Records of Early English Drama
1
Introduction
The Records
All, ham to Canterbury
PLEASE RETURN TO
RECORDS OF EARLY ENGLISH DRAMA
150 CHARLES STREET WEST
TORONTO, ONT. M5S 1K9.
AI-FN:SALLY-BETH MACLEAN
RECORDs OF EARLY ENGLISH DRAMA
Records of Early English Drama
KENT: Diocese of Canterbury
EDITED BY JAMES M. GIBSON
1
Introduction
The Records
Alkham to Canterbury
THE BRITISH LIBRARY
and
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO PRESS
Contents
VOLUME 1
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS vii
INTRODUCTION
Historical Background xi
Drama, Music, and Ceremonial Customs l
The Documents xcvii
Editorial Procedures clxxxv
Notes cxcii
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY CCXV
MAPS CCXX
SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS 2
THE RECORDS
Alkham-Canterbury 3
Contents
VOLUME 1
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS vii
INTRODUCTION
Historical Background xi
Drama, Music, and Ceremonial Customs
The Documents xcvii
Editorial Procedures clxxxv
Notes cxcii
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY CGXV
MAPS CCXX
SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS 2
THE RECORDS
Alkham- Canterbur 3
viii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
scription in Appendix 4. Claire Breay, Nigel Ramsey, and Eileen White checked in situ many of
the transcriptions from manuscripts that could not be microfilmed. William Edwards helped
with the Anglo-Norman texts, transcriptions, and translations; Janet Ritch with the early-
modern French; Dario Brancato, Konrad Eisenbichler, Margaret Loney, Kevin Reynolds, and
Anne Urbancic with the Italian. The late Donald Gibson helped with some of the Latin
translations. Andrew Butcher, Director of the Centre for Medieval and Tudor Studies at the
University of Kent at Canterbury, answered many questions about manuscript sources and
Kentish history. Postgraduate students in his history seminars also made useful suggestions.
To Sheila Sweetinburgh I owe the reference to the Brookland play in James Hoggelyn's will,
and to Graham Durkin I owe the market regulation for baiting bulls in Canterbury and several
references to rough music.
At the REED office in Toronto the editorial staff, both past and present, have contributed
greatly to production of these volumes. Tanya Hagen and Milton Kooistra helped with the
chronicle research and the Select Bibliography. Ted de Welles and Miriam Skey have served
as project bibliographers. Miriam Skey, along with Carolyn Black, also did the copy-editing.
Between them they have corrected many inaccuracies in the Introduction and editorial apparatus.
William G. Cooke helped with the palaeographical checking and prepared the English Glossary.
Arleane Ralph also helped with the palaeographical checking, surveyed the Oxenden cor-
respondence in the British Library, and, along with Marion Filipiuk, prepared the Index.
Philip Collington helped with the proof-reading and checked the provincial and diocesan
visitation articles. John Lehr, assisted by Agnes Ormsby and Jessie Sherwood, has researched the
Patrons and Travelling Companies section. Patrick Gregory has checked the Latin Translations
and the English and Latin Glossaries. Subash Shanbhag has produced the modern map of Kent.
Gord Oxley has done the typesetting. Sally-Beth MacLean, executive editor, has guided the
progress of the Kent volumes to the press with a sure blend of encouragement and requests for
further information. Finally, associate editor Abigail Ann Young, whose name ought to be with
mine on the title page, has prepared the Latin Glossary, checked the Latin Translations, and
devoted her extensive knowledge and keen palaeographic skills to making these volumes far
better than they would ever have been if I had been working on my own.
During the research for these volumes I have received grants from the American Philo-
sophical Society and the British Academy and a fellowship from the American Council of
Learned Societies. Special thanks go to Clifford Davidson, Roland Mushat Frye, Alexandra E
Johnston, and the late R.M. Lumiansky for their many letters of recommendation. The British
Academy, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Social Sciences and Humanities
Research Council of Canada, and Father Edward Jackman and the Jackman Foundation have
all given additional grants to REED for the editorial work and printing costs of these volumes.
