scuto suo et de se bene gerendo in omnibus que ad 2s 
officium suum pertinet per ipsum agendis scilicet Iohannes Bunne & 
Thomas Penhale Et Iuratus est 

1474-5 30 
Mayors' Court Roll DRO: MCR 14/15 Edward v 
mb 2d (10 October) (Waits" pledges) 
Manucaptores Willelmi fillmore vnius Mimorum Exoniensis pro hoc 
anno sequenti electi pro scuto suo Et de se bene gerendo in omnibus 
que ad officium suum pertinent per ipsum agendis scilicet Ricardus 
Baker & lohannes Cliston Et Iuratus est & remanet 

3,18,22,26/perunet for pertinent 
19/Clyston: Clyfton (?) 
34/Mimorum: mmorum MS 
37/Cliston: Clifton (?) 



EXETER 1494-6 111 

1494--5 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

...Et soluto pro Robis trium Mimorum eiusdem Ciuitatis xl s .... 
.oo 

mb 3 (Gifts and grants) 
...Et soluto Custod' fraternitatis corporis christi hoc anno ad 
sustentandum eorum lusum x s .... 

(Expenses incurred) 

10 

vi viii d 
xiij s iiii d 

...Et soluto pro insultacione vnius tauri prout moris est xvj d ... 
Dean and Chapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 84 (Expenses) 
Item ministris anglice mynstrels nostris domini Regis 
.oo 
Item in Reward facto mynstrels domini Regis 

1495-6 2s 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 
...Et pro Robis iij Mimorum dicte Ciuitatis. xl. s .... 
30 
(Gifts and grants) 
...Et Custod' ffraternitatis corporis christi pro sustentacione sui 
lusi (blank) ... 
3s 
mb 3 (Necessary expenses) 
... Et pro insultacione vnius tauri hoc anno facta, viii. d. Et pro regardo 
dato Carnific' pro tauro predicto, viii. d .... Et pro quadam lusione 
facta in Gild Aula Exoniensis coram Maiore & socijs suis. v.s. Et pro 40 
20/nostrisfor nostri 34/blank left for sum z'itb line filler added later 



112 EXFTER 1496-7 

focalibus in Camino ibidem tempore eiusdem lusionis occupatis iij. d. 
... Et soluto Mimis domini Regis ex regardo, vj. s. viii. d .... 

Dean and Chapter Account Book eUu: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 85v (Expenses) 
ooo 
Item in Rewardo dato diuersis Mimis domini Regis 

XS 

1496-7 
Mayors' Court Roll DRO, eCA: MCR 12/13 Henry v 
mb 3 (17 October) (Waits' pledges) 
ooo 
Manucaptores pro Roberto Beamont vno Mimorum Ciuitatis 
Exoniensis tam pro Officio suo fideliter exercendo quam pro Colari 
suo reddendo videlicet Iohannes Toker hosyer & Willelmus Hopkyn 
pro anno presenti 
Manucaptores pro Nicholao Broune secundo Mimorum eiusdem 
Ciuitatis tam pro Officio suo quam pro Colari suo videlicet Iohannes 
Wvnter & Iohannes Wyll Baker 
Manucaptores pro Nicho/ao Meryett Tercio Mimorum Ciuitatis 
predicte tam pro Officio suo quam pro Colari suo videlicet Iohannes 
Straddon & Laurencius Draper &c 

Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 
...Et pro Robis iii Mimorum dicte Ciuitatis. xl. s .... 

mb 3 (Gifts and grants) 
... Et Custod' ffraternitatis Corporis christi pro Sustentacione sui. 'ludi 
nihiF... 

(Payments to royal servants) 

...Et soluto Mimis domini Regis videlicet lez Trumpettes pro eorum 
regardo vj. s. viii. d .... 

2O 

25 

3O 

35 

4O 



118 EXFTER 1507-10 

1507-8 
Receivers' Account Rolls PRO, ECA 
mb 3 (Civic officials' fees) 
o.o 
...Et communibus Mimis dicte Ciuitatis pro eorum liberatura & 
pencione .xl. s .... 

Dean and Chapter Account Book 
f 106v (8 September) (Expenses) 
.oo 
Item Mimis domini Regis in die Natiuitatis 
beate Marie Virginis 

EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 

xs 

1508-9 
Receivers' Account Rolls PRO, eCA 
mb 3 (Civic officials'fees) 
...Et communibus Mimis dicte Ciuitatis pro eorum liberatura & 
pencione xl s .... 

Dean and Chapter Account Book 
f 108 (22 August) (Expenses) 
Item Mimis domini Regis ex Regardo Capituli infra 
octauum Assumpcionis 

EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 

[xd]xs 

St John's Bow Churchwardens' Accounts DrO: DD 36769 
mb 1 * (1 November - 31 October) (Necessary expenses) 

ooo 
... Et pro renouacione sagitte sancti Edmundi m( .... )t' pro Robynhod 
iiii. d .... 

1509-10 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 4 (Civic officials' fees) 
...Et communibus Mimis dicte Ciuitatis pro eorum liberatura 
& penclone xl. s .... Et in denarijs solutis Custodibus Macelle 
pro taurorum insultacione xvj d ... 

10 

15 

2o 

25 

3o 

35 

4o 

32 / m,. .... t': reading uncertain; for martyris 



EXETER 1510-12 119 

Nora 

City Council Chamber Act Book 1 DRO, ECA: GI/BI/I 
f 13v* (llJuly) 

oo. 
Whiche aggre that from hensforth ther shall be .rno 1 riot kept in any 
parysh by the yong man of the same parish, rcalled Robyn hode 1 
but oonly the Churche holyday except ther be any holy day Within 
the Vtas of the same and if any be the persons so doyng shall be 
punysshed by the Mayre 

Dean and Chapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 109v (Expenses) 
Item Mimis domini Regis ex Rewardo 

XS 

10 

15 

1510-11 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 4 (Civic officials'fees) 
...Et Communibus Mimis dicte Ciuitatis pro eorum liberatura & 
pencione xl. s .... Et in denarijs solutis Custodibus Macelle pro 
taurorum insultacione xvj d ... 

2O 

Dean and Cbapter Account Book 
f 111 v (Expenses) 
Item Mimis domini Regis in Regardo 

EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 

1511-12 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 4 (Civic officials' fees) 
...Et Communibus Mimis dicte Ciuitatis pro eorum liberatura & 
pencione xl. s .... 

mb 5 

XS 

25 

... Et in denarijs solutis custodibus Macelle pro taurorum insultacione 
xvj d. Et pro vino et piris tunc potatis x d .... 

3O 

35 

4O 



132 EXETER 1.532--4 

1532--3 
Receivers' Account Rolls Dro, Eca 
mb 4d (Civic officials' fees) 
Et soluto tribus Cornrnunibus Mimis dicte Ciuitatis pro eorurn 
liberatura hyemali pro pencione sua xxxv i s. vi d 
Et soluto eisdem Mimis pro eorurn liberatura attumpnali ex 
Conuencione per xxiiii nuper concessa xx s. 

mb 3d (Allowances) 
... Item payed vnto the kynges Iugkelers yn Master Mayre ys housse 
v s .... Item payed vnto my lorde ffevaryng ys Menstres yn Master 
Mayre ys howsse iii s. iiii d .... Item payed to my lorde cheffe lustes 
vs Mvnsters at Master Master ys howsse ij s .... 

mb 2d 

10 

15 

... Item payed to hem beure the stondert amydsomer ny3th with horse 
& all ij s. Item payed to my lorde Marcas ys mensters vj s. viii d... 
Item payed to ye kynges Menstrens before Mychellmas x s .... Item 
payed vnto ye quene ys Mensterns v s .... Item payed to ye kynges 
Mensters that browte ye letters to Master Mayre vj s. viii d... Item 
payed to ye berred for hys beres v s .... 

Dean and Chapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 142v (Payrnents and expenses) 
Item soluto mimis dornini regis quinto die Septembris 
anno domini 1533 

XS 

3o 

1533-4 
Receivers' A ccount Rolls 
mb 3d (Allo'ances) 

I)RO, ECA 

...Item paid in reward to my lord of Suffolkes Mynstrels by the 

35 

16 Master Master for Master Mayor 20/hem : folloz,mg vat ormtted 



138 EXETER 1538-41 

the )'ere abowrettyn 1 sayth that he herd (blank) Callerd agentylman 
& Seruant to Sir Thomas Denys say the day .f& yere 1 abowrettyn 
this Wordvs ffolowyn / [Sir come] serys come away for ye shall not 
goo to wardde ffor I haue broken one Swardde all redy & my knee 
and I wyll breke another or I goo owt of Towne & [the] lette the 
Mavre bryng all the knavys [ye] he hath & that he swayr by goddys 
bludde he wolde 

William hussy confessith euery thyng as the fforceyd Thomas 
Prestwode before hath confessyd &c [and ffurther] Thomas Thacher 
confessyth euery thyng as the said Thomas prestwode hath [de] 
confessyd / 

10 

1538-9 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 3d (Civic officials' fees) 

...Et in denarijs solutis Custodibus Macelle dicte Ciuitatis pro 
Thaurorum insultacione viij d ... Et soluto pro vino & piris tunc 
occupatis iij s viiij d ... 

15 

2O 

mb 2d (Necessary expenses) 
ooo 
...Item for the Beatyng of the bull viii d ... Item payd to my lord 
priuysealles mynstrelles iij s. iiij d... Item to the princes mynstrelles 

25 

1539-40 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 4d (Civic offidals' fees) 

...Et in denarijs Solutis Custodibus Macelle dicte Ciuitatis pro 
Thaurorum insultacione viii d 

3O 

1540-1 
Dean and Chapter Account Book 
f 154 (Payments and expenses) 

o.o 
Item in regardo mimis domini regis 

EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 

xiij s iiij d 

35 

4O 



140 

EXETFR 1545--51 
f 66v 

Att Easter. 

suerties for 
their Collers 
ol S,I er. 

Item to gyve ther attendans to pley & geve wornyng to come to the 
Resurreccion art Ester 

nota for surtes for the [Chot] Coler of Syluer/William Burges Sadler 
for Nichias Taylor Item [willi] Hugh Soutshay for the Coller of Syluer 
for Humfry Dun Et William bevery suertie for George Evans,/which 
Coleres of Syluer weyth euery of them vj vnces 

1546-7 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 4d* (Civic officials' fees) 

t0 

... Et soluto mimis Ciuitatis pro liberatura [hem] hiemali xxxvj s vj d. 
Et soluto eisdem pro liberatura autum, pjnali xx s. 

1547-51 
Bill of Complaint of John Yeo against Thomas Wyncott 
PRO: C1/1284/11 
single sheet* 

2O 

To the Right honorable Sir Rycharde Ryche knyght 
lorde Ryche & lorde Chaunceler of Englande 
In most humbly wyse Shewyth & complayneth vnto yor good 2s 
lordeshypp ys dayly Orator Iohn yeo that where yor seid orator by 
thassent & consent of the ffrendes of yor seid Orator gaue vnto one 
Thomas wyncote of the Cytie of Exeter Orgon player the somme of 
ffortye Shyllynges of good & lawfull money of Englande to thentent 
that thesaid Thomas wyncote shuld teche & instructe yor seyd Orator 30 
to playe apon the vyalles vyrgynalles & Organs and also to wrytte & 
Rede and to doo all manet of other occupacions whiche thesayd 
Thomas wyncote dyd then vse or then after shuld vse and that yor 
sayd Orator shuld contynue & remayne wyth thesaid Thomas 
wyncote by the space of syxe yeres after whyche tyme thesayd Thomas 35 
wyncote dyd nott only nott instructe & teche yor seid Orator suche 
faytes & qualytys as thesaid Thomas wyncote hadde promysed vnto 
yor sayd orator & to hys ffrendes but also thesayd Thomas wyncote 
lytele regardyng the promyse made to yor sayd Orator & to hys 
ffrendes wythoute reasonable (cause) or iust occasyon ( ........ ) three 40 
quarters of a yere after that yor sayd Orator hadde made his aboude 
wyth thesaid Thomas (w)yncote dyd dyscharge & putt yor sayd 



EXETER 1547-51 141 

Orator oute & from the house & seruyce of thesavd Thomas wyncote 
vtterly refusyng to instructe & teche yor sayd Orator suche qualytes 
& faytes as thesayd Thomas wyncote hadde before that tyme 
ffaythfully promysed vnto yor sayd Orator & to hys ffrendes to the 
vtter vndoyng of yor said Orator by reason wherof yor sayd Orator 
hath nott ,ronly 1 Susteyned the lostes & haynderaunce as ys afforsayd 
but also ys lyke to lause the sayd somme of fforty shyllynges whiche 
was gyuen vnto the sayd Thomas wyncote for the Causes & 
consyderacions afforsayd whiche sayd Thomas wyncote vtterly 
denyeth the payment therof although he hath byn therunto dyuers 
& Soundry tymes reasonably requyred yor sayd Orator hauyng no 
remedy by the dewe order & Course of the Comon lawe for the 
redresse of the premysses to the grette haynderaunce & lostes of yor 
sayd Orator onles yor good lordeshyppes favor ayde & Succor be 
her yn hadde hyt maye therfore plese yor good lordeshypp the 
premysses consydered to graunte vnto yor sayd Orator the kynges 
wrytte of Subpena robe dyrectyd to thesaid Thomas wyncote 
commaundyng hym by verue of thesame personally to appere before 
yor good lordeshypp yn the kynges high Courte of Chauncery at a 
certen daye & vnder a certen payne by yor good lordeshypp robe 
lymyted then & ther to make aunswere vnto the premysses and to 
abyde suche fferder order & dyreccon theryn as shalbe thought by 
yor good lordeshypp mete and Convenyent and yor sayd Orator shall 
dayly praye to god for the prousperous helth of yor good lordeshypps 
long to contynue and endure 
S(...) 

Thomas Wyncott's Answer to the Complaint of John Yeo 
PRO: C1/1284/12 
single sheet o 
The aunswere of Thomas wyncott to 
the byll of complent of Iohn yeo 
The said Thomas wyncott saving to hym thauantage of the 
insufficyencye of the same byll of complent and the benefyte of the 
comyn lawes of this Realme for the tryall of the surmysid matters 3s 
specified in the same byll for aunswere sayeth that true it ys that about 
the space of three yeres last past the said Complaynant made and 
concludid a bargayne with the said Defendaunt aswell for the 
contynuall abyding with the said Defendaunt by the space of vi yeres 
then next insuyng as also for the Instruccon and lornyng of the said 40 
Complaynant in maner and forme folowing that ys to saye the said 



142 F\ETFR 1547-51 

Complaynant bounde hym self by wryting to the said Defendaunt 
to be with the said Defendaunt by the space of vi yeres duryng which 
tvme the said Defendaunt shuld teache and instruct the saide 
Complavnant to playe vpon the vyals and virgynals and to wryt and 
Rede in maner and forme as in the same byll of complent ys specified 
and for the same the said Complaynant shuld paye vnto the said 
Defendaunt the some of xl s of lefull money of englande at a certen 
tvme expiryd and past wherof the said Defendaunt as yet hath not 
receyvid aboue the somme of xxxii or xxxiij s and thervpon the said 
Complaynant came vnto the said Defendaunt and made his aboode 
with hvm by the space of one yere and a half by all the which tyme 
the said Defendaunt art his costes and charges founde the said 
Complaynant meate dryncke clothing lodging and other thinges 
necessary and convenyent and by all the said space did instruct informe 
and teatime the said Complaynant in the said scyences betwene ( .... ) 
concludid and agreid according to the bargayn betwene them made 
and bvcause the said Complaynant was ,mot1 vere apt to lorne the 
( .... ) said Defendaunt gave hym a lytle correccon as in suche cases 
vs requysyte and necessary and thervpon the said Complaynant 
agayne the wyll and mvnde of the said Defendaunt departid from 
hvm the said defendaunt and went vnto one lohn Growdon Clerke 
his frende where he euer sythen his departure from the said 
Defendaunt which ys by the space of one yere and a half or there 
about hath bvn and yet ys ,rand 1 by the meanes of the said Growdon 
wyll not repaire nor comme to the same Defendaunt and yf the saide 
Complaynant wyll paye vnto the said Defendaunt all suche costes 
charges and expences as he hathe susteynyd and borne in and about 
the fynding of the said Complaynant he ys and alwaye hathe byn 
contentid and pleasid to paye vnto hym as moche as the said 
Defendaunt hathe receyvid vpon the same bargayn withowt that that 
the said Complaynant gave vnto the said Defendaunt the somme of 
xl s in manet and forme as ys specified in the said byll of complent 
or that the said Defendaunt did not instruct and teache the said 
Complaynant in suche feattes and qualities as he had promisid vnto 
the said Complaynant and his frendes for the said Defendaunt sayeth 
that he did the best he could do therin but the said Complaynant 
was so vnapt to Iorne and neclygent that he lornyd but lytle therof/ 
or that the said Defendaunt within thre quarters of a yere next after 
the said Complaynant had made his aboode with the said Defendunt 
did discharge and put the said Complaynant from the house and 
seruice of the said Defendaunt or refusid to instruct or teache hym 



EXETER 1557-8 147 

Receivers' Account Book 5 DRO, ECA: 
f 5* (Civic officials' fees) 
.oo 
Item iij b'S mimis pro togis suis hiemalibus 
Item eisdem pro tunicis estiualibus 
Item eisdem in Regardo versus pridictis 
Item eisdem pro pencione sua hoc anno 

Box 214, Book 5 

xxiiij s 
xv s vj d. 
XX S 

f 8v (Rewards) 

Item the:l 2: of octobr to a manne & his iiij sonnes to 
plaie an enterlude at the guildhall 
Item to the kinges minstralles & to a guggeler 
at the same time 
Item to the quenes plaiers for an enterlude plaide in the 
guildhall on corporis christ dale 
Item geven the: 11 : ofseptembr: to the 
duke of norffolkes plaiers 
Item the first of decembr: for baiting of the beares at 
castle & for settinge of formes there 

XS 

xiij s iiij d. 
VS 
xsijd. 

I0 

15 

2o 

1557-8 
Receivers" Account Book 10 DRO, ECA: 
f 6* (Civic officials' fees) 
paid to the three waites of the Cite for ther 
winter liveryes 
paid to them for ther somer lyverys 
paid to them for a rewarde towardes ther lyverys 
paid to them for ther ladde for a coett 
.oo 
paid to the three wayettes for ther wages 

Box 214, Book 10 

xxxvi s vi d 
XX S 
xxix s vj d 
vii s iiij d 

XXS 

25 

3o 

35 

f 8* (10 October) (Rewards) 
paid geven to {the quennes play] my |orde of 

14/guggeler: first g written over I 



Thorder for 
Sergentes &c 
to putt in 
surties 

EXETER 1560-2 

149 

Eisdem Mimis pro libatura sua attumpnali xx s.'Et eis in regardo versus 
libatura sua xv s. 1 Et Soluto Eisdem Mimis pro feodis suis hoc anno 
xx s ... Et Soluto Mimis pro Tunica pro puero nihil ... 

City Council Chamber Act Book 3 DO, ECA: GI/BI/3 s 
p 43* (2 September) 
ooo 
Also it is agreed that everie sergeaunt, porter and wayte of this Citie 
shall yerelye at the beginninge of the yere & tyme of takyng theire 
othes put in good & sufficient suerties for there good & trustie vsinge 10 
of them selfes in theire severall offices accordinge to the olde & 
laudable customes of this Citie 

Freemen's Book DRO, ECA : Book 55 
f l18v 

ooo 
Nicholaus Tailior Wayte admissus est ad libertatem 
Civitatis per Redempczonem 

XXS. 

1560-1 
Receivers' Account Rolls oao, FCa 
nab 3d (Civic officials' fees) 

...Et soluto Tribus Mimis dicte Ciuitatis pro liberatura sua hiemali 
xxxvj s. vj d. Et eis in regardo versus libatura sua xxviij s. iiij d. Et 
soluto Eisdem Mimis pro libatura sua attumpnali xx s. Et eis in regardo 
versus iibatura sua xx s vj d. Et soluto Eisdem Mimis pro feodis suis 
hoc anno xx s .... Et soluto Mimis pro tunica pro puero ix s .... 

1561-2 
Receivers" Account Rolls oao, ECa 
robs 5d-4d (Civic officials" fees) 

...Et Soluto Tribus Mimis dicte Ciuitatis pro libatura sua hiemali 
xxxvj s. vj d. Et Eis in Regardo versus libatura I sua xxviij s. Et Soluto 
Eisdem Mimis pro iibatura sua attumpnali xx s. Et Soluto eis in 
Regardo versus libatura sua xij s iij d Et Soluto Eisdem Mimis pro 
feodis suis hoc anno xx s .... 

15 

2O 

25 

3O 

35 

8-10m/marginal note in a later hand, posstblr John Hooker's 
9/beginninge: begiininge MS 



EXETER 1562-4 

1562-3 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, 
mb 5d (Civic officials' fees) 
ooo 
... Et Soluto Tribus Mimis dicte Ciuitatis pro libatura sua hiemali 
xxxvi s. vi d. Et eis in Regardo versus libatura sua xxxiij s. vj d. Et 
Soluto Eisdem Mimis pro libatura sua attumpnali xx s. Et Soluto eis 
in Regardo versus libatura sua vii s. iiii d. Et Soluto Eisdem Mimis 
pro feodis suis hoc anno xx s. ,rEt soluto pro tunica pro puero vnius 
Mimorum vii s. vj d. 1 ... 

Receivers" Account Book 11 
f 7v (Civicofficials'fees) 

DRO, ECA : 

Box214, Book 11 

Also to the waytes for their pencions xx s. s 
Also for theire wynter lyvereys xxvj s vj d 
Also yn rewardes towardes the same xxxiij s vj d 
Also for the boyes lyverey vii s vj d 
Also to them for theire somer lyverey xx s 
Also to thyme yn rewardes toward the same vii s iiij d 2o 

f 10 (Gzfts and reTx'ards) 

Also the 29 of may to the Erie of warwykes plaiers for an 
enterlude plaied at the guyldhall 
Also the 4 of luly geven to the Quenes players 
Also the 17 of september geven to the lord latymers 
plaiers because the sholde not play 
Also the 17 of october to the Erie of oxfordes players for 
an enterlude at the guyldhall 

xiij s iiij d 
XX S 

vi s viii d 

xiii s iiii d 

25 

3O 

1563-4 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 4d (Civic officials" fees) 

Et soluto Tribus Mimis dicte Ciuitatis pro libatura sua hiemali xxxvi s. 
vj d. Et eis in regardo versus libatura sua xxix s. vj d. Et soluto eisdem 
Mimis pro libatura sua Autumpnali xx s. Et eis in Regardo 
versus libatura sua xvj s Et soluto eisdem Mimis pro feodis suis hoc 
anno xx s. Et soluto pro Tunica pro puero vnius Mimorum ix s. ij d .... 

3 

4O 



EXETER 1564-7 151 

[nycholus 
Tylley] 

1564-5 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 3d (Civic officials" fees) 

...Et soluto tribus Mimis dicte Ciuitatis pro libatura sua hiemali 
xxxvj s vj d. Et soluto eis in regardo versus libatura sua xx s. Et soluto 
eisdem Mimis pro libatura sua Autumpnali xx s. Et eis in regardo 
versus libatura sua viii s. vj d Et soluto eisdem Mimis pro feodis suis 
hoc anno xx s. Et soluto pro Tunica pro puero vnius Mimorum viij s. 
iiij d .... 

mb 2d (Necessary expenses) 
Et de iij li. xv s. solutis quibusdam Mimis & histrionibus diuersorum 
Magnatum &c 

l0 

15 

1565-6 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 5d (Civic officials" fees) 
...Et soluto duobus Mimis dicte Ciuitatis pro libatura sua hiemali 
xxiiij s. iiij d. Et eis in regardo versus libatura sua xxj s viii d Et soluto 
eisdem Mimis pro libatura sua autumpnali xiij s. ,riiij d." Et eis in 
Regardo uersus libatura sua xviij s. v d. rEt eis pro feodis xx 

1566-7 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 5d (Civic officials' fees) 

...Et soluto duobus Mimis dicte Ciuitatis pro liberatura sua hiemali 
xxxvj s. viii d. Et eis in regardo versus liberatura sua ix s. iiij d Et 
soluto eisdem mimis pro liberatura sua Autupnali xx s. Et eis in 
Regardo versus Liberatura x s. vj d Et eis pro pencione sua xx s .... 

City Council Chamber Act Book 3 DRO, ECA: GI/BI/3 
p 192 (22 September) 
And lykewyse [that] they have by comon consent elected & choson 
that nycho/us lysowell shalbe one of the waytes of this citie & receve 

3O 

35 

4O 

33/Autupnah for Autumpnali 



EXETER 1583--4 161 

games, they will rather sit idle in the streetes, than be well occupied in 
the churches. 
...for when souer there is anie Sermon, send you one out into the 
streetes, and there shall you find the greatest number, some to knocke 
there beeles against the stalles, some to walke vp and downe the 
streetes, some sitting at the tauerne gulping and drinking, some at 
gaming and plaieng, some piping and daunsing, and finallie none well 
occupied .... 

sig h.ij 

The office of the wardens of 
the Shambles. 

Also that no bull vnbaited, nor sow brenning, nor yew tupping, nor 
anie beast vnseasonable be slaughtered, nor flesh blowen, foistered, 
salted, or vnreasonable, be set to sale. 

10 

IS 

sig I.i :0 

The office of the Bull ring keeper, named 
commonlie the Maior of the 
Bull ring. 
The Maior of the Bull ring, is an office of countenance, and appointed 2s 
for the keeping of a good order in such things as be committed to 
his trust and office. 
First when anie bull or beare baiting be appointed, he is first to make 
the Maior priuie thereof, and no baiting to be vsed within the citie, 
but that the said Maior be present or giue leaue therevnto. 30 
Also he shall see all things to be well and orderlie vsed at such pastimes. 

sig I.iv 

3S 

The office of the Watchemen and Wardens. 
ooo 
Also if they find anie night watchers, plaiers, quarellers, dronkeards, 
suspect persons, whatsoeuer, they shall apprehend them, and bring 
them, either to the ward or to some conuenient place, as where the 40 
parties may be forth comming before the magistrate the next morning. 
ooo 



174 F\ETER 1594-6 

1594-5 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, eca 
mb 2d (Civic officials' fees) 
Et de "xxxiij li. xiiij s j d- solutis quatuor Servientibus ad Clauam 
quatuor Mimis Coquo Edmundo Clarke & Bedellis pro liberturis suis 
autumnalibus & hiemalibus hoc Anno ... 

f 1 v (Extraordinary payments) 
Item given by order of Mr Major the xxvij 'h daye of Iune 
1.595 to the Erie of Cumberlande Players 

VS 

10 

f2 
Item payde out for a drome to sounde before the watche 
one Midsomer night 
ooo 

f3 
Item given bye order of the Maior to the Quenes Players 
beinge here the xxiij h of Aprill 
o.o 

xij d 

XX S 

15 

2O 

25 

1595-6 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2d (Civic officials' fees) 
Et de xxxj li. xij s ij d solutis quatuor Seruientibus ad Clauam quatuor 
Mimis Coquo Edmundo Clarke & Bedellis rdigor Baker 1 pro liberturis 
suis hiemalibus & autumnalibus... Et de xxvj s viij d solutis quatuor 
Mimis pro feodis suis hoc anno ... 

f 2 (Extraordinary expenses) 
o.o 
Given to the Waytes of Bathe by Mr Maiors order 
More to the Waytes of Plymothe by his order 

iis 

3O 

4O 



EXETER 1596--9 175 

f 2v 
ooo 
Item giuen the Quenes players by Mr Mayors order 
ooo 

1596-7 
Receivers' Account Rolls pRO, 
mb ld (Civic officials'fees) 

xiii s iiij d 
5 

...Et de xxj li. xij s ii d solutis iiijor Seruientibus ad clauam quatuor 10 
Mimis Coquo Edmundo Clarke digorio Baker & Bedelis pro liberturis 
suis hiemalibus & autumnalibus... Et de xxvj s viii d solutis quatuor 
Mimis pro feodis suis hoc Anno ... 

xviij s vj d 

15 

2O 

f lv (Extraordinary payments) 
ooo 
More paid vnto the Musicians & the rest of the Officers at 
mye Lord Bishopps 

1597-8 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2d (Civic officials" fees) 
ooo 25 
Et de xxxvii li. xix s solutis Seruientibus ad Clauam quatuor Mimis 
Coquo Edmundo Clarke et Bedellis 'Ianuatoribus & Willo hadcot 1 
pro liberturis suis Hiemalibus & autumnalibus 
Et xxvj s viii d solutis quatuor Mimis pro feodo suo hoc Anno ... 

1598-9 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 3d (Civic officials' fees) 
Et de xxxv li. vj s x d solutis quatuor Seruientibus ad Clauam quatuor 
Mimis Coquo Edmundo Clarke Digorio Baker & Bedellis pro 
liberturis suis hiemalibus & Autumalibus 

35 

4O 

I0,12/sums underlined 
27/Willo for Willelmo 

39/Autumahbusfor Autumnalibus 



EXETER 1606-7 
Item mor giuen to the pleayeres by mr mayors order 

01-00-00 

181 

1606-7 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2d (Civic officials'fees) 

Et de xxxviij li. ij s fix d 1 solutis Quatuor seruientibus ad Clauem, 
duobus lanitoribus quatuor Mimis, Coquo, Iacobo Clerke & Bedellis 
pro libertur suis hiemalibus et autumnalibus/Et de lvij s vj d solutis o 
pro liberatura Willi Moore m r& Nichi Stubb Bedelli 1 le Wayte hoc 
Anno 

Et de x li solutis quatuor Mimis pro ffeodo suo hoc anno 

15 

f 5 (24June) (Extraordinary expenses) 
Item paide the drummer att Mydsomer 

iii s iiii d 

20 

f 5v (8 August) 
.oo 
Item paide to the players or tumlers by mr Mayors order 
.oo 

vs 

25 

City Council Chamber Act Book 6 t)ao, ECA: GI/B1/6 
f 140 (10 August) 
ooo 
Who agree that William Moore lute Servaunte of Sir Ames Bampfild 30 
r& Sir [Io Acland]  Knightes & the rather at his requeste/& Sir Iohn 
Acland  shalbe admitted to be one of the Waites of this Cittie in the 
place of Dodridge decessed so longe as he shalbe of gu(...) good 
behavior & that he shalbe admitted to the liberties of this Cittie gratis 
so longe as he keepes the place of a Wayte of this Cittie 35 
And they agree that Sir Ames Bampfild & Sir Iohn Acland Knightes 
shalbe admitted to the Liberties of this Cittie in the Assias weeke 
nexte gratis 
And they agree that the now Receiuer shall deliuer vnto the said Moore 
a gownes Clothe of some better price then ordinarilie ys for 40 

I OI liberturfor l iberaturis 
11/WilliforWillelmi 

I II NichiforNicholai 



EXETFR 1607-9 

the waites for that he ys out to haue a gowne againe vntill christmas 
come Twelvmoneth 

Freemen's Book DRO, F-ca: Book 55 
f 192 (Nez,ly admitted freemen) 
.oo 
Willehnus Moore per Redempcionem nibil per Maiorem &c 

1607-8 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, F_CA 
nab 4d (Civic officials' fees) 
Et de xxxv li. xiiij s vii d solutis quatuor Seruientibus ad Clauam duobus s 
Ianitoribus Quatuor Mimis, Coquo Iacobo Clerke & Bedellis pro 
liberturis hiemalibus at autumnalibus hoc Anno 

mb 3d 
Et de x li. solutis quatuor Mimis pro ffeodo suo hoc anno 
ooo 

2O 

Freemen's Book DRO, F-Ca : Book 55 
f 192v (Newly admitted freemen) 

ooo 
Willus Smithesone Musition rper xxvj s viii d 1 ... 

25 

3O 

1608-9 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 5d (Civic officials" fees) 

Et de xxxix li. iiij s v d solutis Quatuor Seruientibus ad Clauam 2bus 
lanatoribus Quatuor Mimis Coquo Iacobo Clarke et Bedellis pro 
Libturis suis Hiemalibus et Autumnalibus hoc Anno 

35 

I/outfornot 
8/Moore was one o] the watts 

28/WillusforWillelmus 



EXETER 1609-10 
Et de x li solutis Quatuor Mimis pro feodis suis hoc Anno 

183 

City Council Chamber Act Book 6 DRO, ECA: GI/BI/6 
f 185v (14 September) s 
Who Wholy agree That ffor as miche as a greate inconveniens doth 
dayly fall oute to the Comon Welth of this Cittie & Comon state of 
the same by meanes of the greate concurse & repere to this Citty of 
many Plaiers Tumlers & people of the leeke nature & disposition 
who many tymes do disorder them selfes & oftentymes doo oute of 
Season & in the nighte tymes [doo] make ther showes & plaies to the 
people to the hinderans of good Rule & order & to the mentenans 
of all disorder & Losenes & to the greate ,'displeasure 1 of god Almighte 
That in concideration therof & for the avoidinge of the said 
inconveniences any Company of suche persons before mencoed shalbe 
permitted or allowed at any tyme hereafter by any ,rperson 1 havinge 
the place of the Maier of this Cittye to make ,'any  shewes or plaies 
within this Citty or County betwene the feastes of Thanunciacion of 
our Lady & of St Michaell "but to ende TM [afterJ "att  the Hower of 
Sixe in the afternone nether betwene the feastes of St Michaell & of 
Thanuciacion of our Lady [after] rbut to ende art  the Hower of ffyve 
in the afternone of the same daye for any Cause whatsoeuer 

Freemen's Book DRO, EC, : Book 55 
f 193 (Newly admitted freemen) 
Iohannes Burford Musition per xxvj s viii d .... 

1609-10 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 8 (Civic officials' fees) 
Et de xlij I. x d. solutis Quatuor Seruientibus ad Clauam 2bus 
Ianatoribus Quatuor mimis Coquo Iacobo Clarke et Bedellis 

25 

3O 

35 

16/mencoed for menconed 
22! Thanuciacon for Thanunciacmn 
36/.): word obscured by blot: probably pro 



EXETFR 1612-15 185 

1612-13 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 5 (Civic officials' fees) 
ooo 
Et de xxxiij li. ij s j d solutis Quatuor Servientibus ad Clauum Quatuor 
Ianiatoribus Quinque Mimis Coquo et Bedellis ret Willelmo Mark" 
pro Libturis suis Hidmalibus et Autumnahbus hoc Anno 
oo. 
Et de x li. solutis Quinque mimis pro feodis suis hoc Anno 

10 

1613-14 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 8 (Civic officials" fees) 
Et de xxxiij li xvij s ix d solutis Quatuor Seruientibus ad Clauam 
Quatuor Ianatoribus Quinque mimis Coquo Willelmo Markes et 
Bedellis pro Libturis suis hiemalibus et autumnalibus hoc Anno 
ooo 
Et de x li. solutis Quinque mimis pro feodis suis hoc Anno 20 

1614-15 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 4 (Civic officials' fees) 
Et de xxxvj li. v s Quatuor Seruientibus ad Claum Quatuor Ianatoribus 
Quinque mimis Cocuo Willelmo Markes et Bedelis pro libturis suis 
hiemalibus et autumnalibus hoc Anno 
ooo 30 
Et de x li. solutis Quinque mimis pro feodis suis hoc Anno 

XX S 

f 1 (8 December) (E,ctraordinary expenses) 
Paid by somuch given the players by mr Maiors order 

35 

61 Mim,s: mires MS 
7/HidmalibusforHiemalibus 
9/mim,s: minis MS 
16/xvij s: x ,rttten over erasure 

17,20/mimts: minis MS 
27/Claumfor Clauum 
28,31/mimts: minis MS 



186 

f 2v (24 June) 
ooo 
paid Radford Gill drummer for Midsummer night is xii d 
5 
Receivers' Account Rolls PRO, ECA 
mb 4 (Civicoffils'/ees) 
Et de xxxvj li. vj s iiij d ,solutis 4r 
Ianatoribus Quinque mimis Coco Willelmo Markes et Bedelis pro 
libturu suis hiemalibus et autumnabbus hoc Anno 
Et de x li solutis Quinque mimis pro feodis suis hoc Anno 
f 1 (90ober) (Extraordinary expenses) 
paid the drummer radford Gille by mr Maiors order x s 
20 
f 2 (8 July) 
paid Radford Gille drommer to warne St peters wach xii d 
25 
f3 
paid by order by gevinge to players to dispach them out 
of the Cettie and not to playe xx s 
paid more for sendinge the players 
Commission to London ii s vj d 
Receivers' Account Rolls o, 
mb 4 (Civic officials'fees) 
Et de xxxv li. ij s v d solutis Quatuor Seruientibus ad Clauam Quatuor 

14/ mimes: minis MS 



188 FXETFR 1618 

(18 December) 
paid gave princes Elizabeth players by mr maiors 
order to dismys 

f lv (25 May) 
ooo 
paid martvn Slader on his maiesties players 
to forbaer to playe 
ooo 

li 

2 

d 

(24 September) 
paid mr maior to geve to Certen players 
to send them Awy 

3 4 

Mayor's Letter to Sir Thomas Lake PRO: SP 14/97/140 
single sheet* (June) 

10 

15 

Right honorable my dutie Remembred May it please you to be 20 
aduertised that 6 dayes past thear cam to our Cittie certaine players 
who cam vnto me desiring leave to playe whearvpon I pervsed their 
patent and finding that it is only for children and youthes (for so ar 
the wordes) I did with aduise of som of the aldermen of this cittie 
restraine them from playing hear, for that thear being fivetene of 2s 
thear company thear ar but only five youthes among them, and all 
the rest ar men som about 30 and 40 and 50 yeares as they hay confessed 
vnto me, as also of their age, vpon which cause I prayed them to 
dissist and gave them lower Angells toward their expence, which 
seemed to me they wear content, But since I am Informed that 30 
they purpose to Informe the Right honorable the Lordes of his 
Maiesties privye Counsaile hearof which if they doe I would humbly 
desire yor honor to make this knowne vnto the Right honorable the 
Lordes abouesaide that they may not think I hay don any thing of 
Contempt, but to keep my self within the compase of the statutes 3s 
And if it be thear Lordships plesure that they shall play, I shalbe very 
well content thearwith, I hay hear enclosed sent yor honor the copy 
of their warant that you may se the wordes of it, And farther we hay 

20/a oJ- honorable wmten over b 
38/first a of warant u'rtttcn over e 



EXETER 1619-21 

flv (24 June) 
ooo 
payd mr mayer to be stowe one those that wet some 
tvme the Quens players 
ooo 
payd Radford gill for mydsomer and petters watch is 
the some of 

li s d 
001 02 O0 

000 O1 08 

Cit Council Chamber Act Book 7 PRO, EC,: GI/BI/7 
f 172 (21 September) 
ooo 
This day Rvchard Thomas Servant vnto Iohn Medland one of the 
wavtes is elected to be one other of the waytes in the place of Iohn 
Bussell decessed 

1619-20 
Receivers' Account Rolls PRO, EC, 
mb 4 (Civic officials'fees) 
ooo 
Et de xl 1. xj s vii d solutis quatuor Seruientibus ad clauam 4: 
Ianatoribus quinque mimis Coco Willelmo markes et Bedell pro 
liberturs suis Hiemalibus et Autumnalibus hoc Anno 

mb 4d 
ooo 
Et de x li. sollutis quinque mimis pro feodis suis hoc Anno 
ooo 

1620-1 
City Council Chamber Act Book 7 OgO, C,: GI/BI/7 
f 207v (13 November) 
ooo 
This day Mr Receyver is ordered to [pa] geven vnto Certeyne players 
which are lycenced vnder the kynges pryvye sygnett, the some of 
xl s. [& are not] as a gratuyty & not to be suffred to playe 

35 

23, Bedell for Bedclhs (?) 



EXETER 1624-5 

193 

And whereas it hath pleased the kinges most Excellent Maiestie by 
his Hignes Grant Vnder his hand and Signett Bearing date of the last 
day of October in the ffiftenth yeare of his Raigne of England ffrance 
and Ireland and of Scotland the one and ffifteth Subscribed by the 
Right Honerable the Earle of Pembrocke Lord Chamberlayne of his s 
Maiestes Houshold to giue and Grant Licence and Authoretye Vnto 
William Perry and the Rest of his associattes to prouide and keepe 
and bring vp a Convenient Number of youthes and Children and 
them to practize and Excercize in the Qualetye of Playinge by the 
Name of Children of the Revells To the Late Quenne Anna. as per x0 
the said grant doth more at large appeare. I haue allowed and 
confirmed and by these presentes doe allow and confirme thaforsaid 
grant Vnder his Maiestie Royall hand and Signett to be and continew 
Vnto the said William Perrie and his associates (videlicett) George 
Bosegraue Richard BacksterThomas Band lames Iones Walter Barrett is 
lames Kneller and E,rdlward Tobye and the Rest of there companie 
not Exceeding the number of Twentye. from the daye of the date of 
these presentes for and during the Terme and space of one wholle 
yeare in and by all thinges accordinge to the Tenor Effect and True 
meaning of his Maiestie graunt and what Companie soever shall 20 
Repai,rrle[,] Vnto any of your Townes Corporatt Cittyes or 
Bouroughes not havinge there Authoreties Confirmed by me and 
Sealed with the Seale of the office of the Revalls that forth with you 
seize any such graunt or Commission and send it to me accordinge 
to those Warrantes directed to you heretofor by The Right Honerable 2s 
The Lord Chamberlaine. 
Given art his Maiesties office of the Revells Vnder my hand and The 
Seale of the said office the Nynth daie of Aprill in the yeare of the 
Raig(.)e of our Souerainge Lord lames by the grace of god Kinge of 
England ffrance and Ireland king defender of the ffaith &c. the Twoo 3o 
and Twenteth and of Scotland The Seuen and ffifteth Anno Domini 
1624 
executa & concordata 31 o. Maij. 1624. lames Tucker 
per me Samuel Izacke, Clericum H Herbert Tristram Michell 
Wm Winkle 3s 

1624-5 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 3d (Civic officials' fees) 
Et de xxxiiij li. ij d ob. solutis Quatuor servientibus ad Clauam iiii 
Ianatoribus v: Mimis, Coquo, Custodi prisone & Bedellis pro 

4O 



194 

EXETER 1625-9 
liberturis suis hiemahbus et Autumnalibus hoc Anno 
Et de vj li. v s solutis quinque Mimis pro feodis suis hoc Anno 
ooo 

1625-6 
5 
Receivers' Acconnt Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 3d (Civic officinls' fees) 
Et de xxxi li. vj s vii d solutis quatuor servientibus ad Clauem, iiij 
lanitoribus (blank) Mimis, Coquo Custodi prisone & Bedellis pro 
liberturis suis hiemalibus et autumnalibus hoc Anno 
Et de v li xij s vj d solutis Mimis pro feodis suis hoc Anno 

1626-7 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2d (Civic officials' fees) 
Et de xxxiii li. iiii s ix d solutis Quatuor servientibus ad clauem iii i 
lanitoribus Mimis Coquo Custodi prisone & Bedellis pro liberturis 20 
suis hiemalibus et Autumnalibus hoc Anno 
Et de vii li. x s solutis Mimis pro feodis suis hoc Anno 

1627-8 25 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2d (Civic officials' fees) 
ooo 
Et de vii li. x s solutis tribus Mimis pro pencionibus suis 
Et de xxxj li. xv s solutis pro liberturis hiemalibus et autumnaltbus 
dictorum servientiurn ad clauem Coqui Mimorum lanitorum 
Bedellorum et Custodis prisone hoc Anno 

1628-9 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2d (Civic officials" fees) 
De vii li. x s solutis tribus Mimis pro pencionibus suis 

35 

4O 

21 / erasure covered by 3 hne .fillers precedes solutis 



EXETER 1629-31 
De xxxvij li. v s ,'viij d  solutis liberturis hiemalibus et autumnallbus 
dictorum servientium ad clauem Coqui Mimorum lanitorum 
Bedellorum et Custodis prisone hoc Anno.! 
ooo 

1629-30 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2d (Civic officials' fees) 

De ix li. vii s vj d solutis iiij Mimis videlicet iij t'" eorum vii li x s 
pro vno Anno & vni eorum - xxxvij s vj d pro iij t'" quarterijs 
Anni 

)'e xxxvj li. iiij s iij d solutis pro librturis hiemalibus et autumnalibus 
dictorum servientium ad clauam Coqui Mimorum lanitorum 
Bedellorum et Custodis prisone hoc Anno 

195 

10 

15 

p 9 (Extraordinary expenses) 
paid a Player by order of Mr Maior & |ustices 
.oo 

li. s d 
00 10 00 

2O 

Waytes 

City Council Chamber Act Book 7 DRO, ECA: GI/BI/7 
f 373v (21January) 25 
ooo 
Alsoe it is agreede that Henry Geale shalbe admitted to be one of the 
waightes & to haue such flees as other of that Companie haue onlie 
during such tyme as this Chamber shall thinke fitt & the said Geale 
demeasne hymselfe well & orderlie./ 30 

1630-1 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2d (Civic officials'fees) 
ooo 35 
De x li. solutis iiij Mimis pro pencionibus suis 
De xxxvij li. xj s iiij d solutis pro liberturis hiemalibus et autumnalibus 
dictorum servientium ad clauam Coqui Mimorum Ianitorum 
Bedellorum et Custodis prisone hoc Anno 40 
ooo 



 FIwe 
waihplaver 

EXFTER 1638--40 

p 32 (19 April) (Extraordinary expenses) 
paid Gilbert Tothill towardes the burying of the old 
Bicklye one of the Waites by Mr Majors order 

100112106 

p 33 (29 September) 
paid Edward Coblye for mendinge of A double 
Cordall one of citties instrumentes 

100104 I00 

City Council Cbamber Act Book 8 DRO, eca: GI/BI/8 
f 74 (24July) 
This day Edmund Cobley of St. Sidwells Practicioner of Musick is 
elected to be one of the waightes of this Cittie in the place of William 
Bickley deceassed to holde & enjoy the said place att the will & 
pleasure of this house onlie & noe Longer vppon his good demeaner 
in the said with such liveries & pencons as others of the said Company 
have. 

1638-9 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, eca 
mb 2d (Civic officials' fees) 
De x li.solutis quatuor Mimis pro pencionibus suis 
De xlj li. iiij s x d solutis pro liberturis hiemalibus et autumnalibus 
dictorum servientium ad clauam Coqui Mimorum Ianatorum 
Bedellorum et Custodis prisone hoc Anno 

1639-40 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, eca 
mb 2d (Civic officials" fees) 
De x li. solutis quatuor Mimis pro pencionibus suis 

35 

19/vaord rmssmg after said; pencons for pencions 27.38/Mimis: Mins MS 
30/Mimorum : Minorum MS 



204 F\FTER 1640-1 

Hole admitted 
Ofle o| 
the \\ as tes. 

De xxix li. iij s solutis pro liberturis hiemalibus et autumnaltbus 
dictorum servientium ad clavam Coqui Mimorum Ianatorum 
Bedellorum et Custodis prisone hoc Anno 

City Council Chamber Act Book 8 DRO, ECA: GI/B1/8 
f 106 (4 August) 
This day Richard Hele of welles Music/on with ,'his  two Boyes are 
elected and admitted [to] to be [admitted] of the Waytes of this Cittie, 
And the said Hele to have such allowance as Medland deceassed late 
had for hvmselfe and his Boyes. 

10 

\\ aightcs 
choseN. 

f 110 

This dav Iohn Gadgcombe & Samuell Iohn of (blank) in the Countie 
of Cornwall Musicans are chosen to be two of the Waightes of this 
Cittie Soe as they doe bring A testimoniall of their good behaviors 
from the place of their last residences & causion to free the Cittie 
from their charges &c. 

15 

Z0 

1640-1 
Receivers' Account Rolls Z)RO, ECA 
mb 2d (Civic officials' fees) 
De x li. solutis mimis dicte Ciuitatis pro pencionibus suis hoc Anno 

De xxxvj li. xj s iiii d solutis pro liberturis dictorum Officiariorum 
dicte Ciuitatis videlicet serventium ad clavam, Coqui, mimorum, 
Ianatorum, Bedellorum, & Custodis prisone 

City Council Chamber Act Book 8 DRO, ECA : G !/B I/8 
f 114v* (16 February) 

2. of the Waightes admitted to the liberties of this Cittiet 

30 

35 

 M,morum: M,norum 



206 EXFTER 1642 

be but meat for Wormes, and wholly neglect their soules which might 
bee companions for Angels: I should desire them likewise, to be as 
zealous for their Lord and Master, as they are oftentimes for their 
Mistresse, to be more in love with the vision of God the Creator, 
than with the painted vissage of a Creature: To give over Ben, and 
Shakespeare, and fall upon Moses and the Prophets, to be better read 
in Saint Peter than in Sir Philip, and not to read Monsieur Balzacs 
Letters with more delight, than they doe Saint Pauls Epistles .... 

p 14 

...Besides, the very language it selfe, what is it oft times, but a few 
shreds and scraps dropt from some Stage-Poet, at the Globe or Cock- 
pit, which they have carefully bookt up, to serve them for such an 
occasion .... 