The following record offices, organizations, and individuals have granted permission to pub-
lish excerpts from the records in their possession: the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana, Venice; the
British Library; the Canterbury Cathedral Archives; the Centre for Kentish Studies; the Cumbria
Record Office (Carlisle); the East Kent Archives Centre; the Faversham Town Council; the Folger
Shakespeare Library; the Haus-, Hof- und Staatsarchiv, Vienna; the Lambeth Palace Library;
The Library, Imperial College at Wye; The Master and Fellows of Corpus Christi College,
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ix
Cambridge; The Master and Fellows of St Catharine's College, Cambridge; The Master, Fellows,
and Scholars of St John's College, Cambridge; the Public Record Office; The Rector and
Fellows of Exeter College, Oxford; the Vicar and Parish Records Society of St Margaret's,
Bethersden; and the National Archives of Scotland.
To all these people and organizations I am indebted for their contributions, both large and
small, toward the research and publication of these volumes. My deepest debt of gratitude
belongs to the late R.M. Lumiansky, who long ago during his graduate seminar on the Chester
mystery cycle at the University of Pennsylvania inspired my interest in medieval drama,
introduced me to the mysteries of Elizabethan secretary hand, served as advisor for my doctoral
dissertation in medieval liturgical drama, and encouraged me to embark on the Kent research
for RED. To his memory I dedicate these volumes.
Historical Background
The Landscape
The county of Kent is located on the southeastern tip of England, bordered on the west by the
ancient counties of Sussex, Surrey, and Middlesex and surrounded on the remaining three sides
by the waters of the English Channel and the Thames estuary. Before the Local Government
Act 1888 created county councils and transferred nine northwestern parishes to the London
County Council, Kent ranked ninth in size among English counties, covering 971,991 acres
and measuring sixty-eight miles from Deptford in the west to North Foreland on the Isle of
Thanet in the east and thirty-eight miles from the Isle of Sheppey in the north to Dungeness in
the south. Apart from its long and varied coastline, the most distinctive geographical feature
of Kent is the North Downs, a long ridge of chalk hills running from northwest to southeast
through the county, part of a much larger chalk formation that stretches eastward from Wiltshire
across Salisbury Plain to meet the English Channel at the famed White Cliffs of Dover and
continues on the French side of the Strait of Dover in the chalk hills of the Bas Boulonnais.
Three river valleys break through these chalk hills, the River Stour running northeast to reach
the sea near the Isle of Thanet, the River Medway rising in Sussex and cutting its way through
the sandstone ridge and the North Downs to reach the Thames estuary between the Isle of
Sheppey and the Isle of Grain, and the River Darent flowing into the Thames at Dartford. Two
smaller rivers, the River Cray and the River Ravensbourne, rising on the north slopes of the
downs west of the Darent also drain into the Thames. From an average elevation of 500 to 700
feet in the North Downs, the land slopes gendy eastward through the fertile arable ld of east
Kent toward the Stour estuary and northward toward the Thames estuary and the marshlands
along the north Kent coast. On the south slopes of the downs the land falls away steeply some
400 feet before rising gently to a parallel ridge of sandstone hill country two or three miles to the
south. Predominantly wooded or covered with heath, this stony and less fertile hill country is
often called chartland, meaning 'rough, rocky, sterile soil,' topographical features surviving in
such place names as Wrotham Heath, Lenham Heath, and Charing Heath or Great Chart,
Little Chart, and Chart Sutton. South of this sandstone ridge, which again drops away steeply
on its southern slopes, lies the Low Weald or Vale of Kent and the High Weald, a heavily forested
area between the North Downs and the parallel ridge of the South Downs that reach the sea at
Beachy Head in East Sussex. Even in the early modern period the Weald was sparsely populated
xii HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
and, according to Kentish historian Edward Hasted in 1797, 'in former times nothing more
than a waste desart and wilderness, not furnished with habitations, and peopled as the rest of
the county was, but like a forest, stored with hems of deer and droves of hogs only.'* This
forested landscape accounts for the many Wealden place names ending in -hurst, meaning 'a
grove of trees, copse, or wood,' such names as Goudhurst, Hawkhurst, Penshurst, Sissinghurst,
and Staplehurst, and the many place names ending in -den, meaning 'clearing or swine pasture,'
such names as Benenden, Bethersden, Biddenden, Marden, Rolvenden, Smarden, and Tenterden.
Finally, south and east of the Weald along the south coast lies the extensive marshland of
Romney Marsh and Walland Marsh, where the rich alluvial soil, inned and drained with a
network of dykes and ditches, provides plentiful pasture and grassland.'
Settlement History
Early settlement in Kent stretches back as far as the people of the Neolithic Age who constructed
their long barrows near Chilham in the Stout Valley and their barrows guarded by megalithic
standing stones at Kits Coty and Coldrum in the Medway Valley? Numerous discoveries of
Bronze Age pottery, implements, and coins and excavations of the Iron Age hilltop settlements
at Oldbury near Ightham and at Bigbury near Canterbury also provide evidence of continuous
occupation of Kent for at least 2,000 years before the Roman army under Julius Caesar first
invaded Kent in 55 Bc.' When the Romans returned to Kent under Claudius in 43 ^D, the
topography of the county largely influenced the pattern of Roman roads and Roman settlement.
Walled towns were established at Canterbury (Durovernum) near the lowest fording point in
the Stout estuary and at Rochester (Durobrivae) where the first bridge was constructed across
the River Medway. Shore forts for the Britannic fleet were constructed at Reculver (Regulbium)
and Richborough (Rutupiae) on the northeast coast inside the Wantsum Channel and at Dover
(Dubris) and Lympne (Portus Lemanis) on the southeast coast where natural harbours protected
the Britannic fleet. Within a few years after the invasion of Kent the eastern arm of Watling
Street had connected Richborough with Canterbury, Rochester, and London along the north
slope of the North Downs. Another road ran south from Richborough to Dover, while other
roads radiated from the east Kent hub of Canterbury north to Reculver, southeast to Dover,
southwest to Lympne, and a longer southwest road ran through Ashford to the iron-working
district in the Weald. Further west another Roman road dropped south from Rochester along
the Medway valley through the Roman settlements around the Maidstone area and on through
Cranbrook toward Hastings on the south coast of Sussex. The ancient Pilgrims Way ran south-
east from Maidstone below the south face of the downs through Lenham and Ashford to
Lympne. Thus the downland of east Kent and the Low Weald of the Vale of Kent were furnished
with a serviceable central road system from an early date. This did not hold true for west Kent
and the High Weald. Although evidence of numerous Roman villas, farmsteads, and masonry
buildings has been located north of the downs along Watling Street, in the Darent Valley, and
in the Medway Valley, little Roman settlement beyond ironworks has been discovered in the
Weald between the north-south Rochester to Hastings road and the north-south road further
west connecting London with Lewes. s
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Xlll
After the Romans withdrew from Kent in the early fifth century, the Jutish colonization and
settlement of Kent followed two distinct paths. The first was the establishment of trading
settlements and towns along the Kent coast. All of the ancient Kent boroughs listed in the
Domesday Book, except Canterbury, were directly related to the sea, a fact now disguised by the
much altered coastline of Kent. On the north Kent coast a wide channel known as The Swale
separated the Isle of Sheppey from the coast, providing a protected harbour for the royal ville of
Faversham. An even wider channel known as The Wantsum separated the Isle of Thanet from
the northeast coast where the trading settlement of Sandwich was located. The wide Stour
estuary drained into The Wantsum, allowing navigation upriver as far as Fordwich, where
another trading settlement was established as a port for Canterbury. On the southeast coast
Dover had a natural harbour where the River Dour broke through the chalk cliffs to meet the
sea. Further west along the coast the late Saxon trading seaports of Hythe and Romney were
located at the east and west mouths of the River Limen, which flowed into a wide estuary of
marshland and multiple water channels extending as far inland as Appledore and the Isle of
Oxney. During the later medieval period, however, the constant flow of shingle and sand on the
flood tide running from the Atlantic through the English Channel to the North Sea gradually
blocked many of these harbours with shingle banks, leading to the expansion of marshland as
the river estuaries silted up and the once flourishing ports declined and became stranded inland.
The second path followed by the Jutes was the gradual colonization of the interior of the
county, moving from the fertile downland in the north and northeast through the chartland to
the Weald in the south and southwest. The earliest settlements in Kent were located along the
fertile north coast downland near Watling Street, in the river valleys running inland from the
north coast, or along the chartland at the foot of the North Downs close to the Pilgrims Way.