10 

15 

Sir Henr, 
Roseg ells 
,se. 

p 18 
...Was it never knowne that a Base Fdler hath beene countenanced 
against a Iustice of peace, and that in open Court too, in the very 
face of his Countrey?... 

p 25 zs 
Oh then it highly concernes those, whom God hath substituted to 
be his Vice gerents, to vindicate the contempt of his holy-Lawes, that 
in particular of his holy day, to free it not onely from the abuse thereof, 
by Hucksters, Pedlers, Carriers, and the like; but to purge it also 30 
from prphanation by Bacchanalian Revellings, and Heathenish May- 
games, with other like filth, and ordure, (the consequence of both 
these) which yet in some places are more zealously observed, and 
stood for, than either the Lawes of God, or the King. I hope those 
whom this concerns wil give me leave to speak freely, and I shall 35 
speak the words of truth and sobernesse. 'Twas within these 15 years 
that a most wholsome order was made by the ludges of this Circuit, 

31 ' prphanation for prophanation 



EXETER 1642-3 / HONITON 1571-2 207 

for the suppressing of Church-Ales and Revells, which in many places 
is Sabbath-day work. Oh then that it would seem good in the (.)yes 
of your Lordship, that by your authority, so wholsome an order, 
which now (like the engravings on Tomb stones) is quite worn out, 
might rceive new force and vigour, that so you would be pleased with 
the sword of Iustice, to stab all those unlawfull Assemblies, (meere 
Conventicles of bad fellowes) that they may receive their deaths 
wound .... 

1642-3 
John Hayne's Diary DRO: MS 36 
f 134 (5 January) 
More iij s given ye Citties Waites 

10 

15 

FARWAY 

1567 
St Michael's Churchwardens" Book DRO: 67A/PWI 
f 8v (Rendered 1 November) 
Item walter bucwknoll was chosen Robert howde ,'one 
daye  & after put owt year freyd to the paryshe 

vsvjd. 

2O 

25 

HONITON 

1571-2 
St Michael's Churchwardens' Accounts DO: 1639A/PWI 
f 4 (30 November- 29 November) (Charges) 
payd to master cogynge for one ,'j ii. of  powdar when 
Robarte hode of collyton came in 

xiiij (...5 

3O 

35 

5/rceivefor receive 34/... ): page torn 



208 HONITON 1576-7 / MOREBATH 1531 

1576-7 
St Michael's Churchwardens" Accounts 
f 15 (30 November- 29 November) (Receipts) 
ltem made declaro for whit sonne ayle 
Item mad declaro for Roberte houde 

DRO: 1639A/PWI 

xix s x (.) 
xvij s 

1580-1 
St Michael's Churchwardens" Accounts PRo: 1639A/PWI 
f 29v (30 November- 29 November) (Charges) 
Pard to the mynstrelles at whytsontyde 

KILMINGTON 

1625-6 
St Giles" Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 3047A/PW2 
f [ 17] (Rendered 10 April) (Receipts) 
Item receved of the fvve players for taringe the windores 

f [ 17v] (Allox'ances) 
ooo 
Item payde to the glasier for mendinge the windowres 
that weare torne by the ffyve players 

MOREBATH 

vs 

iii s vj d 

iij s 

2O 

25 

3O 

1531 
St George's Churchwardens'Accounts pro: 2983A/PWI 
f 177v* (Wardens of the Store of St George) (Necessary expenses) 
Item to Thomas glasse for a full payment of hys v. li. for owr laydy: 

5 : page torn 

35 



MOREBATH 1531-40 209 

y haue payd hem xx. s so now we be at a cler powynte with hem 13at 
he schall make vs a new iorge & a new horsse: to owr dragon to hys 
one proper coste & charge: & we to fett owr patent where we wolle: 
& for 13e Makyn of 13is he schall haue owr iorge a gayn & xiij .s. 
& iiij d. of mony: & yf he doo well hys parte: he schall haue of vs 
xv .s. when hyt ys don & sett vp 

1533-4 
St George's Churchwardens" Accounts DRO: 2983A/PW1 
f 36v (Rendered 23 November) 
(Wardens of the Store of St George) (Receipts) 
ooo 
Item y Resseuyd ofle plears at ester here 
.oo 

1537-8 
St George's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2983A/PW1 
f 57v* (Rendered 24 November) 
(Wardens of the Store of St George) (Necessary expenses) 
Item for swepyn ofle churche yerde a gaynste 
revyll sonday 

jd 

1539-40 
St George's Churchwardens' Accounts DO: 2983A/PWI 
f 69 (Rendered 21 November) 
(Wardens of the Store of St George) (Necessary expenses) 

Item for bordes & trestylles & for 13e cete yn [e churche 
yerde: & for stoffe & dressyng of 13e same: yn metre & 
dryncke & wages 
Item for clenssyng of 13e churche yerde a gayn sent iorge 
tyed with wother tymys 

iii/. s. & vi d 

ijd 

I0 

15 

2O 

25 

30 

35 

35-6/sent iorge tyed: 23 Aprd 



MOREBATH 1546-80 211 

1546-7 
St George's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2983A/PWI 
f 184v (Rendered 6 November) (Wardens of the Store of St George) 
(Necessary expenses) 

Item for Makyn clene of le churche yerde a gayn sent Iorge 
tyed 

1565-6 J0 
St George's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2983A/PWI 
f 204* (Rendered 23 June) (Young Men Wardens) 
Memorandum... And ys for the syluer spone lat they resseuyd: they 
deliueryd lais laste yere for buckeler playng 

1577-8 
St George's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2983A/PWI 
f 125v (Rendered 6July) (Grooming Wardens) 
Item made by selling the ale iiij li. wherof v s is paide to william Liddon 
for his playinge at the ale ... 

1578-9 
St George's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2983A/PWI 
f 129 (Grooming Wardens) 
Wherof the aske allowance of eighte grotes paid to Iohn Timewell 
the harper 

(Rendered 10 February) (High Wardens) 

Item receiued of william moore for the banner 
Item made by sellinge of the Ale 

iis 
vj li. 

1579-80 
St George's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2983A/PWI 
f 130v (Rendered 10 July) (Grooming Wardens) 
Item made by sellinge of the ale iiij markes the some of receits is 

2O 

25 

3O 

35 

4O 



PLYMOUTH 1495-9 213 

f 28 

o.o 
Item paid to 10e kynges Mynstrelles by Ie Maire is 
commondement lathbury & his felowys 
Item for a brekefast to 10em yn presens of 
Mr Redyng W. Thykpeny & W. Bree 

iij siiijd 
xxd 

1495-6 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 130 
f 34v (Mayor's costs) 
Item to my lord of Devonshyre ys mynsterels by the 
advise of the said recorder sir william Thyckepeny and 
o[3er worshiphull of the towne 
Item the same tyme at a soper for bred flesche 
wyne and ale 
Item to the kynges mynsterels yn Reward 

f 35 

Item [for] to my lady of bedford is mylsterls 
Item to my lord of Oxford is mylsterls 

iij s iiijd 
iijs[i]iijd 
vj sviij d 

xij d 

1o 

15 

20 

25 

1496-7 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 130 
f 38 (Payments) 
ooo 
Item for xvj yardes of tawny for the waytes price 
the yard xiij d 

1498-9 
Receivers" Accounts 
f 47* (Payments) 

WDRO: W 130 

xvii siiij d 

3O 

35 

Item for a Reward yeven to the kynges 40 



214 

Pl  MOUTH 1499-1500 
mylstrelles before crystesmas 

iis 

t 47v 

Item paid to the Kynges bereward for a reward ouer 
ij s x d [at was gatheryd at the here baytyng 
Item paid for a Reward to the Kynges mylstrelles and my 
lord of canterberys & to my lord of oxfordes and for 
wvne at Rogger peyne ys hous 

ij s ij d 

vis 

10 

St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts w3,o: W 129 
f 23* (19 February) 
for the Stypell 
Memorandum that T Tresawell Resseyvyd of Agnes 
dowfter of Kateryn Hoker for dawnsyng mony 
Item of Iohanne seruant of Thomas Croppe 
Item of Ionett potter for dawnsyng mony 
Item Iohanna filia Willelmi Nycoll debet pro 
dawnsyng mony 
Item Rogerus peyne debet pro dawnsyng mony 

1499-1500 
Receivers' A ccounts 
f 48v (Payments) 

WDRO: W 130 

Item a reward yeven vnto my lord of devonshyre 
ys mylstrelles 
Item more yeven vnto a mylstrell of Sir lohn Arundelles 

xis 
xjs 
ixsixd 

(blank) 
(blank) 

xxd 
viii d 

15 

2O 

25 

3O 

f 49 

.oo 
Item yn mony yeven vnto the kynges mylstrelles and yn 
expences vppon theyme 

iiijsiiid 

35 



PLYMOUTH 1500-3 
1500-1 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 130 
f 54v (Payments) 
Item delyueryd vn to iii Mynstrellys by le Request of 
MasterMeyre 
f 55 
Item paid for makyng clene of [gygmagog] ,rgogmagogl 
Item paid for wyne to le prynses ys mynstrelles 
Item geuyn them a reward 

xiid 

viiid 
xij d 
iij s iiij d 

215 

1o 

15 

1501-2 
Receivers' Accounts WDRO: W 130 
f 58v* (Payments) 
Item delyueryd to my lady prynces ys amner to wryte 
oure supplicacion yn Spaynysch and yn latyn and to be 
owre solucyter 
Item a reward to the prynces ys mylstrelles 
Item to the Erie ys mylstrelles of Spayne 
Item to the prynces ys ij foremen at hir departyng 

xs 
xx d 

2O 

25 

1502-3 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 130 
f 61 (Payments) 
Item paid to the berehurde for a reward 

f 61v 
Item Gave to my lorde of yorke ys mynstrelles 

iijsiiij d 

ijs 

3O 

35 

4O 



PLYMOUTH 1.509-14 217 

1509-10 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 130 
f 88 (Payments) 
Item to iii mynstrelles on seynt Margett day for a reward 
Item to ii mynstrelles on seynt Iames day for a rewarde 

iijsiiijd 
iii s iiij d 

f 89 
Item for a rewarde gyven to the duke of bokyngham is 
Mynstrelles when they were here 

iiis iiijd 

1511-12 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 130 
f 91v 
Item for a rewarde gyven to the bereherd 
Item for a rewarde to therle of Shrewsberys mynstrelles 
Item for a rewarde gyven to the lorde darcy is mynstrelles 

iij s iiij d 
iis 
xvi d 

15 

20 

1512-13 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 130 
f 114 (Payments) 
Item for a rewarde to my lorde Admyralles Trompettes 
Item for a rewarde gevyn to the bereherde 

iijsiiijd 
xii d 

25 

30 

1513-14 
Receivers' Accounts WDRO: W 130 
f l19v (Payments) 
Item to the maister of the kynges berys for a rewarde 

iii s 

35 



PLYMOUTH 1516-19 
Item gyuyn in Reward to the Kynges Bereherd 
Item in Rewarde to luskum for his dogg at the 
bere baytyng 

1516-17 
Receivers' Accounts WDRO." W 130 
f 133 (Costs andpayments) 
Item gyuyn in Rewarde to the kynges mynstrelles 
Item gyuyn in Rewarde to the kynges bereherdes 

f 133v 
Item for paryng of Gogmagog at the how 

1517-18 
Receivers' Accounts WDRO: W 130 
f 135v (Costs and payments) 
Item gyuyn in Reward to the kynges bereherde 
Item gyuyn in Reward to the kynges mynstrelles 
Item paid to lucas for Cuttyng of gogmagog this yere 

1518-19 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 130 
f 139v (Costs and payments) 
Item for viii yardes of clothe for Robyn the Taberettes 
rcote  at viii d the yarde 

f 141v 
Item in Rewarde to the kynges bereherde 
Item in Rewarde to the Erie of Arrundelles mynstrell 

vs 

iiijd 

iiisiiii d 
vj sviii d 

viiid 

vs 
iij s iiij d 
viii d 

vsiiii d 

iii siiiid 
iij siiiid 

219 

10 

15 

2o 

25 

3o 

35 

4o 



220 PL OUTH 1519-21 

1519-20 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 130 
f 145v (Costs and payments) 
Item gyuyn in Rewarde to the kynges bcreherd 

f 146 
Item paid to the duke of Suffolks bereherd 

1520-1 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 130 
f 149v (Costs and payments) 
.oo 
Item gyuyn in Rewarde vnto my lady of 
deuonshvres mvnstrelles 

f 150 

Item gyuyn in Rewarde to the kinges berewardes 
Item gyuyn in Rewarde to hym that Caryed 
the Kinges Camell 
Item gyuyn in Rewarde vnto therle of arrundelles 
Mynstrelles 
Item paid to the Sargeantes for new dyggyng 
of gogmagog apon the howe 

f 150v 

Item gyuyn yn Rewarde to the kinges Iocular 
Item gyuyn in Rewarde to my lorde admyralles 
seruante$ 
Item for ij pyntes of wyne for the Iocular in the hall 

iij s iiij d 

xij d 

xxd 

[vii s] vi s viii d 
iij s iiij d 

vj s viii d 

[xii d] viii d 

Ix s] vi s viii d 
iij s iiij d 
[iiid] 

IO 

15 

2o 

25 

3o 

4o 



PLYMOUTH 1521-4 
Item gyuyn in Rewarde to the kinges Mynstrelles 

f 151 

ooo 
Item gyuyn yn Rewarde to my lorde brokes mynstrelles 
Item gyuyn in Rewarde to iiij of therle of Essex 
mynstrelles 
Item gyuyn in Rewarde to mynstrelles on 
Midsomer Evyn 

1522-3 
Receivers' Accounts WDRO." W 1"30 
f 158 (Costs and charges) 
Item payd for paryng of gogmagog apon the howe 

iij siiijd 

ij s 
iij siiij d 
iij s iiijd 

viijd 

221 

10 

15 

1523-4 20 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 130 
f 161v (Payments) 
Item payd In Rewarde to my lorde of Deuon Mynstrelles iij s iiii d 
Item payd for Cuttyng of gogmagog apon the howe viii d 
Item gyuyn in Reward to the kynges Iocular vj s viii d 
Item in Reward to hym that Caryed the kynges Camell ij s 
Item in Reward to the Waytes on 
mydsomer nyght watche vii s 30 
Item payd for paper threde & Caryng of gonnys in to 
the Churche yarde & makyng of wyldefyre at the watche xij d 
Item gyuyn in Reward to the kynges mynstrelles 
& my lord Cardynalles x s 35 

f 162 
Item gyuyn in Reward to my lorde of 

40 



__4 PI-YMOUTH 1530-3 

1530-1 
Receivers'Accounts wDo: W 130 
f 177v (Costs) 
Item payd for xii yardes of Morrey / at/xvii d the yarde 
for lyueryes for the Towne waytes 

f 178 
o.o 
Item payd to the Masters and Maryners that ffett 
my lorde Chvf Iustice & his Commpany with long Botes 
by water way to & ffro 
Item payd to Svmon Weryng & Nicholas Sarke ffor 
shootyng thordenans at my Iordes Commyng 
ooo 
Item gyuyn in Rewarde to my saide lordes mynstrelles 
Item in Rewarde to sir Thomas denys Mynstrelles 

1531-2 
Receivers' Accounts 
f 180v (Costs) 

wDo: W 130 

Item gyuyn in Reward to the bereherde this yere 
Item gyuyn in Reward to my lorde Marques 
mynstrelles 

1532-3 
Receivers' A ccounts 
f ! 82v (Costs) 

WDRO: W 130 

Item payd to serten Mynstrelles on Maye daye this yere 
Item [p] gyuyn in Rewarde to my lorde lyles Mynstrelles 
Item gyuyn in Rewarde to sir Thomas denys Mynstrelles 
Item gyuyn in Reward to the Mynstrelles of my 
Iorde Marques therle of Estsex and my lorde chyfe 
Iustice 
Item gyuyn in Rewarde to [my lot] Master 
Greynfyldes mynstrelles 

xvii s 

xii s 
iij s iiij d 
vs 
iij s iiij d 

xxd 
iij s iiij d 

1111 S 
iii s iiij d 
xx d 

iij s iiii d 
iij s iiij d 

IO 

2o 

25 

30 

35 

40 



226 P['*' Mour H 1536 

euery person of the said warde to bring with theym except Brede and 
drinke suche vytayle as the like Best And haue there suche And 
asmany persons estraungers as they thinke Beste of theyr ffrendes 
And aquaynted men and Women for thencressing of the said lie paing 
for brede And ale As it commeth therto in rekening for their dyners 
And sopers the same day &c. 
Item it is agreed that euery tauerne of wyne and ale within the said 
Burghe to forbere theyre sale the same day of theyre wyne And ale 
for the wele of the said churche euery person of the xij vpon payne 
of vj s viii d And euery of the xxiiij i iij s iiij d And euery of the 
Cominers j pounde of waxe or the value of the same to the said 
churches behoufe And he or they doing the Contrary at the Mayer 
xij & the xxiiij ' is wylie to stonde in Iupardye of his ffredome And 
to paye the said fyne And euery fyne or fynes so forfayte to be levyed 
by the Mayer for the tyme being within iiij dayes after the said ffeaste 
And in his defauute to be levyed of his flee And vpon the Audyte 
therof/ 
Item the Mayre for the tyme being all ways in his owne Warde in 
the hale so made for him and his warde &c! 
Item that the xij And the xxiiij i Aide & helpe the Mayre to levy the 
said paynes forfayte At euery yere & tyme therto called I 
Item that no person that shall goo aboute with the shipp of Corporis 
christi bring no body there but him selfe to charge the yle 
Item that they make a rekening to euery person for mete and drinke 
And natte to paye at their leasure/ 
Item that euery yle fro hensforthe for the welthe of the Churche in 
tyme comyng be accomptabill Afore the Mayre the xij & the xxiiij *i 
in the Gylde hall of the Burghe aforesaid And the debet of euery of 
theym to be sett in the ligger of the said Towne entred And the said 
Debet to be atte the Mayre xij and xxiiij ' is disposicion in euery yere 
& tyme for the welthe of the said churche/ 

ff 62-3* 
oo. 

The Libertye of the Tayllors Crafte 

Be hit knowen to all manet of people that we william Rogger Mayer 
of the burghe of plymouthe Thomas Tresawell Recorder of the same 
Thomas byne william Nicoll Iohn paynter william Thikpeny Peryn 
Arle with other moo corn burges of the same burghe with all the 



PLYMOUTH 1536-8 

227 

comens of the same burghe haue yeuen and graunten vnto the brethern 
and Crafte of Tayllors of the same burghe full auctorite and power 
to electe these and make Masters of theyre occupacion And Crafte 
And they so made and chosen by theym of the same occupacion And 
shall haue full auctoritee And power to rule And Correcte all thinges s 
belonging to the said occupacion And crafte so ffyxte made and 
stablysshed they shall  make or cause to be made At the cost and 
charge of the said Crafte A pagent yerely vnto Corpus christi Ilde 
for the welthe and proffitt of the said Ilde on Corpus christi day. 
And the same they shall keepe and maynteyn for euer At their Coste 0 
and charge for the which pagent the said bretherdyn may be prayed 
for euer in the same Ilde And ouer that yf there be Be any man of 
the same occupacion in the same towne not keping household that 
then he or they so being in the slid towne not keping Household 
shalbe noon of the said occupacion but that he or they shall make 5 
fyne with us the said Mayer & Comons And also with the said 
occupacion And Crafte After the order and discression of men of the 
said Crafte by the ouer sight of the said Mayer And yf the said wardeins 
And Crafte Amytte any Man to be oon of the said occupacion and 
Crafte. And he happyn to distroye or marre any maner of garment 20 
for lakke of vnderstondynge And non cunnyng yn that behalfe that 
then he or they so hurted or greved shall warne the master or masters 
of the same occupacion therof And then the said masters of the same 
occupacion shall paye and contente for the garment or garmentes so 
distroyed as hit can be thought reasonable for the same hurte hauing 25 
a recompence of the same person or persons Provyded alwey by this 
presentes that the said Masters and Craftes and euery person of the 
same shalbe ordred ruled and gouerned by the Mayer of the said 
burghe for the tyme being in euery thing according to the libertye 
and fourme I of the said Towne and burghe As any oder of the 0 
inhalitauntes there being thus graunte not withstonding. 

1537-8 
Receivers' Accounts 
f 197 (Costs) 

WDRO: W 130 35 

Item gyven in Rewarde to v of my lorde princes 
seruantes players in Interludes that played in the 
yeldehall 

xj s viii d 40 



PLYMOUTH 1540-2 229 

1540-1 
Receivers' Accounts WDRO." W 130 
f 206v (Costs, payments, and expenses) 
ooo 
Item payd for ix yerdes of cloth to make a Cote for 
Tom hordson the ffoole price the yerde viii d 
Item payd to iiii players that played before Master Mayre 
and his brethern 

f 207v 
ooo 
Item for a Rewarde gevyn to my lord admyralles 
seruantes that played an enterlude before Master Mayre 
& his bretherne 
Item for a Souper gevyn to them 
ooo 
Item for a dyner gevyn to my lord admyrailes seruantes 
ooo 

f 208 
ooo 
Item a Rewarde gevyn to therle of bathes mynstrelles 

1541-2 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 130 
f 210v (Costs, payments, and expenses) 
ooo 
Itm paide to my lorde Prynces Playerz for playeng of 
an enterlude before the Mayre & his brethern yn 
the Guildehale 

XXS. 

vj s. viii d. 

vii s vi d 

XV S 

10 

15 

2O 

25 

3O 

f 211 
ooo 
Itm paid to William Hawkyns Baker for cuttyng of 
Gogmagog the pycture of the Gyaunt art hawe 
ooo 

viiid 

35 



230 

PI  MOUTH 1542-5 
f 21 lv 
ooo 
hm paid to lohn Harrys for skowryng of 
S. Georgez harnez 
Itm for a barrell to putt the same harneyz yn 
.oo 

xvi d 
viii d 

Not 

f 213 

Itetn for a rewarde geven to my lorde Chamberleynz 
seruantz for playeng of an enterlude before the Mayor 
& his brethern yn the Guildehale 

1542-3 
Receivers" Accounts WDRO." W 130 
f 217v (Costs and expenses) 

Item payde to Master Mavre for thentertaynement of 
my Lorde of Westmynster beyng the Kynges 
Ambassator [beyng] accompanyed with Syr Richard 
Edgecom And other gentlemen and theyre trayne 
Item gyuen in Reward to iij mynstrelles the same tyme 

xs 

xx S 
iij s iiij d 

f 218v 

Item gyuen in Rewarde to the Kynges Iester so namyd 

.oo 
Item gyuen in Rewarde to my lorde deputyes iiij 
mynstrelles of yreland 
Item gyuyn in Rewarde to another sorte of mynstrelles 
belongyng to certen noble men and gentlemen 

iij siiijd 

iij siiijd 

iis 

1544-5 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 130 
f 228v* (Costs and expenses) 
ooo 
hm to the porters for beryng a hogyshed of wyne to 



PLYMOUTH 1548-9 
Item paid the erie of bathis mynstrelles 
ooo 

f 249 
ooo 
Item to the kynges gester[s] & ij other with hym 
Item paid to the kynges fydler 

f 249v 
ooo 
Item paid to the seriantes for Cuttyng of the Gogmagog 
ooo 

1548-9 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 130 
f 253v (Costs and expenses) 

Item geven in Reward to the kynges mynstreles 
ooo 
Item geven in Reward to my Lorde deputie of 
Bolleyne is players 
ooo 

f 254* 
ooo 
Item paid for wyne geven to the venycyans on maye daye 

f 256 
Item [p] geven in Reward to my lord privye 
sealles trompeters 

f 257 
ooo 
Item geven in Reward [fo] certeyn mynstrelles 
at sondry tymes 
ooo 

vj s viii d 
v$ 

xii d 

vjsviiid 

233 
v$ 

x$ 

ii s viii d 

iij siiiid 

ixsiiijd 

10 

2O 

2 

3O 

3 

4O 



234 PLYMOUTH 1549-60 

1549-50 
Receivers" Accounts WDRO: W 130 
f 263v (Costs and expenses) 
Item paid to the players which played in the churche 

XS 

f 264 

.i. 
Item geven in Reward to my Lord Erie of 
warwvkes mynstrelles by Mr Mayres 
commaundement 

1559-60 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 130 
f 267* (Costs and expenses) 
Item paid to playars of london which plaide at the mayors 
requeste in the vycarage 

vj s viii d 

xiij s iiij d 

l0 

15 

2O 

f 267v 
Item to my lord Robert dodleis players which pied in the 
churche at the Mayors cornmaundement 

Black Book WDRO: W 46 
f 315v* 

A note off Dales appoynted to weare 
Skarlett on and to bankett with Mayor 
off plymowthe 
Item on maye daie Skarlet at the fetchynge of maye 

XX S 

25 

3O 

3 

.5,261 churchc: St Andrew's Church 



236 

PI  MOUTH 1563-5 
f 9v 
Item payed to the Wayttes of Brystolle 
Item to the Erell of Warweke ys [pleers] seruantes the ix 
of Iune ffor pleyng 
Item to the quenes players 

1563-4 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 131 
f 12v (Costs, expenses, and payments) 
Item paved to the Erell of worsetters [horse] pleers 

f 13 
Item payed to the moryshe dawnsers 
Item payed to the trompeter 

VS 

xiij s iiij d 
xx S 

xiij s iiij d 

iis 
xij d 

10 

2o 

1564-5 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 131 
f 16 (Costs, expenses, and payments) 
Item paied to Mr Caynes players 
Item paled to the Weytes of Bristowe 
Item paied to aman that came with the quenes beires 

f 16v 

o.o 
Item paied to the boyes of Totton that played 
at Mr mayors 

vi s viii d 
iiij s 

vii s 

vS 

25 

3o 

35 

36 Tott,,n: Totne 



PLYMOUTH 1565-7 
Item paled to the quenes pleyrs 
Item payed to my lorde mungeis players 
Item paled to my Lorde Hunsdons pleers 
ooo 

xx S 
xiij s iiij d 

xiii s iiij d 

237 

1565-6 
Receivers" Accounts WDRO: W 131 
f 28 (Costs andpayments) 
ooo 
Item payed to players in the Church vppon 
St lohn is daye 
Item payed to the scole master & Children of,rTottnesl 
[the towne] whiche playd in Christmas 
ooo 

f 29v 
Item paled to the mynstrells and dauncers vppon 
maye dale for theire dynner and drynkinge 
ooo 

f 30 
Item payed to the wetes of brystowe 
ooo 

vj s viii d 
xS 

vj s viii d 

iij s iiij d 

Io 

15 

2o 

25 

1566-7 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 131 
f 36 (Costs, expenses, and payments) 
Item paied to the plaiers of totnes 

f 36v 
ooo 
Item gave to the compayny of St Budokes on may day 

xs 

xs 

3o 

35 

I I/Church: St Andrew's Church 
37/St Budokes: St Budeaux. a village 3 redes north-lvest of Plymouth 



PLYMOUTH 1571-2 241 

Item payed to Iohn Scarlett for makyng of a benche 
abouthe maye pole 
Item payed to the Erie of Worcester is players 
Item payed to the drummer on Mydsomer nyghte 
Item playd to Hancockes man for playnge apon 
a drumme that nyght 
Item payed to my lorde Munteloyes players 

f8 

xij d 
vj s viii d 
vi s viii d 
xij d 
xs 

o.o 
Item payd to Roger hewett for canvas & other thynges 
aboute the maye pole iij s viii d 
Item payed to Robert Sprie for payntyng of the maye pole v s 

l0 

15 

1571-2 20 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 132 
f 10v (Costs, expenses, and payments) 
Item payed ffor paper to putt powder in on maydaye v d 
Item payed to the drommer & the mynstrelles yat daye iij s vj d 2s 
Item payed to Margarett Waddon for her horse on 
maye daye for that Knaue the barber to ride on viii d 
Item payed to one that dyd playe on the Towne drome 
on Maye day xij d 3o 
Item payed to lohn wyotte for dygyng vppe 
of the mayepole iiij d 
Item payed to Roger Newporte for shotte & neyles viij d 
Item payed to Roger hewett for fflagges & stremers 
for the maye pole vj s 35 
Item payed to Clynche for di. C of bord neyles vi d 
Item payed to Robert Sprie for peyntyn of the maye pole iiij s 

6/playd for payd 
7/drurnme: drummie MS 



PLYMOUTH 1574-5 243 

1574--5 
Receivers' Accounts WDRO: W 132 
f 22v* (Costs, expenses, and payments) 
Item payed for bryngyng home of the maye pole 
& for wages of one botes company 
Item payed to Anthony Ballerd for iij yerdes of canvas 
for the toppe armor of the maye pole 
Item for a yeird & halff of clothe to make a fflagge 
for the maye pole 
Item for payntyng of the Toppe armers & the fflagg 
Item payed to vyncent Scoble for ij drume stickes 
Item payed to hym for a corde for a drume 
Item payed to Thomas Bourdon for mendying 
of the drume 
Item payed for ij leather bayges for powder 
Item payed to Spicer for an exell tree 
Item payed for makyng of the benche & for bordes 
aboute the maye pole 

f 23 

to the Musitions that played on maye 
to hym that played apon the hoby horse 
to the drummer on Maye daye 

xviii d 

xiid 
xvi d 
xij d 
xii d 

xii d 
xxd 
iiijd 

xvi d 

10 

15 

2o 

Item payed to Roger Hewett for makyng the toppe 
& toppe armours & the fflagg & for neyles iij s as 
Item payed to morrys dauncers on maye daye v s 
Item payed to william Hancock & his company for 
the ffetchyng of the maye pole vj s x d 
Item payed for peper on maye daye [la] daye 
to putt powder in vj d 30 
Item payed to the gonners in maye daye xx d 
Item payed 
daye iij s iiij d 
Item payed vj d 35 
o,o 
Item payed v s 
Item payed to Anthony Ballerd for iiij yerdes of canvas to 
make a hobby horse ij s 40 



PLYMOUTH 1576-7 245 

1576--7 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 132 
f 30v (Costs, expenses, and payments) 

Item paied for provision agaynst my lord 
of Bedfords comyng 
Item paied to certayne players 

vj li. xiii s iiij d 
xiij s iiij d 

f31 
o.o 
Item paied to Sir Richard Barkley is playrs 
oo. 

xij s 

10 

f 31v is 

Item payed to Ball ye taborer ij s vj d 
Item for his dynner & supper vj d 
Item payed to the morrys dauncers v s 
Item payed to Roger Hewett to ye takyng downe of 20 
ye may poll xij d 
Item payed to Roger Newport for shottyng the ordynnce 
on maye daye iiij d 
Item payed for a sparre for the maye poll iiii d 
Item payed for a dile bord for the banke thereof xiiij d 
Item payed for xiiij sheles for posstes to the same iij d 
Item payed to lohn downe to ffyll the pytte iiij d 
Item payed to his brother to helpe hym about ye same iij d 
Item payed to Martyn ffeltwell to helpe hym ij d 
Item payed for ye toppe for the maye polle vii d 3o 
Item payed for a borde of Roger Hewettes beyng broken iiij d 
Item payed for browne paper on maye daye ix d 
Item payed to Roger Hewett for makyng the auncyent v s iiij d 
Item payed to Iohn Crosse for worke about the same poll xij d 
Item payed to the drummer on Maye daye ij s vj d 
Item payed to Nicholas Glanfyld for iiij yelles & quarter 
of Crymsyn taffata at xij s ye ell Ij s 
Item payed for vii elles iij quarter & di. quarter of 
whytt sarcenett at vj s the ell xlvij s iij d 



246 PL MOUTH 1577-8 

I tern payed to one that Went to Tavistick for ye same silk xvj d 
Item payed to one that Went for ye tabarer vj d 
Item payed for di. C bord nayles for ye maye poll vj d 

t 32 
Item payed to Sprie for payntyng of the maye polle v s 
these iii seuerall portions of powder are delyuered to the Townes vse 
bv Mr Ilcomb to discharge of certayne powder due by hym to the 
Towne & yet restethe owyng Cxxvj li.t 
Item payed for xx li. weight of sarpentyne powder bestowed on maye 
dave 
Item payed for xx li. of corne powder 
Item payed the xxiij of lune for lviij li. of corne powder 

1577-8 
Receivers' Accounts WDRO: W 132 
f 35v (Costs, expenses, and payments) 
Item payed to theym that toke down the maye pole & for 
breadd & drynke gevyn to theym 
Item gevyn to the Gunners on maye daye 
Item payed to lohn Scarlett for neyles & bordes & 
for makyng of the banke aboute the maye pole 

xd 
iiijd 

10 

f 36* 

2O 

Item payed owte & disbursed in chargs toucchyng the 3s 
intertaynement of my lorde of Bedforde at his ffirste 
beynge here this yere as by a booke of particulers thereof 
showed to the audytors at this accompte appereth xlij li. ij s vii d 
Item payed owte & disbursed in charge & intertayment 
of my lord & lady of Bedford the latter tyme ys yere as by 40 
bookes of the partyculers thereof likewise showed before 

xii d o 



PLYMOUTH 1578-80 247 

the audytors at this accompte appereth 
Item payed to hym ffor charges bestowed aboute 
the maye pole 
Item payed to Abraham wystlake for canvas & other 
thynges aboute the maye pole 
Item payed to the paynter for staynyng of the maye pole ii 
streamers toppe armours & a fflagge this yere 

xliiii li. viii d 

iis 

ix s viii d 
ix s viii d 

f 37v* (Remaining expenses) 
Item there Remayneth with Mr drake a drume of the Townes of the 
value of xl s which is to be ainswered apon retorne of his viage. And 
if the Towne be not satisfied by Mr drake then Mr hawkins promyseth 
to satisfie for ye same 

1578-9 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 132 
f 39v (Costs, expenses, and payments) 
Item payed for amendynge of maye pole benche & the 
ballance to lohn Scarlett 
Item payed to the Erie of Bathe is players 

xd 
xiij s iiij d 

10 

15 

20 

25 

1579-80 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 132 
f 45 (Costs, expenses, and payments) 
Item payed to the players by Mr maiors commandement 
Item payed to lames Tynker for playeng on the drume 

f 46 

Item payed for xlv li. of powder for maye daye 

XX S 
xii d 

lii s xi d 

30 

35 

31 hym: Roger Hez'ett 



248 

PLYMOUTH ! 580-2 
Item payed for Browne paper 
ooo 

1580-1 
Receivers' Accounts WDRO: W 132 
f 49* (Costs, expenses, and payments) 
Item paid to Roberte Sprye for the picture of the Turke 
on Maye Dale 
Item paid for powder for the great Ordynaunce 
on Mave daye 
Item paid for come powder then, for Calivers 
Item paid for browne paper to Devide it in portions 
Item paid to my Lord Shandos men for bearebeatinge 
Item paid to Roberte Sprye for payntinge the Turke 
Item paid to the Tynker for playeinge on the Dromme 
at the Builworke 
Item paid to vinsent Scoble for the frame of the Bell rope 
for the guiidhald & for the frame of the Turke 

f 49v 

Item paied to the Earle of worsters plaiers and for bearing 
of Bordes and other fourniture 

ooo 
Item paied to Thomas Hodge drumer for playenge 
vppon the drumme this yere 

1581-2 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 132 
f 52 (Costs, expenses, and payments) 
Item paid to the Lord Strawnges players 

iiijd 

xvj d 

xxixsvijd 
iiijli, xvijsxd 
vjd 

vS 

iis 

xxj d 

xvsixd 

vS 

XS 



PLYMOUTH 1586--8 
man which playede on the waites 

xijd 

251 

1586-7 
Receivers" Accounts WDRO: W 132 
f 67v (Costs and expenses) 
Item paid to George Starrling for the Clerkship this yere 
Item paid to him for plaienge vppon the waytes 
Item paid to my Lorde Admiralles plaiers 

f 69 
Item paid to the morrice dauncers 
Item paid to the drummer on maye daie 

xl s 
iiij li. 

xs 

vjs8d 
vjd 

IO 

15 

1587-8 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 132 
f 72v (Costs and expenses) 
Item paid to George Starlinge for his Clarkshippe 
Item paid to him ffor playeinge vppon the Waites 

f 75v* 

ooo 
Item paid to Mr Arnolde for drynke on Maye daye 
Item paid for Cix li..3, quarters of powlder 
spent on Maye daye 
Item for iiij li. di of matche at iiij d the pound 
Item for 4 quyers of paper for the Allowaunces 
Item for the gonners dynner on Maye daye 
Item to the dromers that daye 
Item to my Lord of Leicesters plaiers, the 15th of 
Maye 
Item paid for powlder, powlder Bagges, paper and 
other charges at the entertayninge of my Lord Admirall, 

xls 
iiij li. 

ijsijd 

vii. ixsixd 
xviij d 
xvj d 
ij s vj d 
ij s vj d 

xs 

2o 

25 

3o 

35 

4o 



PLYMOUTH 1593-4 255 

which I had sent a-shore, for dispatch of some businesse: which being 
come aboord, and all put in Order, I loost neere the shore, to giue 
my farewell to all the Inhabitants of the Towne, whereof the most 
part were gathered together vpon the Howe, to shew their gratefull 
correspondency, to the loue and zeale which I, my Father, and 
Predecessors, haue ever borne to that place, as to our naturall and 
mother Towne. And first with my noyse of Trumpets, after with my 
waytes, and then with my other Musicke, and lastly, with the Artillery 
of my Shippes, I made the best signification I could of a kinde farewell. 
This they answered with the Waytes of the Towne, and the Ordinance 
on the shore, and with shouting of voyces; which with the fayre 
evening and silence of the night, were heard a great distance off .... 

10 

1593-4 
Receivers" Accounts WDRO" W 132 
f 98v (Costs and expenses) 
Item payed to George Starlinge for pleainge 
vppon the weytes 
Item payed to the drummers & for mendinge of drumes 

iiij li. 
xxiij s vj d 

15 

2O 

f 99v 

Item payed for paper to put powder in on Maye daye 
Item for Carriadge of hoggeshede of beare to the 
Markett Crosse on Maye daye 
Item payed to the morris daunshers & drummeres 

iis 
viii d 
xiiii s v i d 

25 

3O 

f 100" 

Item payed for wyne frute & Cakes on St Mathewes daye 
& for the boyes spoyle in the markett 
Item payed Stonehowsmen on maye daye for wyne 

xviii s vii d 
ml s 

35 

f 101 
ooo 
Item payed Thomas Sherwill for a hoggeshedde 

4O 



258 PLYMOUTH 1600-1 

Cordes for the Drume 

.oo 
ltm paid for three heades for the Drume to 
Iohn Butterslie 

xij d 

vHj s 
ltm paid for fower quire of paper one Maie daie j s 
Itm paid for bringe of the Townes furniture to 
the guildhall one Maye dale xviij d 
Itm paid for a peare of Drume stickes xij d ,0 
Itm the drumer for soundinge one Male daie vj d 
Itm paid for powder spente one Male daie xxxviij s vj d 
I tm paid Nycholas lones, for Cloth for the drumers Coote x s 

f 130v* 

Itm paid Peter Bowne for XX tie poundes of powder he 
deliuered mr Major one Crownashone dale 
Itm paid Iohn Bowne for lace and makinge of 
Iohn Drumer Coate 

xiij s iiij d 
iiij s vj d 

f 131 

Itm paid the drumer and other for Mr Maior 
one Male daie 

xviij d 

f 131v 

Itm geven to a noble manes players, because they 
should not plaie 

XS 

1600-1 
Receivers'Accounts Wt)RO: W 132 
f 133v (Costs and expenses) 
Itm paled George Starling for playeng on the waites 

iiij li. 

2O 

25 

3O 

35 

4O 

19/Crownashone daie: see English Glossary 



PLYMOUTH 1601-3 
Itm pd the Drummer for his yeres wages 
f 134v 
Item paled for a paire of breeches for Iohn Drummer 

1601-2 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 132 
f 138 (Costs and eWenses) 
Item paide George Starlinge for playenge on the 
Weates this Yere . 
Item paide the Drummer for his wages this yere 

f 140v 
Item paide Gregorie the Drummer for his paynes 
taken this yere 

xls 

xij s viii d 

(blank) 

vs 

259 

IO 

15 

2o 

1602-3 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 132 
f 142 (Costs and expenses) 
Item paid George Starlinge for playinge the waightes 
for this yere 

f 142v 
Item bestowed on the drummers when the kinge 
was proclaymed 
paid for a barrell of gunepowder at the Coronation day 
paid for a hogeside of beare at that daie 

iiii li. 

II I s 
ix s vj d 

25 

3O 

35 

I/Drummer: Drumner MS 
37/Coronation day: 2 July 



PLYMOUTH 1605-7 261 

f 151 

ooo 
Item pd to the Enterlude players to departe the Towne 
,rwithoute pleyinge 1 

f 151v 
Item pd to the fowere drummers a may day 

f 152 
Item paid to the Morrice dauncers & Musitians 
on Maye day 
ooo 
Item pd for 130 li. of powder spent on maye day 
Item pd to three drommers on mydsomer height 

1605-6 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 132 
f 153v (Costs and expenses) 

Item paid George Starling for playing on ye waites 
ye said yere 

iisvjd 

vii s iiij d 
iiii li. xs 
nl s 

iiijli 

IO 

15 

20 

25 

1606-7 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 132 
f 156v (Costs and expenses) 
ooo 
Item pd to George Starling for playing on the waites 
the said yere 

f 157v 
Item pd for wyne and Cakes ye freedome day and 
to the drommer 

iii/li. 

xix s viii d 

3O 

3 

40 



PLYMOUTH 1609-12 263 

1609-10 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 132 
f 165 (Costs and expenses) 
.oo 
Item pd to the [waight] wayteplayers the said yere 
ooo 
Item pd for a newe drumme 
Item pd for a barrell of powder, to the dromers and for 
other Charges on mayedaye and to the dromers on the 
mustering daye the said yere 

f 165v 
Item pd for wyne and Cakes and to the dromer the 
freedome daye and for other Charges then, for the boyes 
and for passing them over the water with boates 
oo. 

1610-11 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 132 
f 167v (Costs and expenses) 
Item paid to the Wayte players the said yeare 

f 168 

Item paid for Wyne and Cakes and to the drummer the 
ffreedome daye and for other Charges then, for the Boys 
and for passing them over the Water with Boates 

1611-12 
Receivers" Accounts WDRO: W 132 
f 170 (Costs and expenses) 
Item paid to the Wayteplayers the said yere 

16/freedome: final minim of m conz,erted frora e 

iiii ii. 
xxvj s viii d 

vj li. xi s ix d 

xxvi s vi d 

[xxiiij s] iiij li. 

xxviisiid 

iiiili. 

IO 

15 

2o 

25 

3o 

35 



PLYMOUTH 1615-17 
passing them over the water wth boates 

xxvii s vi d 

1615-16 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 132 
f 179 (Costs and expenses) 
Item paid to the Wayte players the said yere 
.oo 
Item paid for wyne and Cakes and to the drummer the 
freedome dale and other thinges then for the Boys and for 
passing them over the water rwzth boates 1 

iiii li. 

xx s [ii s] vi d 

265 

10 

1616-17 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 132 
f 181 (Costs and expenses) 
Item paide to the wayte players the saide yeere 
Item paid for wyne and Cakes and to the drummer on the 
freedome dale and other thinges then for the boyes and 
for passing them over the water with boates 
ooo 

f 181v 

ooo 
Item [paide] geven to two companies of players whtch 
were not suffered to plaie to ridd them out of towne 
ooo 

f 182 

Allowed Mr Robert Trelawnye beinge Mayor for 
entertayeninge Sir Walter Rawley and his followers at his 
howse which was donn by a generall consent 
Item allowed him for the intertayeninge of Sir Iohn digby 
rkt 1 lord Ambassador for Spaine and his followers 
at a dynner 
ooo 
Item geven the Musitions for there musicke at the 

iiii li. 

xxii s vii d 

XXX S 

ix li. 

xiili. 

15 

2O 

25 

3O 

35 

4O 



276 PLYMOUTH 1639-41 

That when the Wayteship of this Borrough was first Instituted by 
that never to bee fforgotten knight Sir ffrancis Drake the flower 
Waytes had and receaued their escouchions at the Charge of the Towne 
and had yearely allowed and Conferred on them Tenn Poundes with 
new Clokes likewise yearely giuen them; And for that of Late theise 
Bestowalles are neere totally taken away to the very greate detriment 
of your Peticoners theire yearely Sallary being Far inferriour[s] to 
that of any City or Corporacon where Waytes are. 

Your Peticoners humbly pray your Worshipfull the premisses 
Considered and for that the Waytshipp heere hath beene a Laudable 
Custome, your Worshipfulles wilbee pleased to graunt vnto your said 
Peticioners their former right fee as aforsaid Conferred on the Waytes 
of this Borrough whereby they may bee the better Capecitated and 
deeply Ingaged to serue this Corporacion and especially euer bound 
for your Worshipfulles to pray &c 

1639-40 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 132 
f 246v (Expenses) 
Item paid the waite players the said yeare 
Item paid for wine & cakes & to the drumers on freedome 
daye & other things then for the boyes & for passinge 
them ouer in boates 

iiijli. 

2O 

25 

1640-1 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 132 
f 249 (Expenses) 
Item paid the waite players the said yeare 
Item paid for wyne & Cakes and to the drummers on 
ffreedome day & other things yen for the boyes, and 
for passeinge them ouer in boates 

iiiili. 

xxxii s 

30 

35 

7/ to z,rltten in left margin, outside math text 



PLYMOUTH 1641-2 / SHOBROOKE 1575--6 277 

f 249v 
,oo 
Item paid for Cloth for 4 Cloakes for the waite players 
ooo 

1641-2 
Receivers'Accounts WDRO: W 132 
f 251v (Expenses) 
ooo 
Item payde the waite players the saide yeare 
Item payde for wine & cakes & to the drummers on 
Freedome day [--] & other thinges then for the boyes and 
for passeinge them ouer in boates 

PLYMSTOCK 

1568 
All Saints" Churchwardens' Accounts WDRO: 
p 62 
Item payd to the players here in ]e churche 
o,o 

694/52 

1570 
All Saints' Churchwardens' Accounts WDRO: 694/52 
p 56 
ooo 
Item payd for a pottell of seyke a gaynste chrystmas 
Item payd to the players the same tyme 

SHOBROOKE 

1575-6 
St Thomas a Becket's Churchwardens'Accounts 
DRO: 1048A/PWI I 
f 1 (Rendered 29 May) (Sidemen's Account) 
Item to a pardner a Revell daye 
,oo 

vii li. x s 

iiijli. 

xxxvij s viii d 

iiisiiijd 

xiid 
ijs 

viiid 

IO 

15 

2o 

25 

3o 

35 

4o 



278 

SHOBROOKE 1584-95 / rnvls-rocK 1325 
1584-5 
St Thomas a Becket's Churchwardens' Accounts 
DRO: 1048A/PW32 
mb 1 * (Receipts) 
Item ii nokes 

mb 2 
Item the somer pole 

xvj d 

1593-4 
St Thomas a Becket's Churchwardens' Accounts 
PRO: 1048A/PW44 
f 1 (Rendered 10 November) (Cheesewardens' Payments) 
Item payd the Mvnistrils and Pleayers 

xm I s 

1594-5 
St Thomas a Becket's Churchwardens' Accounts 
DRO: 1048A/PW46 
f l v* (3 November 1594 - 9 November 1595) (Allowances) 
Item to the musitians vij s iiij d 

SOUTH TAWTON 

1573-4 
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts pRO: 2915A/PW1 
f 23v (1 November-31 October) (Receipts) 
Et de v s ij d ex dono Wille/mi ffrynde harper ... 

TAVISTOCK 

1325 
St Ma. "s Abbey Plea Roll 
mb 3* (13 November) 

DRO: Bedford Papers W 1258 Add 1/3 

10 

15 

2o 

25 

3o 

3 

4o 

.oo 
Item quod d,ctus frater Robertus in Ciuitate Exoniensis diu ante 



T,VlSTOCK 1325-1573 / TOTNES 1554-5 279 

tempus eleccionis quam asserit de se factam in duobus mensibus 
donauit ystrionibus / maribus / et feminis / ac meretribus et personis 
alijs leuibus et inhonestis iocalia ad valorem sexaginta librarum 
sterligorum de bonis Monasterijsupradicti et de hijs fuit et est publice 
et grauiter diffamatus. 

1561-2 
St Eustace's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 
mb 2 (3 May- 2 May) (Allowances) 
ooo 
Item payed vnto the players 
ooo 
Item payed vnto the quenes maiestye is players 
ooo 
Item more Spent vppon the same players 
ooo 

482A/PW22 

vj s viii d 
xiij s iiij d 
xd 

1572-3 
St Eustace's Churchwardens" Accounts 
mb 1" (Allowances) 
Item more payed vnto the Earle of 
Warwyckes seruants for a playe 

DRO: 

482A/PW31 

xiij s x d 

TOTNES 

1554-5 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb ld (Expenses) 

DRO: 1579 A/7/3 

ffor newe makyng of the bulrynge and for settyng therof 
ooo 
ffor that I gave to sertayne mynstrells by the 
commaundement of mr mayor 
ooo 
ffor the bearyng of the ij standers with Lighte before 
the watche on mydsomer yeven 
ffor amendyng of the same standers 

2/meretribusfor meretricibus 
14/ 18th c. marginal notatmn: queens players 

4 sterligorum[orsterlingorum 

xd 

iij s. iiij d. 

iiiid 
ijd 

10 

15 

2o 

25 

30 

35 

4o 



"[OTN ES 1574-1585 

solutos lusoribus domini Mountjoy ... Et ei x s solutos apud le 
Wayte'sl[rs] Exoniensis Et ei iiij d Consumpsos per Clifford super 
eosdem le Wayte'sl[rs] Et ei x s solutos ad vltimos lusores qu ludebant 
lusum de le Reges ... 

mb 3* 

...Et ei x s solutos lusoribus Thome Cardey Militis ... 

1576-7 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2* (Allowances) 

DRO-" 1579 A/7/7 

281 

10 

Inde petit allocari... Et ei xiij s iiij d solutos lusoribus Magistri ffelames 
per mandatum Magistri mayer Et ei iiij s vj d let 1] Consumptos super 5 
eosdem lusores ... Et ei vj s viii d solutos lusoribus Rogeri bertley 
Militis ... Et ei xv s solutis lusoribus les Weates de exonia per mandatum 
de Magistro maiore ... Et ei x s solutos iusoribus Comitis de Worcetter 
... Et ei vj d solutos pro les weightes Et ei iij s iiij d solutos pro 
emendacione lez lutes & prickes ... 20 

1584-5 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO: 1579 A/7/8 
f 1" (Payments) 
Allso payd Sertaine players by Mr Mayiors 
commandemente 
payd to Richard blakhaller sargente for Sertaine players 
ooo 

fl 
payd to the L of Oxfordes pleayers 

f3 
Allso to the L barkelys players 

2/Waytersl[rs]: correct,on ,n or,ginal band and ,nk 
26-39/accounts are in three columns beaded L-S-D 

25 

3O 

35 



282 TOTNFS 1623-5 

1623-4 
Borough Accounts t)RO: 1579 A/7/I 
f Iv* (Payments) 
o.o 
Item payd the princes playeres 

00-11-00 

Mayor of the 
towne of 

1624-5 
Fees to the King's Retinue 
fl* 

DRO: 1579 A/18/4 

10 

Ffees due to his Maiesties Servants from the Said Mayor for his homage 
to his Maiestye passing through his said Towne the fourteenth day 
of September 1625/ 
the gentlemen vshers dayly wayters 
the gentlemen vshers of the privye Chamber 

To 
To 
To 
To 
To 
To 
To 
To 

the Seriants at Armes 
the Knight harbinger 
the knight Marshall 
the gentlemen vshers qvarter wayters 
the Sewers of the Chamber 
the yeomen vshers 
To the Groomes and Pages 
To the ffootemen 
To the fower yeomen of (blank) 
To the Porters at the gate 
To the Seriant Trumpetter 
To the Trumpettors 
To the Surveyor of the wayes 
To the yeomen of the fields 
To the Coachmen 
To the yeomen harbingers 
To the lester 

vii. 
vii. 
iii li. vi s iiii d 
iij li. vi s iiij d 
XX s 

15 

2o 

XX S 
XX s 
XX S 
XX s 
xl S 25 
xl s 
Xxs 
xl s 
XX S 30 
XS 
XS 
XX S 
XS 
Summa xxxiii li. iii s iiii d . 

Received by me lohn Wilsone 
from Mr Maiore of Tomes 
for ffees due to his maiesties servants, 
I say resaveit xxxiij li. iij s iiij d 
(szgned) Iohn Wilsone 

(signed) Peter Newton. 



TOTNES 1631-4 / WOLBOROUGH 1580 283 

1631--2 
Borough Accounts DRO: 1579 A/7/I 
f 2 (Receipts) 
More receivid of plaiers being taken tarde: in a tipling 
house on the Lords sabboth "day  

0000200 

lune 3. 

1633-4 
Borough Accounts DRO: 1579 A/7/I 
f [3] 
Paid to serten players by order of my brethren 

00-11-00 

WINKLEIGH 

1568-9 
All Saints" Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2989A/PW20 
mb 2 (1 November - 31 October) (Chief wardens' allowances) 
Item gevyn to the players iij s iiij d 

10 

15 

2o 

1576-7 
All Saints" Churchwardens" Accounts DRO: 2989A/PW21 
mb ld (1 November- 31 October) (Chief wardens" expenses) 
leyd owt at Chymlegh Revell by concent of the paryshe vij s iij d 

WOLBOROUGH 

1580 
St Mary's Churchwardens' Accounts 
mb 1 (Rendered 18 December) (Four Cien's payments) 
Item payde to the same Manynge for makynge of a Staple 
for the posst of the bulrynge and for mendynge of 
the bulchayne 

DRO, EDRO' Wolborough PF9 

25 

3o 

35 

4o 



WOODBURY 1555--77 285 

1555--6 
St Swithin's Churchwardens'Accounts 
p 119 (Payments) 
Item paid for belles for the foole 

DRO, F DRO -" 

Woodbury PX 1 

vii d 

1573-4 
St Swithin's Churchwardens'Accounts DRO, FDRO: 
f 5 (Alewardens' account) 
Item that Willyam Downam beynge Robyn Hoode & 
Water Holwill lytle Iohn made an ale & gatheringe & 
brought yn redie monye 

1574-5 
St Swithin's Churchwardens'A ccounts DRO, F DRO: 
p 221 (Payments) 
Item p for xxv ty yeardes of canvas after x pens the yeard 
Item p to androw peyrs for maken of Roberte 
Hoodes Howse 

p 222 
Item p to wyllm Hobbes for maken of the foolles cotte 

1576-7 
St Swithin's Churchwardens'Accounts DRO, EDRO: 
p 230 (Receipts) 
Item receaued of William Dounom & Water Holwill the 
monye that they made with ale when he was 
Roberte Hood &c 

Woodbury PXI 

xls 

Woodbury PXI 

xxsxd 
xvj d 

iij s viii d 

Woodbury PX 1 

xls 

1o 

15 

2o 

25 

3o 

35 

21,22,28/p for payd: abbrevtation mark rmssng 
28/wyllm for wyllzam: abbrewaton mark mssng 



286 WOODBURY 1581-2 

1581-2 
St Swithin "s Churchwardens'Accounts DRO, EDRO: Woodbury PXI 
p 254 (Receipts) 
Item Receued of will/am Ryder for Towe grenne Cortes viii s 



MONASTERIES 

COWICK PRIORY 

c. 1475 
Compotus of St Andrew Priory DRO: W 1258/G4/53/1-5 
mb 2* (External expenses) 
...Et soluti Episcopo sancti Nicholai & cure alijs Elimosinis dati ex 
precepto domini iij s vj d ... 
ooo 



HOUSEHOLDS 

CHAMPERNOUN OF MODBURY 

1595 
Richard Champernoun's Letter to Sir Robert Cecil 
HH: Marquess of Salisbury Archives, Cecil Papers 31/48 
single sheet (26 March) 

Ryght honerable 
I am gyven to weete by syr francys drakes letter, that hytt has pleasyd 
som to present hyr hyghnes with an ydle & vntrew report of mee as 0 
a gelder of boyes for preserving theyr voyces who has spoken hytt 
or informyd yowr Honor tys false thys ys as much as I may heerin 
delvver agaynst thys adversary having regard of your Honors place 
& my duty, els myght I forget my self towards thys informer; thogh 
my deserts may not merytt so farr at yowr Honors hands; year I i 
humbly craue eyther that my accuser may be known or thys wrong 
exscusyd by yowr Honor; to whom I yeelde most humble thanks 
that by yowr means thys corns to lyght. I lyue for hyr Maiestyes 
servyce, & my covntryes, & wyll be ready to answear any my actyons; 
ever wyllyng to do yowr Honor servyce, so I humbly take my leaue 20 
at Modbury thys 26 march 1595 
yowr Honors yn all servyce 
(signed) Rychard champernovn. 

Richard Champernoun's Letter to Sir Robert Cecil 
Hu: Marquess of Salisbury Archives, Cecil Papers 73/24 
single sheet (15 August) 

Ryght honorable 
Syr Thomas Gorge, gaue me to vnderstand of yowr Honours desver, 

25 

3O 

13/ agaynst: agavn .rttten over something else 



MODBURY 1595 289 

of my yovthe that sings, whose yeeres of apprentyshyp, I long 
sythence boght, by my own travayll, & great charge, haue broght 
hym vp, my self recevyng smale, or [li] no contentment but yn 
musyck; he wanting the rest of no valew, being of many bad the best; 
& I assure yowr Honour'. no way answerryng the report made of s 
hym. my lord yowr fathers contynuall favors, has bovnd mee in 
greatest duty, & vowyd servyce, & so haue I caryed a mynde, ever 
most ready, & wyllyng, for the best merytts at yowr Honours hands; 
in regard wherof I shold not know how to deny, what I estyme farr 
aboue hys valew, with the loss of all my contentment; thogh ryghtly 
& with others no way to be so regardyd: but may hyt please yowr 
Honour'. my reputatyon ys callyd yn questyon as thogh I had 
requyryd, or forcyd thys yowth, with others to be delt with all agaynst 
reason, & the law.' to be gellt: which rumor being spredd ys most 
dysgracefull: I wyll wryte no farder not knowyng whom hyt conserns, 
thogh tuchyng my self neere,: of whose aucthor 1 being resolvyd, I 
shallbe more wyllyng to answear yowr Honours desyer: els must I 
swallow thys vnlokyd & vndeservyd dysgrace as I may, & resolue 
to put on a resolutyon to endure the hardest measure, can be offryd, 
or layd on mee, which yf thys tyme afoorde hyr maiestyes subiects; 
I must haue patyence & keepe the lyberty of my thoghts, to my self, 
so hopyng of better fruyts of no yll deserts from yowr Honour'. & 
in deede to enioy that lyberty, whtch befytts all gentyllmen, & which 
I purpose; I humbly take my leaue, at modbury thys 15 august 1595 
yowr Honours to be commandyd _,s 
(signed) Rychard Champernovn. 

Richard Champernoun "s Letter to Sir Robert Cecil 
HH: Marquess of Salisbury Archives, Cecil Papers 35/100 
single sheet (October) 

3O 

Ryght honorable 
I am very sory, yf in any thyng that I haue wrytten I shold moue 
yow to any doubtfull or contrary concept then I meant: I am to gyue 
yowr Honor my humble thancks, in that hyt has pleasyd yow to thinke 35 
the best of hytt: but what most greevyd mee, war that syr francys 
drake wrote to mee that hyt shold be informyd vnto yowr Honor, 
& in covrt, that I to satisfy my own humor, shold vse boyse to 
contynew theyr voyces, otherwys then wet fytt for any professyng 

5/ r o/yowr written over another letter 15-17/hyt conserns ... desyer underhned 
36/watforwas 



290 MODBURY 1595 

christyanyty: which as I held hyt a great dysgrace, so am I exceedyngly 
wrongyd, by such as haue byn thorygynal aucthors of any such thyng 
to be don by mee: but 1 must confess being naturally & often 
oppressyd with melancholy more then I wold wysh; I haue in that 
respect (thogh to my charge with my purs) boght such as I haue fovnd 
whose voyces contentyd mee: & trewly syr yf 1 shold meerely lack 
thvs yowth, I know not whear, nor when, to gett an other which yf 
I myght doo. yowr Honor shold not so readyly requyer hym, as I 
wold be wyllyng to yeelde hym yow: yet most assurydly ys hys report 
(as I perceyue) for hys voyce farr in deede beyond hys desert; as the 
case now standeth mee, lackyng hym, my whole consort for musyck; 
which most delytes mee, wer clean overthrowen; which I humbly 
submytt to yowr Honors good consyderatyon. & tuchyng the note 
yow desyer to be satisfyed in. trewly vpon syr francys drakes letter 
to mee, I much doubtyd tha yowr Honor had som porpose, to vse 
som hard measure towards mee; which movyd mee to wryte as I dyd, 
wherin I only ment, that yf in thys hyr maiestyes tyme, being a most 
happy tyme for all chrystyans to lyue in. I shold haue any hard 
measure, (especyally being so interestyd in hym as my covenant & 
vowyd servant), by any of that hows, which I haue only followyd 
& honoryd, & from whom I haue allways recevyd so many favors 
& vpon whose branches after the tree, I desyryd to take holde to 
defend me, yf any wrong shold be offryd mee, I shold be exceedyng 
sory & shold thynke my self most vnhappy, to fall into the offence 
of any comming from hym, whom I haue byn & am so much bovnd 
to honor: & so desyrous to cleere my self of the dysgracefull report 
made of mee to yowr Honor agaynst the orygynall auctor of the same: 
with desyer of contynewance of yowr Honors best thoghts of mee, 
I humbly take my leaue 
Yowr Honors yn all duty & servyce 
Rychard Champernown. 
If for yowr pryvate contentment 
yow shall lyke to haue hym attend yow 
sore tymes for a moneth or two & so to 
return agayn wherby that comfort of 
musyck wherwith I am delytyd may not 
vtterly be overthrowen, he shall be at yowr 
Honors devotyon & command, & so to feaw 
els lyving 

but I must... yr yf I shold underlined 
th a for that 

11 - 12/consort... most underlined 



MODBURY 1595 / MOUNT EDGCUMBE 1553-8 291 

(n) 
Trevanion. 

(Address on dorse) 
To the ryght honorable syr 
Robert cycyll knyght of 
hyr maiestyes most honorable 
pryvy Covnseyll at the 
Covrt 

EDGCUMBE OF MOUNT EDGCUMBE 

1553-8 o 
Remembrance of Sir Richard Edgcumbe 
John Prince: Worthies of Devon 
pp 284-5 . 
ooo 
Yea, even to such as were his Enemies, being in Distress, he rather 
lent a Hand to take them up, than a Foot to tread them down, as by 
this Story following may plainly appear. There was a Knight, dwelling 
in the same Shire (n), with whom, for divers Causes, in King Edward's 
days, he had sundry Quarrels; which as at first they bred inward 
Misliking between them, so at last they brake forth into open Hatred. 20 
This Knight, in the troublesome Change of Queen Mary's Reign, 
partly for Religion, and partly for other Causes, was clap'd into 
Prison: And though the Matters discovered against him were hainous, 
and his Enemies (at that time bearing great sway) very grievous, yet 
he obtained so much Favor, as to be Tryed by Certificate, from the 
Gentlemen of the chiefest Authority in his Country, for his Behaviour 
therein. According to whose Report to the Council, he was to be 
either delivered, or more straightly to be dealt with. This granted, 
he conceived very good hope of every other's friendly Advertisement; 
and feared only the hard Favor of our Sir Richard; who he doubted 30 
would use the Sword of Revenge (then put into his hands) to his 
Enemies destruction. It hapned, that upon return of their Answer he 
was delivered; and being at Liberty, to the end he might know, hog' 
his Country-mens minds were affected towards him, he by means, 
procured a Copy of all these advertisive Letters; in perusing of which, 
he found that such as bore him fairest Countenance, wrote most 
against him; and that Sir Richard Edgecombe's Certificate made most 
for him: So as, in all likelihood, his greatest Enemy in Show, was 
the chiefest cause of his Deliverance in Deed. 
I would stay here in praise of this noble Mind, who shewed his 4o 
Valor in Conquering his own Affections; his Vertue in abstaining 
from Revenge, being offered; and his Christianity in doing Good for 



292 MOUNT FDGCUMBE 1553-8 

Evil; but that I am carried forth with no less wonder at this Knight's 
Thankfulness: Who pretending as though he wist not of this Courtesy, 
to the outward shew, continued his wonted Enmity until the next 
Christmas after.  
At which time, on a Night, word was brought to Mount Edgcomb 
That a Company of armed Men were lately Landed from Plymouth, 
marching up to the House. Sir Richard, having heard before, that 
this Knight was in that Town, and mistrusting, he had picked out 
this time to come and set upon him unawares, resolved to shew himself 
neither discourteous to them he knew not, through Fear; nor yet to 
lie open to his Enemies, if they pretended any such Practice, through 
Heedlesness; he therefore caused his Gates to be set wide open, and 
placed his Servants on both sides the Gate and Hall, where they must 
pass, with Swords and Bucklars: but they coming in, turned this 
Doubt into Pastime, for their Armor and Weapons were only painted 
Paper, as by nearer approaching was perceived; and instead of trying 
their Force with Blows, in fighting with Men, they fell to make proof 
of the Ladies Skill in Dancing. 
These Pastimes at last being ended, they were led into another Room 
to be Banquetted: where this Knight taking of his Vizard, and 
disclosing himself to Sir Richard Edgcomb, uttered, That having 
known the great Courtesy shewn him in his Trouble, besides his 
looking, and contra to his deserving, he was come thither to yield 
him his most due Thanks for the same; assuring him, that he would 
from thence forth, rest as faithful his Friend, as ever before he had 
shewn himself a professed Enemy. In witness of which his true 
meaning, and to strengthen the Friendship newly begun, in Good- 
will, with a fast Knot of Allience, he there presented him a young 
Gentleman his Nephew, a Ward, and the Heir of his House (who 
being of fair Possessions, came amongst the other Company, masked 
in a Nymph's attire) to Match with one of his Daughters; which 
Marriage afterwards came to pass. And here I should also run out 
into Commendation of this rare Thankfulness, save that this Knight's 
many other Shews of his right noble Mind, are so well known, that 
they need not, and so great, that they cannot, be praised enough. 



COUNTY OF DEVON 

Churcheales &c 

1594 
Quarter Sessions Order Books ORO: QS 1/1 
p 93 (9July) 
ooo 
A lycence graunted to Iohn Pedler of Exborne Harper in respect of 
his blindnes to begg within the hundreds of Wondford Northtawton 
& Blacktoryton the said lycence to endure for a Whole yere from 
this Sessions 

1595 
Quarter Sessions Order Books DRO." QS I/1 
pp 125-6 (Quarter of John the Baptist) 

10 

Item wheras before this tyme, yt was ordered and decreed by the 
right honorable ffrauncys Erie of Bedford and the Rest of her majesties 
then Iustyces of the peace within this County, for the Avoydinge of 
soundry disorders, and abuses, that do arrise, by Revels, and Churche, 
or parishe ales, kept and vttered vpon the Sabouth dayes that the 
same should be vtterly abolished & put downe, And wheras also after 
that tyme, yt was Ordered Decreed and adjudged by the then Iustyces 
of assises and the Rest of her majesties then Iustyces of the peace within 
this County, that every Drawing, selling yevinge or other vtteringe 
of Drynke at suche Revels and Churche or parishe ales ys a common 
tipling not lawfull and that the Churche Wardens & others Doinge, 
causinge, or consentinge to the same do Incurr the penahy of the 
lawes and statutes in that case provydid, And that euery person, (by 
suche Occasion) absent from his owne parishe Churche at the devyne 
service, shall for suche absence, (as wzthout a lawfull cause) incurr 



Churcheales &c 

COUNTY OF DEVON 1600--15 

295 

as make preparation to admonish them to make stay thereof and vpon 
their refusall in that behalfe or proceeding therein to bind them that 
make such preparation to the good behauiour and to appeare at the 
next Sessions of the peace to be holden within this County of Deuon 
then and there to endure such punnistment as either by the Lawes of 
the Realme or Order of this Court shalbe inflicted vpon him for their 
contempt and disobeying this Order./ 

1600 
Quarter Sessions Order Books DRO: QS 1/1 
pp 298-9* (lOJanuary) 
And forasmuch as yt appeareth, that manie inconveniences which 
wth modestie cannot be expressed, have heretofore growen and 
happened by parishales, Churchales, & Revells, in this Countye of 
Devon:/It is therefore Ordered that parishe ales I Church ales & 
Revells, be henceforth vtterlie suppressed; And if contrarie, or in 
contempt of this Order, preparation be made for anie to be kept, and 
the lustices of this Countie forthwzth to send for such as make 
preparation, to admonishe them to make staye thereof, And vppon 20 
their refusall in that behaulfe, or proceeding therein, to bind them 
that make such preparation, to the good behavior, and to appeare art 
the next Session of peace to be houlden within this Countie of Devon, 
then & there to indure such punishment as either by the lawes of this 
Realme, or by order of the Courte, shalbe inflicted vppon them, for 
their Contempte & disobeying of the said lawes, and of this Order. 

1615 
Quarter Sessions Order Books 
f 73v* 

DRO: QS 1/4 30 

ffrom the Assises helde at the Castle of Exonia Iulie 24. 1615. 
The seuerall manslaughters committed att two Churche Ales within 
the Countie sithence the beginninge of this present monethe of lulie, 
and farther advertisement given howe vnto the Courte of this 
continuall profanacion of Godes saboathe art those and other such 
like vnlawfull meetinges, ministers vnto the Courte iuste occacion to 
recite an order formerlie sett downe by the reverend ludges of Assise 
at the Assises holden for this Countie. The Nyneteenth daie of lulie 40 
in the yeare of the raigne of our soueraigne Lord Kinge lames by the 
grace of god of England ffrance and Ireland Kinge defender of the 



COUNTY OF DEVON 1627-31 299 

vsually Carry vp ,[&] downe bulls & beares to baite being Roagues 
by the statute shalbe punished as roagues for the further prevention 
of such Inconvenyences as vsually happen vpon such meetinges 
Executum per Simonem Spatchurste 
Clericum Assiarum./ 

p 126 

Whereas the bench is Credibly informed that sundry suspect persons 
Roagues both sturdy and beggeing vagrant some whereof pretend to 0 
be petty chapmen others pedlers others glassmen tynckers others 
palmesters fortune readers Egiptians and the like and that sometime 
they meete by thirty in a Company both vpon the highwaie and in 
the night tymes in Alehowsses and other Cottages and obscure places 
and howsses of evill reporte soeas his Maiestes better subiectes are 5 
not only much preiudiced but terrified ffor remedy of the present 
and prevention of future daunger These are in his Maiestes name to 
will & strictly require yow that one daie & one [daie] night weeklv 
till the next Sessions yow [sett a] watch and make a diligent search 
for the findeing out takeing and apprehendeing of the evill members 2o 
aforesaid And the suspect persons & sturdye beggers to Carry before 
some Iustice of peace for his direction and the rest to punish as the 
lawe biddeth and send to their places of birth or dwelling as the lawe 
directeth whereof ffaile yow not as yow & euery ofyow will aunsweare 
the Contrary at your perills. ,s 

1631 
Quarter Sessions Order Books DRO: QS !/6 
p 356 (Quarter of John the Baptist) 

Baptiste 1631 
Whereas manie great outrages & sondrie misdemeanors haue ben 
formerlie committed by the disorderlie assemblies which haue ben at 
the setting vp of Maiepoles & the like riotous meetinges which hath 
occasion diuers former orders to be made at the Assizes & generall 
Sessions of this Countie for the suppressing of the like assemblies the 
benefit whereof hath redownded to the generall good of the Countie 
and yet notwithstanding this Court is now creadiblie enformed that 
much disorder and great misdemeanors haue been latelie committed 

3O 

5/Assiarum for Assizarum 
34/Maiepoles 'ratten m ornamental script 



300 COUNTY OF DFVON 1631 

bv the like setting vp of a Maypole at Cullompton. It is therefore 
ordered & this Court doth entreat Sir Simon Leach knight lohn 
Bampfild & henrie Walrond Esquiers or some one of them to cause 
this Order to be first published in the parish Church of Collompton 
,and shortlie after .at such time as the said lustices or lustice shall seeme 
most meet to cause the Constable & such other officers or persons 
as male be thought most meet to cause the Constables & such other 
officers as male be thought most fitt to take downe the said Maypole 
in a peaceable manner and if any person shall resist the doeng thereof 
then to binde the offendors to the next generall Sessions to thend 
such further course maie be taken therein as shalbe thought meet/ 

I0 

I/ Mavpolc, Cullompton wrttten tn ornament,d scrtpt 
I/Maypole at Cullompton underhned 
6-8/to cause ... most fitt: +httograpby MS 



APPENDIXES, TRANSLATIONS, ENDNOTES, PATRONS 
AND TRAVELLING COMPANIES, GLOSSARIES, AND 
INDEX 



APPENDIX 1 

Undated Documents 

Plymouth Dra[t Order Concerning the Town Drummer 
WDRO: W 361/60 
ff l-Iv* 

To all people to whome theise patentes shall come wee the Maior and s 
Cominaltie of the boroughe of Plymouth in the County of Devon send 
greeting in oure Lord God everlasting Knowe yee that wee the said 
Maior and Cominaltie for and in consideracion of the good & fathfull 
service which wee hereafter expect to be doune vnto vs by George Hele 
of Plymouth Ioyner and by Iames Barons his apprentice as longe as 0 
he shall remayne and dealle with the said George in the [sed] 
, %.) office 1 of a drummer in theise perilous tymes of danger or at any 
tyme hereafter whatsoever when wee shall haue occasion to rimploy TM 
hym herein haue [&] discharged acquited and freed and in and by theise 
patentes doe absolute discharge acquite and set free the said George 
of and from all watches and wardes as often as it shall come vnto his 
turne and of and from [all such occasiones (of p(..)y)] all charge which 
he should or might be at for or by reason of the hire of any person 
or persons in his roome. And the said George doth [for hym] by theise 
patentes Covennte and promise to and also the said Maior and 20 
Coialty theire successors and assignes [by these patentes] that he the 
said George [shall well and faithfully serue the] rfrom tyme to tyme 
& at all tymes during his naturall [life] life  and the said Iames Barons 
as long as he shall soe contynue with hym as aforesaid shall well 
faithfully serue the said Major & Cominalty in the I [art] ror office 1 of 
a Drummer of this towne And that he [the] said George shalle not at 
any tyme hereafter imploy hymselfe in any other service in the [( ..... )] 
office of a drummer [( ......... )]1 with out the leave and approbation 

19/ roome: roone Ms 
21 / Coialty for Cominalty: abbreviation stroke missing 
27/[( ..... )]: [(art or)l? 



304 APPENDIX | 

of the Maior for the tyme being [and if the Maior parte of his and 
th(...)] in that behalfe first had & obteyned. In wimes 

Draft Inqui. , Somerset Justices of the Peace 
Somerset Record Office: Trevelyan Papers, CC/WO/57/11 Bundle 11 
single sheet* 

Being earnestly desyred to signifye [our knowledge] rwhat we haue 
harde TM concerning the death of Edward Griffin  rsleynel for sore 
rfv(.)el yeares past for thereby 1 [slayne]  or(..)b. 1 by Philip 0 
Wylloughbye neere honston in rthe County of 1 Devon, theise are to 
testifve that having carefully enquyred concerning the occasions of the 
savd slaughter wee fynd that the sayd Edward Griffyn after som 
controversie and falling owt betwene the sayd Philip and the sayd 
Edward and som of his company being stageplayers in the sayd towne ms 
of Honiston, [and] rthat he  the sayd Philip departyd from the sayd 
Edward and his companye and passing in the high waye from the sayd 
Towne toward Excester [was followed by rforelayd 1] rdid ouertake  
the sayd Edward and sore of his companye, [and assaulted in the sayd] 
where they assaulted one the other in 1 high waye, [whereupon the] 20 
rat what tyme TM the sayd Philip [in his defense as appeareth vnto vs] 
wounded the sayd Edward whereof he dyed. and wee do further 
testifye that [the sayd] this is the first offense [of] that [kynd which] 
wee haue heard or can learn the sayd Philip hath committed, and that 
in all tymes heretofore the sayd Philip hath caryed himself civilly and :s 
and orderly [as beseemeth] so farre as we knowe or can [learne by 
inquisition] rvnderstand 1. And in wimesse of the premisses we whose 
names are hereunto subscrybed being his Maiestties Iustices of peace 
in the County aforesayd haue hereunto set our handes and seales dated 
&c 30 

16 departsd: vd zzrttten over ing 



APPENDIX 2 

Stonehouse Churchwardens' 
Accounts 

No extant relevant records for the Plymouth suburb of Stonehouse have been located. 
But in the 19th century the Plymouth historian R.N. Worth reported some 'very de- 
cayed and fragmentary' accounts from the Churchwardens' Book of East Stonehouse, 
commencing in 1594. In his report is the following brief paragraph: 

Under 1602 are the words 'John Trevill Elected' - with subsequently 
a scratched-out account of John Trevill for "playes and other pfitts ;" 
while in the same year (1602) we have "John Warren oweth to .... his 
play." (R.N. Worth, 'Notes on the Early History of Stonehouse,' 
Annual Reports and Transactions of the Plymoutl Institution and 
Devon and Corn'all Natural History SocieO,, 9 (1884-7), 360). 



APPENDIX 3 309 

1525 
Household Account PRO: E 36/225 
p 19 (18 June) (Rewards) 
.oo 
Payd more the Same day by my lordes Commaundment 
to the trumpeters 

p 164 (1October) 

...to a piper In Reward iiij d as apperyth by his bill of 
parcelles vppon the foyll 

liiis iiij(.) 

10 

5/more: re added after mo the whiten 



APPENDIX 4 

Sample Church Ale 
Expenses: Braunton, 1562 

As noted in the Introduction, church ales were an almost universally practiced method 
of obtaining revenue for parish churches. Although these ales would logically have 
provided entertainment of some sort for those who attended, if it were locally 
provided - and without charge - it does not appear in the records. Since REED can 
report onlv the specific evidence of entertainment which survives, most of the 
alewardens' records from Devon have had to be omitted from this collection. One 
sample page from one alewardens' account book may, however, give the reader some 
idea of what transpired at these church ales. The page is from the accounts of the 
Wardens of St John and St George at Braunton, the account rendered 17 October, 
1562 (1677A/PWIa) 

f81 

Item payd for wood & vorses - iiij s ij d/Item for Cuppes & quartes - 
vii d/hem payd for cloth to make Robyn hoodes Cote - xij s/ 
In primis we payd to Mr Wylltam Bellew Esquyre for vorses - iiij s/ 
Item for heowyng of Ie same - xviij d Item for carydge of Ie same 
vorses - ij s/Item to Iohn Colemore for wood - viii d/hem for 
carrayge of 13e same wood - iiij d/Item to Iohanna Crowne for 
brewyng our ale - iij s x d/Item for her gallon of ale - vj d/Item for 
our meat & drynke when we brew - ij s iij d Item for vj li. of hoppes - 
ij s/hem for [Seanes] Steanes/Cuppes/& quartes - xij d/Item for ii 
treing dysshes & a ladle - iij d/Item to Iames Whyte for bakyng our 
bred & pyes - xvj d/Item for Robyn hood & hys Company - xij d/ 
Item for Ie poore people Ie brotherhed day - vj d/item for beryng 
inof wood of Ie churcheyerd - vj d/Item to Mathew ffosse to be our 
Cooke - xij d/Item payd toward Ie scolle at heanton - xx d/Item 
for makyng of thys accompt - xij d 
Summa- xlv s x d 

4 fi,r...Cote underhned, hne marked z,*th cross m margin b, later band 



APPENDIX 4 311 

Item payd to phylyp walter for 19e churche howse, '& for stones" - x 
li. xj s vii rdl 
Summa Totallis - xij li. xvij s vii d/So Remeynes of our 
ales mony - xlj s ij d/So remeynes in our handes Ie whole - xvij li. 
iij s viii d oh. quadrata Item there ys delyvered to Thomas Stote & 
wylliam Cocke being Ie new wardens - xvij li. iij s iiij d/&c/ 
ffinis 



APPENDIX 5 
Saints' Days and Feast Days 

While the following table is hardly a substitute for a full saints' calendar, it does contain 
the dates for all the feast days to which reference is made in the entries collected for 
this volume. For the exact dates of movable feasts, the reader is referred to the tables 
in C.R. Cheney's Handbook of Dates for Students of English History, pp 84-161. 

All Hallows 
St Alphege, archbishop and martyr 
St Andrew the apostle 
Ascension Day 

St Augustine, archbishop 
St Bartholomew the apostle 
Candlemas (Purification of the Virgin 
Mary.) 
Christmas 
St Clement, martyr 
Corpus Christi Day 

St Dionysius (Denis), martyr 
Easter 

St Edward, king and martyr, 
translation 
Epiphany (Twelfth Day) 
St George, martyr 
St Gregory. 
Hock Day 
Holy Cross, exaltation 
invention 
Holy Innocents' Day 
St James the apostle 
St John the apostle 

1 November 
19 April 
30 November 
Thursday after Rogation Sunday 
(40 days after Easter) 
26 May 
24 August 
2 February. 

25 December 
23 November 
Thursday after Trinity Sunday (late 
May or June) 
9 October 
Sunday after the first full moon on or 
following 21 March 
13 October 

6January 
23 April 
12 March 
second Tuesday after Easter 
14 September 
3 May 
28 December 
25July 
27 December 



APPENDIX 5 313 

St John ante portam latinam 
St John the Baptist, nativity 
St Katherine, martyr 
Lady Day (Annunciation) 
St Luke, evangelist 
St Margaret, martyr 
St Martin, bishop 
St Mary, the Blessed Virgin 
annunciation 
conception 
nativity 
purification 
St Matthew, apostle and evangelist 
St Michael the archangel (Michaelmas) 
Midsummer 
Palm Sunday 
Pentecost (Whitsunday) 
St Peter ad vincula 
Sts Peter and Paul, apostles 
Septuagesima 
Twelfth Day (Epiphany) 
Whit Sunday (Pentecost) 

6 May 
24June 
25 November 
25 March 
18 October 
20July 
11 November 

25 March 
8 December 
8 September 
2 February 
21 September 
29 September 
24June 
sixth Sunday in Lent 
seventh Sunday after Easter 
1 August 
29June 
third Sunday before Ash Wednesday 
6January 
seventh Sunday after Easter 



Translations 

The Latin documents have been translated as literally as possible in order to help the 
reader understand what the documents say. The arrangement of the translations paral- 
lels that of the text for the records. Place names and given names have been normalized 
but not surnames. Names of patrons appearing in the Complete Peerage are standar- 
dized according to that spelling. Names of members of the House of Commons not 
in the Peerage, or names of persons listed only in DvB, are standardized according 
to the spellings found in the History of Parliament series and the DvB, respectively. 
Spellings of the surnames of patrons not found in these standard sources but which 
are variants of surnames found in the patrons' index are standardized to the spelling 
given in that index. All other surnames are left in the spelling of the text. Furthermore, 
'harper,' 'iuter,' and similar words following Christian names have been capitalized 
and treated as surnames; thus 'John Harper' may refer to a man of that name or to 
a harper called John. Capitalization and punctuation are in accordance with modern 
pracnce. As in the text, diamond brackets indicate obliterations and square brackets 
cancellations. 
Round brackets enclose words not in Latin but needed for grammatical sense in 
English. In the translations of account entries, the words which appear in these round 
brackets represent the subject and verb known to be governing each entry. These gov- 
erning phrases were usually written out in full only a few times, at the beginning of 
each account heading or subheading, for example, 'Gifts and grants' or 'Necessary 
expenses.' They were not repeated for each item. It appears that once a corporate body 
found a set of formulae which fitted its needs, it tended to use the same or similar 
formulae year after year, despite changes of accountant or auditor, who doubtless 
copied them from earlier account books. 
Now that five REED volumes containing translations of Latin documents have ap- 
peared, it seems appropriate to make a few general remarks about the translation of 
various Latin terms used to describe performers. It is especially appropriate to do so 
in the context of the Devon records because various classes of civic records, such as 
accounts, continued to be kept in Latin in that county to a later date than hitherto 
encountered. Whereas in the glossary it will not only be possible, but necessary, to 
discuss in detail the various shades of meanings and definitions available for these 
words, it is impossible to present or preserve all these shadi:s of meaning in the 



316 TRANSLATIONS 

translation. There a set of English terms must be devised which can serve as equivalents 
to these technical Latin terms while neither unduly widening nor restricting the range 
ol possible meanings which ought to be represented. 
The Latin terms for performers can be divided into two.groups: the agentive nouns 
formed from a verbal or nominal root and the agentive suffixes '-or' and '-tot,' and 
that elusive set of synonyms, 'histrio,' 'mimus,' and'ministrallus.' It is a compara- 
tively simple operation to find English equivalents for translation purposes for the 
agentive nouns both because English agentive nouns are usually formed in the same 
way, and because these nouns offer intrinsic clues to their meaning by virtue of their 
formation. For example, given that 'lusor' is derived from the verbal stem 'lus-' (itself 
derived from 'ludere') and the agentive '-tot,' the analogous English formation, 
'player' is the obvious choice for a translation equivalent. The same procedure has 
been used for most other agentive nouns used as performer terms. 
It is a far more complex operation to find appropriate English equivalents for the 
three synonyms 'histrio,' 'mimus,' and 'ministrallus.' Their formation offers no in- 
trinsic clue to their meaning or guide to their use. Instead it is necessary to rely upon 
the evidence of their usage in a variety of contexts and of their definition in contem- 
porary lexicons and word-lists current in the British Isles. Although it is possible to 
arrive at working definitions in this way, equivalents for translation are much harder 
to determine. In previous REED volumes, the English derivative 'minstrel' was used 
as a translation for 'ministrallus,' and the colourless and noncommittal 'entertainer' 
for 'histrio' and 'mimus.' Indeed it would be tempting to use the same translation for 
all three synonyms, but synonymity is not the same as identity. Therefore, in the fu- 
ture, RFD translations will distinguish between all three words. 
The situation in Exeter, at least, is complicated by the absence of an official title 
in Latin for the city waits. They are designated by various performer terms, such as 
'ministrallus' or 'fustulator,' and occasionally by a uniquely Devonian noun, 'adminis- 
trallus,' which appears to be a more general occupational term for civic and noble ser- 
vants than the English 'wait.' This Latin usage creates a certain awkwardness in official 
documents, such as the receipt of pledges for the waits' badges, where some occupa- 
tional title would seem to be more appropriate than a performer term. The policy of 
literal translation is followed here as elsewhere, however. 
The following list gives the most common Latin performer terms in Devon, as well 
as some of the uncommon ones, with their translation equivalents. For a full discussion 
of these words, and the research upon which the list and the above discussion is based, 
see the article by Abigail Ann Young in RttDN 1984:2 and 1985:1, 'Plays and Players: 
The Latin Terms for Performance,' and consult the glossary. 

fustulator 
histrio 

ioculator 

piper 
entertainer (except in the quotes from 
Augustine used by Bartholomew of Exeter, 
11.50-70) 
jester 



TRANSLATIONS 317 

89 

9O 

108 

ludator 
lusor 
mimu$ 
ministrallus 

player 
player 
performer 
minstrel 

Diocese of Exeter 

1150-70 
Penitential of Bartholomew of Exeter 
f 168 cols 1-2 

BI : Cotton Vitellius A xu 

ooo 
Of indecent singing 
From the Council of Carthage: indecent and lascivious singing I we 
completely forbid around churchs and in the churchyards because 
it ought to be avoided everywhere. 

Of dancing 
From the Council of Rheims: If anyone has danced before the churches 
of the saints, or if any (man) has changed his appearance (by dressing) 
in women's clothing, or (any) woman (by dressing) in men's clothing, 
he or she would do penance for three years after promising amendment 
of life. 

f 174v col 2 

ooo 
Of actors 
Augustine: Why does he who gives to actors, he who gives to 
prostitutes, give? Why don't those people give to (ordinary) human 
beings? All the same, they (the givers) are not there taking care for 
the character of God's activity, but the wickedness of human activity. 
Augustine on John: To give one's substance to actors is a terrible 
crime, not a virtue. And you know about such (givers), how (their) 
good reputation is constantly praised because, as it was written, 'the 
sinner is praised in the desires of his heart, and he who does wrong 
is blessed.' 

1287 
Bishop Peter Quinel's Statutes 
(16 April) (Chapter thirteen)* 
ooo 
That secular markets and pleadings shall not be held in churches or 



318 TRANSLATIONS 

their churchyards, or secular buildings be constructed. 13. 

...And because many bodies of the saints and of (those who are) to 
be saved, to which all honour and reverence is due, are buried in 
consecrated churchyards, we strictly command parish priests publicly 
to announce in their churches that no one shall presume to carry on 
wrestling, dances, or other improper sports/plays in churchyards, 
especially on the vigils and feasts of the saints since the sacred canons 
(ie, canon law statutes) loathe for such stage-plays and spectacles of 
derision to be introduced, by which the decency of churches is 
polluted. But if, after the announcement (has) been made, some have 
carried on sports/plays of this sort, however improperly (they are so) 
called, since crimes arise from them, the aforesaid priests shall report 
their names to the archdeacon of the district or his official so that they 
may punish them canonically for their faults. 

(Chapter seventeen) 
Of the life and integrity of clerics 
...Likewise, clerics should be decent and sober, abstaining from 
excessive drinking and intoxication. For, as blessed Gregory says, 
there is nothing more disgusting than an overindulgent person whose 
mouth is fetid; whose face is pale; whose fingers tremble; and in whose 
heart there lies no place of seclusion. And in order that, just as the way 
of life of clerics and entertainers is different in every way, so too it 
should appear (to be), we strictly command that priests in particular 
not attend dinner parties unless specially invited by the master of the 
house. But if it happens that they are invited, they should not guzzle, 
but should return sober to their own homes immediately after the 
meal. They should never frequent taverns, unless they are on a trip 
for the sake of a pilgrimage, but they should always live decently and 
soberly, in such a way that they know how, and are able, to tell the 
difference between the sacred and the profane, the clean and the 
unclean at all times, just as is fitting. 
Likewise, because all indulgence in pleasure through which material 
for dissoluteness might arise ought particularly to be shunned among 
clerics, we order that clerics should not attend to entertainers and 
jesters, gamble and play at dice, nor be onlookers or participants in 
others' playing, nor should they presume to attend public spectacles 
for the purpose of watching. They should not use hunting birds or 
dogs. 



TRANSLATIONS 319 

These, and very many other things are forbidden to clerics, whose 
way of life is removed from the activities of the laity whom they ought 
to excel in devotion as much as in station. 

Order against 
the vicars of 
the church of 
Exeter 

1333 
Register of Bishop John de Grandisson DRO: Chanter 4 
f 174v* (16 December) 
John, etc, to our beloved sons, , the subdean, and Master 
William de Nassynton, canons of our church of Exeter, greetings, etc. 
We have learned, not without serious displeasure, from the account 
of trustworthy persons that some vicars and other ministers of the said 
church, having put on masks, do not even fear to practise in a manner 
worthy of condemnation dissolute behaviour, laughter, jeering, and 
other excesses irreverently as an offence to God and a marked 
impediment to divine worship and a scandal to our very church during 
the solemnities of the church service and especially in this famous feast 
of the Holy Innocents: thus, through their mimings' obscene ravings, 
they cheapen the honour of clerics in the sight of the people. 
Wherefore we, by virtue of the office enjoined upon us, being devoted 
in no small way to the honour of the house of God and wishing to 
forewarn rash persons daring in the future (to do) such things, by 
firmly enjoining you and each one of you (and) rousing your devotion, 
order that when the said vicars and ministers have been called together 
before you without delay upon your receipt of the present letter you 
shall forbid each and every one of them on our behalf, publishing our 
present order and its contents, to presume to do the aforesaid things 
or their like from now on, if they wish to avoid canonical punishment. 
But the day of the receipt of the present (letter), etc. Given at Crediton 
on the sixteenth day of December. 

1339 
Register of Bishop John de Grandisson DRO: Chanter 4 
f 223v (22June) 
Monition against Robert Lucy to remove the posts fixed in sacred 
ground near the church of St Martin, ExeterA" 
John, etc, to our beloved son, Master Robert Hereward, canon of our 
church of Exeter: greetings, grace, and blessing. Although according 
to civil and also canonical sanctions ground sacred and consecrated to 



320 "1- R A N SLAI- ION S 

God by bishops ought to be free and completely exempt from profane 
uses to the extent that it will be able to owe secular service to no one 
by prescription or agreement, nevertheless one Robert Lucy, neither 
considering nor heeding this, but rather aspiring, as it seems, to the 
reproach, injury, and contemptuous treatment of God his creator and 
the holy church his mother, notoriously maintains a balcony or 
canopy erected and constructed upon posts fixed in ground known to 
be sacred and dedicated, within the boundary of the churchyard of our 
aforementioned church of Exeter, that is, next the close-gate near the 
church of St Martin, not without a boldness deserving damnation and 
in other ways notoriously, improperly, and unjustly. For this reason, 
the processions which occur in the church will not be able to go around 
and make proper stations as would be fitting and, what is known to 
be more dangerous and damnable, there in that yard, beneath the 
aforesaid roof (literally, house or room) occurs a gathering of rogues, 
actors, whores, and other vile persons hindering the peace of the 
ministers of our aforesaid church of Exeter and putting on stage-plays 
to the grave detriment of ecclesiastical liberty and the scandal of many. 
Since therefore the church to which the aforesaid ground is known to 
belong ought to have the space above (it) free up to the sky, we entrust 
to you, on the prudence of whose judgment we rely, and order you 
to warn and persuade effectively the aforesaid Robert and others 
involved in this matter completely to remove or cause to be removed 
the said posts and balcony within a certain (and) suitable period of time 
to be determined by your choice. Otherwise you shall compel them 
to do this by ecclesiastical censures and canonical compulsions and you 
shall proceed against them by our authority by virtue of our office just 
as should be done by law. Given at our manor of Clyst on the twenty- 
second day of June in the aforesaid year. 

Register of Bishop John de Grandisson DRO: Chanter 3 
f 95 (9 December) 

John, etc, to his beloved son, the warden of our collegiate church of 
St Mary of Ottery, of our patronage, foundation, and diocese: 
greetings, etc. Since, as we have heard with displeasure, the choirboys 
of the said church do not stay quietly together in the house which we 
have caused to be made for this purpose, scorning our ordinance to 
this effect, and because they, together with some older members of 
the choir, whom (they) follow and assist, run about even at the time 
of divine office, we order you to warn the same (boys) sternly that 



TRANSLATIONS 321 

each and every one of them shall sleep and stay quietly every night 
within the approaching feast of St Thomas the apostle in the said house 
ordered for them and they shall attend choir, and you shall subtract 
2 d a week from the stipend of anyone (who) neglects to do this. Also 
the schoolmaster or his deputy shall sleep in the boys" room. And 
because the beating of boys for their faults in choir, or their being 
absent, or their being otherwise delinquent as a penalty established in 
our first ordinance does not sufficiently prevent them from (doing) 
forbidden things, we wish and order that any who absent themselves 
from the divine office, unless because of school, for a whole day shall 
lose 3/4 d; for a solemn hour (ie, part of the daily office), I/4 d; and for 
another terrible fault, 1 d; and they shall also be beaten. Moreover, 
you shall warn the secondary clerics of the aforementioned church, 
among whom the stuff of dissension and waywardness is said to 
flourish, that they shall remove or cause to be removed completely 
during the said feast the sand and other clayey material (which is) 
blocking the entrance to the house which we ordered for them; 
otherwise you shall subtract 3 d a week from the stipend of each one 
until they do it. Furthermore, since we have learned that the aforesaid 
choirboys, not content on the feast of the Innocents last past with their 
dissolute behaviour and insolences within the parish of the said church, 
wandered to various places outside the same parish on many days 
following the same feast, leaving the said church unserved for their part 
in the meantime, we order you to forbid them more strictly 
henceforward from going outside the said parish on the said feast in 
any way on pain of their removal; rather, they shall present themselves 
devoutly and humbly in the choir at divine office on the night 
following the said feast .... 
Therefore you shall inform us, within the approaching 
Christmas(-tide), in a letter of yours containing the text of this (letter), 
of what you have done about the foregoing and what the said persons 
have done. Given at Chudleigh on the ninth of December (1339). 

Chapter 52 

Collegiate Church of Ottery St Mary Statutes 
EUL: Cathedral D & C 3521 
p 30 
ooo 
Concerning spending the night and bounds 
Likewise, we establish that no canon, vicar, or secondary shall cause 
or allow choirboys to spend the night with them, or sleep in bed with 
them; nor shall they take them outside the parish of Ottery on the feast 



TRANSLATIONS 

323 

church lest it spread further with loss of souls and peril to persons and 
property, firmly enjoin you singly and jointly and order that on this 
very Sunday in our cathedral church and in every church and chapel 
in the said city and its suburbs, you shall prohibit or cause to be 
prohibited publicly and expressly, just as we even more strictly 
prohibit by the tenor of the present (letter), anyone henceforth from 
presuming to form such conventicles in the said city or the suburbs 
under pretext of this sort (of sect, which is) not an order but a horror, 
as we have said before; or from presuming to join them; or from 
presuming to enter, defend, or hold to in any way the said very 
dangerous and suspect sect, under pain of greater excommunication 
to be invoked against those contravening or anyone of them. Also, we 
proclaim generally to all whom the matter concerns that if they do not 
effectively obey your - actually, otar - admonitions in this regard, not 
only will we proceed against them and each one of them, insofar as 
the guilt of each one demands, in accordance with canonical sanctions, 
but we will also describe so dangerous and pernicious a thing to the 
Royal Majesty by example, so that those whom ecclesiastical discipline 
does not compel, temporal stricture may restrain and punish with 
speedy remedy. Moreover, you should inform us in a letter patent to 
this effect of the date of receipt of the present (letter) and what you have 
done about the foregoing before the next feast of St James the apostle. 
Given at our manor of Chudleigh on the eleventh day of July in the 
year of the Lord 1348 and in the twenty-first year of our consecration. 