From these areas herdsmen moved their herds of swine to summer pasture in the Weald along
the ancient droveways running from northeast to southwest. 7 In time the drovedens in the Low
Weald and High Weald led to permanent settlement, a long process of colonization lasting from
the fifth century to the fourteenth century and leading to three distinct types of settlement in
Kent: 'primary' settlements in the downland by a tribe or community leading to comparatively
large parishes of 4,000 to 5,000 acres; 'subsequent' settlements during the later Anglo-Saxon
period originating as isolated farms or dwelling places of single families, leading to small parishes
of 1,000 to 2,000 acres, and accounting for some sixty place names in the higher downland
and chartland ending in -stead, such settlements as Bearsted, Brasted, Chipstead, Elmstead,
Nettlestead, and Stansted; and a third type of settlement arising after the Conquest from the
settlement of the drovedens and the clearance of the Wealden forest and wooded chartlands,
leading to sparsely populated, large parishes of 10,000 to 15,000 acres? Two additional phases
of colonization, driven by the increase in population and the expansion of the cloth and iron
industries in the Weald between 1450 and 1650, led to further in-filling of the countryside with
many new farms and hamlets in all parts of the county. By the early modern period settlement in
Kent was characterized by the wide dispersal of population and the prevalence of small market
towns and villages servicing these scattered outlying farms. Some parishes had no central village
at all; others had only fifteen or twenty houses clustered around a church. Often villages of fifty
or sixty houses surrounding a village green or lying along a single street served as a trading
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Henry vm, leading to the county's renown for its hops and fruit by the middle of the seventeenth
century. Directly south of this fertile marshland, where the North Downs ran across the county
from northwest to southeast, the shallow soil on the southern slopes offered grass for sheep
grazing and the deeper loam on the northern descending slopes provided rich soil for such corn
crops as wheat, barley for the brewing industry as well as for bread, and oats or peas for fodder.
Along the south-facing steep slopes of the downs from Folkestone in the east to Brasted in the
west runs a narrow strip ofscarpfoot land containing the worst soil in the county but still
supporting in the sixteenth century a diversified agriculture of open heath, hops, apple, pear,
and cherry orchards, and nut trees including filberts, hazels, sweet chestnut, and beech. South of
the scarpfoot from Ashford in the east to Tonbridge in the west the Low Weald rises southward
to the High Weald around Cranbrook. Covered by ancient woodland interspersed with small
areas of grassland, the Weald supported smaller, mainly self-sustaining family farms devoted
principally to livestock breeding, rearing, and fattening in contrast to the mainly arable downland
of east Kent. Finally, on the south coast the rich alluvial soil of Romney Marsh, increasingly
drained from the fifteenth century onwards by a network of dykes and ditches, protected by sea
walls, and maintained by commissioners of the sewers, provided pasturage for cattle and sheep.
This great diversity of agriculture, combined with the proximity of the ever-increasing London
food markets, maintained the steady prosperity of farming in early modern Kent.':
The maritime industries of fishing and coastal trade were also influenced directly by the
topography of Kent. The long coastline of Kent, surrounded on three sides by the English
Channel and the Thames estuary, produced many towns and villages where fishing, coastal
trade, or transport of passengers and goods to the Continent provided significant employment.
Fishing and maritime trade had always been important for the Cinque Port towns; however, by
the sixteenth century Fordwich, Lydd, and New Romney had lost their ports to the encroaching
shingle banks and silted up river estuaries. At Folkestone, Hythe, and Sandwich maritime activity
carried on with increasing difficulty. At Dover only extensive engineering works sponsored by
the Tudor monarchs saved the harbour. At the same time, however, the smaller villages along
the north Kent coast and in the Medway estuary became increasingly important centres of
fishing and coastal trade. A survey of the Kent coast from Hythe to Dartford in 1566 revealed
that most of the Kent fleet consisted of small boats, weighing twenty tons or less, employed
principally in fishing or carriage of goods from one port to another, and concentrated in such
villages as Ramsgate, Broadstairs, Margate, Whitstable, and Swalecliffe on the north Kent coast
and Queenborough, Halstow, and Upchurch in the Medway estuary, where the ratio of mariners
to households was far higher than in the once flourishing head ports of the Cinque Ports. '
Fishing for herring and mackerel continued to be important during the sixteenth century at
Folkestone and Hythe, while oysters were dredged at Faversham, Rochester, and Whitstable."