1352 
Register of Bishop John de Grandisson PRO: Chanter 3 
f 172v* (9 August) 
John, etc, to (our) beloved son in Christ, , the archdeacon of 
Exeter or , his official: salvation, grace, and blessing. The 
envious ancient Enemy, kindler of all evils, who works incessantly that 
the joys of human peace be banished beyond the boundaries of the 
world, strives to diffuse the more widely the poisons of his wickedness 
in that place where he thinks he will do the greater harm. Indeed 
although the skilled trades, as practical experience constantly teaches 
us, ought to help one another in turn in any need, nevertheless we 
learned some time ago that some imprudent sons of our city of Exeter, 
inordinately given over to wanton behaviour (and) foolishly 
contemptuous of things usefully devised for their needs and those of 
all the populace, are proposing, as they had agreed and are planning 



324 TRANSLATIONS 

among themselves, to practise openly on this very Sunday in a public 
place of our aforesaid city an objectionable diversion which does not 
lack for fault: nay, (not a diversion) but a derision, as invective and 
a reproach against the Shoemakers and also against their craft, 
wherefore, as we have learned, serious disputes, rancours, and brawls 
are sprouting forth vigourously and growing, with the help of the 
Sower of such detestable anger and envy, among the aforesaid 
craftsmen and those taking part in the said sport, both leaders and 
supporters. Therefore, because insults and terrible attacks, the 
disturbance of the king's peace and that of the realm, blows and 
dissensions and even - alas! - as a consequence, dangers to the soul 
more bitterly to be deplored will follow unless they, led by a spirit 
of better counsel, totally abstain and desist from their illicit plan, we, 
considering therefore how many evils of body and soul occur and come 
about at the Devil's prodding under the colour and guise even of lawful 
play, not unsuitably rouse ourselves to resist in as much as we are able 
the beginnings of such storms and turbulence lest a worse (situation) 
follow. Wherefore, we firmly enioin and command you that no 
persons by whatever name they are known shall presume in any way 
or attempt to begin or to finish once begun the said sport (which) 
provides proof of such keen danger in our diocese and especially in 
our aforesaid city. You shall forbid (them) in the first instance, the 
second, the third, and peremptorily, publicly, and expressly, iust as 
we forbid them by the tenor of the present (letter), under pain of 
greater excommunication which we in this writing impose upon them 
and any one of them thenceforward if they do not effectively obey 
these warnings and prohibitions henceforward. 
Moreover, because the aforementioned craftsmen, who, as we have 
heard from the clamorous report of the people, so excessively receive 
and extort in selling their wares more than the iust price in modern 
times from those contracting with the same (craftsmen), because their 
immoderation feeds such activities and moreover, (because) they, not 
content with a iust profit without theft, are falling into present danger 
to their souls, we enjoin and command you as above publicly and 
solemnly to warn each and every craftsman aforesaid and effectively 
to persuade (them) and cause them to be warned and persuaded in a 
similar way by the curates of the churches of our said city and even 
to be forbidden, just as we forbid them by the tenor of the present 
(letter), from exceeding henceforward in any way in selling the things 
which belong to them the price set for public use by our most excellent 
prince and lord, the illustrious king of England and France, and his 
council, but (rather) they should more strictly keep and observe the 



The bishop's 
prohibition of 
dishonourable 
sports/plays 

TRANSLATIONS 

325 

edict soundly established in this respect. But you shall notify us 
properly before the octave of the Assumption of blessed Mary of the 
day of receipt of the present (letter), the manner and form of execution 
of our present order, and also the names and persons of those 
contravening the aforesaid and of their supporters by your letter patent 
clearly containing the text of this (letter). Given at Chudleigh on the 
ninth day of the month of August in the year of the Lord 1352 and 
in the twenty-fifth (year) of our consecration. 

1360 
Register o[ Bishop John de Grandisson DRO: Chanter 3 
ff 208v-9" (31 December, containing letter of 10 December) 

ooo 
To their very reverend father in Christ and lord, Lord John, by the 
grace of God, bishop of Exeter, his own humble and most devoted 
sons and prayers, the warden and chapter of your collegiate church 
of St Mary of Ottery, of your foundation, patronage, and diocese, 
(send) the obedience and reverence due to so great a father with all 
honour. We received the command of your reverend paternity on the 
twelfth day of the month of November last past in these words: 

John, by divine mercy bishop of Exeter for his beloved sons in Christ 
, the warden, and the chapter of the collegiate church of St Mary 
of Ottery of our foundation, patronage, and diocese (wishes) health 
and uprightness of clerical behaviour. It has come to our notice not 
without grave displeasure of heart and consternation that in past years 
and in some (years) preceding on the very holy feasts of the Lord's 
birth, and of Sts Stephen (and) John the apostle and evangelist, and 
of the Holy Innocents, when all the faithful in Christ are bound to 
devote themselves more piously and more undistractedly to divine 
praises and ecclesiastical offices, some ministers of our aforesaid 
church, together with boys, having put aside the fear of God, have 
rashly presumed because of the pernicious example of some churches 
to engage in tasteless and harmful diversions unbecoming clerical 
uprightness - nay, rather (they are) more truly engaging in detestable 
parodies of divine worship within the church itself- not only at 
matins and vespers and the other hours (ie, parts of the daily office) 
but what is more horrible, during the solemnities of the masses, 
disfiguring in many ways vestments and other furnishings of the 
church to no small extent to our own detriment and shame and (that) 
of our same church, that is, by the spattering of filthy mud: not only 



326 ] RANSLATIONS 

are the people, gathering at the church at those times in particular 
according to Catholic custom, drawn away from due devotion by their 
leering gestures and derisory laughter but (the people) are dissolved 
into disorderly laughter and illicit mirth; and divine worship is mocked 
and the office is basely hindered (by those things). And thus what had 
originally been devised to rouse and increase the devotion of the 
faithful has been converted or rather perverted, into irreverence and 
contempt of God and the saints, not without commission of 
blasphemy, by the insolences of such men. Therefore we, unable any 
further to pass over without a remedy such unspeakable abuses under 
(this) guise with a clear conscience, enjoin and command you under 
pain of suspension and excommunication that you totally desist from 
such insolences and mockeries hereafter and permit no such things to 
be done in any way in the same church henceforth; but that you exert 
yourselves to carry on the divine office more reverently than has been 
customary, just as the reverence of those days demands. And lest 
anyone henceforth ever be able to excuse himself in this regard out of 
ignorance, we order you, , the warden, by this present (letter) 
solemnly to proclaim before the coming feast of Christmas in the 
presence of all the ministers our letter and to cause our same letter to 
be transcribed faithfully into four or five books of the church in more 
common use lest it pass into oblivion. But if any presume to come 
against our present command, you shall cite them or cause them to 
be cited peremptorily to appear before us on the third court day after 
the end of the said feasts to answer concerning such rash presumption 
and to receive suitable penance. But you shall certify to us by your 
letter patent containing this text (and) signed with your common seal 
the date of the receipt of the present (letter) and what you will have 
done in this regard before the feast of the Circumcision of the Lord. 
Given at our manor of Chudleigh on the tenth day of the month of 
December in the year of the Lord 1360. And in the thirty-fourth year 
of our consecration. 

We have published that order of yours, reverently received by us on 
the aforesaid day, before each and every minister of the church and 
we have caused your order of this kind to be transcribed in five books 
of the church in more common use for perpetual memory. And we, 
each and every one, have reverently obeyed the same your order. And 
because none have presumed to come against your present order, we 
have not proceeded to cite those delinquent in this respect. And thus 
we have reverently executed your order in every respect. Given at 



TRANSLATIONS 327 

Ottery St Mary on the penultimate day of the month of December in 
the year of the Lord aforesaid. 

1372 
Register of Bishop Thomas Brantyngharn 
f 14v (31 July) 

DRO: Chanter 7 

Thomas, etc, to the discreet men, the archdeacons of Tomes and 
Barnstaple and the dean of Torrington and also the rector of the parish 
church of Torrington and each and every curate in the same 
archdeaconries (who) celebrates mass: greetings in the Lord. 
We have received the serious suit of John Skidmore, the marshall 
of our hall, alleging that certain persons, our subjects, unmindful of 
their own salvation, of whose names and persons we are ignorant, took 
and carried away one harp from our cart and kept it with them and 
keep, take possession of, and conceal (it) without a reasonable cause 
or any permission, rashly and improperly, against the will of that John 
Skidmore and to his very grave prejudice, not without serious danger 
to their souls. He has sought ecclesiastical remedy from us upon this 
matter. Therefore, firmly enjoining your devotion collectively or 
individually by virtue of (your) obedience, we order and command 
that, on behalf of the said John, in churches and other places of the 
aforesaid archdeaconries in which you will have been requested to do 
(so) - since the greatest number of people will be present in the same 
churches - you shall admonish the thieves, carriers-away, keepers, 
possessors, and concealers of the aforesaid harp that within the eight 
days immediately following your warning they shall restore this harp 
(and) actually deliver and hand (it) over, under pain of the greater 
excommunication with which you shall blast the same canonically 
upon the lapse of the aforesaid period for their previous fault and 
delay. You shall excommunicate them and afterwards you shall by our 
authority publicly and solemnly denounce them as excommunicated 
and cause them to be denounced with ringing bells, kindled and 
extinguished candles, and with all other solemnity customary in 
similar denunciations on appropriate Sundays and feast-days in the 
aforesaid places until they actually obey your warnings by restoring 
the said harp. And you shall certify what you have done about the 
foregoing and what each of you has done, to us before Michaelmas 
next coming with the tenor of the present (letter), co-sealed by (joint) 
authority. Given at (Bishop's) Tawton on the last day of July in the 
year of the Lord 1372. And in the third year of our consecration. 



330 

TRANSI ATIONS 
ASHBURTON 

1487-8 
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PWI 
f 12v (6 May-5 May) (Gifts, rents, and other receipts) 
...And (the churchwardens are answerable) for 20 s 11 IA d received 
of Roger Colpstone and John Ferys for the play ale .... 

1489-90 
St Andrew's Churchwardens" Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PWI 
ff 17-17v (6 May-5 May) (Costs and expenses) 
...Likewise, for 12 d in payment to Thomas (Druyste)  for the keeping 
of robes for plays .... 

1490-1 
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PWI 
f 18v (6 May-5 May) (Gifts, rents, and other receipts) 
... Likewise, they are answerable for 33 s 4 d of the (pay)ment for the 
ale called the 'playerryn" ale (made) by the agency of Geoffrey Mayne 
and John Geffre .... 

f 19v (Expenses) 
... Likewise, 10 d (were paid) to John Soper for the making of players' 
robes .... 

1491-2 
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PWI 
f 20 (6 May-5 May) (Gifts and other receipts) 

oo. 
... Likewise, they are answerable for 12 d received from Widdecombe 
for player clothing. 

1495-6 
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts PRO: 2141 A/PWI 
f 26v (6 May-5 May) (Final adjustments) 

ikewise, (there remains) in the keeping of John Dolbear Jr [one 



332 TRANSLATIONS 

1516-17 
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts t)RO: 2141 A/PWI 
f 65 (6 3lay-$ May) (Necessary expenses and costs) 

... And (they seek allowance) of 20 d paid for four rattle-bags and visors 
bought for players there on the feast of Corpus Christi this year .... 
And of 2 s 8 d paid to John Soper for the keeping of players' ornaments 
there this year. And of 10 d paid to the same]ohn for the paintingof 
five heads of hair (wigs ?) for the same (players) this year. 

1519-20 
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PWI 
f 72 (6 May-5 May) (Necessary repairs and costs) 
And (they seek allowance) of 2 s 8 d paid to John Soper for the keeping 
of players' clothing there this year .... And of 6 s 8 d paid for the wages 
(of) the piper this year .... 

f 72v 
...And of 16 d paid to John Wyndeyate, tailor, for the keeping of 
players' clothing there this year .... 

1520-1 
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PWI 
f 75 (6 May-.5 May) (Necessary repairs and costs) 

...And (they seek allowance) of 16 d paid for the keeping of players' 
clothing this year .... 

1522-3 
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PWI 
f 81v (6 May-$ May) (Repairs, payments, and necessary costs) 

... And (they seek allowance)of 16 d paid for the keeping of player 
clothing there this year .... 



TRANSLATIONS 333 

1523-4 
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PWI 
f 84 (6 May-5 May) (Repairs, payments, and external costs) 

... And (they seek allowance) of ! 6 d paid for the keeping of player 
clothing there this year .... 

1524-5 
St Andrew's Churchwardens" Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PWI 
f 87v (6 May-5 May) (Repazrs, payments, and external costs) 

... And (they seek allowance) of 16 d allowed for the keeping of players' 
clothing there this year .... 

1525-6 
St Andrew's Churchwardens" Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PW1 
f 90v (6 May-5 May) (Repairs, payments, and external costs) 

...And (they seek allowance) of 16 d for the making and mending of 
players' clothing [16 d] there this year .... 

1526-7 
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO'. 2141 A/PWI 
f 93 (6 May-5 May) (Repairs and external payments) 

...And (they seek allowance) of 16 d in payment for the keeping of 
the players' clothing. And of 3 s 10 d paid for a new tunic for Robin 
Hood made this year .... 

1527-8 
St Andrew's Churchwardens" Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PWI 
f 95 (6 May-5 May) (Repairs and external payments) 
...And (they seek allowance) of 16 d paid for the keeping of players' 
clothing this year .... 

1528-9 
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PWI 
f 98 (6 May-5 May) (Repairs and external payments) 

...And (they seek allowance) of 9 s 9 d paid to John Gobyng for the 



334 -[RANSLA-[IONS 

painting of players' clothing, 3 s, and the making of their tunics, 19 
d  and to John Soper for checked cloth, for making the tunics of the 
aforesaid players thereof, 3 s 9 d; and for the making of the aforesaid 
players' staffs, 6 d, and for crests upon their (the players') heads, 10 
d, on the feast of Corpus Christi .... 

1530-1 
St Andrew's Churchwardens" Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PWI 
 103v (6 May-5 May) (Necessary repazrs and purchases) 
... And (they seek allowance) of 16 d paid for the keeping of players' 
clothing there this year .... And of 7 s 9 d beyond the 2 s 8 d collected 
for two robes and three tunics bought for the players this year. 

1531-2 
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PWI 
f 106 (6 May-5 May) (Necessary payments and purchases) 

... And (they seek allowance) of 16 d paid for the keeping of players' 
clothing there this year. And of 7 s 9 d paid for players' clothing and 
the making of the same this year. And of 16 d given as a reward to 
players at Christmas-tide within the period of this account [this 
year] .... 

1537-8 
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PW1 
f 126 (6 May-5 May) (Necessary payments) 

...And (they seek allowance) of 16 d paid to John Wyndyat, tailor, 
for the keeping of players' clothing this year .... And of 1 d paid for 
a pair of gloves for King Herod on Corpus Christi Day .... 

1538-9 
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PWI 
f 128 (6 May- May) (Various payments) 

...And (they seek allowance) of 20 d paid for the keeping of players' 
clothing, 16 d, (and) for mending, 4 d, this year. 



TRANSLAT|ONS  

1539-40 
St Andrew's Churchwardens" Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PWI 
ff 131-iv (6 May-5 May) (Payments and allowances) 

...And (they seek allowance) of 20 d paid to certain players on I 
Christmas .... And of 3 s 9 d paid for the making of five tunics for the 
players, 20 d; for the keeping of the said tunics and other things for 
the players, 16 d; (and) for mending, 9 d .... 

1540-1 
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PWI 
f 133v (6 May-5 May) (Payments and allowances) 

...And (they seek allowance) of 2 s paid to certain players for a reward 
at Christmas-tide .... 

f 134 

...And of 5 s 4 d paid for the making of tunics for players, 4 s, and 
for their keeping, !6 d .... 

1541-2 
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PWI 
f 135v (6 May-5 May) (Payments and allowances) 

...And (they seek allowance) of 19 s 11 d paid for the buying of tunics 
for Robert Hood and those followers this year .... 

f 136 

...And of 5 s 4 d paid for a reward to a man for the baiting of bears, 
3 s 4 d; and to certain players on Epiphany last past, 2 s .... And 
20 d paid to William Bond for the keeping of players' clothing. 

1542-3 
St Andrew's Churchwardens" Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PWI 
f 137 (6 May-5 May) (Church house and other external receipts) 

...And (they are answerable) for 8 d received for the hiring out of 



336 TRANSLATIONS 

clothing to players there this year. 

f 138 (Payments and allowances) 

...And (they seek allowance) of 2 s paid as a reward to players at 
Christmas-tide within the period of this account .... And of 20 d paid 
to William Bound for the keeping of players' clothing. And of 2 s 1 
d paid for devils' heads and other necessities, (and) tallow candle/s (?) 
then/there (?), (and) for the players' clothing this year. And of 2 s paid 
for four rattle-bags there this year .... 

1543-4 
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PW1 
f 139 (6 May-5 May) (Church house and other external receipts) 
...And (they are answerable) for 8 d received for the hiring out of 
clothing to players there this year .... 

f 140v (Payments and allowances) 

... And (they seek allowance) of 2 s paid as a reward to the players at 
Ch ristmas-tide within the period of this account. And of 2 s 3 d paid 
this year to William Bound for the keeping of players' clothing, 2 s; 
and for one pair of gloves, 2 d; and (for one pair) of collars, 2 d .... 

1544-5 
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts DRO." 2141 A/PWI 
f 141v (6 May-5 May) (Church house and other external receipts) 

oo. 
...And (they are answerable) for 8 d received for the hiring out of 
clothing to players there this year. 

f 142v (Payments and allowances) 

... And (they seek allowance) of 2 s 3 d paid to William Bownd for the 
keeping of clothing for players .... 



TRANSLATIONS 337 

1545-6 
St Andrew's Churchwardens" Accounts DRO." 2141 A/PWI 
f 143v (6 May- May) (Church house and other external receipts) 

ooo 
...And (they are answerable) for nil received for the hiring out of 
clothing to players this year .... 

f 144v (Payments and allowances) 

...And (they seek allowance) of 2 s paid to William Bound for the 
keeping of clothing for players this year .... And of 3 d paid for one 
pair of gloves and (for) collars for players this year .... 

1546-7 
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PWI 
f 145v (6 May- May) (Church house and other external receipts) 
...And (they are answerable) for 6 d received for (the) loan of clothing 
to players .... 

f 146v (Payments and allowances) 
...And (they seek allowance) of 2 s 3 d paid to William Bound for 
clothing for players and (for) the collars (and) for gloves .... 

1547-8 
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PWI 
f 148v (6 May- May) (External payments and allowances) 

... And (they seek allowance) of 7 s 4 d for new robes for players this 
year. And of 10 s 4 d paid to Nicholas Crown for the making of the 
same (sg) with colours (or with collars). And of 2 s 8 d paid to William 
Bound for the making of the same (sg) and for other clothing for 
players. And of 2 s paid to players on the feast of Corpus Christi this 
year .... And of 2 s paid to William Bond for the keeping of clothing 
for players this year .... 



338 

TRANSLATIONS 
1553-4 
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PW1 
f 1.59 (6 May-5 May) (Payments and allowances) 
...And (they seek allowance) of 16 d paid for drink for players this 
vear .... 

1562-3 
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts DRO: 2141 A/PW1 
f 182v (6 May-5 May) (Payments and allowances) 

...And (they seek allowance) of 3 s 4 d paid to Sir Robert Dudley's 
bearward .... 

BARNSTAPLE 

1435-6 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Book 3927 
no 4 (External expenses) 
... And (he seeks allowance) of 40 d given to a/some minstrel/s. And 
of 40 d given to the lord earl of Huntington's minstrel/s. 

1454-5 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Book 3927 
no 3 (External expenses) 
And (he seeks allowance) of 8 d given to the lord of Warwick's two 
minstrels. And of 8 d given to the chancellor's minstrel/s. And of 8 
d for Lord FitzWarin's minstrel/s. And of 16 d for one minstrel and 
one herald of the earl of Devon .... And of 40 d given to the lord duke 
of Exeter's five minstrels. And of 8 d given to two minstrels of the city 
of Exeter .... And of 40 d given to the lord king's minstrel/s .... And 
of 8 d given to Henry Courtenay's minstrel/s .... 



TRA NSLATIONS 339 

1458-9 
Receivers" Accounts NDA: Book 3927 
no 5 (External expenses) 
...And (he seeks allowance) of 6 d given to the lord of Exeter's 
minstrel/s .... And of 2 s given to the lord king's minstrel/s. And of 
12 d for Lord FitzWarin's minstrel/s .... 

1461-2 
Receivers" Accounts NDA: Book 2003 
mb I (External expenses) 
...And (he seeks allowance) of 20 d given to one minstrel .... And of 
12 d given to Lord FitzWarin's minstrel/s .... And of 8 d given to Hugh 
Lurer. And of 8 d given to another minstrel of the chancellor of 
England. And of 8 d given to another/other minstrel/s. And of 8 d 
given to another/other minstrel/s of Lord de Audley .... 

1462-3 
Receivers" Accounts NDA : Book 2004 
mb 1 (External expenses) 
...And (he seeks allowance) of 20 d given to the lord of Warwick's 
minstrel/s. And of 16 d given to the duke of Exeter's minstrel/s. And 
of 4 d given to another/other minstrel/s on behalf of the mayor. And 
of 8 d given to Philip Beaumont's minstrel/s. And of 20 d given to Lord 
FitzWarin's minstrel/s. And of 2 d given to a blind minstrel called 
William Grevyl. And of 16 d given to a minstrel of the duke of Exeter 
called Thomas. And of 4 d given to Thomas Grevyl's wife for (her) 
services (or a/the servant/s or a/the minstrel/s). And of 2 d given to 
a piper, that is, to Brown. And of 2 s given to the lord king's 
minstrel/s .... 

1463-4 
Receivers" Accounts NDA : Book 2005 
mb 1 (External expenses) 
...And (he seeks allowance) of 20 d given to Earl Arundel's 
minstrel/s .... And of 8 d given to Thomas Lurer. And of 20 d given 



340 TRANSLATIONS 

to William Grevell and John Lurer. And of 3 d (spent) on wine given 
to the same William and John .... And of 4 d given to John Magge, the 
servant of William Grevyll, by the mayor's direction .... And of 4 d 
(given) to one performer of the lady (ie, Lady FitzWarin), that is, to 
Thomas. And of 4 d (given) to another performer of Lady de 
Harington. And of 8 d (spent) on other performers of the lord of 
Southwick. And of 2 s given to performers of the lord of Warwick. 
And of 6 d (spent) on wine given to the same by the mayor's direction. 
And of 16 d given to the lord of Norfolk's two performers. And of 
12 d given to two performers of the lady of Buckingham .... 

1464-5 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Book 2006 
mb 1 (External expenses) 
And (he seeks allowance) of 8 d given to one minstrel. And of 6 d given 
to another/other minstrel/s .... And of 12 d given to Lord Warwick's 
minstrel/s. And of 16 d given to Lord FitzWarin's minstrel/s. And of 
4 d given to William Grevyll. And of 4 d given to one trumpeter. And 
of 4 d given to Lord de Rivers' minstrel/s .... And of 20 d given to a/ 
some minstrel/s by order of the mayor. And of 12 d given to another/ 
other minstrel/s. And of 20 d given to Lord de Arundel's minstrel/s. 
And of 16 d given to Lord Clarendon's minstrel/s .... 

1466-7 
Receivers' Accounts rDA: Book 2007 
mb 1 (External expenses) 
And (he seeks allowance) of 4 d given to a/some minstrel/s. And of 
3 d for a/some piper/s. And of 16 d given to Lord FitzWarin's 
minstrel/s .... And of 16 d given to William Grevyll. And of 16 d given 
to a/some piper/s and another/other minstrel/s. And of 2 d given to 
Fyssh and Gy, pipers .... And of 4 d given to a/some minstrel/s. And 
of 2 d given to another/other minstrel/s .... And of 16 d given to 
Thomas Harper. And of 12 d given to two minstrels on St John's 
Night. And of 4 d given to another minstrel called Nytherton. And 
of 40 d given to the lord king's minstrel/s. And of 2 s 4 d given to the 
queen's minstrel/s .... 



TRANSLATIONS 341 

1467-8 
Receivers" Accounts NDA: Roll 2008 
mb 1 (External expenses) 
And (he seeks allowance) of 20 d given to Earl Arundel's minstrel/s. 
And of 4 d in wine likewise given. And of 12 d given to William 
Grevyll. And of 2 d in wine likewise .... And of 20 d given to a/some 
minstrel/s of John Arundell, Knight. And of 4 d given to John Harper. 
And of 4 d given to Thomas Luter. And of 12 d given to John Luter. 
And of 8 d given to a/some minstrel/s of Exeter .... And of 4 d given 
to John Gye .... And of 4 d for one minstrel on the same night .... And 
of 12 d given to Thomas Harper. And of 16 d given to two minstrels 
of Lord Bourchier .... And of 12 d given to Lord Ferrets' minstrels. 
And of 4 d in wine likewise given. And of 40 d given to the lord king's 
minstrel/s. And of 8 d in wine likewise given .... 

1468-9 
Receivers' Accounts NDA : Roll 2009 
mb I (External expenses) 
...And (he seeks allowance) of 20 d given to William Grevyll, minstrel. 
And of 12 d for John Luter. And of 12 d given to one tumbler. And 
of 16 d given to two minstrels of Lord Warwick. And of 12 d given 
to Thomas Harper of Exeter. And of 2 s 8 d given to the lord king's 
minstrel/s .... 

1470-1 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Roll 2010 
mb 1 (External expenses) 
And (he seeks allowance) of 4 d given to one minstrel. And of 12 d 
given to William Grevyll. And of 2 s given to one bearward. And of 
4 d in wine given to Philip Beaumont at the same time .... And of 
8 d given to Lord Dinham's minstrel/s. And of 4 d given to a minstrel 
called Nytherton. And of 4 d given to another/other minstrel/s .... And 
of 4 d given to Thomas Lurer .... And of 4 d given to a/some piper/s. 
And of 4 d given to a/some minstrel/s of Exeter .... And of 8 d given 
to William Grevyl, minstrel. And of 12 d given to (a/the) bearward 
by the mayor .... And of 16 d given to the duke of Gloucester's 



342 

TRANSLATIONS 
minstrel/s. And of 12 d given to the duke (of) Buckingham's 
minstrel/s .... 

1472-3 
Receivers' Accounts N DA : 
mb 1 (External expenses) 

Roll 2011 

...And (he seeks allowance) of 20 d given to four minstrels by the 
mayor .... And of 8 d given to the lord of Gloucester's minstrei/s. And 
of 12 d given to William Grevyii. And of 2 s given to Lord Clarence's 
minstrel/s. And of 4 d (spent) on wine given to minstrei/s of the same. 
And of 8 d given to a/some minstrel/s on the court day (on/at) 
Hockday .... And of 2 s given to Lord Clarence's trumpeters and 4 d 
in wine given to the same (trumpeters). And of 2 d given to a/some 
minstrel/s on St John's Night .... And of 20 d given (a/the) bearward .... 

1473-4 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Roll 2012 
mb 1 (External expenses) 
...And (he seeks allowance) of 8 d for a/some minstrel/s .... And of 
8 d given to a/some minstrel/s from Wales. And of 4 d given to a/some 
minstrei/s going before the mayor on St John's Eve .... And of 8 d for 
one minstrel of the duke of Gloucester. And of 4 d for Robert 
Wilioughby's minstrel/s .... And of 12 d for the prince's minstrel/s .... 

1474-5 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Roll 2013 
mb 1 * (External expenses) 
... And (he seeks allowance) of 10 d paid to players on Christmas Eve. 
And of 4 d given to Master Pomery's harper. And of 8 d for William 
Greveli, harper .... And of 4 d given to one minstrel of Lady Lisle. And 
of 8 d (given) to the lord prince's tumbler .... 



TRANSLATIONS 343 

1475-6 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Roll 2014 
mb I (External expenses) 
And (he seeks allowance) of 8 d for minstrels of Sir John Arundell and 
of Henry Bodrugan. And of 2 d for Richard Nytherdon .... And of 
4 d for two minstrels on St John's Night. And of 6 d for two pipers. 
And of 8 d for the duke of Buckingham's minstrel/s. And of 4 d for 
the duke of Gloucester's minstrel/s. And of 12 d for the duke of 
Norfolk's minstrel/s. And of 8 d for the duke of Clarence's minstrel/s. 
And of 16 d for some players in the mayor's house at Christmas-tide .... 

1476-7 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Roll 2015 
mb 1 (External expenses) 
...And (he seeks allowance) of 12 d for William Grevell. And of 4 d 
for John Nytherdon. And of 12 d for Richard Barbour and (his) 
fellows for their play at Christmas-tide. And of 8 d for other players 
in Christmas week. And of 8 d for a/some minstrel/s of Arundel in 
Cornwall. And of 4 d for the duke of Buckingham's minstrel/s. And 
of 4 d for Henry Bodrugan's minstrel/s. And of 8 d for Lord Clarence's 
bearward. And of 5 s paid to six minstrels of the lord king .... And of 
12 d for two minstrels of the duke of Gloucester. And of 4 d for one 
other foreign minstrel .... 

1477-8 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Roll 2016 
mb I (External expenses) 

...And (he seeks allowance) of 8 d paid to players (who played) before 
the mayor .... And of 3 s 4 d paid to the lord king's minstrel/s. And 
of 8 d paid to Master Sepcote's minstrel/s. And of 4 d paid to Lord 
Dinham's minstrel/s. And of 6 d paid to a/some minstrel/s walking 
before the mayor on St John's Eve. And of 4 d paid to William Grevell, 
Lord FitzWarin's minstrel. And of 4 d paid to Master Crocker's 
minstrel/s. And of 4 d paid to [Lord] Master Norbury's minstrel/s. 
And of 8 d for two minstrels of the duke of Gloucester. And of 2 d 
for two minstrels of Master Bodrugan. And of 2 d for Master 
Greynefyld's minstrel/s. And of 2 d for Richard Netherdon .... 



344 IRANS! AIIONS 

1478-9 
Receivers' Accounts NDA: Roll 2017 
nab 1 (External expenses) 
... And (he seeks allowance) of 2 s (spent) on the prince's performers. 
And of 4 d (spent) on wine at the same time. And of 6 d for performers 
of William Courtenay, Knight. And of 2 d for one piper. And of 
12 d for Master Beaumont's player/s .... And of 16 d for a/some 
player/s of Torrington. And of 12 d for William Haynes" player/s and 
for others .... And of 12 d for two boys to sing on Christmas .... And 
of 4 d for (a/some) player/s on the cymbal(s) .... And of 4 d for a player 
called (a) tumbler .... And of 6 d for Master Arundell's minstrel/s. And 
of 8 d for a lutanist called Freer on the same day. And of 6 d for two 
pipers on St John's Eve .... And of 2 s 6 d for the lady queen's 
minstrel/s .... 

1480-1 
Receivers'Accounts NDA: Roll 2018 
mb 1 (External expenses) 
And (he seeks allowance) of 8 d paid by order of the mayor to two 
performers who were in John Curler's house. And of 4 d paid to one 
performer of Lord Dinham. And of 4 d paid to one tumbler/dancer. 
And of 2 s paid to five players and one piper. And of 12 d paid to John 
Wexmaker and his fellows for one play in the mayor's house. And of 
12 d paid to John Steynour and (his) fellows for one play in the mayor's 
house. And of 4 d paid for the bringing of John Wolston's garments 
from Heanton as far as the mayor's house. And of 12 d paid to Master 
Stukley's performer and to one other (man) with him. And of 4 d paid 
to Master Arundell's performer .... 

1481-2 
Receivers'Accounts NDA." Roll 2019 
mb 1 (External expenses) 
And (he seeks allowance) of 3 s 4 d paid to the lord king's performers 
in the m ayor's house. And of 16 d (spent) on wine there at the same 
time. And of 2 s paid to the duke of York's performers. And of 8 d 
for Lord Dinham's performers. And of 4 d for Master Arundell's 
performers. And of 8 d for Master Norbury's performers. And of 
8 d paid to Lord Zouche's performers. And of 4 d for Master 



TRANSLATIONS 
Copelston's performer. And of 12 d paid to John Wexmaker and his 
fellows for a play before the mayor on Christmas .... 

345 

1483-4 
Receivers' Accounts NDA: Book 3972 
no 9 (External expenses) 
...And (he seeks allowance) of 15 d paid to seven tumblers/dancers of 
the county of Somerset. And of 8 d for Master Sepcote's minstrel/s .... 
And of 4 d for Lord Dinham's minstrel/s .... And of 20 d given to Lord 
Arundell's minstrel/s .... 

CHAGFORD 

1537-8 
St Michael's Churchwardens'Accounts DRO: 1429 A/PW3 
p 211 (Wardens of the church store: allowances) 
...And (they seek allowance) of 8 d paid to Henry Trepe, for going 
about (?) with John Cole, the harper, around the parish .... 

EXETER 

1327 
Exeter Cathedral Inventory EUL: D & C Exeter MS 3671 
p 14 (3 September) 
...Likewise, one small tunic for the boys' bishop. 

1361-2 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 1 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

...Likewise, for a half-mark given to the lord prince's serving-men, 
called trumpeters, by order of the mayor .... 



346 ]'RANSLATIONS 

1362-3 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

... Likewise, (he accounts for having paid) 13 s 4 d to John Beare, wait, 
as a payment for the year .... 

1363-4 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 1 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

... Likewise, (he accounts for having paid) a half-mark to John Beare, 
wait, as a payment for his service for half a year .... 

1365-6 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 1 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

... Likewise, 13 s 4 d as a payment for half a year to Peter Bylewyne, 
wait of the aforesaid city .... 

1366-7 
Receivers" Account Rolls 
mb 1 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 26 s 8 d as a payment to Thomas Wayte 
for his fee for the year. 

1367-8 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 1 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

...Likewise, (he accounts for) 26 s 8 d as a payment to Thomas Wayte 
for his fee. 

1368-9 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb I (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 26 s 8 d as a payment to Thomas Wayte 



TRANSLATIONS 
for his fee. 

347 

mb 2 (External expenses) 

...Likewise, 10 s as a payment to minstrels on the Wednesday in 
Pentecost week when the men of the city displayed (their) arms before 
the earl of Devon. Likewise, 12 d to the same (minstrels) on the 
Saturday next before the feast of St Augustine for the same .... 

1369-70 
Receivers" Account Rolls 
mb 1 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 26 s 8 d as a payment to Thomas Wayte 
for his fee for the year. 

1370-1 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 1 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

...Likewise, (he accounts for having paid) 26 s 8 d as a payment to 
Thomas Wayte for his fee for the year. 

mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 
...Likewise, as a gift to the lord prince's minstrel/s, 10 s .... 

1371-2 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 1 (Fees paid) 
... Likewise, (he accounts for) 26 s 8 d as a payment to Thomas Wayte 
for his fee for the year. 



348 

TRANSI ATIONS 
1372-3 
Receivers' Account Rolls pRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 
... Likewise, (he accounts for) 26 s 8 d as a payment to Thomas Wayte 
for his fee for the year. 

1373-4 
Receivers' A ccount Rolls 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 13 s 4 d as a payment to Thomas Wayte 
for half the year. 

1380-1 
Receivers' Account Rolls t3Ro, 
mb 2 (External payments) 

... Likewise, (he accounts for having paid) 20 d as a payment to pipers 
riding towards (ie, to meet) the earl of Cambridge .... 

1384-5 
Receivers' A ccount Rolls 
mb 1 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

...(He accounts for) 4 s for six gallons of wine bought from Henry 
Holle and given to the friars preacher and minor coming to (or for) 
the procession .... 

1385-6 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
nab 1 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

...(He accounts for) 4 s for six gallons of red wine given to the friars 
preacher and minor for their procession on Corpus Christi Day .... 



350 TRANSLATIONS 

Master Hugh Hickelyng, president of the chapter; Bosoun, Brokes, 
Bridham, Bravbrokes, Schillingford, Feriby, Blacborne, Pouton, Pyl, 
and Broclond, and Master John More, notary public, and Robert 
Lyngham, clerk. 

1387-8 
Receivers" Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

...Likewise, (he accounts for) 4 s to the friars preacher and minor 
coming to (or for) the procession, by order of the mayor .... 

(External expenses) 

...(He accounts for) 12 d as a gift to Sir Thomas de Periehay's 
minstrel/s by order of the mayor .... 

1390-1 
Receivers' Account Rolls )RO, CA 
mb 2* (Gifts and grants) 

...Likewise, (he accounts for) 4 s to the friars preacher and minor 
coming to (or for) the procession by order of the mayor. 

1391-2 
Receivers' A ccount Rolls 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 26 s 8 d as a payment to John Eget and 
his fellows for the office of wait this year, by agreement .... 

(Gfts and grants) 

...Likewise, (he accounts for) 4 s for the friars preacher and minor 
coming to (or for) the procession .... [Likewise, (he accounts for) 4 s 
as a gift to the friars preacher and minor of Exeter, by order of the 
may(or).] 



TRANSLATIONS 351 

1392-3 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 26 s 8 d as a payment to John Eget and 
his fellows for the office of wait this year, by agreement .... 

1393-4 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

...Likewise, 26 s 8 d as a payment to John Eget and his fellows for 
the office of wait .... 

(External expenses) 
... Likewise, 4 s as a payment to the friars preacher and minor on the 
feast of Corpus Christi for wine. 

1394-5 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb ld (Final adjustments) 

... And afterwards they allow the same (receiver) the 4 s given to the 
friars preacher and minor on the feast of Corpus Christi .... 

1395-6 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

...Likewise, (he accounts for) 4 s for the friars preacher and minor 
coming to (or for) the procession. 

mb ld (External payments) 
...Likewise, (he accounts for) 20 s for John (...) Piper for his/their 
pension for being wait/s this year .... 



TRANSLATIONS 353 

1401-2 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb ld (Gifts and grants) 

...And 20 d as a gift to piper/s for the muster .... Likewise, 12 d for 
the king's piper/s .... Likewise, 2 s 8 d for a messenger (or groom) and 
piper/s of the king .... 

(External expenses) 

...Likewise, 26 s 8 d as a payment to the waits for their clothing .... 

1402-3 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, FCA 
mbs 2-3 (Gifts and grants) 
...Likewise, 9 d on one gallon (and) a pottle (ie, six quarts in total) 
of wine sent to the earl of Somerset's piper/s .... Likewise, he accounts 
for 12 d as a payment to the aforesaid earl's piper/s for a gift by order 
of the mayor .... Likewise, he accounts for 4 s as a payment for one 
gown of Alpho Trompet by order of the mayor. Likewise, 26 s 8 d 
on forty gallons of wine sent to various lords at the time of the king 
and queen's being in the town .... Likewise, for 50 s for one pipe of 
red wine sent to the king and queen at the time they were at Exeter. 
Likewise, he accounts for 20 s as a payment to eight minstrels of the 
king at the same time. Likewise, for 6 s 8 d as a gift to their servants 
by I order of the mayor. Likewise, for 20 s as a gift to one herald of 
the king. Likewise, for 6 s 8 d as a gift to the minstrels of the earl of 
Somerset. Likewise, for 3 s 4 d as a gift to the minstrels of Lord de 
Camoys by order of the mayor. Likewise, for 3 s 4 d as a gift to other 
minstrels of Sir Thomas Percy .... Likewise, for 25 s 4 d for twenty-six 
hoods of red and black cloth given to the aforesaid minstrels and other 
officers of the lord king .... Likewise, for 18 s 6 d for red and black 
cloth bought and given to the waits for tunics to be made from it for 
them in preparation for the arrival of the king and queen, by order 
of the mayor. 

mb ld (Externalexpenses) 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 4 s as a payment to the friars preacher 



354 

TRANSLATIONS 
and minor for the procession on the feast of Corpus Christi .... 
1403-4 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 
... Likewise, he paid 26 s 8 d to the waits for their robes by order of 
the mayor .... 
mbs ld-2d (External expenses) 
... Likewise, (he accounts for) 4 s for the friars minor for the procession 
on I the feast of Corpus Christi .... 

1405-6 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (External expenses) 
... Likewise, he accounts for 3 s 4 d as a payment for the minstrels of 
Lord Thomas, the king's son, by order of the mayor. Likewise, for 
20 d for the minstrels of the lord duke of York. Likewise, for 20 d 
for Lord de Lovel's minstrels .... Likewise, for 4 s for the friars 
preacher and minor for the procession on the feast of Corpus Christi 
according to custom, etc. 

mb 2d (Final adjustments) 

... And 26 s 8 d are allowed the same (receiver) for the gowns of three 
waits by order of the mayor and the commonalty .... 

1406-7 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 3 (External expenses) 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 4 s as a payment for the friars preacher 
and minor for the Corpus Christi procession according to custom .... 

mb 2d (Final adjustments) 
... And 26 s 5 d (are allowed) the same (receiver) for gowns for the waits 
this year .... 



356 TRANSLATIONS 

mb Id (External expenses) 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 2 s paid to Thomas Wode, trumpeter, 
riding on Corpus Christi Day through the town by order of the 
mayor .... Likewise, for 4 s paid to friars minor and preacher for the 
procession on the feast of Corpus Christi according to custom .... 

1410-11 
Receivers" Account Rolls 
mb 2* (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 12 d as a payment to Lord de Camoys' 
servant/s (minstrel/s?) for a gift by order of the mayor .... 

(External expenses) 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 4 s as a payment to the friars minor and 
preacher for the procession on the feast of Corpus Christi according 
to custom .... 

mb 2d (Final adjustments) 

... And 6 s 8 d (were allowed) the same (receiver) for payments to some 
servants (minstrels ?) of the lord prince, the duke of Clarence, and Lord 
John, the king's son, for a gift .... 

1411-12 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 20 d as a payment to some servant/s 
(wait/s?) on Monday in Whitsun week by order of the mayor .... 

mb ld (External expenses) 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 4 s as a payment to the friars preacher 
and minor for their procession on the feast of Corpus Christi according 

to custom .... 

mb 2d (Final adjusemenes) 

... And 13 s 4 d (are allowed) the same (receiver) for payments by the 



TRANSL A'i-IONS 

357 

mayor to various servants (minstrels?) coming to the city during the 
year for a gift .... 

1412-13 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

... Likewise, he accounts for 2 s as a payment to a/some piper/s to pipe 
before the mayor and his fellows on the feast of Pentecost. Likewise, 
he accounts for 20 d as a payment to the lord king's piper/s by order 
of the mayor .... Likewise, for 12 d as a payment to Earl Arundel's 
servant/s (minstrel/s?) for a gift .... 

mb ld (External expenses) 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 4 s as a payment to the friars minor and 
preacher of Exeter for the procession on the feast of Corpus Christi 
according to ancient custom .... 

1413-14 
Mayors' Court Roll DRO, ECA: MCR 1/2 Henry v 
mb 38d* (18 June) 
.o0 
Although a play has usually been played annually at the feast of Corpus 
Christi in the city of Exeter by ancient custom up until just a short 
time ago, because the mayor and commonalty of the same city have 
ordered by unanimous consent and agreement among themselves for 
the greater convenience and honour of the same (city) that the aforesaid 
play ought to be played annually on Tuesday in Whitsun week; and 
(although) the mayor and commonalty for the present had fixed in 
advance and determined Tuesday in Whitsun week last past as the day 
of the playing of that play and that two, three, or four (members) of 
each craft of the same city ought to have set portions of that play called 
'pageants' and should find players of a number sufficient to play the 
aforesaid pageants at their own expense; and (although) set pageants 
and sections extracted from the ordinal of the aforesaid play were 
delivered in writing to John Benet and William Frenssh and others as 
(being) chief masters of the Skinners' craft by Peter Sturte, the mayor 
at that time, with the agreement of the aforesaid commonalty in order 
to play the aforesaid play according to the apportionment and effect 
of the aforesaid pageants and sections, (nevertheless) the same John 
Benet went on that Tuesday and earlier to various players assigned to 



TRANSLATIONS 359 

preacher of Exeter for the procession on the feast of Corpus Christi 
according to ancient custom .... 

(Gifts and grants) 

...Likewise, (he accounts for) 4 d as a payment to one servant 
(minstrel?) of the lord earl of Salisbury for a gift .... Likewise, for 
3 s 4 d as a payment to four servants (minstrels ?) of the lord king for 
a gift. Likewise, for 20 d as a payment for one breakfast given the 
same .... Likewise, for 12 d as a payment to servants (minstrels?) of 
the lords, the earl of York and the earl of Salisbury, as a gift. Likewise, 
for 6 d as a payment for one supper given to the same and their 
servants .... Likewise, for 2 s as a gift to the lord earl of Dorset's 
servant/s (minstrel/s?) .... 

1414-15 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

...Likewise, (he accounts for) 20 d as a gift to a/some servant/s 
(wait/s?) on the feast of Pentecost .... Likewise, for 4 d as a gift to one 
Elfanius, a trumpeter, at the same time. Likewise, 8 d as a gift to 
another servant (wait? or to another man, an assistant/officer?) being 
there during the week. Likewise, for 20 d as a gift to one other servant 
(wait? or to one other man, an assistant/officer?) of Arundell .... 
Likewise, for 26 s 8 d on clothing for the waits for a girl, etc. 

mb ld (External expenses) 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 4 s as a payment to the friars minor and 
preacher of Exeter for the procession on the feast of Corpus Christi .... 

1415-16 
Receivers" Account Rolls 
mb 1 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

...Likewise, (he accounts for) 4 d as a gift to Lord Mautravers' 
minstrel/s for a gift .... Likewise, for 12 d as a gift to two minstrels 
piping in the presence of the mayor and his fellows on the night of 
the feast of the Nativity of St John Baptist (as they were) passing 
through the city. Likewise, for 8 d as a gift for John Rous, harper, 



360 TR.NSL.TIONS 

on the same night for the reason (stated) above .... Likewise, for 
12 d as a gift to the lord duke of Clarence's servant/s (minstrel/s?) .... 
Likewise, for 4 d as a gift to the lord earl of Huntingdon's servant/s 
(minstrel/s?) .... Likewise, for 17 s 10 d as a gift for John Lynde and 
Hanys, servants (waits?) of the city, for their clothing .... 

mb 2 

... Likewise, for 4 d as a gift to the servant/s (wait/s?) at dinner in the 
house of the mayor .... Likewise, for 4 d as a gift to Alfons, a 
minstrel .... Likewise, for 12 d as a gift to minstrels of the lord earl of 
Devon and Lord de Powis .... Likewise, for 6 d as a gift to Sir Hugh 
de Courtenay's minstrel/s. Likewise, for 8 d as a gift to Lord 
Berkeley's minstrel/s .... 

mb ld (External expenses) 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 4 s as a payment to the friars minor and 
preacher for the procession on the feast of Corpus Christi .... 

1416-17 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb I (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

...Likewise, (he accounts for) 12 d as a gift to two minstrels in the 
presence of the mayor .... Likewise, for 26 s 8 d on clothing given to 
city minstrels this year .... [Likewise, for 40 d as a gift for wine, bread, 
and one pageant (which) needs to be mended for a/some minstrel/s 
on the day after Pentecost.]... Likewise, for 12 d as a gift to one 
minstrel on the day after Pentecost and for the whole week .... 

mb 2 

... Likewise, for 2 s as a gift for the lord king's minstrel/s by order of 
the mayor .... Likewise, for 12 d as a gift for the lord earl of Devon's 
minstrel/s .... Likewise, for 4 d for a gift for Lord de Botreaux's 
minstrel/s .... Likewise, for 6 d as a gift to piier/s .... 

mb ld (External expenses) 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 4 s as a payment to the friars minor and 



TRANSLATIONS 361 

preacher for the procession on the feast of Corpus Christi .... 

1417-18 
Receivers" Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

,..[Likewise, (he accounts for) 4 d as a gift to one harper in the house 
of the mayor by order of the mayor.]... Likewise, for 26 s 8 d (spent) 
on the clothing of the three pipers of the city (which was) given to the 
same .... Likewise, for 4 d as a gift to Thomas Ciaryner when the mayor 
and his fellows returned from the banquet of the lord bishop .... 
Likewise, 40 d as a gift to Lord de Botreaux's pipers(?) for a gift. 
[Likewise, for 12 d for wine given to the same minstrels in the house 
of the mayor.]... 

mb 3 

... Likewise, for 20 d as a gift for the minstrels of the commonalty (ie, 
the waits of the city?) for their labour on the eve of the Nativity of 
St John Baptist for a gift for their labour .... Likewise, for 20 d for the 
lord earl of Devon's servant/s (minstrel/s?). Likewise, for 5 s as a gift 
to John Lynde riding to Bristol, and for the hire of his horse, for 
impleading (or questioning or seeking) a/some servant/s (minstrei/s ?). 
Likewise, for 20 s as a gift for the servant/s (minstrel/s?) of Exeter .... 
Likewise, for 20 d as a gift for the lord duke of Clarence's servant/s 
(minstrel/s ?). Likewise, for 8 d as a gift to one leopard-keeper of the 
lord king. Likewise, for 20 d as a gift to Lord de Botreaux's servant/s 
(minstrel/s?) .... 

1418-19 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 4 d as a gift to the lord earl of Devon's 
servant/s (minstrel/s?) .... Likewise, for 12 d as a gift to the lord earl 
of Devon's servant/s (minstrel/s?) .... Likewise, for 4 d as a gift to one 
servant (minstrel?) of Bristol .... For 40 d as a gift to city servant/s 
(wait/s?) for bringing in the May at the feast of Pentecost. Likewise, 
for 4 d as a gift to players who played before the May .... Likewise, 
for 2 d for wine given to two servants (minstrels?) with the men (who) 
have to go to sea. (Translation conjectural) .... 



362 

TRANSLATIONS 
mb ld (Necessary expenses) 
... Likewise, (he accounts for) 12 d as a payment to servant/s (wait/s?) 
on the same night .... 
1419-20 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (External expenses) 
... Likewise, he accounts for 2 s as a payment to the friars preacher of 
Exeter for the procession on the feast of Corpus Christi according to 
custom .... 

mb 2d (Enal adjustments) 
... And 26 s 8 d (are allowed) the same (receiver) for the livery of city 
servants (waits) given to the same this year .... 

1420-1 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 12 d as a gift to the lord earl of Warwick's 
minstrel/s. 

(External expenses) 
... Likewise, (he accounts for) 12 d for a payment to city minstrels for 
their labour on the same night .... 

1422-3 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 
... Likewise, (he accounts for) 4 s 8 d on expenses incurred on the eve 
of the Nativity of St John Baptist on servants (waits?) as well as on 
cressets burning before the mayor at the time of the perambulation 
through the city .... Likewise, for 6 s 8 d spent on a reward made to 
the lord duke of Exeter's servant/s (minstrel/s?) .... 



TRANSLATIONS 363 

(External expenses) 

And for 2 s paid to the friars preacher of Exeter for the procession on 
the feast of Corpus Christi this year. And for 2 s paid to the friars 
minor of Exeter for the reason (stated) above. 

mb ld (Final adjustments) 

Of which (money still owing) 13 s 4 d are allowed the same (receiver, 
which were) paid to servants (waits?) of the city of Exeter annually 
for their pension according to the agreement made .... 

1423-4 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 6 s 91/2 d (spent) on wine given to the 
mayor and his fellows and on minstrel/s and torches on the night of 
the feast-day of the Nativity of St John Baptist .... Likewise, for 
40 d as a gift to the lord duke of Exeter's servants (minstrels?). 
Likewise, for 8 d for one gallon of wine sent to the said servants 
(minstrels?) for a gift .... 

(External expenses) 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 2 s as a payment to the friars preacher 
for the procession to be made on the feast of Corpus Christi. Likewise, 
2 s as a payment to the friars minbr for the reason (stated) above .... 

1424-5 
Receivers" Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

... Likewise, for 6 s 8 d as a gift for the lord duke of Exeter's servants 
(minstrels ?). Likewise, for 3 s 4 d given to the said servants (minstrels ?) 
on another occasion. Likewise, for 26 s 8 d as a payment for liveries 
given to the waits of the city .... 



TRANSLATIONS 365 

1427-8 
Mayors" Court Roll DRO, ECA: MCR 6/7 Henry VI 
mb 3d (13 October) (Waits' pledges) 

Entertainers chosen by the mayor and commonalty for the current 
year. 

John Lynde 
Hugh Baret 
John Dawe 

were sworn 

And there remain: 
as the pledges of John Lynde: Richard Farnam and Richard Prewe; 
as the pledges of Hugh Baret: John Stoklegh and Richard Wylliam; 
as the pledges of John Dawe: William Cook and John Derke. 

Receivers" Account Rolls URO, ECA 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 
... Likewise, (he accounts for) 26 s 8 d as a gift to three city minstrels 
for their livery this year. Likewise, for 20 d as a gift to Lord de 
Botreaux's minstrels by command of the mayor. [And for 12 d for wine 
given to the same in the mayor's house. ] "(Cancelled) because (it was 
given) without warrant.'... Likewise, he accounts for 20 d for a 
payment to Lord de Hungerford's minstrel/s for a gift. Likewise, for 
8 d as a gift to another/other minstrel/s of the count of Mortain .... 
Likewise, for 3 s 4 d as a gift to the lord earl of Warwick's minstrel/s. 
Likewise, for 10 s for the lord king's minstrel/s at the feast of St Peter 
in Chains for a gift. Likewise, for 6 s 8 d as a gift to the lord earl of 
Huntingdon's minstrel/s .... Likewise, for 16 d for two gallons of wine 
given to the lord king's minstrel/s in the house of the mayor .... 
Likewise, for 40 d as a gift to the lord earl of Northumberland's 
minstrel/s .... 

1428-9 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb I (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

...Likewise, (he accounts for) 12 d for a gift to three servants 
(minstrels?) of Lord de Berkeley .... Likewise, for 20 d as a payment 



366 TRANSLATIONS 

to various players for playing a play before the door of the mayor's 
house. Likewise, for 20 d as a payment to various servants (minstrels?) 
of Lord de Talbot and the countess of Devon for a gift .... 

mb 2 (External expenses) 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 12 d as a payment to some servants 
(minstrels ?) of the lord earl of Devon, Lady de Harington, (and) Hugh 
Lutrell .... Likewise, for 12 d as a payment to Lord de Hungerford's 
servant/s (minstrel/s?) for a gift .... Likewise, for 4 d as a payment to 
Olifaunt, a servant (minstrel?), for a gift .... Likewise, for 4 s as a 
payment to five servants (minstrels?) and a waferer for a gift .... 
Likewise, for 20 d as a payment to the said earl (of Hutingdon's) 
servant/s (minstrel/s?) for a gift .... Likewise, for 2 s 4 d as a payment 
for tallow, rosin, and oakum for the cressets to be made therewith to 
be burned on the eve of the Nativity of St John Baptist. Likewise, for 
20 d as a payment to the waits of the city at the same time. Likewise, 
for 8 d as a payment to various other servants (minstrels?). Likewise, 
for 6 s 8 d as a payment for wine on the same night .... 

1429-30 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 1 (Gifts and grants) 
...Likewise, (he accounts for) 12 s 8 d as a payment to the lord earl 
of Huntingdon's servant/s (minstrel/s?) at various times during the 
)'ear .... Likewise, for 10 s as a payment to the lord earl of Warwick's 
servant/s (minstrel/s?) for a gift at various times .... 

mb 2 

... Likewise, for 20 d as a payment to one fool of the lord cardinal for 
a gift .... Likewise, for 20 d as a payment to Lord de Berkeley's 
servant/s (minstrel/s?) for a gift .... Likewise, for 12 d as a payment 
to Lord de Talbot's servant/s (minstrel/s?) for a gift .... Likewise, for 
3 s 4 d as a payment to Lord de Gloucester's servant/s (minstrel/s?) 
for a gift .... Likewise, for 12 d as a payment to Lord de Botreaux's 
servant/s (minstrel/s?) for a gift .... Likewise, for 12 d as a payment 
to Lord de Hungerford's servant/s (minstrel/s?) for a gift .... Likewise, 
for 20 d as a payment to unknown (or foreign) servants (minstrels?) 
for a gift .... Likewise, for 12 d as a payment to the lord earl of Devon's 



TRANSLATIONS 367 

servant/s (minstrel/s?) .... Likewise, for 4 d as a payment to Alfanus 
Trumpeter for a gift .... 

(External expenses) 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 2 s 6 d as a payment for tallow, rosin, 
and thread (wick?) for the cressets to be made therewith to burn before 
the mayor on the night of the feast of St John Baptist and for men hired 
to carry (them) before the mayor and his fellows. Likewise, for 20 d 
as a payment to a/some servant/s (wait/s?) of the said city on the same 
night .... 

mb ld (Final adjustments) 
ooo 
...And 26 s 8 d (are allowed) the same (receiver) for livery given to 
the waits this year .... And 26 s 8 d (are allowed) the same (receiver) 
for the making of the scutcheons made of silver for the waits this 
year .... 

1430-1 
Mayors' Court Roll DRo, ECA: MCR 7/8 Henry vi 
mb 18d (30 January) 
Thomas Serle of Exeter in the county of Devon, butcher, comes in his 
proper person and puts himself at the mercy of the lord king because 
he killed one bull (which was) not baited, contrary to the common 
ordinance of the said city then obtaining. And he finds pledges for his 
settlement, that is, Richard Clemment and Richard Hedman, etc. 

Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 1 (Gifts and grants) 
ooo 
...Likewise, (he accounts for) 20 d as a payment to one servant 
(minstrel ?) of the said earl (of Devon) for a gift .... Likewise, for 3 s 
4 d as a payment to three servants (minstrels?) of the lord earl of 
Warwick at the same time (Easter) for a gift .... 

mb 2 

... Likewise, for 40 d as a payment to Lord de Hungerford's servant/s 
(minstrel/s?) for a gift. Likewise, for 2 s as a payment to players playing 



368 TRANSLATIONS 

at Christmas in the Guildhall before the mayor and his fellows for a 
gift. Likewise, for 20 d as a payment to Lord Botreaux's servant/s 
(minstrel/s?) for a gift. Likewise, for 44 d as a gift to an entertainer 
of the lord duke of Gloucester with his (ie, the duke's) (personal) 
servant. Likewise, for 20 d as a payment to the lord earl of Devon's 
servant/s (minstrel/s?) for a gift. Likewise, for 16 d as a payment to 
a servant (minstrel?) of the lord duke of Westmorland. Likewise, for 
2 s as a payment to two servants (minstrels?) of the said duke another 
time. Likewise, for 2 s as a payment to a servant (minstrel?) called 
Belasus with an (ie, his?) attendant as a gift .... Likewise, for 16 d as 
a reward to city servants (waits?) on the same day by the mayor .... 

mb ld (External expenses) 

... Likewise, he accounts for 26 s 8 d as a payment for the clothing of 
city entertainers this year .... 

1431-2 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 20 d as a gift to the lord earl of 
Huntingdon's servant/s (minstrel/s?). Likewise, for 20 d as a gift to 
Lord de Hungerford's servant/s (minstrel/s?) .... Likewise, for 40 d as 
a payment to Lord de Talbot's servant/s (minstrel/s?) for a gift. 
Likewise, for 20 d for a payment to Lord de la Zouche's servant/s 
(minstrel/s?) for a gift. Likewise, for 20 d for Lord de Scrope's servant/ 
s (minstrel/s ?) for a gift. Likewise, for 16 d on the eve of the Nativity 
of St John Baptist as a payment for bread. Likewise, for 15 s for thirty 
gallons of wine on the same night. Likewise, for 20 d as a gift on the 
same night for one horn(-player) or piper. Likewise, for 20 d for John 
Saverde and his fellows, pipers, on the same night as a gift. Likewise, 
for 20 d as a gift to Lord de Gloucester's servant/s (minstrel/s?) .... 
Likewise, for 20 d as a gift to the lord duke of York's servant/s 
(minstrel/s?) .... Likewise, for 20 d as a gift to one fool of the lady 
queen .... Likewise, for 16 d as a payment to one servant (minstrel?) 
of Taunton and his fellow .... 

(External expenses) 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 26 s 8 d as a payment for the clothing 



TRANSLATIONS 369 

for servants (waits?) of the said city this year .... 

1432-3 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2* (Gifts and grants) 

...[Likewise, (he accounts for) 4 d given to a/some minstrel/s in the 
mayor's house on the same day.]... [Likewise, for 16 d to players 
playing in the mayor's house before the mayor for a gift. Likewise, 
for 12 d on the Sunday before Epiphany for a/some servant/s 
(minstrel/s?) (while) they were in the mayor's house for a gift.]... 
Likewise, for 20 d on the feast of the Invention of the Holy Cross for 
Lord de Hungerford's servant/s (minstrel/s?) for a gift .... [Likewise, 
for 20 d given to players playing in the Castle concerning the 
tournament of Tottenham (or possibly players playing the tournament 
of Tottenham in the Castle) by order of the mayor.]... Likewise, for 
20 d given to the lord cardinal of England's servant/s (minstrel/s?). 
[Likewise, for 8 d for Lord de Botreaux's servant/s (minstrel/s?) for 
a gift.]... Likewise, for 2 s for the servant/s (minstrel/s?) of William 
Bonville, knight, on the Friday next before the feast of St Andrew the 
Apostle for a gift. [Likewise, for 12 d on the same day for Maurice 
Berkeley's servant/s (minstrel/s?) for a gift. ]... Likewise, for 12 d given 
on the feast of St Andrew the Apostle to the lord earl of Huntingdon's 
servant/s (minstrel/s?) for a gift .... [Likewise, for 8 d on the Sunday 
after the feast of the Conception of blessed Mary for two servants 
(minstrels?) of William Bodrugan, knight, for a gift.]... 

mb ld* 

...[Likewise, for 6 d on St John the Evangelist's Day for the Baron 
of Ottery's servant/s (minstrel/s ?) for a gift. ]... Likewise, for 2 s on 
the same day for two servants (minstrels?) of the lord earl of Devon .... 
[Likewise, for 12 d on the eighteenth day of January for two servants 
(minstrels ?) of Lord Botreaux for a gift. ]... Likewise, for 2 s on the 
Tuesday after the feast of the Invention of the Holy Cross for one 
servant (minstrel?) of the lord duke of York for a gift .... [Likewise, 
for 16 d for two servants (minstrels?) of the lady countess of 
Westmorland. ]... [Likewise, for 20 d on the fourteeenth day of July 
to a servant (minstrel?) of Sir Philip Courtenay for a gift.]... Likewise, 
for 20 d given to one entertainer of the lord duke of Gloucester for 
a reward. Likewise, for 2 s given to three entertainers of the lord earl 
of Warwick for a reward. Likewise, for 7 s given to eight entertainers 



TRANSLATIONS 371 

mb 3 

...[Likewise, for 20 d for a payment to Thomas, a fool of the lord 
cardinal, by order of the mayor. ]... Likewise, for 40 d as a gift to Lady 
de Harington's minstrel/s .... Likewise, for 2 d as a gift to a minstrel 
called Duchisman .... Likewise, for 40 d as a gift to three minstrels of 
the lord earl of Huntingdon .... 

1434-5 
Mayors" Court Roll 
mb 10d (6 December) (Waits' pledges) 
Guarantors of John Lynde, one of the 
entertainers of the city of Exeter chosen 
this year. 

DRO, ECA: MCR 13/14 Henry Vl 

Andrew Thryng 
Philip Manscomb 

Guarantors of Hugh Baret, the second of the 
entertainers of the aforesaid city chosen this 
year. 

Walter Bugbroke 
John Gylet 

Guarantors of John Dawe, the third of the 
entertainers of the aforesaid city c .hosen this 
year. 

John Martyn 
(blank) 

1438-9 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 
...Likewise, (he accounts for) 40 d as a payment to four minstrels of 
the earl of Huntingdon on the eve of St Catherine the Virgin for a 
reward. [And for 2 s for their supper.]... Likewise, for 20 d as a 
payment to John Lynde and his fellows on Whir Monday. Likewise, 
for 6 d as a payment to one trumpeter of Philip Courtenay, knight, 
on the same day. Likewise, for 4 d as a payment to one minstrel on 
the same day. Likewise, for 12 d as a payment to seven men who 
carried the May on the same day .... 

mb 3 

...Likewise, for 6 s 8 d as a payment for eight trumpeters of the earl 
of H untingdon. [Likewise, for 12 d for one gallon of wine given to 



372 TRANSLATIONS 

the same.]... Likewise, for 20 d as a payment to two servants 
(minstrels ?) of the lord bishop of Durham .... Likewise, for 20 d as a 
payment to three servants (minstrels ?) of the earl of Somerset [and for 
13 d for their dinner. ] Likewise, for 2 s as a payment to two clarinets 
of Sir Thomas Rempston on the eve of the Nativity of St John Baptist. 
Likewise, for 20 d as a payment to town servants (waits?) on the same 
day .... Likewise, for 5 s as a payment to five minstrels of the lord duke 
of Gloucester on the Sunday next before Holy Cross Day .... Likewise, 
for 12 d for a payment to one minstrel of the lord bishop on the 
Thursday next after Holy Cross Day. 

1439-40 
Mayors" Court Roll DO, ECA: MCR 18/19 Henry vl 
mb 8d (16 November) (Wait's pledge) 
o.o 
Nicholas atte Hole and William Vndy acted as guarantors for William 
Paynter, one of the servants of the city of Exeter, for his good 
behaviour as one of the servants and for the safe-keeping of the 
scutcheon of the aforesaid city handed over to him. 

Receivers" Account Rolls t)Ro, ECA 
mb 4* (Gifts and grants) 

...Likewise, (he accounts for) 6 s 8 d as a payment on Tuesday, the 
sixth day of September, to five minstrels of our lord king at the house 
of the mayor of the city(?) while (they were) staying there, by order 
of the mayor .... 

mb 4d 

... Likewise, for 20 d as a payment on the Monday next before the feast 
of St Matthew the Apostle to a minstrel of the chancellor of the lord 
king (who was) staying at the mayor's house, by order of the mayor .... 
Likewise, for 6 d as a payment to a servant (minstrel?) of Baron de 
Carrew for a gift .... 

mb 2d (External expenses) 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 3 s as a payment for nine yards of canvas, 



TRANSLATIONS 
bought and assigned for the May for May Day by order of the mayor 
and his fellows, at 4 d a yard .... 

373 

1442-3 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 
... Likewise, (he accounts for) 2 s for six men hired to carry the May 
on Monday in Whitsun week. Likewise, for 2 s 4 d for two entertainers 
hired at the same time. Likewise, for 15 d for two pounds of wax 
bought for two torches made therewith to burn on the eve of the 
Nativity of St John Baptist before the mayor and commonalty. 
Likewise, for 4 d for two men hired to carry the same torches at the 
same time. Likewise, for 4 d for oakum and rosin for the material of 
the cressets at the same time. Likewise, for 2 d for two men hired to 
carry the cressets. [Likewise, for 6 d for two entertainers hired at the 
same time.]... 

(Necessary expenses) 
... And (he seeks allowance) of 8 s 5 d paid for linen cloth bought for 
one elephant to be made thereof on Monday in the feast of Pentecost 
And of 6 d paid for its making .... 

1443-4 
Receivers' Account Rolls ORO, ECA 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 
... Likewise, (he accounts for) 2 s for six men hired to carry the May 
on Monday in Whitsun week .... 

1445-6 
Mayors' Court Roll DRO, ECA: MCR 24/5 Henry vl 
mb 2d (11 October) (Waits' pledges) 
Pledges of the servants for the scutcheons: John Clyston, Richard 
Bradmore. And by valuation (blank) 



374 

TRANSLATIONS 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 
... Likewise, (he accounts for) 26 s 8 d as a payment for the robes of 
three servants (waits?) .... 

1447-8 
Receivers" Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

...[Likewise, (he accounts for) 6 s 8 d for a gift to the lord duke of 
Suffolk's servant/s (minstrel/s). Likewise, for 6 s 8 d for a gift to the 
lord duke of Buckingham's servant/s (minstrel/s?).]... 

1450-1 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2* (External expenses) 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 20 s for three gowns bought from Hugh 
Germyn for city servants (waits?) .... 

mb ld (Final adjustments) 

...And 5 s (are allowed) the same (receiver) for the embroidering of 
city servants' (waits'?) gowns .... 

1453-4 
Receivers' Account Rolls PRO, ECA 
mb 2 (External expenses) 
.oo 
... Likewise, (he accounts for) 13 s 4 d for two gowns bought for city 
servants (waits?) .... 

1454-5 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 24 s as a payment for the robes of three 
city pipers this year .... 



TRANSLATIONS 375 

Note 

Note 

1456-7 
Mayors' Court Roll DRO, ECA: MCR 35/6 Henry Vl 
mb l d (4 October) (Waits' pledges) 

ooo 
Guarantors of John Dowe, William Halyday, and John Agaunt, 
chosen as servants for the city of Exeter this year, that is, for the 
scutcheons and for their good behaviour in every respect in the 
aforesaid occupation, etc: Thomas Kelly for William Halyday; and for 
John Agaunt, John Barsaby; and for John Dowe, William Hoigge. 

Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 12 d in silver given to a/some butcher/s 
of Exeter for the baiting of a bull at the bullring according to ancient 
custom .... [Likewise, for 6 s 8 d as a gift to the said duke of Exeter's 
servant/s (minstrel/s?) by order of the mayor and his fellows.] 
Likewise, for 6 s 8 d as a gift to the lord duke of Exeter's servant/s 
(minstrel/s?) as a reward by order of the mayor .... 

(Necessary expenses) 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 26 s 8 d as a payment to Hugh Germyn 
for city servants' (waits'?) gowns this year .... Likewise, for 7 s 4 d on 
expenses incurred about the repair and mending of the [May and the] 
elephant and the May on Monday in Whitsun week .... 

1457-8 
Mayors' Court Roll DRO, ECA: MCR 36/7 Henry vl 
mb ld (3 0ctober) (Waits" pledges) 
ooo 
The names of the servants chosen this year (are) John Dowe and 
William Halyday: pledges for John Dowe according to the usual 
method(?), John Coteler and John Bobyche; likewise, pledges for the 
said William Haliday, the said John Coteler and John Bibiche. 

Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb ld (Externalexpenses) 

First (he accounts for) 16 s 4 d for two gowns bought for city pipers 
this year .... 



376 

TRANSLATIONS 
St John's Bow Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: DD 36766 
mb 31 (Cash receipts) 
... And for 3 s 5 d, received from increases(?), (spent) for one play in 
the same place .... 

1458-9 
Mayors" Couv/Roll DRO, ECA: MCR 37/8 Henry Vl 
mb ld (2 October) (Waits" pledge) 
Guarantor of William Holeday, one of the servants of the city of 
Exeter, for (his) returning the scutcheon and his good behaviour for 
the following year, John Gildon. 

Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 13 s 4 d for two gowns bought for city 
servants (waits?) .... 

1459-60 
Receivers' Account Rolls pRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 
... Likewise, (he accounts for) 12 d as a payment for the trumpeter of 
William the bastard (or of William Bastard) of Exeter at the same time 
by order of the said mayor .... 

mb I d* (Necessary expenses) 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 4 d as a reward given minstrels at Floyers 
Marsh on Easter. Likewise, for 6 d as a reward given to the same at 
the time of the lord earl of Devon's being at Floyers Marsh. 

1460-1 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 

DRO, ECA 

... Likewise, (he accounts for) 2 s in silver given to a/some butcher/s 
of Exeter for the bullbaiting in Exeter on two occasions by order of 



TRANSLATIONS 

377 

the mayor .... Likewise, for 26 s 8 d for three gowns bought for servants 
(waits?) of the city of Exeter. 

1463-4 
Mayors" Court Roll PRO, EtA: MCR 3/4 Edward Iv 
mb 2d (10 October) (Waits' pledges) 
o.o 
Guarantor of John Dawe, one of the servants of the city of Exeter, 
William Hoyg. 
Guarantor of William Holyday, the second of the servants of the same 
city, John Thomas, mercer. 
Guarantor of John Colarne, the third of the servants of the said city, 
Ralph Lauerance. 
.oo 

1464-5 
Mayors' Court Roll PRO, EC: MCR 4/5 Edward Iv 
mb ld (l October) (Waits' pledges) 
Guarantors of Henry Stephenesson for the scutcheon and for (his) 
doing everything which pertains to him for the following year: John 
Hammond and Richard Baker on pain of six marks. Guarantors of 
William Filmore under the same form: Thomas Warberton and 
Richard Toker on pain of six marks. Guarantors of John Agaunt under 
the same form: Robert Smyth and Robert Nuton on pain of six marks. 

1466-7 
Receivers" Account Rolls PRO, Ec, 
mb ld (Gifts and grants) 

... [Likewise, (he accounts for) 8 d as a payment to a/some butcher/s 
for the bullbaiting.]... 

1467-8 
Mayors' Court Roll PRO, ECA: MCR 7/8 Edward Iv 
mb 2d (12 October) (Waits' pledges) 
Guarantors of Richard Stephenson for the scutcheon and for his good 
behaviour in everything to be done which pertains to his office for the 
following year: that is, Thomas White and John Tvlham on pain of 
100 s. 



TRANSLATIONS 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 
...And (he accounts for) 26 s 8 d for the robes of three entertainers .... 

379 

1473-4 
Mayors' Court Roll PRO, EC,: MCR 13/14 Edward Iv 
mb 2d (11 Octoler) (Waits" pledges) 
Guarantors of William Filmore, chosen as one of the performers of 
Exeter for this year following, for his scutcheon and his good 
behaviour in everything to be done by him which pertains to his office: 
that is, Richard Baker and John Clyston. And he was sworn and 
remains. 
Guarantors of Henry Crede, chosen as another of the performers there 
for the same year, for his scutcheon and his good behaviour in 
everything to be done by him which pertains to his office: that is, 
Robert Chubb and Richard Tournor. And he was sworn. 
Guarantors of Robert Beaumont, chosen as the third of the performers 
there for the same year, for his scutcheon and his good behaviour in 
everything to be done by him which pertains to his office: that is, John 
Bunne and Thomas Penhale. And he was sworn. 

1474-5 
Mayors" Court Roll DRO, ECA: MCR 14/15 Edward Iv 
mb 2d (10 October) (Waits' pledges) 
Guarantors of William Filmore, chosen as one of the performers of 
Exeter for this year following, for his scutcheon and for his good 
behaviour in everything to be done by him which pertains to his office: 
that is, Richard Baker and John Cliston. And he was sworn and 
remains. 
Guarantors of Henry Crede, chosen as another of the performers of 
Exeter for this year following, for his scutcheon and his good 
behaviour in everything which pertains (to) his office: that is, Robert 
Chubb and Richard Turner. And he was sworn and remains. 
Guarantors of Robert Beamont, chosen as the third of the performers 
there for the same year, for his scutcheon and his good behaviour in 
everything which pertains to his office: that is, John Browne and 
Thomas Penhale. And he was sworn and remains. 



380 TRANS! ATIONS 

1476-7 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 3 (Fees paid) 
...And (he accounts for) 27 s for the robes of three performers .... 

1477-8 
/[a.$,ors' Coi4Ft Roll DRO, ECA: MCR 17/18 Edward Iv 
mb 2d (13 October) (Waits' pledges) 
Guarantors of William Filmore, chosen as one of the performers of 
Exeter for this year following, for his scutcheon and for his good 
behaviour in everything to be done by him which pertains to his office: 
that is, Richard Baker and John Cliston. And he was sworn and 
remains. 
Guarantors of Henry Crede, chosen as another of the performers of 
Exeter for this year following, for his scutcheon and for his good 
behaviour in everything which pertains to his office: that is, Robert 
Chubb and Richard Torner. And he is sworn and remains. 
Guarantors of Robert Beamont, chosen as the third of the performers 
there for the same year, for his scutcheon and his good behaviour in 
everything which pertains to his office: that is, John Bunne and 
Thomas Penhale. And he was sworn and remains. 

1478-9 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 3 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

...And (he accounts for) 27 s as a payment for the robes of three 
performers .... 

1480-1 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, FCA 
mb 3 (Fees paid) 
...And (he accounts for) 27 s as a payment for the robes of three 
performers .... 



TRANSLATIONS 381 

1481-2 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 3 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

...And (he accounts for) 27 s as a payment for the robes of three 
performers .... 

(Gifts and grants) 

...And (he accounts for) 40 d given to a bearward as a gratuity .... And 
for 10 s as a payment to the master of the Skinners' craft for the 
maintenance of their burdens this year by the favour (and) concession 
of the city .... 

Holy Trinity Churchwardens'Accounts PRo: 1718A add/PW2 
mb 6 (24 June) (St George's Guild) (Final adjustments) 

...And paid to these various performers this year, 16 d .... 

1482-3 
Mayors" Court Roll DRO, ECA: MCR 22 Edward Iv/I Richard m 
mb 2d (7 October) (Waits" pledges) 
Robert Beamont John Parker and John lule 
John loce JohnSegour JohnBrendon 
Thomas loce Thomas Pyke John Hoigye 
Guarantors for the collars of the performers 
of the city of Exeter. 
Receivers" Account Rolls PRO, ECA 
mb 3 (Fees paid) 
...And (he accounts for) 27 s as a payment for the robes of the three 
entertainers .... 



TRANSLATIONS 
(Necessary expenses) 
...And (he accounts for) 8 d for the keepers of the shambles for 
bullbaiting .... 

383 

1487-8 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Gifts and grants) 
...And (he accounts for) 10 s for the Skinners for the maintenance of 
the mass of Corpus Christi .... 

(Fees paid) 
...And (he accounts for) 40 s as a payment for three performers' 
robes .... 

St John's Bow Churchwardens' Accounts DRO: DD 36768 
mb 13" (1 November-24 June) (Final adjustments) 
...Afterwards they were debited for 111/2 d received from a play at 
Frerenhay this year. And for 5 s received from another play called 
Robin Hood this year .... 

(Payments) 
...And 11 I/2 d (were) charged to them above for the play in Frerenhay 
this year because (it was) in the market(?) .... 

1488-9 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 
...And (he accounts for) 40 s as a payment for three performers' robes 
this year .... 



386 TRANSLATIONS 

Dean and Chapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 82 (Expenses) 
o.o 
Likewise, (they allow) 10 s as a reward given to the lord king's 
performers this year. 

1494-5 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

..And (he accounts for) 40 s as a payment for the robes of three 
performers of the same city .... 

mb 3 (Gifts and grants) 
...And (he accounts for) 10 s as a payment to the warden/s of the 
Corpus Christi brotherhood this year to maintain their play .... 

(Expenses incurred) 

...And (he accounts for) 16 d as a payment for the baiting of one bull 
as is the custom .... 

Dean and Cbapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 84 (Expenses) 

Likewise, (they allow) 6 s 8 d to servants, (called) minstrels in English, 
of our lord king. 

Likewise, 13 s 4 d as a reward made to minstrels of the lord king. 

1495-6 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 
...And (he accounts for) 40 s for the robes of three performers of the 
said city .... 



TRANSLATIONS 387 
(Gifts and grants) 
...And (he accounts for) (blank) for the warden/s of the Corpus Christi 
brotherhood for the maintenance of their play .... 

mb 3 (Necessary expenses) 

...And (he accounts for) 8 d for the baiting of one bull carried out this 
year. And for 8 d for a gratuity given to a/some butcher/s for the 
aforesaid bull .... And for 5 s for a play put on in the Guild hall of 
Exeter before the mayor and his fellows. And for 3 d for fuel used in 
the fireplace there at the time of the same play .... And for 6 s 8 d as 
a payment to the lord king's perf6rmers for a gratuity .... 

Dean and Chapter Account Book euL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 85v (Expenses) 
Likewise, (they allow) 10 s as a reward given to various performers 
of the lord king. 

1496-7 
Mayors' Court Roll PrO, eCA: MCR 12/13 Henry vii 
mb 3 (17 October) (Waits' pledges) 
Guarantors for Robert Beamont, one of the performers of the city of 
Exeter, for the faithful exercise of his office as well as for the return 
of his collar: that is, John Toker, hosier, and William Hopkyn for the 
current year. 
Guarantors for Nicholas Broune, the second of the performers of the 
same city, for his office as well as for his collar: that is, John Wynter 
and John Wyll, baker. 
Guarantors for Nicholas Meryett, the third of the performers of the 
aforesaid city, for his office as well as for his collar: that is, John 
Straddon and Lawrence Draper, etc. 



388 TRANSLATIONS 

Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2 (Fees paid) 
... And (he accounts for) 40 s for the robes of three performers of the 
said city .... 

mb 3 (Gifts and grants) 
... And for nil for the warden/s of the Corpus Christi brotherhood for 
the maintenance of their play .... 

(Payments to royal servants) 
...And (he accounts for) 6 s 8 d as a payment to the lord king's 
entertainers, that is, the trumpeters, for their gratuity .... 
ooo 

1497-8 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 3 (Fees paid) 
...And (he accounts for) 40 s as a payment for the robes of three 
performers of the aforesaid city .... 

Dean and Chapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 89 (Expenses) 
Likewise, (they allow) 10 s to the lord king's performers as a reward 
from the chapter. 

1498-9 
Receivers' Account Rolls 
mb 2d (Fees paid) 

DRO, ECA 

... And (he accounts for) 40 s for the robes of three performers of the 
city of Exeter .... 



TRANSLATIONS 391 

Gifts made to 
performers of 
the lord king 
and to others 

1503-4 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 3 (Civic officials" fees) 
...And (he accounts for) 40 s for the common performers of the said 
city both for their pension and their livery .... 

mb 4 (Guildhall expenses) 
...And (he accounts for) 6 s 8 d in cash paid to players for a play put 
on there before the mayor and his fellows and very many others 
there .... 

mb 2d 
...And (he accounts for) 13 s 4 d in cash paid to the lord king's 
performers for a reward in the house of William Frost .... 

Dean and Chapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 99v (Expenses) 
Likewise, (they allow) 10 s as a reward given to the lord king's 
performers this year. 

1504-5 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 3 (Civic officials" fees) 
...And (he accounts for) 40 s for the common performers of the said 
city for their livery and pension yearly .... 
mb 4 (Guildhall expenses) 
...And (he accounts for) 4 s as a reward for players hired to play there. 
And for 2'/2 d for the carriage of fuel bought at that time .... 
(External expenses) 
...And (he accounts for) 6 s 8 d in cash paid as a reward to bearwards 



392 TRANSLATIONS 

here on two occasions this year for baiting (of bears). And for 16 d 
for wine drunk at that time among the Twenty-four. And for 8 d in 
cash paid to John Pomeray for the baiting of one bull. And for 15 d 
for wine drunk at that time .... And for 10 s in cash paid as a reward 
to the lord king's performers .... 

Dean and Chapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 101 (Expenses) 
Likewise, (they allow) 10 s as a reward given to the lord king's 
performers on the thirteenth day of September. 

1505-6 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 4 (Civic officials'fees) 

... And (he accounts for) 40 s for the common performers of the said 
city for their livery and pension yearly .... 

Dean and Chapter Account Book euu: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 103 (1 August) (Expenses) 
Likewise, (they allow) 10 s as a reward given to the lord king's 
performers on (the feast) of St Peter in Chains. 

1506-7 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 3 (Civic officials' fees) 
... And (he accounts for) 40 s for the common performers of the said 
city for their livery and pension yearly .... 

Dean and Chapter Account Book eUL: Cat.hedral D & C 3779 
f 105 (Expenses) 

Likewise, (they allow) 10 s to the lord king's performers for a reward 
this year .... 



TRANSLATIONS 395 

1512-13 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 4 (Civic officials' fees) 
ooo 
...And (he accounts for) 40 s for the common performers of the said 
city for their livery and pension .... And for 16 d in cash paid to the 
wardens of the shambles for the baiting of bulls .... 

Dean and Chapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 115v (Expenses) 
Likewise, (they allow) 10 s to the lord king's performers on the seventh 
day of June as a reward. 

1513-14 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 5 (Civic officials" fees) 

...And (he accounts for) 40 s for the common performers of the said 
city for their winter livery and pension. And for 20 s to the same for 
their autumn livery by consent of the Twenty-four .... And for 16 d 
in cash paid to the wardens of the shambles for the baiting of bulls on 
one occasion .... 

Dean and Chapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 117v (Expenses) 
Likewise, (they allow) 10 s to three performers of the king for a 
reward. 

1514-15 
Receivers" Account Rolls PRO, ECA 
mb 4 (Civic officials" fees) 
.oo 
...And (he accounts for) 40 s for the common performers of the said 
city for their winter livery and pension. And for 20 s for the same for 
their autumn livery by consent of the Twenty-four .... And for 16 d 
in cash paid to the wardens of the shambles of the baiting of bulls on 
one occasion .... 



398 TRANSLATIONS 

Dean and Chapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 125 (Expenses) 
Likewise, (they allow) 10 s to the lord king's performers for a gift. 

St John "s Bow Churchwardens" Accounts DRO: DD 36769 
mb 6 (1 November-31 October) (Cash receipts) 

...And for 14 d received for tunics belonging to play hired out this 
year .... 

1520-1 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 3d (Civic officials" fees) 

... And (he accounts for) 36 s 6 d for the common performers of the 
said city for their winter livery and pension. And for 20 s for the same 
for their autumn livery by consent of the Twenty-four .... And for 
8 d in cash paid to the wardens of the shambles for the baiting of bulls 
on one occasion. And for 12 d for wine and pears drunk (and eaten) 
then .... 

Dean and Chapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 126v (Expenses) 
Likewise, (they allow) 10 s to the lord king's performers for a reward. 

1521-2 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 5 (Civic officials' fees) 

... And (he accounts for) 36 s 6 d for the common performers of the 
said city for their winter livery and pension. And for 20 s for the same 
for their autumn livery by consent of the Twenty-four .... And for 
16 d in cash paid to the wardens of the shambles for the baiting of bulls 
on one occasion. And for 2 s 6 d for wine and pears drunk (and eaten) 
then .... 



TRANSLATIONS 399 

Dean and Chapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 127v (Expenses) 

Likewise, (they allow) 10 s to the lord king's performers for a reward. 

Note 

1522-3 
Dean and Chapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 129 (Expenses) 
Likewise, (they allow) 10 s to the lord king's performers on the 
sixteenth of September in the year of the Lord stated above. 

1523-4 
Receivers" Account Rolls t)RO, ECA 
mb 4d (Civic officals" fees) 

...And (he accounts for) 48 s 8 d as a payment to the common 
performers of the city for their winter livery and for (their) pension. 
And for 26 s 8 d for the same for their autumn livery by agreement 
of the Twenty-four .... And for 8 d in cash paid to the wardens of the 
shambles for the baiting of bulls on one occasion. And for 8 d for wine 
and pears consumed at that time .... 

mb 2d* (Final adjustments) 
Be it known that there remain in the hands of the said accountant above 
and beyond the aforesaid sum one silver collar made for one performer 
of the said (city) .... Be it known (English follows). 

Dean and Chapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 130v (Expenses) 
Likewise, (they allow) 10 s for a reward to the lord king's performers 
on the second day of August. 



400 TRANSLATIONS 

1524-5 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 4d (Civic officials" fees) 
...And (he accounts for) 36 s 8 d as a payment to the common 
performers of the said city for their winter livery and for (their) 
pension. And for 20 s for the same for their autumn liveries by 
agreement of the Twenty-four .... And for 8 d in cash paid to the 
wardens of the shambles for the baiting of bulls on one occasion. And 
for 22 d for wine and pears consumed at that time .... 

mb 3d (Allo,ances) 

... And 2 s (are allowed) as a payment to a bearward of the lord king 
called the king's bearward. 

mb 2d 

...And 3 s 4 d as a payment to the lady countess of Devon's 
performers .... And 10 s as a payment to the lord king's performers .... 

Dean and Cbapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 131v (Expenses) 

ooo 
Likewise, (they allow) 10 s to the lord king's performers as a reward 
on the twenty-fourth day of the month of September in the year of 
the Lord 1525. 

St John's Bow Churchwardens' Accounts pRO: DD 36769 
mb 11 (I November-31 October) (Cash receipts) 

... And for nothing received for the leasing of the bells for the morris 
dance .... 

1525-6 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 4d (Civic officials' fees) 

...And (he accounts for) 36 s 6 d as a payment to the common 
performers of the said city for their winter livery and for (their) 
pension. And for 20 s for the same performers for their autumn livery 



TRANSLATIONS 401 

by agreement of the Twenty-four .... And for 8 d in cash paid to the 
wardens of the shambles for the baiting of the bulls on one occasion. 
And for nil for wine and pears consumed at that time .... 

mb 3d (Allowances) 

...And 10 s (are allowed) in cash paid to the lord king's performers .... 
And 3 s 4 d in cash paid to the lady countess of Devon's performers .... 

Dean and Chapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 132v (Expenses) 
.oo 
Likewise, (they allow) 10 s to the lord king's performers as a reward 
on the twelfth day of the month of June in the year of the Lord 1526. 

1526-7 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 5d (Civic officials'fees) 

...And (he accounts for) 36 s 6 d as a payment for three common 
performers of the said city for their winter livery and for (their) 
pension. And for 26 s 8 d for four [the same] performers for their 
autumn livery by agreement of the Twenty-four .... And for 8 d in cash 
paid to the wardens of the shambles for the baiting of bulls on one 
occasion. And for 3 s 2 d for wine and pears used then .... 

mb 4d (Expenses and payments) 
ooo 
...And (he accounts for) 3 s 4 d in cash paid on the eighth day of 
January to the countess of Devon's performers as a reward in the 
mayor's house .... And for 2 s in cash paid to Lord FitzWarin's 
performers on the twenty-eighth day of January in the mayor's 
house .... 

mb 3d 

...And for 5 s in cash paid for the baiting of Lord de Suffoik's bears. 
And for 10 s in cash paid to the lord king's performers .... And for 
20 d in cash paid to the lord chief justice's performers in the mayor's 



402 

TRANSLATIONS 
house. And for 5 s in cash paid to the lord king's iesters in the same 
place .... 

mb 2d 

... And for 6 s 8 d paid to the king's players. And for 12 d in cash paid 
to the lord admiral's performers .... 

Dean and Chapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 134 (Pa),ments and expenses) 
Likewise, (they allow) 10 s to the lord king's performers as a reward 
on the twenty-fifth day of the month of June in the year of the Lord 
1527. 

1527-8 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 4 (Civic officials' fees) 

...And (he accounts for) 48 s 8 d as a payment to four common 
performers of the said city for their winter livery and for their pension. 
And for 26 s 8 d for the same performers for their autumn livery by 
the recently granted agreement of the Twenty-four .... 

mb 4d 
...And for 8 d in cash paid to the wardens of the shambles for the 
baiting of bears on one occasion. And for 3 s 8 d for wine and pears 
consumed at that time .... 

(Expenses) 

...And (he accounts for) 6 s 8 d in cash paid to performers of Lord 
Henry, the earl of Devon .... And for 3 s 4 d in cash paid to the duke 
of Suffolk's bearward for the beating (ie, baiting) of his bears. And 
for 12 d in cash paid for wine consumed at that time at the house of 
John Crofte .... And for 20 d in cash paid to two performers of the 
lord king's bedchamber who were playing with a kit and a bagpipe .... 



404 TRANSLATIONS 

1529-30 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 6 (Civic officials" fees) 
...And (he accounts for) 36 s 6 d as a payment for three common 
performers of the said city for their winter livery and for their pension. 
And for 20 s as a payment for the same performers for their autumn 
livery by the agreement recently granted by the Twenty-four .... And 
for 8 d in cash paid to the wardens of the shambles for the baiting of 
bulls there on one occasion. And for 5 s 6 d for wine and pears 
consumed then .... 

1530-1 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 6 (Civic officials' fees) 

...And (he accounts for) 36 s 6 d as a payment for three common 
performers of the said city for their winter livery (and) for their 
pension. And for 20 s as a payment for the same performers for their 
autumn livery by the agreement recently granted by the Twenty- 
fou r .... 

Dean and Chapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 139v (Payments and expenses) 

Likewise, (they allow) 10 s to the lord king's performers on the 
twentieth day of August in the aforesaid year. 

1531-2 
Dean and Chapter Account Book 
f 141 (Payments and expenses) 

EUL; Cathedral D & C 3779 

Likewise, (they allow) 10 s to the lord king's performers on the 
fourteenth day of July in the year of the Lord 1532. 

1532-3 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 4d (Civic officials'fees) 

oo. 
And (he accounts for) 36 s 6 d as a payment for three common 



TRANSLATIONS 

performers of the said city for their winter livery (and) for their 
pension. And for 20 s as a payment for the same performers for their 
autumn livery by the agreement recently granted by the Twenty-four. 

Dean and Chapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 142v (Payments and expenses) 

Likewise, (they allow) 10 s as a payment to the lord king's performers 
on the fifth day of September in the year of the Lord 1533. 

405 

1533-4 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 4d (Civic officials" fees) 

...And (he accounts for) 20 s as a payment to three common performers 
for their autumn livery recently granted by the Twenty-four. And for 
36 s 6 d for the same performers for their winter liveries .... 

Dean and Chapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 143v (Payments and expenses) 

ooo 
Likewise, (they allow) 10 s as a reward to the lord king's performers 
on the last day of September. 

1534-5 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 4 (Civic officials" fees) 
...And (he accounts for) 20 s as a payment to three common performers 
for their autumn livery recently granted by the Twenty-four. And for 
36 s 6 d to the same performers for their winter liveries .... 

Dean and Chapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 145 (Payments and expenses) 
Likewise, (they allow) 10 s as a reward to the lord king's performers 
on the twenty-fourth day of June in the year of the Lord 1535. 



406 TRA NSLATIONS 

1535-6 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 4 (Civic officials' fees) 

... And (he accounts for) [20 s] rnothing this year  as a payment to three 
common performers for their autumn livery, recently granted by the 
Twenty-four, rbecause they refuse to use (it) 1. And for 36 s 6 d for 
the same performers for their winter liveries .... 

Dean and Chapter Account Book EUL." Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 146v (Payments and expenses) 
Likewise, (they allow) 10 s for the lord king's performers as a reward 
on the seventeenth day of September. 

1536-7 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 4 (Civic officials'fees) 
... And (he accounts for) 20 s as a payment to three common performers 
for their autumn livery recently granted by the Twenty-four. And for 
36 s 6 d for the same performers for their winter liveries .... 

mb 4d 
... And for 8 d in cash paid to the wardens of the shambles of the said 
city for the baiting of bulls .... 

1537-8 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 5d (Civic officials' fees) 

... And (he accounts for) 8 d in cash paid to the wardens of the shambles 
of the said city for the baiting of bulls. And for 2 s 3 d as a payment 
for wine and pears consumed at that time .... 



TRANSLATIONS 407 

1538-9 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 3d (Civic officials' fees) 

...And (he accounts for) 8 d in cash paid to the wardens of the shambles 
of the said city for the baiting of bulls. And for 3 s 9 d as a payment 
for wine and pears consumed at that time .... 

1539-40 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 4d (Civic officials" fees) 

...And (he accounts for) 8 d in cash paid to the wardens of the shambles 
of the said city for the baiting of bulls. 

1540-1 
Dean and Chapter Account Book EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 
f 154 (Payments and expenses) 
Likewise, (they allow) 13 s 4 d as a reward to the lord king's 
performers. 

1541-2 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 4d (Civic officials' fees) 

...And (he accounts for) nothing in cash paid to the wardens of the 
shambles of the said city for the baiting of bulls .... 

1546-7 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 4d (Civic officials' fees) 

...And (he accounts for) 36 s 6 d as a payment to city performers for 
their winter livery. And for 20 s as a payment to the same for (their) 
autumn livery. 



1547-8 
Receivers' Account Rolls DO, Eca, 
mb 4d (Civic officials' fees) 

... And (he accounts for) 48 s 8 d as a payment to city performers for 
(their) winter livery. And for 26 s 8 d as a payment to the same for 
(their) autumn livery .... 

mb I d (Final adjustments ) 

... Of which (money owed) 10 s are allowed him for the lack of receipts 
of one building next the church of St Kerian because it is let this year 
to city performers without (any) payments of rent owing. He is 
charged to the amount of 10 s above .... 

1548-9 
Receivers" Account Rolls ORO, 
mb 4d (Civic officials'fees) 

... And (he accounts for) 48 s 8 d as a payment to city performers for 
(their) winter livery. And for 26 s 8 d as a payment to the same for 
(their) autumn livery. And for 26 s 8 d as a payment to (these) 
performers for their fees this year .... 

mb 2d (Final adjustments) 

...Of which (money owed) 10 s are allowed him for the lack of receipts 
of one building next the entrance of the church of St Kerian - he is 
charged to the amount of 10 s above - because it is let to (city) 
performers by consent of the Twenty-four .... 

1549-50 
Receivers' Account Rolls pRO, rca, 
mb 3d (Civic officials' fees) 

...And (he accounts for) 36 s 6 d as a payment to three performers of 
the aforesaid city for (their) winter livery. And for 20 s as a payment 
to the same for (their) autumn livery. And for 25 s [3 d] as a payment 
to the aforesaid performers for their fees this year .... 



TRANSLATIONS 409 

mb ld (Final adjustments) 

...And further, 10 s are allowed him for the lack of receipts of the 
building next the entrance of the church of St Kerian - he is charged 
to the amount of 10 s above - because it is let to city performers by 
the agreement of the city without (any) payments of rent owing .... 

1550-1 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 3d (Civic officials' fees) 

...And (he accounts for) 36 s 6 d as a payment to three performers of 
the aforesaid city for their winter livery. And for 20 s as a payment 
to the same for their autumn livery. And for 20 s as a payment to the 
aforesaid performers for their fee this year .... 

mb 2d (Final adjustments) 

...And further, 10 s are allowed him for the rent of one building next 
the entrance of the church of St Kerian - he is charged to the amount 
of 10 s above - because it is granted to city performers by the 
agreement of the Twenty-four without any payment owed from it .... 

1551-2 
Receivers" Account Rolls pRO, ECA 
mb 3d (Civic officials' fees) 

...And (he accounts for) 36 s 6 d as a payment to three performers of 
the aforesaid city for their winter livery. And for 20 s as a payment 
to the same for their autumn livery. And for 20 s as a payment to the 
aforesaid performers for their fees this year .... 

mb 2d (Final adjustments) 

...And further, he seeks allowance of 10 s for the lack of the rent of 
one building next the entrance (of the church) of St Kerian - he is 
charged to the amount of 10 s above - because it is granted to city 
performers without (any) payment of rent owing from it by agreement 
of the Twenty-four .... 



TRANSLATIONS 411 

1555-6 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 3d (Civic officials' fees) 

...And (he accounts for) 36 s 6 d as a payment to three performers of 
the aforesaid city for their winter livery. And for 20 s as a payment 
to the same for their autumn livery. And for 20 s as a payment to the 
aforesaid performers for their fee this year .... And for 14 s as a payment 
to three performers as a reward for livery granted them by the Twenty- 
four this year .... 

1556-7 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 2d (Necessary expenses) 
And (he accounts for) 58 s 2 d in cash given to performers (of the city?) 
as a reward for a performance before the mayor, the Twenty-four, and 
the commonalty in the Guild hall. 

Receivers'Account Book 5 DRO, ECA: Box 214, Book 5 
f 5* (Civic officials'fees) 
Likewise, to three performers for their winter robes, 36 s 6 d. 
Likewise, to the same for summer tunics, 24 s. 
Likewise, to the same as a reward toward the aforesaid things, 15 s 6 d. 
Likewise, to the same for their pension this year, 20 s. 

1558-9 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 3d (Civic officials' fees) 
...And (he accounts for) 36 s 6 d as a payment to three performers of 
the said city for their winter livery. And for 20 s as a payment to the 
same for their autumn livery. And for 20 s as a payment to the same 
performers for their fee this year. And for 7 s 4 d as a payment to the 
same for a tunic for (their) boy .... 



414 TRANSLATIONS 

1565-6 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 5d (Civic officials' fees) 
... And (he accounts for) 24 s 4 d as a payment to two performers of 
the said city for their winter livery. And for 21 s 8 d for them as a 
reward toward their livery. And for 13 s 4 d as a payment to the same 
performers for their autumn livery. And for 18 s 5 d for them as a 
reward toward their livery. And for 20 s for them for fees .... 

1566-7 
Receivers" Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 5d (Civic officials'fees) 

...And (he accounts for) 36 s 8 d as a payment for two performers of 
the said city for their winter livery. And for 9 s 4 d for them as a reward 
toward their livery. And for 20 s as a payment to the same performers 
for their autumn livery. And for 10 s 6 d for them as a reward toward 
(their) livery. And for 20 s for them for their pension .... 

1567-8 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 4d (Civic officials" fees) 

...And (he accounts for) 37 s 6 d as a payment to three performers of 
the said city for their winter livery. And for 37 s 6 d as a payment to 
them as a reward toward their livery. And for 20 s as a payment for 
the same performers for their autumn livery. And for 20 s I d for them 
as a reward toward their livery. And for 26 s 8 d for them for (their) 
pension. And for 24 s as a payment for two tunics for one boy of the 
performers .... 

1568-9 
Receivers' Account Rolls DRO, ECA 
mb 4d (Civic officials" fees) 
... And (he accounts for) 36 s 6 d as a payment to three performers of 
the same city for their winter liveries. And for 37 s 6 3/4 d as a payment 
to the same performers as a reward toward the same liveries. And for 
10 s 3 3/4 d as a payment to John Basyll, he being the boy of one of 
the performers, for his winter livery, that is, for (his) tunic. And for 
20 s as a payment to the same three performers for their autumn 



436 

TRANSLATIONS 
the waits (?). And (that it be made) for him for 3 s 4 d paid for the 
mending (of) the lutes and picks .... 
COWICK PRIORY 
c. 1475 
Compotus of St Andrew's PHory t)RO: W 1258/G4/53/1-5 
mb 2* (External expenses) 
...And 3 s 6 d (were) paid for the bishop of St Nicholas (ie, the boy 
bishop) and given together with other alms by order of the lord 
(prior) .... 



Endnotes 

4-6 Bishop Peter Quinel's Statutes 
These statutes survive in thirteen known manuscripts, twelve of which were examined for the 
collation and edition prepared by Frank Barlow for Powicke and Cheney, Councils and 
Synods, vol 2, pt 2, pp 982-1059. A thirteenth manuscript not used by Barlow was brought 
to our attention by the archivist of the Exeter Cathedral Library, Mrs Audrey Erskine. Its 
shelfmark is Exeter Cathedral Library, Dean and Chapter Archives 3549a. 
Unlike most REED editions of texts surviving in multiple manuscripts, this one does not use 
abase text to which the others are collated. SL: Harley 220 was chosen by Barlow as the base 
text for his edition because that manuscript contains the best text of the penitential Sumrnula 
of Bishop Quinel, which is also printed in Councils and Synods. No one of the thirteen 
manuscripts could be preferred on the basis of the sections included here. Indeed, Barlow him- 
self concluded that there was no one best manuscript of the statutes (p 983). The text printed 
here is therefore based upon a full collation and recension of all the manuscripts. 
The selection of the readings to appear in the printed text and collation makes the most 
reasonable compromise possible between the recensionist methods of textual criticism and 
REED'S rigorous demand that the minutiae of scribal usage be preserved. The majority of the 
manuscripts have been followed as a guide to spelling whenever possible. However, the 
manuscripts themselves are not internally consistent on two points: the uses of the 'u' and 'v' 
letter forms, and the use of the long and short 'i' forms. Therefore, editorial consistency has 
been imposed: the 'v' form is used initially and the 'u' form elsewhere, and the long 'i', ('j') 
is used only as the final character in a series of 'i's. Punctuation and capitalization are also 
supplied. In general, as little punctuation as possible is used, and is inserted only as deemed 
necessary to make the periodic structure of some of the sentences clear. The first letter in each 
new sentence and in the title is capitalized, as well as the first letter of proper names. Otherwise 
lower case is used. 
The practice of preferring readings represented by the largest number of manuscripts has 
not been followed. Instead, those readings have been chosen that produce correct Latin syntax, 
even when they are represented by the smaller number of manuscripts. At times the less well- 
represented reading has been preferred when it was more suitable to the canonical context. 
Thus the text presented here contains the best readings to be found in all the available man- 
uscripts. Although every word can be found in one or more of the manuscripts, the whole 
cannot be found in any one of them. Therefore, in keeping with the usual practice of REED 
collations, a critical apparatus of alternate readings has been included. Minor variations in 



438 ENDNOTES 

spelling, capitalization, and word division are not noted in the apparatus, where only the more 
significant variants are recorded. In an edited text of this kind it has been impossible to follow 
the standard REED policy of indicating expansions by italics. The difficulties in recording all 
the differences in abbreviation and indicating them in the apparatus, as well as in determining 
in some cases which form of abbreviation to choose, would have been almost insurmountable, 
and any solution would have produced a very awkward text. 
The manuscript sigla assigned by Barlow in the introduction to his edition (pp 982-4) have 
been used here. The new manuscript has been designated as P. A list of the sigla is provided 
below, together with remarks specifically relevant to the sections used in this volume. For a 
fuller description of the manuscripts, their affiliations, and the place of these statutes in the 
general history of English canonical collections, see Barlow's introduction. 

A: Exeter Cathedral, Dand CArchives, 3522. Chapter 13, titlep37, REEOSeCtionp38; 
chapter 17, title p 41, REED section p 44. 
B: Exeter Cathedral, D and C Archives 3523. This chapter has been corrected either by 
the scribe or another contemporary hand (B2). Chapter 13, title f 15, REED section f 15v; 
chapter 17, title f 17, REED section ff 17v-18. 
C: Exeter Cathedral, D and C Archives, 3524, Chapter 13, title f 35v, REED section, f 36; 
chapter 17, title f 38, REED section ff 39-9v. 
D: 3t Harlev 220. This manuscript has been corrected either by the scribe or by another 
contemporary hand (D2). There are heavy marginal notes of a legal character, none of which 
pertain to the sections used here. There is a marginal hand pointing to the quotation from 
Gregory the Great in chapter 17. Chapter 13, title f 18, REED section f 1 By; chapter 17, title 
f 20, REED section f 20v. 
E: 3t Harley 3850. Chapter 13, title f 17, REED SeCtion f 17V; chapter 17, title f 19, REED 
section f 20. 
F: Bodleian Library, Rawlinson C 565. This manuscript contains post-seventeenth cen- 
tury marginalia that are normally summary titles or section headings. In the section used 
by REED only one is worthy of note. On p 22, beginning one half-line above the start of 
the REED section, is the following gloss: Durus est hic sermo nostris Diebus. Chapter 13, 
title p 21, REED section p 22; chapter 17, title p 24, REED section ff 25-5v. 
G: Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, 443. There is some damage or blurring apparent 
in this manuscript along the gutter between f 27v and 28. Chapter 13, title f 27, REEl3 section 
ff 27v-8; chapter 17, title f 30v, REED section ff 32--2v. 
H: Bodleian Library, Digby 35. Chapter 13, title f 24v, REED section ff 25-5v; chapter 
17, title f 27, REED section ff 28-8v. 
J: Bodleian Library, Rawlinson C 314. Chapter 13, title f 14, REED section f 14v; chapter 
17, title f 16, REED section ff 16v-17. 
K: Bodleian Library, Rawlinson C 323. There is a marginal 'Nora bene' next to the first 
line of the REED text in chapter 17. Chapter 13, title f 19v, REED section f 20; chapter 17, 
title f 22, REED section ff 22v-3. 
L: National Library of Wales, Peniarth 162 part 1. Chapter 13, title f25, REED SeCtion, 
f 25v; chapter 17, title f 29, REED section ff 31-Iv. 
N: 3t Additional 24057. This manuscript has been corrected by the scribe or another con- 
temporary hand (N2). Chapter 13, title and REED section on f 72 col 2; chapter 17, title 
f 73v col 1, RED section f 73v col 2. 



ENDNOTES 

439 

P: Exeter Cathedral, Dand C Archives, 3549a. Chapter 13, title f31, REED SeCtiOn f31v; 
chapter 17, title f 35, REED section f 36-6v. 

According to Barlow (p 983), there are three families: AC, BDEHKLN, and FG. He assigns 
J to no family. P belongs to the same family as AC. 

6-7 DRO: Chanter 4 f 174v 
The double dots (!. 17) were used in medieval documents in a way analogous to the use of 
A.B. in modern legal formulae or form books. Normally, they indicate either that the name 
of the addressee was unknown to the sender (unlikely in this case) or that the letter was ad- 
dressed to that person not in his proper persona, but in an official capacity, to be opened and 
acted upon by whoever was currently exercising the office. In any age of often slow communi- 
cations, the identity of a prior or subdean might change between the sending of the letter and 
its arrival. Addressing it to '.. subdecano,' rather than 'Iohanni Smythe subdecano,' would 
ensure that it was acted upon. 

9-10 DRO." Chanter 3 ff 156-6v 
There was of course no such order or place as 'ordinis...de Brothelyngham'. The editor of 
the complete register of Bishop Grandisson, F.C. Hingeston-Randolph, noted the difficulty 
and hazarded the guess 'that the Bishop, in his indignation, invented a name for them, and 
stigmatized them as the iniquitous fraternity of scoundreldom' (p 1055, n. 1 ). It is likely that 
the letter was intended to suppress an abbot of misrule and his followers, or possibly, given 
the date, a hocking game. The invented place-name Brothelyngham, which in modern English 
might be 'Wretchton,' is not unlike the invented place-name 'Marham,' used in Shrewsbury 
as one of the designations of the abbot of misrule. 
Hingeston-Randolph, in the note quoted in part above, accepts the phrase 'in teatro' (p 10, 
1. 2), which appears both here and in a later document from this register also printed here 
(p 11, 1. 17), as evidence for an actual permanent theatre in Exeter at this date. But the word 
'theatrum' had a more general range of meanings than simply 'a theatre' and M.H. Marshall, 
in her article 'Theatre in the Middle Ages,' Symposium, 4 (1950), 1-39, 366-89, cites these 
two episcopal letters as examples of the use of 'teatrum' to mean a market-place or public square 
(p 381). Although in the absence of any concrete evidence for the existence of a theatre in Exeter 
at the time, 'theatre' cannot be used as the translation of 'teatrum', here, a specific place is 
almost certainly being referred to and therefore the expressions 'market-place' or 'public 
square' are inappropriate. So 'in teatro' has been left in Latin in the translations of these two 
episcopal letters. In the later episcopal letter of Bishop Lacy (p 16, 1.4), however, the phrase 
has been translated as 'in a theatre' because its application is very general and because it is used 
in conjunction with a very traditional definition of 'teatrum.' 
The use of the phrase "pro carnpana' (p 10, 11.3-4) together with the verb 'adorare' as well 
as the use of the noun 'sacrificium' four lines below suggest that Grandisson either perceived 
or wished to imply that this ceremony was somehow a travesty of either the devotions to the 
eucharist or the eucharistic processions associated with Good Friday and Corpus Christi Day. 

11-12 DRO: Chanter 3 f 172v 
This document is dated on a Thursday and states that it is intended to stop a 'ludus' that was 
to take place on the Sunday. Since the bishop could not even be sure that the letter would 



441 
ENDNOTES 

43 Nt)A: Book 3972 no 65 mb 2 
The lord is probably but not certainly the earl of Bath. There was no earl of Devon at this 
time; the earl of Bath was lord lieutenant for Devon from 1556 and made frequent visits to 
Barnstaple. 

43 Nt)A: Rolls 2523, 2524 mb 1 
Documents 2523 and 2524 are apparently pp 2 and 3 of the paper draft for either 1562-3 or 
1563-4. Page 1, with the date, is missing, as are the final parchment copies for both years. 
The handwriting is the same as that of the account for 1561-2, and the names of civic employees 
permit limitation of the date to 1562-3 or 1563-4. 

47 REED: English ras 1 ff 21v-2 
The marginal numbers probably refer to the folio numbers of the ras from which these entries 
were copied. The entry included from f21 above may therefore have come from an original 
f 114, according to the number noted above the entry. 

49 NDA: 3972 no 189a mb 1 
Halliwell-Phillipps accidentally repeated the numbering of documents at 189. This is the sec- 
ond document so numbered, the first being a collector's account for 14-15 James I. 

51 Book 3972 no 217 mb 1 
Document 218 in this collection is a paper draft of 217, for 1630-1. In this draft, the entry 
reads: 'And of x s. giuen to players by mr Maiors order to ridd the Towne of them.' 

51-2 oro: Bideford, R2379 A/Z2 mb ld 
This entry is from a 1656 copy of the 1608 court decree in which the parishioners of Bideford 
had brought suit against the feoffees of the Long Bridge for misusing income properly belong- 
ing to the parish. 

55-6 DRO: 1429A add/PW2 f 5 
This is not the church ale, for which there is a separate account, as well as an account of ale 
sold by the guild of St George. The hoodsmen seem to have sold their ale at some sort of spring 
festival or entertainment. Chagford still holds an annual 'church ale' at the vicarage, the drama- 
tic entertainment now being a locally adapted variant of the Punch and Judy show. 

56 t)ro: 1429A add/PW3 f 32 
This note is nearly illegible; the paper is fragmentary, a caustic ink has burned through what 
remains, and the original note has been much revised and interlined. Clearly the 'Sommer 
Rode' has been sold for 18 d between the making of the account and its audit. The silver arrow 
for the Robin Hood play remains, but it is not mentioned again in these accounts. 

57 t)ro, et)ro: Chudleigh PW1 p 5 
The medieval difficulty in adding and subtracting pounds, shillings, and pence is exemplified 
by this account: the wardens have undercast expenses by 1 d and given the remainder as 
44 s 7 d instead of the correct 48 s 6 d. 



442 ENDNOTES 

58 DRO, EDRO: Chudleigh PWI p 50 
The expenses for this year are identical to those of 1568; clearly the clerk has erred in making 
his final drafts, repeating one year and omitting the other. 

58 oRo, EORO: Chudleigh PWI p 85 
As the Four Men were not in the habit of making payments to choir members, it seems likely 
that these singing men were minstrels - especially since the Four Men did not make the pay- 
ment without 'consente of the reste.' It should be noted, however, that 'singing men' is a term 
often applied to church singers (as at Exeter and Crediton). 

58 oro, Eoro: Chudleigh PWI p 100 
This payment must have been to Nicholas Sexson for the singing boy: Sexon or Saxon was 
not a boy but a sort of under-constable and sometime bailiff of the parish. As in the payment 
to five singing men in 1577-8, the context does not make clear whether this boy was an enter- 
tainer or for some reason singled out of the choir for payment. 

58-9 oro, Eoro: Chudleigh PWI p 163 
'Hennocke' is the neighboring parish. Account of the payment appears to be duplicated. 

59 oro, oro: Chudleigh PWI p 201 
Immediately preceding this entry is 'Item payd Edment Bainston for dyer bestowed one Bovey 
men by consent iii s vi d,' but the context gives no clue to the reason for this hospitality to 
the men of Bovey Tracy. It may have been for a mumming or for a 'summer rode,' as in the 
1588 pavment to 'hynnycke men,' but one cannot make this assumption. 
This was not one of the four in-church collections during the year. Apparently it was a 
'gathering' about town, one would think with some sort of entertainment accompanying it, 
as the church owned a sword and armour for St George. Compare the plough-boys' plays 
and gatherings in Lincolnshire, where a version of a St George or mummers' plays was per- 
formed about the village to collect money for the church. See, eg, E.H. Rudkin, 'Lincolnshire 
Plough Plays,' Folk-Lore, 50 (1939), 88-97. While there is no positive evidence that St 
George's sword and armour were taken out of the church for gatherings or other entertain- 
ment, neither is there any evidence, from the beginning of the extant churchwardens' accounts 
in 1430, that these items were part of a fixed shrine to St George in the church, or even that 
there was such a shrine. 

71 DRO, ECa mb 1 
There are two rolls for this year, one marked '38 Edward ttt, Michaelmas to Christmas,' the 
other '38/39 Edward 

73 DrO, eca mb 1 
The fairly regular payments to the friars for the Corpus Christi procession between this date 
and 1424 have been included because we know from a Mayor's Court Roll of 1413 that there 
was also a Corpus Christi play at this time; what connection, if any, the procession had with 
the drama is not indicated in the extant records. In case subsequent research should establish 
a connection, it seemed worthwhile to record the dates of the procession. 



ENDNOTES 445 

but the entry does not make clear that he was one of the city waits. 

135-8 oro, Eca: GI/BI/2 f 192v 
There is no court book for this year to clear up this curious case of the missing harp (harper ?). 
The depositions are somewhat confused by the fact that both the harper and the contentious 
gentleman are named Callerd. 

139-40 oro, ECa: GI/BI/2 f 66v 
The marginal notations are later. The first word, 'Waytes,' appears to be in John Hooker's 
hand, the remainder in that of Richard Izacke. The final entry was added later, though in the 
same hand. 

140 oro, ec mb 4d 
These two entries have been added, in a hasty hand, at the bottom of the schedule of fees and 
salaries for civic officials. " 

140-1 Pao: C1/1284/11 single sheet 
The document is undated. Since it is addressed to Sir Richard Rich, Lord Chancellor from 
23 October 1547 to 21 December 1551, it very probably was written during his tenure (see 
S.T. Bindoff, The History of Parliament: the House of Commons, vol 3 (London, 1982), 
p 192; List of Early Chancery Proceedings, vol 9, List and Index Society, no 54 (London, 1933), 
'Preface'). 

146 EUL: Cathedral D & C 3779 f 174 
These rejoicings over the birth of a prince and heir to the throne were misplaced. No child 
was born to Mary Tudor; in fact, her pregnancy was a false one. 

147 oro, ec: Box 214, Book 5 f 5 
Account Book 6 is a rough draft of this clean copy. Book 7 is an incomplete clean copy. Book 
8 is another incomplete copy. Book 9 is yet another copy. Books 6, 8, and 9 contain rewards 
identical to those in Book 5; rewards are missing in Book 7. The books give no clue as to why 
so many copies were made. 

147-8 oo, ECA: Box 214, Book 10 ff 6,8 
In the left margin (1.28) is 'Izackes,' perhaps written by the seventeenth-century Exeter his- 
torian Richard Izacke. Mr howcker (1.7) is John Vowell, alias Hooker, who wrote the first 
history of the city of Exeter. 

149 oo, ECA: G1/B1/3 p 43 
The act was incorrectly dated 1550 and incorrectly altered to 1559; a different hand has attemp- 
ted to put the error right by adding 3 Elizabeth, but succeeded only in compounding the error. 
Folios 21v and 22v make clear that the correct date is 1560. 

158-9 PRO, eca f 4v 
Francis Russell, earl of Bedford, apparently resided in Exeter from 1581 until his death in 1585. 



446 ENDNOTES 

There are a number of expenses related to him during this period - payments to various ser- 
vants, a dinner of the justices at his house, and the like. 

166-7 PRO, ECA: Book 51 f 183 
Of the ten duties here listed, the fourth, fifth, ninth, and tenth are repeated in 'the order and 
manner of the election of officers,' ff 184-6. 

171-2 PRo, ECA: Book 52 f 522v 
The first word of each paragraph is rubricated. The names following the dates at the end of 
various entries are those of the mayors for those years. 

188-9 PRO: SP 14/97/140 single sheet 
On 17 July 1615, King James had issued the following letter patent to John Daniel, which 
had doubtless been shown to Mayor Jourdain (VRO: SP 14/97/140.0: 

lames per the grace of god of England scotland france and Irland king 
defendor of the the faith to all lustices of the peace, mayors Sherriffs 
Bavliffs Constables and headbouroughs and others our Louing subjects 
and officers Greeting: know yee that at the motion of our Most dearly 
beloued consort the Queene haue licensed and athorised and by these 
presence doe iicence and Athorize our well beioued subjects lohn Daniell 
and his assignes to entertaine and bring vpp a certaine company of Children 
and youthes vnder the name and title of the Children of her maiestes Royail 
Chamber of Bristoli to vse and exersise the art and quality of plaing 
Comedies histories Enterluds morralls pasturalls stagplaies and such other 
like as they haue already studied or heerafter shall study for the solace and 
delight of our most dearly Beloued Consort the Queene whensoeuer they 
shall be Called as for the recreation of our Louing subjects & the said 
enterluds or other to shew & exersise publickly to ther best comodity as 
well in and about our said Citty of Bristoll in such vsuall houses as 
themselues shall prouide as in other Conuenient places within the liberties 
and ffreedome of any ,tother 1 Citty vniuersity or Bourough or towne 
within our Realmes and dominions Willing and Comanding you and euery 
of you as you tender our pleasure not onely to permitt and ssuffer them 
herein without any yor ietts hinderances molestations or disturbances 
during our said pleasure but also to be aiding and assisting vnto them if 
any wrong be donne to them or to them offered and to allow them such 
farther curtesies as haue binne giuen to others of the like quality. And also 
what further grace and fauour you shall shew vnto them for our sakes we 
shall take kindly at yor hands, prouided alwaies that our pleasure is all 
athority power or priuiledg whatsoeuer belonging and properly 
apertaining to the maser of the Reuells in Respect of his office shall remaine 
and abide intire and in full force effect and vertue and in as ample sort as 
if our Comission had neuer binne made: In Witmes wherof we haue caused 
these our letters to be mad patente. Witmes our selfe at westminster the 



ENDNOTES 447 

17th of Iuly in the thierteenth yeare of our Raigne of England ffrance and 
Irland & of Scotland the eight & fortieth. 
Coppie 

This was followed by an order addressed 'To all Maiors Sheriffes Bayliffes Constables and 
other his Maiesties officers and Liege Subiectes to whome it may belong or in any wise 
appertaine' (pRo: SP 14/97/140.n): 

After our harry Commendations Whereas it pleased his Maiestie by his 
Lettres Patentes vnder the great Seale of England bearing date the xvij th 
daie of Iulie in the xiij th yeere of his Highnes Raine, to grant vnto Iohn 
Daniell gent. (the Prince his seruant) Aucthoritie to bring vpp a Companie 
of Chilldren and Youths in the quallitie of playing Enterludes & 
Stageplaies. And wee are informed yat notwithstanding his Majesties 
pleasure therein that there are some who oppugne and resist the said 
aucthority in contempt of his Maiesties Lettres Patentes 
In consideracion whereof and for the further effecting & performance 
of his Maiesties pleasure Herein Wee haue thought good to grant vnto the 
said Iohn Daniell these our Lettres of Assista'nce 1 Thereby requiring you 
and in his Majesties name streightly chardging & commaunding you and 
euery of you not only quietly to permitt and suffer Martin Slatier Iohn 
Edmonds & Nathaniell Clay (her Maiesties seruants with their Associatts 
the bearers hereof to play as aforesaid As her Majesties seruants of her 
Royall Chamber of Bristoll) in all Playhowses Towne halls Schoolehowses 
and other places convenient for yat purpose in all Citties Vniuersities 
Townes and Burroughes within his Ma/esties Realmes and Dominions 
ffreely & peaceably without any of your letts trobles or molestations But 
as occasion shall be offred (they or any of them hauing to showe his Lettres 
Patents and a Letter of Assignement from ye said Iohn Daniell) to be 
lykewise aiding and assisting vnto them they behauing themselues ciuilly 
and orderly lyke good and honest subjects and doing nothing therein 
contrary to the tenor of his Maiesties said Lettres Patentes nor staying to 
play in any one place aboue Fowreteene daies together and the times of 
Deuine Seruice on the Saboth dales only excepted. 
Whereof faile you not at yor perrilles Giuen at the Court at Whitehall 
this (blank) 

192 DRO, ECA: G1/B1/7 f 280v 
The entry was not completed. A second entry, 'This dale," has also been left incomplete. 

192-3 PRO, ECA: Gl/X1/Letter Book 60D No 267 
These five names (p 193, 11.33-5) are all signatures, although that of Henry Herbert, master 
of the revels, is not of course genuine; it is in the hand of Samuel Izacke. This letter is printed, 
with omission of some difficult passages, in the HMC Report on Exeter, pp 171-2, where it 
is dated 9 April 1624. J.T. Murray has printed an abstract of it, altering the date to 1623 (vol 
2, pp 272-3). 



ENDNO'i'ES 449 

215 WDRO: W 130 f 58v 
Catherine of Aragon landed at Plymouth on 2 October 1501. Among the presents given to 
the princess by the city were six oxen, twenty-four sheep, two hogsheads of Gascon wine, 
one hogshead of claret, and a pipe of muscatel. She proceeded from Plymouth through Exeter 
on her way to London to marry Prince Arthur. 

216 WDRO: W 130 f 70v 
These two entries are included among six late entries to the account for this year. 

225-6 wRo: W 46 ff 47v-8 
1535-6 is the year in which this 'town ligger' was purchased and a payment made for copying 
all that was in the old ledger into this new one. As the old ledger does not exist, there is no 
way of judging the original date of the regulation concerning Corpus Christi. 

226-7 WDRO: W 46 ff 62-3 
J.C. Jeaffreson gives the date of this document as 1496 (HMC Report on Plymouth, p 274). 

230-1 WDRO: W 130 f 228v 
The capture of Boulogne-sur-mer, across the channel, by English forces in 1544 gave particular 
cause of celebration in Plymouth, which had suffered periodic French raids from that port 
(see Cornish, 'Strolling Players in the West,' p 151). 

231 WDO: W 130 f 236v 
The men of Stonehouse, now a suburb of Plymouth, were rewarded twice at Plymouth's May 
Day celebration. Clearly they entertained, but what they did is nowhere specified. As they 
are not the morris dancers, they may have done a men's play or mumming - or, as the church 
dedication was to St George, possibly a St George play. 

232 WDgO: W 130 f 245v 
On 10 September 1547, the Lord Protector Somerset soundly defeated the Scots under the 
Scottish governor, the earl of Arran, in the battle of Pinkie Cleugh. News of the victory must 
have reached Plymouth sometime after 29 September, the start of the new accounting year. 

233 WDRO: W 130 f 254 
The context gives no clue to the identity of these 'venycyans.' Possibly they were sailors from 
Venice who entertained; perhaps they were dancers or players dressed as Venetians. 

234 WDRO: W 130 f 267 
Accounts from 1550-1 through the reign of Mary are missing. This account is dated 2-3 
Elizabeth; but in W 131, "Receiver's Book #2," there is a full and quite different account for 
2-3 Elizabeth. As there are no missing accounts for subsequent years of Elizabeth's reign, 
1559-60 seems the correct date for this account. 

234 WDRO: W 46 f 315v 
Below this list of days for wearing scarlet, dated 1609 and crossed out, is a second list, including 



ENDNOTES 453 

287 DRO: W 1258/G4/53/1-5 mb 2 
The date of this roll is illegible. However, as many of the names mentioned in this account 
occur in other accounts of the 1470s, and as there is no other account dated 18-19 Edward 
,v, 1478-9 is the most likely date. 

295 DRO: QS 1/1 pp 298-9 
This order was reaffirmed without mention of entertainments on 16 April 1607 and 16 July 
1612. On 10 July 1610, the justices ordered an inquiry into abuses of the ordinance. 

295-6 DRO: QS 1/4 f 73v 
Theoriginal of this order, here dated 19July 1613, is not to be found in the previous Quarter 
Sessions Book for 1608-13, although church ales had been forbidden on 10 July 1610 and on 
16July 1612 (QS 1/3 ff 95, 192). 

297 DRO: QS 1/5 p 182 
A virtually identical version of this order, apparently entered out of place and deleted, occurs 
on p 176 of this volume. 

303-4 WDRO: W 361/60 ff l-Iv 
1625 and 1636 were both 'perilous tymes of danger' from plague in Plvmouth the handwriting 
seems more appropriate to the latter date. 

304 Somerset Record Office: Trevelyan Papers, CC/WO/57/11 Bundle 11 single sheet 
According to Mary Siraut, who has been working with the Trevelyan Papers, this is a draft 
testimony for a trial to be held at the Devon quarter sessions. While the handwriting appears 
to be early seventeenth century, no such trial is recorded in the Devon Quarter Sessions Books, 
which begin in 1592. According to Siraut, Willoughby was baptised in 1574 and went to Lon- 
don about 1594. As the manuscript notes that the manslaughter took place four (or possibly 
five) years earlier, it seems unlikely that the inquiD" could antedate the extant Quarter Sessions 
Books: the latest date for the manslaughter would in that case be 1588, when Willoughby was 
only fourteen. 1613, when at least one other record is known to be missing from the Quarter 
Sessions Book, is a possibility. 

307 VRO: E 36/218 p 18 
These expenses were incurred at Greenwich 



Patrons and 
Travelling Companies 

The following list has two sections. The first gives companies alphabetically by patron, 
according to the principal title under which their playing companies and entertainers 
appear, with cross-references from other titles, if they are also so named in the records. 
The second section lists companies identified by place of origin, including counties 
for locations wherever identification is certain. 
The biographical information supplied here has come entirely from printed sources, 
the chief of which are the following: S.T. Bindoff (ed), The History of Parliament: 
The House of Commons 1509-1558, 3 vols (London, 1982); Calendar of Patent Rolls 
(edited through 1576); Calendar of State Papers; G[eorge] E[dward] C[okayne], The 
Complete Peerage... ; The Dictionary of National Biography; James E. Doyle, The 
Official Baronage of England Showing the Succession, Dignities, and Offices of Every 
Peer from 1066 to 1885, 3 vols (London, 1886); P.W. Hasler (ed), The History of 
Parliament: The House of Commons 1558-1603, 3 vols (London, 1981); Letters and 
Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry v111, 21 vols and Addenda (London, 1864-1932); 
F. Maurice Powicke and E.B. Fryde (eds), Handbook of British Chronology; and 
Josiah C. Wedgwood and Anne D. Holt, History of Parliament: Biographies of the 
Members of the Commons House 1439-1509 (London, 1936). All dates are given in 
accordance with the style in the sources used. The authorities sometimes disagree over 
the dates of birth, death, creation, succession, and office tenure. Where this evidence 
conflicts, the Calendar of State Papers, Calendar of Patent Rolls, and similar 
collections are preferred; for example, List of Sheriffs for England and Wales from 
the Earliest Times to A.O. 183l, Public Record Office, Lists and Indexes, no 9 
(London, 1898); J.H. Gleason, The Justices of the Peace in England: 1558 to 1640 
(Oxford, 1969); and J. c. Sainty, 'Lieutenants of Counties, 1585-1642,' Bulletin of 
the Institute of Historical Research, Special Supplement no 8 (May, 1970). 
Normally each patron entry is divided into four sections. The first lists relevant 
personal data and titles of nobility with dates. Succession numbers are given only for 
the most important titles held by a person, as well as for those titles by which he or 
she is named in the records. These numbers follow the absolute sequence given in The 



456 PATRONS AND COMPANIES 

Complete Peerage rather than the relative ones that begin afresh with each new 
creation. Knighthood dates are included only for minor gentry not possessing higher 
titles. The second section lists jobs showing local connections and includes those 
known to have been used within titles of playing companies. Purely expeditionary 
military titles have been largely omitted, along with most minor Scottish and Irish 
landedtitles. For patrons holding peerage titles, minor civil commissions not given 
in The Complete Peerage and The Dictionary of National Biography have been 
omitted. Readers desiring further information on these patrons are advised to consult 
the Calendar of Patent Rolls and Letters and Papers of Henry v111. Where possible, 
the date of an appointment is taken from the date of a document assigning that 
position. It the appointment is stated in the document to be 'for life,' then these words 
follow the job title. If the original document has not been edited and a secondary 
source is used that states 'until death,' then this form appears. Otherwise dates of 
appointment and termination are given, if available. If the length of time an office is 
held is not known, then only the date of appointment is given. Alternatively, if the 
only evidence comes from a source dated some time during the period of tenure, then 
the word 'by' plus date appears. If only the date of termination is known, 'until' is 
used. Finally, if no dates at all are available, 'rid' follows the title of the job. A '7' 
following a date indicates uncertainty regarding the dating of a document in the 
sources or differentiation in the case of several patrons by the same name who might 
have held the post. For all minor commissions such as commissions of jail delivery, 
commissions post mortem, and commissions of the peace (JP), years only are given. 
If the dates of these commissions cover several years in sequence, then the earliest and 
latest vears of the sequence are separated by a dash. The third section, for which 
information is often incomplete or unavailable, contains the names and locations of 
the patron's principal seats, and locations of other properties he or she is known to 
have held. Extensive property lists have been condensed. Place names for which no 
standard modern spelling is available are enclosed in single quotes to indicate spelling 
from the original source. The fourth section is an annotated index by date of the 
appearances of each patron's company or companies in the records. Following the 
date are the page numbers in parentheses where the citations occur. If a patron's 
company appears under a title other than the usual or principal one, this other title 
is in parentheses next to the designation of the company. Companies named according 
to a patron's civil appointment are indexed under the name of that post as it appears 
in the records: for example, 'Lord Admiral' and 'Chancellor.' Companies belonging 
to ecclesiastical officials beginning with 'Lord' in the records are listed under the 
ecclesiastical title alone: for example, 'Canterbury,' 'Cardin:il.'All other companies 
appear under their patron's principal landed title. 
The reader may also wish to refer to the index for additional references to some 
of the patrons and to various unnamed companies and their players. When it has been 
possible to identify a patron of an unnamed company, the reference has been included 
here; otherwise the only references to such are in the index. 



PATRONS AND COMPANIES 457 

Abbreviations 

acc 
adm 
bapt 
bef 
bet 
br 
bur 
capt 
CO 
comm 
cr 
custos rot 
d 
ecc|es 
gen 

acceded 
admiral 
baptized 
before 
between 
brother 
buried 
captain 
county 
commissioner 
created 
custos rotulorum 
died 
ecclesiastical 
general 

gov 
JP 
it 
KB 
KG 
kt 
lieut 
MP 
nd 
Pad 
PC 
pres 
SUCC 
summ 
Univ 

governor 
Justice of the Peace 
joint 
Knight of the Bath 
Knight of the Garter 
knight 
lieutenant 
Member of Parliament 
no date 
Parliament 
Privy Councillor 
president 
succeeded 
summoned 
University 



PATRONS AND COMPANIES 459 

minstrel Plymouth 1518-19 (219) 
minstrels Plymouth 1520-1 (220) 
Exeter 1523-4 (125) 

Arundell 
Since there were three main branches of this family, each with heirs named John, the 
following are principal possibilities. For the sake of accuracy, not included in each 
biography is information from sources where it is impossible to tell which branch of 
the family is intended. 

John Arundeil (c 1420-12 Nov 1473 or 1483), kt, 26 May 1465. Vice-adm, Cornw, 
1 Sept 1447; JP, Cornw, 1463, 1465-7, and 1469; sheriff, Cornw, 5 Nov 1469; keeper, 
parks of Heilesbury and Lantegios, Cornw, 12 Sept 1445 and for life, 19 Jui 1461 ; 
comm for piracy, Cornw, 1452, 1454, and 1468; comm of array, Cornw, 1456, 1466, 
and 1468; comm of musters, Cornw, 1456. Seat at Lanherne, Cornw; wealthiest 
private landholder in Cornw. 

or 

John Arundell (d by 10 Apt 1484). Comm of array, Cornw, 1436 and 1443 ; comm 
for piracy, Cornw, 1435 and 1443 and Devon, Somers, and Wilts, 1435. Seat at 
Trerice, Cornw. 
minstrel/s Barnstaple 1467-8 (32) 

Possibly 
John Arundeli (c 1420-12 Nov 1473 or 1483), qv, 
.John Arundell, his son, 

or 

John Arundeii (d by 10 Apr 1484), qv. 
minstrels (Lord John 
Arundell) 
minstrel/s (Mr Arundell) 
performer (Mr Arundell) 
performers (Mr Arundell) 

Barnstaple 1475-6 (34) 

Barnstaple 1478-9 (35) 
Barnstaple 1480-1 (36) 
Barnstaple 148 !-2 (36) 

John Arundeii (c 1474-8 Feb 1544/5), grandson of John (c 1420-12 Nov 1473), qv, 
kt, 14877 and K3, 31 Oct 1494. JP, Cornw, 1504, 1506, 1509-15, 1520-2, 1524, 1526, 
1530, 1532, 1536-40, and 1543/4 ? and Devon, 1510; receiver, duchy of Cornw, 24 
Nov 1507; comm of array, Cornw, 1511 ; comm of jail delivery, Launceston Castle, 
Cornw, 1530, 1532, and 1537; comm for defence of the coast, Cornw, Devon, Dors, 
and Somers, 1539; member, council in the West, Cornw, Devon, Dors, and Somers, 



460 PATRONS AND COMPANIES 

12 Apr 1539. Seat at Lanherne, Cornw; lands in Cornw, Devon, and Somers. 
minstrel Plymouth 1499-1500 (214) 

John Arundell (c 1505-7 Nov 1557), son of John (c 1474-8 Feb 1544/5), qv, kt, 1539. 
JP, Cornw, 1530-44 and 1554 until death, Devon, 1536-44, and Berks, Dors, Hants, 
Oxf, Somers, and Wilts, 1540; constable, Tintagel Castle, Cornw, 10Jun 1537; comm 
over and terminer, Berks, Cornw, Devon, Dors, Hams, Oxf, Somers, and Wilts, 
1541 ; sheriff, Cornw, 2 7 Nov 1541 and 14 Nov 1554; recorder, Launceston, Cornw, 
by 1543 ; comm of jail delivery, Launceston Castle, 1554; MP, Cornw, 1554; comm 
of musters, Cornw, 1557. Seat at Lanherne, Cornw; lands in Cornw and Devon. 
juggler Plymouth 1538-9 (228) 

See also Cornwall under Companies Named by Location 

Audley 
John Tuchet (c 1425-26 Sept 1490), succ as 6th Lord Audley, 23 Sept 1459. Jt keeper, 
park of Berkswell, Warw, 15Jun 1446; MP, Suss, 1453;JP, Dors, 1456, 1461, 1467-9, 
1471-5, and 1478-9, Derb, 1461 and 1483, Shrops, 1461-2, 1466, 1468-9, 1471, 
1473-5, 1477-8, 1480, and 1483, Somers, 1461-3, 1466, 1468-9, 1472-6, and 1479- 
83, Staff, 1461, 1463-5, 1467-9, 1471-5, 1478, 1480, and 1483, Wilts, 1461, 1463, 
1466, 1471-3, 1475, 1478-81, and 1483, Southampton, Hants, 1467-8, 1470, 1474- 
9, 1481, and 1483, Surr, 1469, 1472-5, 1477, 1479, 1483, and 1487-8, and Devon, 
Glouc, Warw, and Worc, 1474; steward and keeper of royal forests and parks, Dors, 
and keeper, castle and park of Wardour, Wilts, both for life, 2 May 1461; PC, 5Jul 
1471; constable and keeper, Corfe Castle, Dors, 2 Mar 1478-85; treasurer of the 
exchequer, during pleasure, 6 Dec 1484. Seat at Heleigh Castle, Audley, Staff; lands 
in Staff, Surr, and Suss. 
minstrel/s Barnstaple 1461-2 (31) 

Thomas Audley (c 1488-30 Apr 1544), cr Baron Audley, 29 Nov 1538. Town clerk, 
Colchester, Essex, jr, 1514-15 and sole, 1515-32; burgess, Colchester, 1516; P, 
Essex, 1520, 1523, 1525-6, 1528, 1530, 1532, 1536, 1538, and 1540-2, Worc, 1531-2, 
1537-40, and 1542, Beds, 1532, 1536, and 1542, Berks, 1532, 1538, 1541, and 1543, 
Bucks, 1532, 1536, 1539, and 1542, Camb, 1532, 1536, 1538-9, and 1542, Cornw, 
1532 and 1536-40, Cumb, 1532, 1538-40, and 1542, Derb, 1532, 1537-9, 1541, and 
1543, Devon, 1532, 1536, 1539-41, and 1543, Dors, 1532 and 1536-40, Glouc, 1532, 
1537, 1539-40, and 1542, Hants, 1532, 1538, 1540, and 1542, Heref, 1532, 1538, 
1540-I, and 1543, Herts, 1532 and 1537-40, Hunts, 1532, 1536, and 1538, Kent, 
1532, 1537-40, and 1542, Lanc, 1532, 1537-8, and 1540, Leic, 1532 and 1538-9, Linc, 
1532, 1536, 1538-40, and 1542, Midd, 1532, 1537, 1539-40, and 1543, Norf, 1532, 
1538, 1540, and 1542, Northants, 1532, 1536, and 1538-40, Northumb, 1532, 1536, 
1538, and 1540, Nott, 1532, 1537, and 1543, Oxf, 1532, 1536-7, and 1541-2, Rut, 



462 PATRONS AND COMPANIES 

minstrels Exeter 1535-6 (134) 

John Bourchier (c 1499-10 Feb 1560/1), son of John, 2nd earl of Bath, qv, styled Lord 
FitzWarin, 1536-9, and succ as 3rd earl of Bath and 6th Lord FitzWarin, 30 Apr 1539 
and as 2nd earl of Bridgewater and Lord Daubeney, 8 Apr 1548. Sheriff, Dors and 
Somers, 8 Nov 1519 andWilts, 7Nov 1526;3P, Wilts, 1523, 1525, 1529, 1531-2, 1535, 
1537-9, 1543, 1547, and 1558, Salisbury, Wilts, 1535, Somers, 1539, Devon, 1540-1, 
1543-4, 154 7, and 1554, and Norf and Surf, 1554; PC, 1553; constable, castle and capt, 
town of Beaumaris, Anglesey, Wales, 7 Sept 1553; lord lieut, Cornw, Devon, and 

Dors, 1556. Seat at Tawstock, Devon. 
minstrels 

bearward 
players 

Barnstaple 1540-1 (39) 
Plymouth 1540-1 (229) 
Barnstaple 1541-2 (39) 
1542-3 (40) 
1544-5 (40) 
1546-7 (40) 
Plymouth 1547-8 (233) 
Barnstaple 1553-4 (41) 
Exeter 1557-8 (148) 
Barnstaple 1558-9 (42) 
Barnstaple 1540-1 (39) 
Plymouth 1544-5 (231 ) 
Barnstaple 1540-1 (39) 
1542-3 (39) 

William Bourchier (1557-12 Ju11623), son of John, styled Lord FitzWarin, qv, and 
succ as 4th earl of Bath, 10 Feb 1560/1.3P, Devon, 1584 or 1585 and Somers, 1584 
and 1608; vice-adm, 1586, lord lieut, 12 Sept 1586 until death, recorder, Barnstaple, 
by 1589, and eccles comm, Exeter, 1604, all in Devon. Seat at Tawstock, family 
rsidence at Bampton, manor at llfracombe, and house near Barnstaple, all in Devon. 
players Plymouth 1578-9 (247) 

Beaumont 
Philip Beaumont (1432-by 28Jun 1473). Comm for piracy, Cornw, 1462 and Cornw 
and Devon, 1468; JP, Devon, 1466 and 1468 until death; sheriff, Devon, 5 Nov 1467; 
MP, Devon, 1467-8 and 1470-17; comm of array, Devon, 1470-2; constable and 
steward, Dunster Castle, and steward, lordship of Dunster, Somers, and lands in 
Devon and Somers, 6 May 1470. Seats at Gittisham and Heanton Punchardon, Devon; 
lands in Cornw, Devon, Dors, Glouc, Somers, Wilts, and the marches of Wales. 
minstrel/s Barnstaple 1462-3 (31) 

Possibly 
John Beaumont (c 1450-9 Nov 1487). JP, Devon, 1473 and Cornw, 1483; comm for 



PATRONS AND COMPANIES 

463 

piracy, Cornw, 1483; MP, Cornw, Jun 1483 and probably 1484; comm of array, 
Cornw, 1484; attainted and beheaded 9 Nov 1487. Seat at Bodrugan, Cornw; lands 
in Cornw and Devon. 
player/s (Mr Beaumont) Barnstaple 1478-9 (35) 

Bedford 
John of Lancaster (20Jun 1389-15 Sept 1435), 3rd son of Henry IV, qv, cr 1 st duke 
of Bedford and 1 st earl of Kendal, 16 May 1414 and 12th earl of Richmond, 24 Nov 
1414. JP, Northumb, 1403, 1405, 1407, 1410, and 1413, Yorks, ER, 1405, 1409, 1411, 
1413, and 1416, WR, 1405, 1407, and 1413-16, and NR, 1411--14 and 1416, Glouc, 
1406, Westmld, 1411-14 and 1416, and Linc, 1412-14 and 1416; warden, East 
Marches towards Scotland and capt, Berwick upon Tweed, Northumb, by 18 Nov 
1403; guardian of the kingdom, 11 Aug 1415, 25Ju11417, and 10Jun 1421 ; protector 
of the kingdom, 5 Dec 1422; lord high adm, 26 Jul 1426. Lands in various cos, 

including Dors, Somers, and Wilts. 
servants (minstrels ?) (Prince) 
servant/s (minstrel/s ?) 
minstrels 
entertainers 
taboret 

Exeter 1410-11 (81) 
Exeter 1433-4 (94) 
Exeter 1433-4 (95) 
Exeter 1432-3 (94) 
Exeter 1433-4 (94) 

Bedford (duchess) 
Katherine Wydevill (c 1457-bef 1513), daughter of Richard, 1st Earl Rivers, qv, 
married Henry Stafford, 2nd duke of Buckingham (d 2 Nov 1483), qv, Feb 1466, 
Jasper Tudor, 3rd duke of Bedford (d 21 Dec 1495), bef Nov 1485, and Sir Richard 
Wingfield (d 22 Jul 1525). 
minstrels Plymouth i 495-6 (213) 

Bedford (earl) 
Francis Russell (1527-28 J ul 1585), son of John, 3rd earl of Bedford, qv (under Lord 
Privy Seal), summ to Parl as Lord Russell, 1 Mar 1553 and succ as 4th earl of Bedford, 
14 Mar 1554/5. MP, Bucks, 1545 and 1547; JP, Bucks, 1547, 1562, and 1564, Beds, 
Cornw, and Dors, 1562 and 1564, Devon, 1562, 1564, and 1569, Northants, 1562 
and 1584, Somers, 1562, 1564, and 1584, Cumb, Dur, Northumb, Westmld, Yorks, 
Ely, Camb, Carlisle, Cumb, Berwick upon Tweed and Newcastle upon Tyne, 
Northumb, Kingston upon Hull, Yorks, ER, and York, Yorks, 1564; custos rot, 
Bucks, c 1547 until death and Berks, 1562; sheriff, Beds and Bucks, 27 Nov 1547; 
lord lieut, Bucks, 1552 and Cornw, Devon, Dors, and Exeter, Devon, Mar 1557/8 
until death; imprisoned in the Fleet, 29Jul 1553; keeper and receiver, various manors 
and parks, Herts, Northants, and Oxf and keeper, Rockingham Castle, Northants, 
14 Mar 1554/5; Pc, 21 Nov 1558 until death; warden of the stannaries, Cornw and 



464 PA IRONS AND COMPANIES 

Devon, 1559-80; gov, Berwick upon Tweed, Northumb and warden, East Marches 
towards Scotland, during pleasure, 24 Feb 1564-25 Aug 1568; lieut-gen and gov in 
the North, 1 Aug 1565; high steward, duchy of Cornwall, duchy of Exeter, and lands 
in Cornw, Devon, and Somers, master forester, Dartmoor, Devon, and keeper, forest 
of Exmoor, Devon, all for life, 13 Apt 1572; chief iustice in eyre, south of Trent, 26 
Feb 1584 until death. Seats at Woburn Abbey, Beds and Chenies, Bucks and residence 
at Russell House, the Strand, Midd; lands in many cos, including Berks, Bucks, 
Devon, Dors, Heref, Midd, and Somers. 
players (Lord Russell) Barnstaple 1552-3 (41) 
players Exeter 1557-8 (147-8) 
minst rels (Lord of Tavistock) Barnstaple 1555-6 (41) 

Berkeley 
Thomas de Berkeley (5 Jan 1352/3-13 Jul 1417), succ as 5th Lord Berkeley, 8 Jun 
1368; styled Lord Lisle from 28 Jun 1382. Comm of array, Glouc, 1367, 1377, 1380-1, 
1392, 1399, and 1403 and Bristol and Glouc, 1415;JP, Glouc, 1374-5, 1380, 1397- 
1401, 1404, 1406-8, and 1413-16; pc, Feb 1395; adm of the South and West and capt, 
Brecon Castle, Brecknockshire, Wales, 1403; jt warden, Welsh marches, 23Ju11403; 
regent of the kingdom, Apr 1416. Seat at Berkeley Castle, Glouc; lands in many cos, 
including Berks, Cornw, Devon, Glouc, Somers, and Wilts. 
minstrel/s Exeter 1415-16 (85) 

James de Berkeley (c 1394-Nov 1463), nephew of Thomas, qv, succ as Lord Berkeley, 
20Oct 1421. JP, Glouc, 1422-4, 1432-3, 1435, 1437-41, 1444-6, 1448-9, 1455-8, 
and 1462. Seat at Berkeley Castle, Glouc. 
servants (minstrels?) Exeter 1428-9 (90) 
servant/s (minstrel/s ?) Exeter 1429-30 (91) 

Henry Berkeley (26 Nov 1534-26 Nov 1613), succ as 7th Lord Berkeley at birth. 
Keeper of Kingswood Forest, Glouc and Fulwood, Somers, for life, 26Jun 1559; P, 
GIouc, 1562 and 1564; lord lieut, 14 Aug 1603 and vice-adm, Glouc, 14 Nov 1603 
until death. Principal residences at Yate Court, Glouc and Caludon Castle near 
Coventry, Warw; lands included manors in Glouc, Leic, Somers, Suss, and Warw. 
Probably 
players (Lord Bertlett) Exeter 1582-3 (159) 
players (Lord Bartlett) Barnstaple 1583-4 (45) 

players 

Totnes 1584-5 (281) 

Possibly 
Maurice Berkeley (c 1397-c 1460), kt, bef 1427-8. Sheriff, Glouc, 7 Nov 1435; comm 
of array, Glouc, 1436 and 1457;p, Glouc, 1441, 1444-9, 1451-2, and 1454-8; comm 



PATRONS AND COMPANIES 465 

of jail delivery, Gloucester Castle, Glouc, 1446 and 1453; comm oyer and terminer, 
Bristol, G louc, 1452; comm of musters, Glouc, 1457. Seat at Beverstone, Glouc; lands 
in Glouc, Hants, Somers, Wilts, and Worc. 

or 

Maurice Berkeley (bet 30 Sept 1400 and 16 Feb 1401-26 Nov 1464), kt, by 1422-3. 
Sheriff, Glouc, 5 Nov 1430 and 8 Nov 1436; JP, Glouc, 1437-9. Seat at Stoke Gifford, 
Glouc; lands in Glouc, Hants, Somers, Staff, Wilts, and Worc. 
servant/s (minstrel/s?) Exeter 1432-3 (93) 

Richard Berkeley (c 1531-1604 or 1605), kt, 21 Aug 1574.3P, Glouc, 1562, 1564, and 
1570-1 ; comm post mortem, Glouc, 1576; member, council in the marches of Wales, 
16 Dec 1590; l ieut of the Tower, by 22 Sept 1596. Seat at Stoke Gifford, Glouc; lands 
in Glouc. 
players Plymouth 1576-7 (245) 

Possibly 
players (Roger Bertley) Totnes 1576-7 (281) 

Bishop (Durham) 
Robert Neville (1404-9 Jan 1457), provost, Beverley, Yorks, ER, 23 Dec 1422-7; 
bishop of Salisbury, by provision, 9Ju11427, temporalities restored 10 Oct 1427, and 
consecrated 26 Oct 1427; bishop of Durham, elected and translated 27 Jan 1438, 
temporalities restored 8 Apr 1438, and installed 11 Apr 1441 P, Dots, 1430-3, 1435, 
and 1437, Berks, 1431-3 and 1435-7, Wilts, 1432-3 and 1438, and Northumb, 1439. 
servants (minstrels?) Exeter 1438-9 (96) 

Bishop (Exeter) 
Edmund Lacey (bef 1391-18 Sept 1455), dean of the chapel royal in the household, 
Windsor Castle, Berks, by 24 Mar 1414; chancellor, St David's, sw Wales, Jan 1417; 
bishop of Hereford, temporalities granted 4 Jan 1417, consecrated 18 Apr 1417, and 
temporalities restored 1 May 1417; bishop of Exeter, translated 3 Jul 1420, 
temporalities restored 31 Oct 1420, and installed 29 Mar 1421 until death; P, Cornw, 
1422, 1424, 1427, 1431-3, and 1436and Devon, 1424, 1427, 1431, 1435, 1438, 1444, 
1447-8, 1451, 1453, and 1455-6. 
minstrel Exeter 1438-9 (96) 

James Turberville (c 1495-1570), bishop of Exeter, consecrated 8 Sept 1555, 
temporalities restored 21 Sept 1555, and deprived of bishopric 1559; imprisoned 18 
Jun 1560-30 Jan 1564/5. 
Possibly 
players Dartmouth 1559-60 (64) 



466 PATRONS AND COMPANIES 

William Alley (c 1510-15 or 16 Apr 1570), bishop of Exeter, elected 20 May 1560, 
consecrated 14 Jul 1560, and temporalities restored 26 Aug 1560 until death; 
Devon, 1562 and 1564 and Cornw, 1564. 
Possibly 
players Dartmouth 1559-60 (64) 

players Barnstaple 1560-1 (43) 
Plymouth 1560-1 (235) 

Bodrugan 
\Villiam Bodrugan (c 1398-24 Dec 1441), kt, nd. Sheriff, Cornw, 7 Nov 1427?; comm 
for piracy, Devon, 1430, 1432, and 1435 and Cornw, 1432, 1435, 1439, and 1441; 
MP, Cornw, 20 Jan 1434; comm of array, Cornw, 1436. Seat at Newham, Cornw; 
lands in Cornw. 
servants (minstrels?) Exeter 1432-3 (93) 

Henry Bodrugan (c 1426-9 Nov 1487), son of William Bodrugan, qv, kt, 18 Apr 1475. 
Comm for piracy, Cornw, 1454, 1456, 1458, 1461-2, 1467, 1472, 1481, 1483, and 
1485-6 and Devon, 1454; comm of array, Cornw, 1454, 1456, 1470, 1472-3, and 
1484; comm of musters, Cornw, 1454 and 1456-7; Jp, Cornw, 1472-3, 1477-80, and 
1483-4; attainted and beheaded 9 Nov 1487. Seat at Bodrugan, Cornw; lands in 
Cornw. 
minstrels Barnstaple 1475-6 (34) 
minstrel/s Barnstaple 1476-7 (35) 

Probably 
minstrels (Mr Bodrugan) 

Barnstaple 1477-8 (35) 

Bonville 
William Bonville (30 Aug 1393-18 Feb 1460/1), summ to Parl as I st Lord Bonville, 
10 Mar 1448/9. Sheriff, Devon, 14 Feb 1423;p, Devon, 1431, 1435, 1438, 1440, 1443- 
4, 1447-8, 1451, 1453, and 1455-60, Somers, 1435, 1439-42, 1447-9, 1451, 1453-4, 
1457, and 1459, and Cornw, 1436, 1438-9, 1441-3, 1445, 1451, 1453, 1455, and 1458- 
60; steward, Cornw, for life, 8 Nov 1437 and duchy of Cornwall, for life, 8 Mar 1452; 
keeper, River Exe, Devon and Somers and constable, Exeter Castle, Devon, both for 
life, 7 Apr 1453. Seat at Chewton, Somers; lands in Devon and Somers. 
servant/s (minstrel/s?) Exeter 1432-3 (93) 

Botreaux 
William de Botreaux (20 Feb 1388/9-16 May 1462), succ as 3rd Lord Botreaux, 25 
May 1395. JP, Cornw, 1416, 1419, 1422, 1424, 1427, 1431-3, 1436, 1438-9, 1441-3, 
1445, 1451, 1453, 1455, and 1458-60, Somers, 1416-17, 1419, 1422-4, 1427, 



PATRONS AND COMPANIES 467 

1429-31, 1433, 1435, 1439-44, 1447-9, 1451, 1453-4, 1457, 1459, and 1461-2, 
Devon, 1418, and Wilts, 1419, 1422-5, 1427-8, 1432-3, 1438, 1440-I, 1443, 1447, 

1450-1, 1453-4, 1456-9, and 1461. Seat at Boscastle, Cornw. 
minstrel/s Exeter 
servant/s (minstrel/s?) Exeter 
minstrels Exeter 
servant/s (minstrel/s ?) Exeter 

servants (minstrels?) Exeter 
pipers Exeter 

1416-17(85) 
1417-18(86) 
i 427-8 (90) 
1429-30 (91) 
1430- i (92) 
1432-3 (93) 
1432-3 (94) 
i 433-4 (94) 
1417-18(86) 

Bourchier 
Sir John Bourchier (c 1417-16 or 21 May 1474), summ to Parl as Lord Bourchier of 
Berners, 26 May 1455. JP, Surr, 1452, 1454-5, 1457-61, 1464, 1466, 1468-70, and 
1472-3 and Berks, 1454, 1456, 1458-60, 1463-4, 1467, 1470-1, and 1473; constable, 
Windsor Castle, Berks, during pleasure, jt, 2 Jun 1455, sole, 29 Nov 1458, and for 
life, jr, 30Apt 1472; keeper, various manors in Surf, during pleasure, 18 Mar 1462. 
Lands in Surr. 
minstrels Barnstaple i 467-8 (32) 

Bridgewater 
Henry Daubeney (Dec 1493-8 Apr 1548), succ as 2nd Baron Daubeney, 22 May 1508; 
cr 1st earl of Bridgewater, 19Ju11538. JP, Devon, 1512-14, Somers, 1512-14, 1521-2, 
1524, 1526, 1529, 1531-2, 1538, 1540-1, 1543-4, and 1547, and Dors, 1514, 1519-20, 
1522, 1524, 1528, 1530, 1532, 1536-8, and 1540; warden, Neroche Forest, Somers, 
24 Apr 1542. Seats at Ingleby, Linc and South Petherton, Somers; lands in Cornw, 
Dots, Linc, and Somers. 
players (Lord Daubeney) Barnstaple ! 532-3 (38) 
player/s Barnstaple i 540- i (39) 
players Plymouth 1544-5 (231 ) 

Broke 
Robert Willoughby (14 72-10 Nov 1521 ), son of Robert Willoughby, qv, succ de jure 
as Lord Latimer and 2nd Lord Willoughby de Broke, 23 Aug 1502. jP, Wilts, 1498-9, 
1501-2, 1507, 1510-13, and 1515, Dots, 1498-1503, 1505-10, 1512-14, and 1519, 
Devon, 1502, 1504, 1506, 1509-15, 1517, and 1519, and Cornw, 1502, 1504, 1506, 
1509-15, and 1520-1; steward, Aldbourne and Trowbridge, Wilts and other lands 
in the duchy of Lancaster, for life, 8 Dec 1502, steward and warden of the stannaries, 
duchy of Cornwall, Cornw and Devon, 9 Dec 1502-Apt 1509, and steward, Mere 



468 PATRONS AND COMPANIES 

and Wilton, Wilts and master forester, Dartmoor, Devon, 9 Dec 1502. Seat at Broke, 
\Vestbury, Wilts; lands in Cornw, Devon, Dors, and Wilts. 
minstrels Plymouth 1520-1 (221) 

Buckingham 
H u mphrey Stafford (15 Aug 1402-10 Jul 1460), succ as 6th earl of Stafford and 7th 
Lord Stafford, 21 Jul 1403, 5th earl of Buckingham, 16 Oct 1438, and cr 1 st duke of 
Buckingham, 14 Sept 1444. Jp, Heref, 1423-4, 1427-8, 1431-3, 1435, 1437, 1441, 
1443, 1451, 1453, and 1455-60, Shrops, 1423-4, 1426, 1430-2, 1439-41, 1443-5, 
1448-9, 1453-4, and 1457-8, Essex, 1424, 1427, 1429, 1431-5, 1437-8, 1440-3, 
1446, 1448-9, 1453-5, and 1457-9, Kent, 1424, 1428-9, 1432-3, 1435-44, 1446-7, 
1450-1, 1453-6, and 1458-9, Linc, 1424-5, 1428, 1430, 1432-44, 1446-8, 1453, 
1455-6, and 1458, Northants, 1424, 1427, 1432, 1434, 1439, 1441, 1443, 1445-6, 
1448-50, 1452, 1454, and 1458-9, Nott, 1424, 1436, 1439, 1441, 1443-6, 1448-9, 
1451, and 1454-9, Oxf, 1424, 1432, 1435-8, 1442-3, 1447, 1452-6, and 1458-9, 
Warw, 1424, 1433-4, 1439-45, 1449, 1452-5, and 1457-9, Yorks, ER, 1424, 1429, 
1431, 1434-5, 1437-41, 1443, 1449, 1451, and 1453-60, NR, 1424, 1432-3, 1437, 
1440-3, 1448, 1451, 1455, and 1457-60, andwR, 1424, 1431, 1435-7, 1439-40, 1442- 
3, 1448, 1452, 1454, 1456, and 1458-9, Staff, 1430, 1432, 1439, 1441-2, 1446, 1449, 
1453-4, 1456, and 1459-60, Derb, 1437, 1439, 1441, 1443-4, 1449, 1453-8, and 1460, 
Dors, 1437, 1439, 1442-4, 1446-7, 1451, 1453, 1455-6, and 1458, Hunts, 1437, 1439, 
1440-3, 1446, 1450, 1455-6, and 1459-60, Bucks, 1444-7, 1449, 1453-4, and 1456-9, 
Berks, 1449, and Camb, 1458; PC, Feb 1424; seneschal, Halton, Bucks, 1439; lieut, 
marches of Wales, 1442-51 ; constable, Dover and Queenborough Castles, Kent and 
warden, Cinque Ports, Kent and Suss, for life, 1450. Seats at Stafford Castle, Staff, 
Writtle, Essex, and Maxstoke Castle, Warw; manor at Penshurst, Kent; lands in 
various cos, including Brecon Castle, Brecknockshire, Wales. 
servants (minstrels?) (earl of Stafford) Exeter 1426-7 (89) 
servant/s (minstrel/s?) Exeter 1447-8 (98) 
Henry Stafford (4 Sept 1455-2 Nov 1483), grandson of Humphrey, 1st duke of 
Buckingham, qv, succ as 2nd duke and 6th earl of Buckingham, 7th earl of Stafford, 
and 8th Lord Stafford, 10 Jul 1460. High steward of England, 7 Feb 1478; J p, Staff, 
1471-5 and 1483, Glouc, Heref, Shrops, and Worc, 1473 and 1483, Warw, 1474 and 
1483, and Beds, Berks, Bucks, Camb, Cornw, Cumb, Derb, Devon, Dots, Essex, 
Herts, Hunts, Kent, Leic, Linc, Midd, Norf, Northants, Northumb, Nott, Oxf, Rut, 
Somers, Suff, Surr, Suss, Westmld, Wilts, Yorks, and Southampton, Hants, 1483; 
gov, chief justice, and chamberlain, North and South Wales, constable, steward, and 
receiver, various castles and manors, Wales and the marches, for life, 16 May 1483; 
constable and steward, royal lands in Heref and Shrops, 15 Jul 1483; steward, 
Tutbury, and other estates, duchy of Lancaster, Staff, Jul 1483; beheaded 2 Nov 1483. 
Principal seats at Stafford Castle, Staff and Brecon Castle, Brecknockshire, Wales; 



PATRONS AND COMPANIES 

469 

residences at Maxstoke Castle, Warw and Penshurst, Kent; lands in various cos. 
minstrel/s Barnstaple 1470-1 (33) 
1475-6 (34) 
1476-7(35) 

Edward Stafford (3 Feb 1477/8-17 May 1521), son of Henry, 2nd duke of 
Buckingham, qv, restored as 3rd duke of Buckingham, 8th earl of Stafford, 7th earl 
of Buckingham, and 9th Lord Stafford, Nov 1485. PC, 1509; JP, Kent, 1498-1506, 
1509-10, 1512, 1514-15, and 1517, Surf, 1499-1506, 1511-12, 1514-15, 1518, and 
1520, Glouc, 1500-6, 1508, 1510-11, 1513-15, and 1520, Bucks, 1503-4, 1507, 1509- 
10, 1512, and 1514, Heref, 1503, 1505, 1507, 1509-10, 1513-15, and 1521, Shrops, 
1503-4, 1510-11, and 1513-14, Somers, 1503, 1505-7, 1508, 1509, 1512-15, and 
1521, Staff, 1503-4, 1508, 1509-11, 1514, and 1520, Warw, 1503, 1506-7, 1509-11, 
and 1514-15, and Yorks, ER, 1503, 1506-7, 1509-11, and 1514; beheaded 17 May 
1521. Seats at Thornbury, Glouc and Brecon Castle, Brecknockshire, Wales; manor 
at Penshurst, Kent; lands in many cos. 
minstrels Plymouth 1509-10 (217) 

Buckingham (lady of) 
Anne Neville (d 20 Sept 1480), married Humphrey Stafford, I st duke of Buckingham 
(d 10 J ul 1460)qv, bef 18 Oct 1424 and Walter Blount, 1st Lord Mountjoy, bef 25 
Nov 1467. 
entertainers Barnstaple 1463-4 (31) 

Cambridge 
Richard (c 1375-5 Aug 1415), br of Edward, 2nd duke of York, qv, styled Richard 
of York, cr 4th earl of Cambridge, 1 May 1414. Almoner of England and constable, 
Brimpsfield Castle, Glouc, nd; keeper, isles of Alderney, Guernsey, Jersey, and Sark, 
by 18 May 1412; attainted and executed 5 Aug 1415. 
servants (minstrels ?) Exeter 1413-14 (83) 

Camoys 
SirThomas de Camoys (d 28 Mar 1421), summ to Parl as 2nd Lord Camoys, 20 Aug 
1383. JP, Suss, 1381, 1389-90, 1397-1401, 1403, 1406-7, 1413, 1416-17, and 1419, 
Surr, 1397-9, 1401, 1403, 1406-7, and 1411-14, and Southampton, Hants, 1399, 
1401, 1404, 1406-7, 1413-14, and 1416; keeper, forests of Alice Holt and Woolmer, 
Hants and it keeper, castle and town of Porchester, Hants, for life, 3 Nov 1399. Manor 
at Woodton, Norf. 
minstrels Exeter 1402-3 (78) 
servant/s (minstrel/s ?) Exeter 1410-11 (81 ) 
servants (minstrels ?) Exeter 1413-14 (83) 



470 PATRONS AND COMPANIES 

Canterbury 
John Morton (c 1420-15 Sept 1500), Pc, nd; chancellor of Edward, prince of Wales, 
qv, 26 Sept 1456; archdeacon of Norwich, by Mar 1461-befJul 1462 and by 1472-7, 
Chester, 9 May 1474-8, Winchester, 5 Mar 1475-8, Huntingdon, 27 Mar 1475-8, 
Berkshire, 6 Nov 1476-8, Norfolk, 20Jan 1477-8, and Leicester, 3Jan 1478; master 
of the rolls, 16 Mar 1472; keeper of the great seal, 3 Jun 1473; bishop of Ely, elected 
8 Aug 1478, temporalities restored 4Jan 1479, and consecrated 31Jan 1479; jP, Camb, 
1479-81, 1483, 1486, 1493, 1495-6, 1498, and 1500, Essex, 1479-80, 1483, 1488, 
1490, 1495-6, and 1498-9, Herts, 1479-80, 1482-3, 1488-90, 1493, and 1497, Hunts, 
1479-80, 1483, 1487, 1490, 1493, 1496, and 1498-9, Midd, 1479-81, 1483, 1486-7, 
1491, 1493, and 1496-9, Norf, 1479-83, 1487, 1490, 1494, and 1496-9, Suff, 1479- 
83, 1488-90, 1492, 1494, 1496-7, and 1499-1500, Dors, 1483, 1488, 1491, 1493-4, 
and 1497-1500, Suss, 1486-8, 1490-1, 1493-4, 1496, and 1498, Beds, 1487, 1494, 
1497, and 1499, Bucks, 1487, 1489, 1491, 1493-4, and 1496-1500, Cornw, 1487-8 
and 1492-8, Devon, 1487, 1491-2, and 1494-6, Glouc, 1487-90, 1493-4, 1496, and 
1499, Herd, 1487 and 1492-7, Kent, 1487, 1489-90, 1493-4, and 1497-1500, Linc, 
1487, 1491-3, and 1495-1500, Northants, 1487-91, 1493-4, and 1496, Rut, 1487, 
1493, and 1497, Shrops, 1487, 1490, 1493, and 1496-7, Somers, 1487-8, 1491, 1493- 
5, and 1498-1500, Surr, 1487-8, 1493-4, and 1497-1500, Warw, 1487, 1490-1, 1493- 
4, 1496-7, and 1499, Wilts, 1487, 1490-1, 1493-4, 1496, and 1498-9, Worc, 1487-9, 
1493-4, and 1497, Southampton, Hams, 1487-8, 1493-4, 1498, and 1500, Oxf, 1488, 
1490, 1493, and 1496-7, Yorks, WR, 1488-9, 1493, 1496, and 1498, ER, 1489, 1491, 
1493-6, and 1498, and NR, 1489, 1493, and 1495-6, Cumb, 1489, 1495, and 1499, 
Leic, 1489, 1493-6, and 1500, Derb, 1492-3 and 1497, Nott, 1493, 1496, and 1498, 
Staff, 1493, 1496, and 1499, Berks, 1494-5 and 1497, Northumb, 1495-6, Westmld, 
1495-6 and 1499, and Oxford, Oxf, 1498; imprisoned in the Tower and in Brecon 
Castle, Brecknockshire, Wales, 1483; fled to Flanders until 1485; archbishop of 
Canterbury, elected 13 Jan 1486, temporalities granted 13 Ju11486, translated 6 Oct 
1486, and temporalities restored 6 Dec 1486 until death; lord chancellor, 6 Mar 1487 
until death; cardinal, 20 Sept 1493; chancellor, Oxford Univ, Oxf, Jan 1495 until 
death. 
minstrels Plymouth 1498-9 (214) 

Cardinal 
Henry Beaufort (d 11 Apr 1447), dean of Wells, 20 Dec 1396-8; chancellor, Oxford 
Univ, Oxf, by 6 Dec 1397; bishop of Lincoln, consecrated 14 Jul 1398 and 
temporalities restored 19Ju11398; PC, 10 Oct 1402; lord chancellor, 28 Feb 1403-5, 
21 Mar 1413-17, and 6 Jul 1424-6; bishop of Winchester, translated 19 Nov 1404 
and temporalities restored 14 Mar 1405; comm oyer and terminer, Oxf, 1397; JP, Oxf, 
1397, 1424, 1432, and 1435, Berks, 1424, 1431-3, 1435-7, and 1439, Bucks, 1424, 
1431, 1433-4, and 1437, Cornw, 1424, 1427, 1431-3, and 1436, Devon, 1424, 1427, 



472 PATRONS AND COMPANIES 

Somers and Wilts, 1434; comm oyer and terminer, Devon, 1433; comm of array, 
Devon, 1433, 1435-6, and 1443. Seats at Mohun's Ottery and Haccombe, Devon. 
servant/s (minstrel/s ?) (baron of Exeter 1432-3 (93) 
Ottery) 
servant (minstrel ?) Exeter 1439-40 (96) 

Peter Carew (c 1510-27 Nov 1575), kt Aug or Sept 1545. MP, Tavistock, Devon, 1545, 
Dartmouth, Devon, 1547, Devon, Mar and Oct 1553 and 1559, and Exeter, Devon, 
1563; sheriff, Devon, 23 Nov 1546; vice-adm, Devon, by 9 Aug 1548 and Cornw, 
c 1549; eccles comm, Devon and Exeter, 1553; attainted and fled the realm 23 Jan 1555; 
pardoned 9 Dec 1555; JP, Devon and Dors, 1558/9 until death; custos rot, Devon, 
1558/9 until death; comm post rnortem, Somers, 1559; comm oyer and terminer, 
Exeter Castle, Devon, 1559 and Cornw, Devon, Dors, Somers, Wilts, and 
Southampton, Hants, 1564; comm for piracy, Cornw and Devon, 1564; capt, Leighlin 
Castle, barony of Odrone, co Carlow, Ireland, 17 Feb 1568-9; P, Ireland, Feb 1569; 
constable of the Tower, 1572. Seat at Mohun's Ottery, Devon; lands in Devon and 
Somers. 
minstrels Exeter 1557-8 (148) 

Cartley 
Sir Thomas Cartley. Not identified. 
players 

Totnes 1573-4 (281) 

Cayne 
Possibly 
Sir Henry Cheyne (31 May 1540-3 Sept 1587), summ to Parl as 1st Lord Cheyne, 
8 May 1572. JP, Kent, 1562, 1564, and 1570-1 and Beds, 1564, 1570-1, and 1574; 
MP, Kent, 1563 and Beds, 1572; sheriff, Beds and Bucks, 16 Nov 1565; comm of 
musters, Beds, 1570. Seats at Toddington, Beds and Shurland, Kent; lands in Beds 
and Kent. 
players Plymouth 1564-5 (236) 

Chancellor 
John Stafford (bef 1413-25 May 1452), dean of court of Arches, 1419; archdeacon 
of Salisbury, 9 Sept 1419-20; chancellor of Salisbury, 30 Oct 1420-2; keeper of the 
privy seal, 25 Feb 1421 - 2; dean of St Martin's, London, 18 Dec 1422-4; treasurer 
of the exchequer, 18 Dec 1422-6; dean of Bath and Wells, 9 Sept 1423-4; bishop of 
Bath and Wells, elected by 19 Dec 1424, temporalities restored 12 May 1425, and 
consecrated 27May 1425;P, Somers, 1427, 1429, 1431, 1433, 1435, 1439-44, 1447-9, 



PATRONS AND COMPANIES 

473 

and 1451, Hants, 1429, 1431, and 1435, Glouc, 1432-3, 1435, and 1437-9, Midd, 
1439-40, 1445, and 1449, Southampton, Hants, 1439-47 and 1452, Kent, 1443-4, 
1446-7, and 1450-1, Surr, 1444 and 1448, Suss, 1444 and 1450-2, and Wilts, 1447 
and 1450-1 ; comm oyer and termi ner, Somers, 1428 and Kent, 1450; lord chancellor, 
25 Feb 1432-50; archbishop of Canterbury, translated 13 May 1443, temporalities 
restored 25 Jun 1443, and enthroned 22 Sept 1443 until death. 
minstrel Exeter 1439-40 (96) 

Richard Neville (c 1400-30 or 31 Dec 1460), 10th earl of Salisbury by right of marriage, 
approved 3 May 1429 and confirmed 4 May 1442. Warden, West March towards 
Scotland, Jun 1420-Jul 1434;JP, Cumb, 1421-4, 1428, 1432, 1437, 1439, 1443, 1447- 
8, and 1452-4, Westmld, 1421-4, 1432, 1434, 1437, 1439, 1443-4, 1454, 1456, and 
1459, Yorks, NR, 1423-4, 1432-3, 1437, 1440-3, 1448, 1451, 1455, and 1457-60, 
1424, 1431, 1435-7, 1439-40, 1442-3, 1448, 1452, 1454, 1456, 1458, and 1460, and 
ER, 1429, 1431, 1434-5, 1437-41, 1443, 1449, 1451, and 1453-60, Berks, 1431-3, 
1435-7, 1439, 1443-4, 1448, 1452-4, 1456, and 1458, Somers, 1431, 1433, 1435, 
1439-44, 1447-9, 1451, 1453-4, and 1457, Wilts, 1432-3, 1438, 1440-1, 1443, 1447, 
1450-1, 1453-4, and 1456-8, Essex, 1433-5, 1437-8, 1440-3, 1446, 1448-9, 1453-5, 
and 1457-9, Herts, 1433, 1435, 1437, 1439, 1443, 1445, 1454-5, and 1457, 
Northumb, 1433, 1442, 1444, 1447, and 1455, Suss, 1435, Linc, 1441-4, 1447-8, 
1452-8, and 1460, Nott, 1454, 1458, and 1460, Southampton, Hants, 1455-6 and 
1458, and Derb, Glouc, Kent, and Norf, 1460; keeper, forest north of Trent, Nov 
1424; constable, Pontefract Castle, Yorks, w,1432; master forester, Blackburn, 
Lanc, 18 Feb 1433; PC, 1437; justice, forests north of Trent, 1443 ; gov, Barnard Castle, 
Dur, 1446; chief steward, duchy of Lancaster, northern parts, by 1446; jt keeper, West 
March towards Scotland, 1453; lord chancellor, 2 Apr 1454-7 Mar 1455; keeper, 
Porchester Castle, Hants, Dec 1454; lord chamberlain, 29 Oct 1460 until death. Seat 
at Middleham Castle, Wensleydale, Yorks, N; lands in Hants, Wilts, and Yorks. 

OI" 

Thomas Bourghchier (c 1410-30 Mar 1486), dean of St Martin's, London, 1 Dec 1427- 
35;JP, Worc, 1430-1, 1433, 1435, 1437, 1440, and 1443, Glouc, 1432-3, 1435, 1437, 
and 1440-1, Oxford, Oxf, 1436-7, Warw, 1440-4, Camb, 1444, 1446, and 1448, 
Hefts, 1445, Kent, 1455-6, 1458-62, 1464-5, 1467, 1469-71, 1473-5, 1479-81, and 
1483-5, Midd, 1455-8, 1461, 1465, 1467, 1471-5, 1479-81, 1483, and 1485, Surr, 
1455, 1457-61, 1464, 1466, 1468-70, 1472-5, 1477, 1479, and 1483-6, Suss, 1455-8, 
1460-4, 1466, 1468-81, and 1483-5; chancellor, Oxford Univ, Oxf, by Mar 1434- 
c 1437; bishop of Worcester, provided 9 Mar 1435, temporalities restored 15 Apr 1435, 
and consecrated 14 May 1435-43; bishop of Ely, translated 20 Dec 1443, temporalities 
restored 27 Feb 1444, and enthroned 27 Mar 1447-54; comm oyer and terminer, Surf, 
1448 and 1450 and Norf, 1450; archbishop of Canterbury, elected 23 Apr 1454, 



474 PATRONS AND COMPANIES 

translated 21 Jun 1454, temporalities restored 22 Aug 1454, and enthroned 26Jan 1455 
until death: lord chancellor, 7 Mar 1455; comm of array, Kent, 1458-9 and 1464 and 
Camb, Essex, Herts, Hunts, Midd, Norf, Surf, Surr, Suss, and Southampton, Hants, 
1464; cardinal, 18 Sept 1467. 
minstrel/s Barnstaple 1454-5 (30) 

George Neville (1432-8 Jun 1476), son of Richard, 16th earl of Warwick, qv, 
chancellor, Oxford Univ, Oxf, 9Jun 1453-7, 15 May 1461, and20 May 1463?-72; 
archdeacon of Durham, 15 Apr 1452-6; archdeacon of Northampton, 17 Aug 1454-6; 
master, St Leonard's Hospital, York, Yorks, 24 Jan 1456-after 1465; bishop of Exeter, 
provided 4 Feb 1456, temporalities restored 21 Mar 1456, and consecrated after 29 
Nov 1458-65; lord chancellor, 25 Jul 1460, 10 Mar 1461-7, and 29 Sept 1470-1 ; jp, 
Cornw, 1460 and 1462-3, Devon, 1460-5, Herts, 1461, 1464-5, and 1470, Midd, 
1461, 1465, 1467, and 1471, Oxf, 1461-2, 1466, and 1468-71, Surr, 1461, 1464, and 
1466, Southampton, Hants, 1461 and 1464-5, Oxford, Oxf, 1461, Bucks, 1463-4, 
1466, 1468, and 1470-1, Yorks, NR, 1465-8, 1470, and 1472, ER, 1466-Tand 1470, 
and WR, 1466-8, 1470, and 1472, Nott, 1466-8 and 1470, Derb, 1467 and 1469-71, 
Beds, 1470-1, Glouc, 1470, and Cumb and Westmld, 1471; archbishop of York, 
translated 15 Mar 1465, temporalities restored 17 Jun 1465, and enthroned 22 Sept 
1465 until death; comm oyer and terminer, Nott, 1466; arrested and imprisoned in 
the Tower 26 Apr 1472; pardoned 11 Nov 1475; abbot of Westminster, 6 Nov 1475. 
minstrel Barnstaple 1461-2 (31) 

Chandos 
Giles Brydges (c 1548-21 Feb 1593/4), son of Edmund, 2nd Baron Chandos, qv, succ 
as 3rd Baron Chandos, 11 Mar 1572/3. JP, GIouc, 1570-1 ; MP, Cricklade, Wilts, 1571 
and Glouc, 1572; chief steward, manor of Hailes and hundreds of Greston, Holford, 
and Kiftsgate, all in Glouc, steward, hundred of Slaughter, Glouc and various manors 
in Wilts, for life, 19Jun 1573; lord lieut, Glouc, 17 Nov 1586 until death; member, 
council in the marches of Wales, 16 Dec 1590. Seat at Sudeley Castle, GIouc. 
bearwards Plymouth 1580-1 (248) 
players Exeter 1584-5 (162) 

Chichester 
Sir Edward Chichester (c 1568-8 Jul 1648), cr 1st Viscount Chichester of 
Carrickfergus and 2nd Baron Chichester of Belfast, both in co Antrim, Ireland, 1 Apr 
1625. Gov, Carrickfergus and Culmore, co Londonderry, adm, Lough Neagh, and 
, all in Ireland, 1625; vice-adm, Ulster, by Jan 1626; jt comm of the treasury, 
Ireland, 1632. Seats at Belfast and Carrickfergus; lands in Devon. 
wait players Barnstaple 1633-4 (51) 



PATRONS AND COMPANIES 

479 

1531, 12 Nov 1549, and 8 Nov 1553; custos rot, Devon 1507-53; comm of array, 
Devon, 1511 ; comm and assessor, duchy of Cornwall, Cornw and Devon, jr, 20 Sept 
1514 and sole, 4 Jul 1518, 11 Jul 1525, and 23 Jun 1528; warden of the stannaries, 
Cornw and Devon, by 1512; recorder, Exeter, Devon, 1514-44 and 1551 until death; 
deputy steward, Lydford, Devon, 1515 and chief steward, manors of Christow and 
Cowick Barton and liberty of Tavistock, Devon, 1535; comm of musters, Devon, 
1523 and 1546; Mp, Devon, 1529, 1539, and 1553; comm of iai delivery, Exeter Castle, 
Devon, 1530; comm oyer and terminer, Cornw, Dors, Hants, Somers, and Wilts, 
1538, 1541-5, and 1547, Devon, 1538, 1540-5, and 1547, Berks and Oxf, 1541-2, 
Oxford, Oxf, 1544, and Exeter, ! 544 and 1547; member, council in the West, Cornw, 
Devon, Dors, and Somers, 12 Apr 1539: ecc[es comm, Exeter, 1553; comm post 
rnortern, Devon, 1557; deputy lieut, Cornw and Devon, Mar 1558. Seats at Bicton 
and Holcombe Burnell, Devon; residence in London; lands in Devon and Essex. 

minstrels (recorder) 
minstrels 

Exeter 1529-30 (130) 
Exeter 1530-1 ( 131 ) 
Plymouth 1530-1 (224) 
Barnstaple 1532-3 (38) 
Plymouth 1532-3 (224) 
Barnstaple 1533-4 (38) 

Probably 
minstrels (Mr Denys) Exeter 1533-4 (133) 

minstrel/s Plymouth 1538-9 (228) 

Robert Denys (c 1515-by 13 Nov 1592), son of Thomas, qv, kt, by 16 Nov 1557. 
My, Devon, 1555; feodary, duchy of Lancaster, Devon, 1556-10 Dec 1566 and 7 Dec 
1568-27 Jul 1590; comm post mortem, Devon, 1557 and 1571-2; sheriff, Devon, 16 
Nov 1557 and 18 Nov 1567; v, Devon, 1558/9 until death  comm oyer and terminer, 
Cornw, Devon, Dors, Somers, Wilts, and Southampton, Hants, 1564; recorder, 
Exeter, Devon, 1572 until death; comm of musters, Cornw and Devon, 1586. Seats 
at Bicton and Ho[combe Burnell, Devon; lands in Devon. 
musicians Barnstaple 1584-5 (45) 

Derby 
Henry Stanley (Sept 1531-25 Sept 1593), styled Lord Strange until summ to Parl as 
Lord Strange of Knockin, Shrops, 23 Jan 1558/9; succ as 13th earl of Derby and lord 
of the Isle of Man, 24 Oct 1572. High steward, Ormskirk, Lanc, 6 Dec 1550; it comm 
of musters, Lancaster, Lanc, 1569; lord lieut, 24 Oct 1572 until death and vice-adm, 
Lanc and Ches, May 1574-87; eccles comm, York, Yorks, 1577; pc, by 20 May 1585; 
lord steward of the household, after Sept 1588-93; chamberlain of Chester, Ches, 5 
Nov 1588-93; member, council of the North. Estates at Lathom and Knowsley, both 
in Lanc. 



480 PATRONS AND COMPANIES 
players (Lord Strange) Plymouth 
players Dartmouth 
Exeter 

1.69-70 (239) 
1 .79-80 (68) 
1579-80(157) 
!S80-1 (158) 

\Villiam Stanley (c 1561-29 Sept 1642), succ as 15th earl of Derby, 16 Apr 1594; 
confirmed in lordship of the Isle of Man, 7 Ju11609. Pc, Mar-May 1603; chamberlain, 
co palatine of Chester, 30 Oct 1603 and it, with James Stanley, qv, for life, 23 Oct 
1626; lord lieut, Lanc and Ches, 22 Dec 1607, and jt with James Stanley for life, 12 
Dec 1626; member, council in the marches of Wales, by 1617; vice-adm, Lanc and 
Ches, 1619-38; jt steward, Furness, Lanc, 30 Nov 1627. Seats at Lathom and 
Knowsley, Lanc; lands in Lanc. 
players Barnstaple 1607-8 (48) 

Devon 
Edward de Courtenay (c 1357-5 Dec 1419), succ as 1 lth earl of Devon, 2 May 1377. 
JP, Devon, 1378, 1380-4, 1387, 1391, 14(3(3-1, 140.5-8, 1413-15, and 1418 and 
Cornw, 1382, 1385, 1387-8, and 1391 ; adm of the West, 1383-5; lieut, duchy of 
Lancaster, Devon, Jun 1386; member, king's council, 1395. Principal seat at Tiverton 
Castle, Devon; lands in Devon and Somers, including honours of Okehampton and 

Plympton, Devon. 
minstrels 

minstrel/s 
servant/s (minstrel/s?) 

Location unknown 1389-90 (306) 
Exeter ! 415-16 (85) 
Exeter ! 4 ! 6-17 (85) 
Exeter 1417-18 (86) 
1418-19(86) 

Thomas de Courtenay (1414-3 Feb 1457/8), son of Hugh, 12th earl of Devon, qv, 
succ as 13th earl of Devon, 16 Jun 1422. PC, nd; JP, Cornw, 1433, 1436, 1438-9, 1441- 
3, 1445, 1453, and 1455, Berks, 1435, 1437, 1439, 1443-4, 1448, and 1454, Devon, 
1435, 1438, 1440, 1443-4, 1447-8, 1453, and 1455-6, Dors, 1435, 1437, 1439, 1442- 
3, 1446-7, and 1453, Somers, 1435, 1439-44, 1447-9, 1451, 1454, and 1457, and 
Southampton, Hants, 1439-47; steward, duchy of Cornwall, 7 May 1441; keeper, 
forests of Buckholt and Melchet, Hants, and of Clarendon and Grovely, Wilts, 17 
Jul 1457. Seats at Tiverton Castle and Colcombe, Devon; lands in Devon. 
servants (minstrels?) Exeter 1428-9 (90) 

servant/s (minstrel/s?) Exeter 
servant (minstrel?) Exeter 
servant/s (minstrel/s?) Exeter 
minstrels Exeter 
minstrel Barnstaple 

1429-30(91) 
1430-1 (92) 
1430-1 (92) 
1432-3 (93-4) 
1454-5 (30) 



PATRONS AND COMPANIES 

481 

Edward Courtenay (bef May 1471-28 May 1509), cr 17th earl of Devon, 26 Oct 1485. 
Sheriff, Devon, 5Nov 1478;JP, Cornw, 1483, 1485-8, 1492-8, 1502, 1504, and 1506, 
Somers, 1485-8, 1491, 1493-5, 1498-1500, 1502-3, and 1505-8, Devon, 1487, 1491- 
2, 1494- 6, 1501-2, 1504, and 1506, and Bucks, Camb, Derb, Hefts, Hunts, Leic, 
Linc, Northants, Nott, Oxf, Rut, Staff, Warw, Worc, and Yorks, 1493; constable, 
Restormel Castle and keeper, park of Restormel, Cornw, for life, 1 Mar 1486. Seat 
at Tiverton Castle, Devon; lands in Berks, Bucks, Cornw, Devon, Dots, Hants, and 
Somers. 
minstrels Plymouth i 495-6 (213) 
i 499-1500 (214) 

See also Henry Courtenay under Exeter (marquess) 

Devon (countess) 
Anne Talbot (d 16 Jan 1440/1 ), married Hugh de Courtenay, 12th earl of Devon (d 
16 Jun 1422), qv, and John Botreaux, after 1432-3. 
servants (minstrels?) Exeter 1428-9 (90) 

See also Gertrude Blount under Exeter (marchioness) 

Dinham 
Sir John Dinham (c 1433-28 Jan 1501), summ to parl as2nd Lord Dinham, 28 Feb 
1466/7. iv, Devon, 1460-6, 1468-72, and 1474-84, Essex, 1473-80 and 1483, Glouc, 
Somers, and Worc, 1474, and Surf, 1493-4 and 1497-1500; sheriff, Devon, 7 Nov 
1460; keeper, Dartmoor Forest and manor, borough, and castle of Lydford, Devon, 
17 Oct 1469 and forests of Exmoor, Devon and Somers and Neroche, Somers, for 
life, 16 Mar 1470; steward, borough and manor of Bradninch, Devon and duchy of 
Cornwall, Devon, and warden of the stannaries, Devon, 17 Oct 1469; member, king's 
council, 22 Sept 1475; chief forester, Dartmoor, 24 Jun 1483; treasurer of the 
exchequer, during pleasure, 14 Jul 1486. Seats at Cardinham, Cornw, Hartland and 
Nutwell, Devon, and Buckland Denham, Somers; lands in Bucks, Cornw, Devon, 

Hants, Oxf, and Somers. 
minstrel/s Barnstaple 1470-1 (33) 
1477-8 (35) 
1483-4 (36) 
performer Barnstaple 1480-1 (36) 
performers Barnstaple 1481-2 (36) 

Dorset 
Henry Grey (17 Jan 1517-23 Feb 1554), styled Lord Grey until he succ as 6th 
marquess of Dorset, 9th Lord Ferrers, 9th Lord Harington, 4th Lord Bonville, and 
possibly Lord Astley, 10 Oct 1530; cr 7th duke of Suffolk, 11 Oct 1551..p, Beds, 



482 PA.TRONS A. ND COMPA.N|ES 

1525 and 1528?-30, Cornw, 1539-40, 1544, and 1547, Devon, 1539-41, 1543-4, and 
1547, Dors, 1539-40and 1547, Somers, 1539-40, 1543- 4, and 1547, Warw, 1539, 
1542, 1545, and 1547, Wilts, 1539, 1543, and 1547, Yorks, WR, 1541, and Leic, 1544 
and 1547; lord lieut, Leic and Rut, 1549; chief justice in eyre, south of Trent, 2 Feb 
1550-3; PC, 11 Dec 1549-53; warden of the marches towards Scotland, Feb-Sept 
1551; steward, royal honours and lordships in Leic, Nott, Rut, and Warw and 
constable, Leicester Castle, Leic, 1551 ; attainted and beheaded 23 Feb 1554. Seats at 
Chewton, Somers and Bradgate and Groby, Leic; lands in Beds, Devon, Leic, Somers, 
Surr, Warw; property in London. 
minstrels Exeter 1528-9 (129) 
players Plymouth 1539-40 (228) 
Barnstap|e 1542-3 (39-40) 
Exeter 1542-3 (139) 

See also Thomas Beaufort under Exeter (duke) 

Drake 
Francis Drake (c 1540-28 Jan 1596), kt, 4 Apr 1581. Mayor, Plymouth, Devon, 1581 ; 
J', Devon, from c 1583 and Cornw, from c 1591; M,, Bossiney, Cornw, 1584 and 
Plymouth, 1593; vice-adm, Plymouth, 1586-8; defeated Spanish Armada, 1588; 
commander of expeditions to Cadiz, 1587, Portugal, 1589, and West Indies, 1595. 
Seats at Buckland Monachorum and Yealmpton, Devon. 
musicians Plymouth 1594-5 (256) 

Dudley 
Edward Sutton (bef 1536-bur 12 Aug 1586), succ as 4th Lord Dudley, by 18 Sept 
1553. Jp, Staff and Worc, 1562 and 1564. Seat at Dudley Castle, Worc; lands in Staff, 
Warw, Worc, and Yorks. 
Possibly 
players Exeter 1559-60 (64) 
musicians Exeter 1581-2 (159) 

See also Leicester 

Edgecombe 
Peter Edgecombe (1468 or 1469-14 Aug 1539), kt, by 1504. Constable, Launceston 
Castle, Cornw, during pleasure, 15 Nov 1489; escheator and feodary, duchy of 
Cornwall, 1489 until death; ', Cornw, 1498, 1502, 1504, 1506, 1509-15, 1520-2, 
1524-6, 1530, 1532, and 1536-9 and Devon, 1501-2, 1504, 1506, 1509-15, 1517, 
1519, 1522, 1524, 1526, 1530, 1532, 1536, and 1538-9;sheriff, Devon, 5Nov 1494, 
5 Nov 1497, 9 Nov 1517, and 7 Nov 1528 and Cornw, 1 Dec 1505, 10 Nov 1516, 
and 14 Nov 1534; keeper, 'Kerrybullock Park,' Cornw, 22 Jun 1509 until death; 



PATRONS AND COMPANIES 483 

comm of array, Cornw, 1511 and 1513; MP, Cornw 1515 and 1529; recorder, 
Launceston, by 1521 until death; comm post mortem, Cornw, 1525, 1533, and 1537; 
assessor of the stannaries, duchy of Cornwall, Cornw and Devon, I l Jul 1525; comm 
ofiaii delivery, Launceston Castle, 1532 and 1537; eccles comm, Cornw, 1535; chief 
steward, Tavistock Abbey, Devon, by 1535; comm oyer and terminer, Cornw, 
Devon, Dots, Hants, Somers, and Wilts, 1538; comm of musters, Cornw, 1539; 
comm for defence of the coast, Cornw, Devon, Dots, and Somers, 1539. Seats at 
Cotehele and West Stonehouse, Cornw; lands in Cornw and Devon. 
minstrels Exeter i 537-8 (i 35) 

Probably 
Peter Edgecombe (c 1536-4 Jan 1608), grandson of Peter, qv, MP, Totnes, Devon, 
1555, Cornw, 1563, 1572, 1586, 1589, and 1593, Devon, 1571, and Liskeard, Cornw, 
1584; JP, Devon, c 1561-4 and by 1569 until death and Cornw, 1569 until death; 
sheriff, Devon, 16 Nov 1565 and Cornw, 12 Nov 1569; comm of musters, Cornw, 
1569 and 1572 and Devon, 1569; custos rot, Cornw, 1573; comm post rnortem, Devon, 
1574; steward, Liskeard, by 1574-87; jt lord iieut, Cornw, 8 Aug 1586-7 Dec 1587. 
Seats at Cotehele and Mount Edgcumbe, Cornw; lands in Cornw, Devon, and 
Somers. 
players (Mr Edgecombe) Plymouth i 56 i -2 (235) 
i 567-8 (238) 
player on the two-hand sword Plymouth 1584-5 (250) 
(Mr Edgecombe) 

Essex 
Henry Bourchier (c 1472-13 Mar 1540), succ as 15th earl of Essex, 2nd Viscount and 
6th Lord Bourchier, 4 Apt 1483. JP, Bucks, Camb, Derb, Hunts, Leic, Linc, 
Northants, Nott, Oxf, Rut, Staff, Suss, Warw, Worc, and Yorks, 1493, Hefts, 1493, 
1497, 1500-1, 1503, 1506, 1509-12, 1514, 1519, 1521-2, 1524, 1528, 1531-2, and 
1537-40, and Essex, 1496, 1498-1502, 1504, 1506, 1508-15, 1520, 1523, 1525-6, 
1528, 1530-2, 1536, 1538, and 1540; PC, 1505; constable, Windsor Castle, Berks, 7 
Aug 1511-24. Seat at Gaynes Park, Essex; lands in Essex, Hefts, and Somers. 
minstrels Plymouth 1520-1 (221) 
1532-3 (224) 

Robert Devereux (19 Nov 1566-25 Feb 1600/1), styled Viscount Hereford until he 
succ as 19th earl of Essex, 6th Lord Ferrets, and 9th Lord Bourchier, 22 Sept 1576. 
PC, 25 Feb 1592/3; lord lieut, Staff, 1594, chancellor, Cambridge Univ, Camb and 
Univ of Dublin, Ireland, 1598, and high steward, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, 1598, all 
until death; lord iieut, Ireland, Mar-Nov 1599; beheaded 25 Feb 1600/1. Houses at 
Chartley, Staff and Lamphey, Pembrokeshire, Wales; manor at Keyston, Hunts. 
players Exeter 1581-2 (159) 



484 PATRONS AND COMPANIES 

Exeter (duke) 
John de Holand (after 1350-9 or 10Jan 1399/1400), cr 13th earl of Huntingdon, 2 
Jun 1388 and 1 st duke of Exeter, 29 Sept 1397. Justice of Chester, Ches, 6 May 1381- 
Jul 1385; lieut of Ireland, by 28 Aug 1382; constable, Tintagel Castle, Cornw, for 
life, 6 Jan 1389, Conway Castle, Caernarvonshire, Wales, 3 Sept 1394-25 Feb 1397/8, 
and Arundei Castle, Suss, 7 Aug 1397; adrn of the West, during pleasure, 18 May 1389; 
pc, by 13 Sept 1389; lord chamberlain, for life, 31 May 1390; 3P, Devon, 1390-2, 1394, 
and 1397, Beds, Bucks, Curnb, Hunts, Surr, Suss, and Westmld, 1397, Cornw and 
Norf, 1397 and 1399, Coventry, Warw, 1397-9, and Heref, 1398; keeper, 
Rockingham Castle and steward, Rockingharn Forest, Northants, for life, 19 Apt 
1391 ; keeper, manor of Buckland, Surr, 20 Jun 1391 ; gov, Carlisle, Curnb, by 28 Feb 
1397; keeper, West Marches towards Scotland, 16 Feb 1396/7; degraded 3 Nov 1399; 
executed 9 or 10 Jan 1399/1400. London residence at Pultney House; lands in many 
cos, including Berks, Cornw, Devon, Somers, Suss, and Wales. 
pipers Exeter 1398-9 (77) 

Thomas Beaufort (bef 1396-31 Dec 1426), cr 1st earl of Dorset, 5Ju11411 or 1412 
and 2nd duke of Exeter, 18 Nov 1416. Keeper, castle and town of Ludlow, Shrops, 
during pleasure, 15 Aug 1402; adm of the North, during pleasure, 28 Nov 1403, of 
the North and West, for life, 21 Sept 1408, and lord high adm, for life, 3 Mar 1411/12; 
3P, Norf, 1406-8, 1410, 1413-16, 1418, and 1422-4, Lynn, Norf, 1407, 1410, and 
1414-15, Surf, 1411, 1413-14, 1417, 1419, and 1422-4, Dots, 1414, 1417, 1419, 1422- 
4, and 1426, Yorks, WR, 1414 and Yorks, 1419, Essex, 1417, 1419, and 1422-4, 
Devon, 1418, 1420, and 1422-4, Camb, 1424-5, and Hunts, 1424; lord chancellor, 
31 Jan 1409/10-5Jan 1411/12; justice, Chester, Ches, 20Oct 1420 and North Wales, 
during pleasure, 14 Feb 1422/3. Lands in Hants, Kent, Norf, and Suss. 
servant/s (minstrel/s?) (earl of Dorset) Exeter 1413-14 (84) 
ser'ant/s (minstrel/s ?) Exeter 1422-3 (87) 
sere'ants (minstrels?) Exeter 1423-4 (88) 
1424-5 (88) 
minstrel/s Exeter 1425-6 (88-9) 

Henry Holand (27Jun 1430-Sept 1475), succ as 4th duke of Exeter and 15th earl of 
Huntingdon, 5 Aug 1447. Lord high adm, 14 Feb 1445/6-60; constable of the Tower, 
jr, 28 Feb 1447 and sole, 6 Aug 1447-60; 3v, Devon, 1457-9, Cornw, 1458, and Beds, 
Hunts, and Northants, 1471 ; constable, Fotheringay Castle, Northants, for life, 19 
Dec 1459; attainted 4 Nov 1461 ; fled to Flanders 1463-Feb 1470/1 ; held in custody 
26 M ay 1471-20 M ay 1475. London residence at Coldharbour; lands in rnany cos, 
including Cornw, Derb, Devon, Somers, Wilts, and Wales. 
minstrels Barnstaple 1454-5 (30) 



servant/s (minstrel/s?) Exeter 1456-7 (99) 
minstrel/s Barnstaple 1458-9 (30) 
1462-3 (31 ) 
minstrel Barnstaple 1462-3 (31 ) 

485 

Exeter (marchioness) 
Gertrude Blount (c 1504-25 Sept 1558), married Henry Courtenay, 19th earl of Devon 
and I st marquess of Exeter, qv, 25 Oct 1519. Arrested 5 Nov 1538; attainted Jul 1539 

and imprisoned; attainder reversed by Queen Mary, qv. 
minstrels (countess of Devon) Plymouth 
minstrel (countess of Devon) Exeter 
minstrels Exeter 
performers (countess of Devon) Exeter 

1520-1 (220) 
1523-4 (125) 
! 529-30 (130) 
1524-5 (126) 
1525-6 (127) 
1526-7(127) 

Exeter (marquess) 
Henry Courtenay (c 1498-9 Jan 1538/9), succ as 19th earl of Devon, Dec 1512 and 
cr I st marquess of Exeter, 18 Jun 1525. PC, 1520; keeper, Birling Park, Kent, 28 Apr 
1522; steward, honour of Winkleigh, lordships of South Tawton and Zeal, Devon, 
and lands of duchies of Exeter and Somerset, 3 Apr 1523 and duchy of Cornwall, 
borough of Bradninch, Devon, and manor of Mere, Wilts, 26 May 1523 ; warden of 
the stannaries, Cornw and Devon and master forester, Dartmoor, Devon, 26 May 
1523;JP, Devon, 1524, 1526, 1530, 1532, 1536, and 1538, Somers, 1524, 1526, 1529, 
1532, 1538, Cornw, 1525-6, 1530, 1532, and 1536-8, Kent, 1526, 1528, 1531-2, and 
1537-8, and Surr, 1528, 1531-2, and 1538; constable, Windsor Castle, Berks, Apr 
1525; seneschal, duchy of Cornwall, Jun 1528; attainted and beheaded 9 Jan 1538/9. 
Seat at Tiverton Castle, Devon; lands in Cornw, Devon, Essex, Hants, Herts, Kent, 

Midd, Rut, and Surf. 
minstrels (earl of Devon) 
minstrels 

minstrels (earl of Devon) 
minstrels 

performers (earl of Devon) 
bearward 

Plymouth 1523-4 (221-2) 
Barnstaple | 526-7 (37) 
Plymouth 1527-8 (222) 
Exeter 1528-9 (i 29) 
1529-30 (130) 
1530-1 (131) 
Plymouth 1531-2 (224) 
Barnstaple 1532-3 (38) 
Exeter 1532-3 (132) 
Plymouth 1532-3 (224) 
1534-5 (225) 
Exeter 1527-8 (128) 
Exeter 1537-8 (135) 



486 PAIRONS AND COMPANIES 

Ferrers 
\Valter Devereux (c 1432-22 Aug 1485), cr2nd Lord Ferrets, 1461. MP, Heref, 1460; 
Jp, Heref, 1461-3, 1473-6, 1481, and 1483-4, Glouc, 1462, 1464, 1468-9, 1471, 
1473-5, 1477, 1479, 1481, and 1483-5, Shrops, 1471, 1474-5, 1477-8, 1480, and 
1483, Devon, Somers, and Worc, 1474, and Herts, 1483 and 1485; constable, 
Abervstwvth Castle, Cardiganshire, Wales, for life, 18 Jun 1463; jt keeper, Haye 
Park, Heref, for life, 10 Aug 1464; constable and steward, castles and lordships of 
Brecknock, Brecknockshire, Wales, Hay, Heref, and Huntingdon, Hunts, 16 Nov 
1469; sheriff, Caernarvonshire and master forester, Snowdon, Caernarvonshire, 
\\'ales, for life, 28 Jul 1470; attainted 7 Nov 1485 as of from 21 Aug 1485. Seat at 
Weobley, Heref; lands in man)' cos, including Berks, Bucks, Glouc, Heref, Herts, 
and \Varw. 
minstrel/s Barnstaple 1467-8 (32) 

FitzJames 
James FitzJames (c 1520-Sept 1579), kt, 19 Oct 1553. Eccles comm, bishopric of Bath 
and \\'ells, 12 Mar 1559/60; sheriff, Dots and Somers, 12 Nov 1560; Jp, Somers, 1562 
and 1564; comm post mortem, Somers, 1565; Seat at Redlynch, Somers; lands in 
Somers. 
players Exeter 1575-6 (155) 
Plymouth 1575-6 (244) 
Tomes 1576-7 (281 ) 

FitzWarin 
\Villiam Bourghchier (by 1420-bef 12 Dec 1469), summ to Pad as 3rd Lord FitzWarin 
by right of marriage, 2 Jan 1448/9. p, Shrops, 1443-5, 1448-9, 1453-4, 1457-8, 
1460-2, 1466, and 1468, Devon, 1444, 1447-8, 1451, 1453, 1455-66, and 1468-9, 
and Surr, 1448 and 1452 ; master forester, Exmoor, Devon and Neroche, Somers, for 
life, 10 May 1461. Lands in many cos, including Berks, Cornw, Devon, Glouc, 
Somers, and Wilts. 
minst rel/s Barnstaple 1454-5 (30) 
1458-9(30) 
1461-2 (30-1 ) 
1462-3 (31) 
1464-5 (31-2) 
1466-7 (32) 

Fulk Bourghchier (25 Oct 1445-18 Sept 1479), son of William, qv, succ as 4th Lord 
FitzWarin, by 12 Dec 1469. P, Devon, 1470-2 and 1474-9. 
minstrel Barnstaple 1477-8 (35) 

John Bourchier (1529-28 Feb 1556/7), son of John Bourchier, 3rd earl of Bath, qv, 



PATRONS AND COMPANIES 

487 

styled Lord FitzWarin; kt, 17 Nov 1549. Lands in Dors. 
minstrels Barnstaple 

1556-7 (42) 

See also John Bourchier (1470-1539) under Bath 

FitzWarin (Lady) 
Katherine Affeton (d 26 Mar 1467), married Hugh Stucley, nd, and William 
Bourghchier, 3rd Lord FitzWarin, qv, bef 9 Jan 1458/9. 
performer Barnstaple ! 463-4 (31) 

Fortescue 
Richard Fortescue (by 1517-26 Jun 1570), Mp, Tavistock, Devon, 1545; JP, Devon, 
c 1559 until death;sheriff, Devon, 19 Nov 1562-3. Seat at Castle Hill, Filleigh, Devon. 
players Dartmouth 1560- ! (65) 

Possibly 
Henry Fortescue (by 1515-by 6 Oct 1576), MP, Maldon, Essex, Mar 1553 and 
Sudbury, Surf, 1559; JP, Essex, c 1559 until death; steward and receiver, duchy of 
Lancaster, Essex, Mar and May 1559 respectively, until death; sheriff, Essex and 
Hefts, 8 Nov 1563; comm post mortem, Essex, 1573. Seat at Faulkbourne, Essex; lands 
in Beds, Camb, Essex, and Hefts. 
players Barnstaple 1560- ! (43) 
Dartmouth 1560-1 (64-5) 
Plymouth 1567-8 (238) 

Possibly Richard or Henry Fortescue, qv, 

Or 

John Fortescue (1533-23 Dec 1607), restored in blood, 1551 and kt, Sept 1592. 
Wallingford, Berks, 1559 and 1572, Buckingham, Bucks, 1586, Bucks, 1589, 1593, 
and 1597, and Midd, 1601 and 1604; keeper of the great wardrobe, 22 Jul 1559 until 
death; keeper, Cornbury Park, Oxf, 13 May 1560; ranger, Wychwood Forest, Oxf, 
1560; steward, Charlbury, Oxf, 1567 and Buckingham, by 1584 and high steward, 
Wallingford, Jun 1601 ; JP, Bucks, from 1569; comm of array, Beds and Bucks, 1586 
chancellor and under-treasurer of the exchequer, after 31 May 1589-24 May 1603; 
Pc, 10 Feb 1588; keeper, Hatfield House, Hefts, 1593; custos rot, Bucks, c 1594-1600 
and Midd, by 1594; comm of musters, Midd, 1596; recorder, Cambridge, Camb, Jan 
1601 ; chancellor, duchy of Lancaster, 24 Sept-3 Oct 1601 and 4 Nov 1601 until death 
Principal seat at Salden, Bucks; seats also at Welford, Berks and Holborn, Midd; lands 
in many cos, including Berks, Bucks, Dots, Glouc, Midd, and Merioneth and 
Monmouthshire, Wales. 



488 PATRONS AND COMPANIES 

players (Mr Fortescue) 

Plymouth 1560-1 (235) 
Totnes i 560-1 (280) 
Plymouth 1561-2 (235) 

Gloucester 
Humphrey of Lancaster (3 Oct 1390-23 Feb 1446/7), 4th son of Henry IV, qv, cr 2nd 
duke of Gloucester and 14th earl of Pembroke, 16 May 1414. Constable, Marlborough 
Castle and keeper, Savernake Forest, Wilts, in reversion, 1 Dec 1403; Jp, Essex, 1405- 
7, 1410-14, 1416, 1429, 1431-5, 1437-8, 1440-3, and 1446, Wilts, 1415and 1417, 
Glouc, 1416, Kent, 1416, 1420, 1422-4, 1428-9, 1432-3, 1435-44, and 1446, Nott, 
1424, Heref, 1437, 1441, and 1443, and Berks, 1444; keeper, Clarendon Forest, Wilts, 
17 Mar 1409/10 and New Forest, Hants, during pleasure, 20 Nov 1428; lord 
chamberlain, during pleasure, 7 May 1413 and 30 Nov 1422; pc, by 10 Apr 1415; 
constable, Dover Castle, Kent and warden, Cinque Ports, Kent and Suss, for life, 27 
Nov 1415; gov, Carisbrooke Castle, Wight, 28 Dec 1415; chief justice and warden 
of forests south of Trent, for life, 27Jan 1415/16; keeper of the realm and deputy of 
the king, 30 Dec 1419 and 23 Apt 1430, regent, May 1422, and protector, 5 Dec 1422; 
constable, Gloucester Castle, Glouc, during pleasure, 10 Dec 1422; justice, Chester, 
Ches and North Wales, 10 May 1427-19 Feb 1440 and Anglesey, Camb, and 
Flintshire, Wales, during pleasure, 16 Mar 1437; lieut, marches of Wales, 1 Nov 1435. 
Lands in manv cos, including Berks, Glouc, Kent, Oxf, Wight, and Wales. 
serx ant/s (minst rel/s ?) Exeter i 429-30 (91) 
1431-2 (93) 
minstrels Exeter 1438-9 (96) 
entertainer Exeter 1430-1 (92) 
i 432-3 (94) 

Richard Plantagenet (2 Oct 1452-22 Aug 1485), son of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd duke 
of York, qv, and Cecily Neville; cr 3rd duke of Gloucester, 1 Nov 1461 ; acc as Richard 

26 Jun 1483; crowned 6 Jul 1483. 
minstrel/s Barnstaple 
minstrel Barnstaple 
minstrel/s Barnstaple 
minstrels Barnstaple 

1470-1 (33) 
1472-3 (33) 
1473-4 (34) 
1475-6 (34) 
1476-7 (35) 
1477-8 (35) 

Greynfyld 
Possibly 
Thomas Greynfyld (bef 1480-c 1514), kt, 14 Nov 1501. JP, Cornw, 1483-5, 1487-8, 
1492-8, 1502, 1504, and 1506and Devon, 1494-6, 1501-2, 1504, 1506, and 1509-14; 
sheriff, Cornw, 12 Sept 1485; comm of musters, Cornw, 1488; comm of array, 



PATRONS AND COMPANIES 

489 

Cornw, 1490; comm oyer and terminer, Devon, 1497. Seats at Stowe, Kilkhampton, 
Cornw and Bideford, Devon. 
minstrel/s (Mr Greynefyld) Barnstaple 1477-8 (35) 

Possibly 
Richard Greynfyld (d by 21 Nov 1550), kt, 1529. Sheriff, Cornw, 21 Jul 1523, 7 Nov 
1526, and 16 Nov 1544 and Devon, 20 Nov 1532;Jp, Cornw, 1524-5, 1532, 1536, 
1544, and 1547 and Devon, 1532, 1536, and 1544; comm of jail delivery, Launceston 
Castle, Cornw, 1532; keeper, parks of Heytesbury and Lanteglos, Cornw, 29 May 
1532; eccles comm, Devon and Exeter, Devon, 30Jan 1535; comm of musters, Devon, 
1546. Seats at Stowe, Kilkhampton, Cornw and Bideford, Devon. 
minstrels (Mr Greynfyld) Plymouth 1532-3 (224) 

Hals 
John Hals (bef 1409-c 1434), Jp, Beds, 1413, Hunts, 1413, 1416, and 1418, Bucks, 
1414, Camb, 1414, 1417, and 1419, Cambridge, Camb, 1414-15 and 1418, Norf, 
1414-16 and 1418, surf, 1414 and 1417, Bishop's Lynn, Norf, 1414-15 and 1417, 
Great Yarmouth, Norf, 1414-15 and 1417-18, Devon, 1420, 1422-4, 1427, and 1431, 
Kent, 1420 and 1422-3, Essex, Herts, Midd, Surr, and Suss, 1422-3, Berks and 
Glouc, 1424, Heref, 1424 and 1427-8, Oxf, 1424, Shrops, 1424, 1426, and 1430, Staff, 
1424 and 1430, Worc, 1424, 1427, and 1430, Oxford, Oxf, 1426, Dors, 1430-3, 
Somers, 1430-1 and 1433, Cornw, 1431-3, Hams, 1431, Wilts, 1432-3; comm oyer 
and terminer, Devon, 1417, 1423, 1427-8, and 1433, Pembrokeshire, Wales, 1419, 
Camb, 1423, Essex, 1423, Cornw, 1424 and 1429, Warw, 1425, Midd and Oxf, 1430, 
Cornw, 1431-2, Somers, 1431, Southampton, Hants, 1433, and Exeter, Devon, 1434; 
comm of assize, Essex, Herts, Kent, Midd, Surf, and Suss, 1422-3, Berks, Glouc, 
Heref, Oxf, Shrops, Staff, and Worc, 1424, and Cornw, Devon, Dots, Somers, Wilts, 
and Southampton, 1430; justice of the common bench, during pleasure, 5 May 1423 ; 
justice of the king's bench, 23 Jan 1424; comm of jail delivery, Launceston Castle, 
Cornw, 1428. Seat at Keynedon, Devon. 
fool Exeter 1425-6 (88) 

Hancock 
Not identified. 
drummer 

Plymouth 1570-1 (241) 

Hankeford 
William Hankeford (d 20 Dec 1422), kt, 17 Mar 1400. Comm oyer and terminer, Oxf, 
1388 and 1418, Devon, 1390-2, 1394, 1396, and 1397-8, 1400-5, 1409-12, 1417, and 
1424, Essex, 1390, 1394, 1397, 1401, and 1404, Hefts, 1390-2, 1394, 1397, 1403, and 
1417, Midd, 1390 and 1397, Surf, 1390, 1394, and 1397, Southampton, Hams, 1390, 
Cornw, 1393, 1409-10, and 1422, Somers, 1393, 1399, 1400, and 1410, Suss, 1393-4, 



490 PATRONS AND COMPANIES 

1397, and 1420, Kent, 1394, 1396-7, and 1411, Warw and Coventry, Warw, 1399, 
Bristol, Giouc, 1400, Dors, 1404, Wilts, 1409, Beds, 1411, 1414, and 1416, Cinque 
Ports, Kent and Suss, 1411, G louc, South Wales, and the Welsh marches, 1413, and 
Worc, 1418; comm of assize, Essex, Herts, Kent, Surr, and Suss, 1388, 1393, 1395, 
and 1398, Midd, 1388 and 1398, and Berks, Glouc, Heref, Oxf, Shrops, Staff, Worc, 
and the marches of Wales, 1388; comm of jail delivery, Hertford Castle, Hefts, 1388, 
1394, and 1398-9, Guildford Castle, Surr, 1389, 1392, and 1394, Exeter Castle, 
Devon, 1390 and 1399, Winchester Castle, Hants, 1390 and 1397, Ilchester, Somers 
and Salisbury, Wilts, 1390, Canterbury Castle, Kent, 1393-4, Berkhamstead Castle, 
Herts, 1394-5, Newgate, London and Royston, Herts, 1398; Jp, Devon, 1389-92, 
1394, 1397, 1399-1401, 1405-8, 1413-15, 1418, 1420, and 1422-3, Essex, 1389-90, 
1394, 1397, 1399, 1401-2, 1404-6, and 1412-13, Herts, 1389-92, 1394, 1397, 1399, 
1401, and 1406, Kent, 1389-90, 1394, 1396-7, 1399-1401, 1404, and 1406, Midd, 
1389-90, 1397, 1399, 1401, 1404, and 1406, Surr, 1389-90, 1394, 1397, 1399, 1401, 
1403, 1406, and 1412-13, Suss, 1389, 1393-4, 1397, 1399-1401, 1403, and 1406, 
\Vilts, 1389, 1407-8, and 1410, Southampton, 1389-90 and 1407, Coventry, Warw, 
1399, Cornw, 1405, 1407, and 1410, Dors, 1407 and 1410, and Somers, 1407-10 and 
1413; comm post rnortern, Cornw, 1389, Devon, 1389 and 1408, and Somers, 1393; 
justice of the common bench, during pleasure, 6 May 1398; comm for piracy, Cornw 
and Devon, 1406 and 1409; chief justice of the king's bench, by 29 Mar 1413; jt keeper, 
manor of 'Branton Gorges,' Devon, 14 Jul 1421. Seats at Hankford and Annery, 
Devon; lands in Berks, Cornw, and Devon. 
sere'ants (minstrels ?) Exeter 1413-14 (83) 

Richard Hankeford (c 1380-27 Apr 1419), son of William, qv, comm of array, Devon, 
1402 and 1418-19; MP, Devon, 1414; comm for piracy, Devon, 1418. Seat at Annery, 
Devon. 

or 

Richard Hankeford (c 21 Jui 1397-8 Feb 1430/1), son of Richard, qv, jt keeper, manor 
of'Branton Gorges,' Devon, 14Ju11421 ; MP, Devon, 1423; Jp, Shrops, 1423-4, 1426, 
and 1430; sheriff, Devon, 13 Nov 1423; comm of musters, Devon, 1426; comm of 
array, Devon, 1427; comm for piracy, Devon, 1430. Manors at Eastbury, Berks, 
Huish, Devon, and Kelynack, Cornw; lands in many cos, including Berks, Glouc, 
Hefts, Shrops, Somers, and Wilts. 
servants (minstrels ?) Exeter 1413-14 (83) 

Harington 
Margaret Hill (d bef Mar 1457/8), married William de Harington, 5th Lord Harington 
(d 3 or 10 Mar 1457/8) by 1423. 

or 



PATRONS AND COMPANIES 491 

Elizabeth Harington (d bet 1442 and 1458), daughter and heiress of William de 
Harington, 5th Lord Harington, married William Bonville, by 1442. 
servants (minstrels ?) Exeter ! 428-9 (90) 
minstrei/s Exeter 1433-4 (95) 

Cecily Bonville (c 1460-12 May 1529), succ suojure as 7th Baroness Harington, 31 
Dec 1460 and 2nd Baroness Bonville, 18 Feb 1461, married Thomas Grey, 4th 
marquess of Dorset (d 20 Sept 1501 ), bef Apr 1475 and Henry Stafford, 11 th earl of 
Wihshire (d 6 Mar 1523), bet 22 Nov 1503 and 18 Oct 1505. 
performer Barnstaple 1463-4 (31) 

Harte 
Percival Harte (d 1580), kt, after 1538. Sheriff, Flintshire, Wales, 17 Jun 1536 and 
Kent, 22 Nov 1545; JP, Kent, 1542-4, 1554, 1556, 1562, 1564, and 1570-1 ; comm 
of musters, Kent, 1546; eccles comm, Kent, 1553; comm oyer and terminer, Kent, 
1554. Seat at Lullingstone, Kent; lands in Kent. 
players Plymouth ! 561-2 (235) 

Hawkins 
Richard Hawkins (c 1562-17 Apr 1622), kt, 23 Jul 1603. On expeditions to West 
Indies, 1582; capt on Francis Drake's, qv, voyage to West Indies, Spanish Main, and 
coast of Florida, 1585-6; on expeditions against Spanish Armada, 1588, to Portugal, 
1590, to Azores, 1592, and to West Indies, Brazil, and Straits of Magellan, 1593; 
imprisoned in Seville, Spain, 1597; transferred to prison in Madrid, Spain, 1599-1602; 
vice-adm, Devon, 1604; MP, Plymouth, 1604; vice-adm of fleet sent to Mediterranean, 
1620-1. Seats at Deptford and Plymouth, Devon. 
musicians Plymouth 1592-3 (255) 
trumpeters Plymouth ! 592-3 (255) 
waits Plymouth ! 592-3 (255) 

Haynes 
William Haynes (by 1430-94), keeper, park of Woodstock, Oxf, 18 Mar 1442; 
escheator, Hants and Wilts, 1449-50; MP, Bath, Somers, 1460 and 1472-5; mayor, 
Bath, 1467 and 1474; alderman, Bath, by 1492. Seat at Swindon, Wilts. 
player/s Barnstaple ! 478-9 (35) 

Howard 
The following are possibilities: 
Henry Howard (c 1517-19 Jan 1546/7), 1st son of Thomas Howard, 8th duke of 
Norfolk, qv, t<B, by Mar 1541 and t:G, 22 May 1541 ; styled earl of Surrey. Assisted 
in suppressing Yorks rebellion, Oct 1536; comm for defence of the coast, Norf, 1539; 



PATRONS AND COMPAN|FS 493 

1429-30(91) 
1430-1 (92) 
143 !-2 (92) 
1432-3(93) 

Hunsdon 
Henry Carey (4 Mar 1525/6-23 Jul 1596), cr I st Baron Hunsdon, 13 Jan 1558/9. MP, 
Buckingham, Bucks, 1547, Apr and Nov 1554 and 1555; JP, Essex, Herts, and Kent, 
1562, 1564, and 1584, Beds, 1564, and Yorks, rR, 1584; gov, Berwick upon Tweed, 
Northumb, 25 Aug 1568-87; warden, East Marches towards Scotland, 23 Oct 1571 ; 
PC, 16 Nov 1577; lord chamberlain of the household, Ju11585, lord lieut, Norf and 
Suff, 3Ju11585, and chief justice in eyre, south of Trent, 1.589, all until death; recorder, 
Cambridge, Camb and high steward, Ipswich, Suff and Doncaster, Yorks, wR, 1590; 
chief justice itinerant, royal forests south of Trent, 20 Dec 1591 until death; high 
steward, Oxford, Oxf, for life, 2 Mar 1591/2. Seats at Buckingham and Hunsdon, 
Herts; lands in Bucks, Derb, Essex, Hams, Herts, Kent, Wilts, and Yorks. 
players Dartmouth 1564-5 (65) 
Plymouth ! 564-5 (237) 
Exeter ! 582-3 ( ! 59) 

Huntingdon 
John Holand (29 Mar 1395 or 1396-.5 Aug 1447), restored in blood and succ as 14th 
earl of Huntingdon, 1417; cr 3rd duke of Exeter, 6 Jan 1443/4. Constable of the 
Tower, sole, 20Aug 1420 and jr, 28 Feb 1446/7; iv, Beds, 1426, 1435, 1437, 1439-40, 
and 1443, Cornw, 1427, 1431-3, 1436, 1438, 1441-3, and 1445, Devon, 1427, 1431, 
1435, 1438, and 1443-4, Essex, 1427, 1429, 1431-5, 1437-8, 1441-3, and 1446, 
Heref, 1427-8, 1431-3, 1435, 1437, 1441, and 1443, Herts, 1427, 1429, 1431, 1433, 
1435, 1437, 1439, 1443, and 1445, Somers, 1427, 1429, and 1431, Hunts, 1428-9, 
1432, 1437, 1441-3, and 1446, Suss, 1433, 1435-7, 1439, 1441-2, and 1444, Surr, 
1435-40 and 1443-4; deputy marshal of England, 15 Nov 1432-12 Sept 1436; jt 
keeper, East and West Marches towards Scotland and jt capt, Berwick upon Tweed, 
Northumb, 12Ju11435; lord high adm, during pleasure, sole, 2 Oct 1435 and jr, 14 
Feb 1445/6; PC, Nov 1426-May 1445. London residence at Coldharbour, lands in 

Berks, Ches, Cornw, Devon, Herts, Somers, and Wales. 
servant/s (minstrel/s ?) Exeter 
minstrel/s Exeter 

Exeter 

servant/s (minstrel/s?) 

minstrels Exeter 

1415-16(85) 
1425-6(88) 
1427-8 (90) 
1428-9 (90) 
! 429-30 (91 ) 
143 !-2 (92) 
1432-3 (93) 
1433-4 (95) 



494 PATRONS AND COMPANIES 

minstrel/s Barnstaple 1435-6 (30) 
minstrels Exeter 1438-9 (95) 
trumpeters Exeter 1438-9 (96) 

John, son of the king see Bedford 

Kindorslay 
Possibly 

Thomas Venables (by 1513-19Jul 1580), styled Baron Kinderton; kt, 11 May 1544. 
Chamberlain, Middlewich, Ches, 1540-72; jP, Ches, 1543-6, 1547, 1562, and 1564 
until death; sheriff, Ches, 1544-5 and 13 Nov 1556; comm of musters, Ches, by 1545; 
stv, Ches, Mar 1553 and 1563. Seat at Kinderton and lands in Bradwell, Eccleston, 
and Middlewich, all in Ches. 
players Exeter 1577-8 (156) 

King 
Henry of Bolingbroke (Apr 1366-20 Mar 1413), son of John of Gaunt and Blanche 
of Lancaster; declared Henry IV by Parl, 30 Sept 1399; crowned 13 Oct 1399. 

pipers Exeter 1400-1 (77) 
piper/s Exeter 1401-2 (78) 
pipers Exeter 1407-8 (80) 
piper/s Exeter ! 409-10 (81) 
1412-13(82) 
minstrels Exeter 1402-3 (78) 
servants (min strels ?) Exeter 1413-14 (84) 

Henry of Monmouth (9 Aug 1387-31 Aug 1422), son of Henry IV, qv, and Mary de 

Bohun; cr prince of Wales, 15 Oct 
Apr 1413. 
piper/s (prince) Exeter 1407-8 (80) 
1408-9 (80) 
minstrel/s Exeter 1416-17 (85) 
leopardward Exeter 1417-18 (86) 

1399; acc as Henry v, 20 Mar 1413; crowned 9 

Henry of Windsor (6 Dec 1421-21 May 1471), son of Henry v, qv, and Catherine 
of Valois, qv, acc as Henry Vl, 1 Sept 1422; proclaimed king of France, 21 Oct 1422; 
John, 1st duke of Bedford, qv, appointed protector, 5 Dec 1422; crowned king of 
F ngland, 6 Nov 1429 and of France, 7 Sept 1432; deposed 4 Mar 1461, restored 3 Oct 
1470, and deposed finally 11 Apr 1471. 
minstrel/s Exeter 1425-6 (88) 
1427-8 (90) 
minstrels Exeter 1439-40 (96) 



PATRONS AND COMPANIES 495 

minstrel/s Barnstaple 1454-5 (30) 
1458-9 (30) 

Edward of York (28 Apr 1442-9 Apr 1483), son of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd duke 
of York, qv, and Cecily Neville, acc as Edward IV, 4 Mar 1461 ; crowned 28 Jun 1461 ; 

fled England 3 Oct 1470-14 Mar 1471; restored 11 Apt 1471. 
minstrel/s Barnstaple 

minstrels Barnstaple 
minstrel/s Barnstaple 
performers Barnstaple 

1462-3 (31 ) 
1466-7(32) 
1467-8 (32) 
1468-9 (33) 
1476-7(35) 
1477-8 (35) 
1481-2 (36) 

Henry of Richmond (28 Jan 1457-21 Apr 1509), son of Edmund Tudor and Margaret 
Beaufort, acc as Henry vii, 22 Aug 1485; crowned 30 Oct 1485. 
performers Exeter 1490-1 

minstrels Exeter 
Plymouth 

minstrel Exeter 
minstrels Plymouth 
trumpeters Exeter 
bearward Plymouth 

(109) 
1493-4 (110) 
1495-6(112) 
1497-8(113) 
15oo-1 (i 13) 
1501-2(114,115) 
1503-4(115,116) 
1504-5 (116) 
1505-6 (1 ! 7) 
1506-7(117) 
1507-8 (1 ! 8) 
15o8-9(118) 
1494-5(111) 
1494-5 (213) 
1495-6 (2 ! 3) 
1498-9(213-14) 
1499-1500 (214) 
1504-5 (216) 
1505-6 (117) 
1505-6(216) 
1496-7(112) 
1498-9(214) 

Henry Tudor (28Jun 1491-28Jan 1547), son of Henry vii, qv, and Elizabeth of York; 
cr prince of Wales, 18 Feb 1503; acc as Henry viii, 22 Apr 1509; crowned 24Jun 1509. 
minstrels (lord of York) Plvmouth 1502-3 (215) 
minstrels (prince) Plymouth 1504-5 (216) 
minstrels Plymouth 1514-15 (218) 



496 PAI'RONS AND COMPANIES 

performers 

Exeter 
Plymouth 
Location unknown 
Barnstaple 
Plymouth 
Exeter 

Barnstaple 
Exeter 

Plymouth 

Exeter 

Exeter 

1515-16(218) 
1516-17(219) 
1517-18(219) 
1520-1(221) 
1523-4 (125) 
1523-4 (221) 
1523-4 (308) 
1525-6 (37) 
1525-6 (222) 
1528-9 (129) 
1529-30(130) 
1532-3 (38) 
1532-3 (132) 
1533-4 (133) 
1533-4 (225) 
1534-5 (225) 
1534-5 (133) 
1535-6(134) 
1509-10(119) 
151O-ll (119) 
1511-12(120) 
1512-13(120) 
1513-14(120) 
1514-15(121) 
1515-16(121) 
1516-17(122) 
1517-18(122) 
1518-19(123) 
1519-20(123) 
1520-1 (124) 
1521-2(124) 
1522-3 (124) 
1523-4 (125) 
1524-5 (126) 
1525-6 (127) 
1526-7(127,128) 
1527-8(128,129) 
1528-9(130) 
1530-1 (131) 
1531-2(131) 
1532-3 (132) 
1533-4 (133) 
1534-5 (134) 
1535-6 (134) 
1540-1 (138) 



PATRONS AND COMPANIES 497 

bearward Plymouth i 5 i 3- i 4 (217) 
Barnstaple 1515-16 (37) 
Plymouth 1515-16(219) 
bearwards Plymouth 1516-17 (2 i 9) 
bearward Plymouth 15 i 7-18 (2 i 9) 
1518-19(219) 
i 519-20 (220) 
bearwards Plymouth 1520-1 (220) 
bearward Exeter i 524-5 (i 26) 
Barnstaple i 526-7 (37) 
Plymouth 1526-7 (222) 
camelward Plymouth 1520- i (220) 
i 523-4 (22 i ) 
juggler Plymouth 1520- i (220) 
1523-4 (221 ) 
Exeter 1523-4 ( 1 
Barnstaple 1526-7 (37) 
Dartmouth 1528-30 (62) 
iugglers Exeter 1532-3 (132) 
juggler Exeter i 533-4 (133 
Barnstaple i 542-3 (40) 
players Location unknown 1523-4 (308) 
Exeter 1526-7 (128) 
Plymouth 1526-7 (222) 
Dartmouth 1528-30 (62) 
Exeter i 528-9 (130) 
i 533-4 (133) 
Barnstaple 1537-8 (39) 
jesters Exeter 1526-7 (i 27) 
jester Plymouth i 542-3 (230) 
kit and bagpipe players Exeter 1527-8 (128) 

Edward Tudor (12 Oct 1537-6Jul 1553), son of Henry viii, qv, and Jane Seymour; 
acc as Edward Vl, 21 Jan 1547; crowned 20 Feb 1547. Edward Seymour, duke of 

Somerset, appointed protector. 
players (prince) 

minstrels (prince) 
minstrels 

Exeter i 537-8 (135) 
Plymouth 1537-8 (227) 
i 538-9 (228) 
1539-40(228) 
1541-2 (229) 
Barnstaple 1544-5 (40) 
Plymouth i 544-5 (231 ) 
Exeter i 538-9 (138) 
Plymouth i 548-9 (233) 
Dartmouth i 551-2 (63) 



498 PATRONS AND COMPANIES 

jester Plymouth 1547-8 (233) 
Barnstaple 1552-3 (41) 
fiddler Plymouth 1547-8 (233) 

Philip Habsburg (21 May 1527-13 Sept 1598), son of the emperor Charles v and 
isabella of Portugal, king of Naples and Jerusalem and king of Spain, from 16Jul 1556. 
Upon marriage to Mary I, q'v, 25 Jul 1554, styled king of England, from 27Jul 1554. 
players Barnstaple 1556-7 (42) 
minstrels Exeter 1556-7 (147) 

James Stuart (19 Jun 1566-27 Mar 1625), son of Henry, Lord Darnley and Mary 
Stuart, Queen of Scots, acc as James vl of Scotland, 24 Jul 1567 and as James I of 
England, 24 Mar 1603; crowned 25 Jul 1603. 
players Barnstaple 1604-5 (48) 
1607-8 (48) 
Exeter 1617-18 (188) 

Charles Stuart (19 Nov 1600-30Jan 1649), son of James l, qv, and Anne of Denmark, 
qv; cr duke of Albany, 23 Dec 1600; duke of York, 6 Jan 1605; succ as duke of 
Cornwall, 6 Nov 1612; cr earl of Chester and prince of Wales, 4 Nov 1616; acc as 
Charles l, 27 Mar 1625; crowned 2 Feb 1625; beheaded 30 Jan 1649. 

players (pri nce) Barnstaple 1612-13 (49) 
1613-14(49) 
1614-15 (49) 
1616-17(49) 
1617-18(49) 
Exeter 1617-18 (187) 
Plymouth 1617-18 (266) 
Barnstaple 1621-2 (50) 
Totnes 1623-4 (282) 
players Dartmouth 1633-4 (69) 
jester Totnes 1624-5 (282) 
trumpeters Totnes 1624-5 (282) 

Lady Elizabeth see Elizabeth Stuart under Princess 

Latimer 
John Nevill (c 1519/20-22 Apr 1577), succ as 4th Lord Latimer, 2 Mar 1542/3. JP, 
Yorks, rR, 1559 and 1562. Seat at Snape Castle, Yorks, rqR; lands in Bucks, Camb, 
Cornw, Essex, Norf, Surf, and London. 
players Exeter 1562-3 (150) 



PATRONS AND COMPANIES 499 

Leicester 
Robert Dudley (24 Jun 1532 or 1533-4 Sept 1588), cr baron of Denbigh, 
Denbighshire, Wales, 28 Sept, and 14th earl of Leicester, 29 Sept 1564; imprisoned 
Jul 1553, attainted 22 Jan 1553/4, pardoned 18 Oct 1554, and restored in blood, 
7 Mar 1557/8. MP, Norf, 1547, ! 553, and 1559; jt steward and constable, Castle Rising, 
Norf, 13 Dec 1550; comm of relief, Norf, 16 Dec 1551 ; jt comm of lieutenancy, Norf, 
16 May 1552-3; eccles comm, Norf, 3 Mar 1553; vc', 23 Apr 1559; lord lieut, Warw, 
10 May 1559, Berks, 1560 ?, Worc, 20 Nov 1569-15 Nov 1570, and Essex and Herts, 
3 Jul 1585 until death; lieut, forest and castle of Windsor, Berks, 24 Nov 1559; 
Heref, Warw, and Worc, 1562, 1564, and 1584, Northants, 1584; constable, Windsor 
Castle, 23 Feb 1562 and high steward, Cambridge Univ, Camb, 15 Jul 1563, both 
until death; high steward, Windsor, 9 Sept 1563, bishopric of Ely, 1565, Reading, 
by 1566, Abingdon, 1566, and Wallingford, 1569, all in Berks, Bristol, Glouc, 20 Apt 
1570 until death, Grafton, Northants, 14 Dec 1571, King's Lynn and Great 
Yarmouth, Norf, 1572 until death, Andover, Hants, 1574, and St Albans, Herts, by 
1584; high steward and receiver, honour of Pickering Lythe and constable, Pickering 
Castle, Yorks, NR, 4 Nov 1564; chancellor, Oxford Univ, 31 Dec 1564 and 
chamberlain, Chester, Ches, 2 Jul 1565, both until death; custos rot, Warw, 1568; 
high steward, Norwich Cathedral, Norf, 1574 until death; chancellor and 
chamberlain, Anglesey, Caernarvonshire, and Merioneth, all in Wales, 26 Sept 1578; 
lord steward of the household, 1 Nov 1584-8; warden and chief justice in eyre, south 
of Trent, 25 Nov 1585 until death; lieut and capt-gen at Tilbury, Essex, 1 Jul 1588. 
Seat at Kenilworth, Warw; lands in many cos, including Leic, Norf, Northants, Oxf, 

Staff, Yorks, and Wales. 
Probably 
players (Lord Dudley) 
players (Lord Robert Dudley) 
players 

D artmouth 1559-60 (64) 
Plymouth 1559-60 (234) 
Barnstaple 1569-713 (44) 
Dartmouth 1569-70 (67) 
Plymouth 1569-70 (240) 
Totnes 1569-70 (280) 
Exeter 1576-7 (156) 
1577-8(156) 
1585-6(163) 
1586-7 (164) 
Plymouth 1587-8 (251) 

Probably 
players (Lord Steward) 

bearward (Sir Robert Dudley) 

Exeter 1587-8 (164) 
Ashburton 1562-3 (29) 



PATRONS AND COMPANIES 

501 

England, 10 Aug 1599 and 14 Feb 1600/1. Seat at Effingham, Surr; manor of Haling, 
near Croydon, Surr; held many manors in Surr. 
players Exeter 1586-7 (164) 
Plymouth 1586-7 (251) 

See also Lord Privy Seal, Thomas Howard (1473-1554) under Norfolk, John de Vere 
(1442-1512/13) under Oxford, and Richmond 

Lord Chamberlain 
Robert Radcliffe (c 1483-27 Nov 1542), restored as 7th Lord Fitzwaiter, 3 Nov 1505 
and cr I st Viscount FitzWalter, 18Jun 1525 and 6th earl of Sussex, 8 Dec 1529. JP, 
Essex, 1511-15, 1520, 1523, 1525-6, 1528, 1532, 1536, 1538, and 1540, Norf, 1511- 
12, 1514-15, 1524, 1531-2, 1538, and 1540, Suff, 1511-15, 1520, 1524, 1529, 1531-2, 
and 1537-9, Suss, 1538, Cumb, Lanc, Northumb, Westmld, and Yorks, 1540, and 
Devon, 1541 ;jr comm of array and jt capt, Essex, 28Jan 1512/13; PC, by 5 Feb 1525/6; 
chamberlain of the exchequer, 3 Jun 1532 until death; chief steward, honour of 
Beaulieu, Essex, 28 May 1536, manor of Writtle, Essex, 1 Aug 1540, and duchy of 
Lancaster, northern parts, 5 Dec 1539-Nov 1540; lord chamberlain, for life, 3 Aug 
1540. Seat at Attleborough, Norf; lands in Essex and Somers. 
players Plymouth 1541-2 (230) 

Lord Chief Justice 
John Fitzjames (c 1470-bet 21 Jan 1539 and 12 May 1542), kt, 1525. MP, Bristol, 1491 ? 
and 1495; Jp, Somers, 1509, 1515, 1524, 1529, 1531-2, and 1538-9, Giouc, 1520, 
Cornw, 1522, 1524, 1526, 1530, 1532, and 1536-9, Devon, 1522, 1524, 1528-30, 
1532, 1536, and 1538, Dors, 1522, 1524, 1530, 1532, and 1536-8, Hants, 1523-6, 
1529, 1531-2, and 1538, and Wilts, 1523, 1525-6, 1531-2, and 1537-9; recorder, 
Bristol, Glouc, 1510-33; attorney-gen in courts of record, 26 Jan 1519; comm of iail 
delivery, Giouc, Heref, Shrops, Staff, and Worc, 1519 and 1522, Berks, Cornw, 
Devon, Dors, Hams, Oxf, Somers, and Wilts, 1524-5 and 1527-8, Newgate, 
London, 1524, 1526, and 1537, Launceston Castle, Cornw, Exeter Castle, Devon, 
and Winchester Castle, Hants, 1528-9 and 1537-8, and Dorchester, Oxf, Ilchester, 
Somers, and Fisherton Anger, Wilts, 1528-30 and 1537-8; comm of assize, Giouc, 
Heref, Shrops, Staff, and Worc, 1520-1 and Berks, Cornw, Devon, Dors, Hants, 
Oxf, Somers, and Wilts, 1523-6 and 1532 ; pc, by Jun 1520; attorney-gen, duchy of 
Lancaster, c 1521-3; puisne judge of the king's bench, 6 Feb 1522 ; chief baron of the 
exchequer, 8 Feb 1522-6; chief iustice of the king's bench, 23Jan 1526-21 Jan 1539; 
comm oyer and terminer, Cornw, Devon, Dors, Hants, Somers, and Wilts, 1538; 
Seat at Redlynch, Somers. 
performers Exeter 1526-7 (127) 
minstrels Exeter 1529-30 (130) 
1530-1(131) 
1532-3 (132) 



502 PATRONS AND COMPANIES 

Plymouth 1532-3 (224) 
Exeter 1533-4 (133) 
1537-8 (135) 

Lord Deputy of Boulogne 
Edward Clinton (or Fiennes) ( 1512-16 Jan 1585), succ as 9th Lord Clinton and Say, 
7 Aug 1517 and cr 16th earl of Lincoln, 4 May 1572.3P, Linc, 1536-40, 1542-3, 1547, 
1554, 1562, and 1564 and Surf, 1554, 1562, and 1564; chief capt of Boulogne, France, 
1548-25 Apr 1550; lord high adm, 14 May 1550-Oct 1553 and Feb 1557/8 until death; 
c, 4 Max" 1550, Apr 1557, and 1558; lord lieut, Linc, 1552 until death; constable of 
the Tower, 7-19 J ul 1553; lord steward of the household, 1572-84.