However, only three of the ancient coastal ports - Dover, Faversham, and Sandwich - and the
Medway ports of Maidstone and Rochester continued to trade in the export and import of
merchandise during the late sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, principally the import of coal
and the export of corn, produce, and livestock from Kent's fertile farmland to the markets of
London. During this period the London markets increasingly dominated the Kent coasting
trade. Corn shipped from Kent ports to London by water increased from 14,500 quarters of
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
lord lieutenant during the reign of Edward vI, an office filled during the sixteenth century by
Sir Thomas Cheyne; Sir Henry Jerningham; Sir William Brooke, Lord Cobham; Sir Henry
Brooke, Lord Cobham; and during the seventeenth century by Edward, Lord Wotton; James,
duke of Lennox; Philip Herbert, earl of Montgomery; and Heneage Finch, earl of Winchilsea. 3'
While the Crown appointed its officials to administer the county, the county in turn sent its
representatives to parliament. The two knights of the shire were chosen by the leading gentry of
the county from men who often held other positions of influence at court while maintaining
political connections and landed estates in the county. 3' In addition to these two Mr, s who
represented the county, Mr, s were also returned by Canterbury, Maidstone after the restoration
of its charter in 1559, Rochester, and the Cinque Port towns of Dover, Hythe, New Romney,
and Sandwich. These representatives tended to be wealthy citizens or gentry prominent in local
government. 3
The administration of justice in criminal or Crown indictments in Kent took place in two
main courts: the assizes and the quarter sessions. After the Magna Carta (1215), various arrange-
ments were established for assize trials and gaol delivery. During the early fourteenth century
the counties had been grouped into six assize circuits, each circuit receiving two annual visita-
tions from judges who normally presided over the courts of common law in Westminster. Kent,
along with Essex, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Surrey, and Sussex, belonged to the Home Circuit. u
Twice yearly, usually in the Lent vacation during February and March and in the Trinity
vacation during July and August, two common law judges or a judge and a serjeant rode the
circuit. Armed with commissions of oyer et terminer and gaol delivery directed to the sheriffof
the county, they were empowered to hear both Crown and common pleas and to administer
justice in the king's name. The county sheriff, coroner, constables, and knights attended the
assize courts; juries were impanelled; and cases were presented and tried, including felonies such
as murder, burglary, and highway robbery. During the early modern period the usual assize
towns for Kent were Canterbury, Maidstone, and Rochester, although gaol deliveries occasionally
also took place in west Kent at Dartford, Gravesend, Greenwich, and Sevenoaks. s
In between the semi-annual assize courts the county quarter sessions courts met four times
annually, usually alternating between Maidstone on the Wednesday after Epiphany, Canterbury
on the Wednesday after Easter, Maidstone on the Wednesday after the feast of St James, and
Canterbury on the Wednesday before Michaelmas. These courts were presided over by local
magistrates or justices of the peace, who usually dealt with lesser criminal matters such as theft,
trespass, and assault, as well as a host of administrative and regulatory matters including licensing
of alehouses, maintaining highways and bridges, compiling muster rolls, and overseeing poor
law administration. With powers to arrest suspects, take depositions, grant bail, or bind
individuals to keep the peace, the magistrates held great power and influence in their local areas.
Appointed usually for life by the lord chancellor from the wealthy and prominent dignitaries,
landowners, professionals, and gentry of the county, the justices of the peace formed the
permanent governing oligarchy in the county, sons or relatives of current magistrates often
being appointed to fill vacancies as they occurred. The commissions of the peace for Kent
appointed between thirty and thirty-five justices during the reign of Henry viii, rising to fifty-
six in the commission of 1562, seventy-six in 1584, 110 in 1608, ninety-seven in 1626, and
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND xix
eighty-five in 1636. Since their remit included the enforcement of government policy and the
maintenance of public order, as well as the punishment of criminals, magistrates sometimes
questioned or prosecuted allegedly seditious players or disruptive minstrels and morris dancers,
as, for example, at Harbledown in 1594, at New Romney in 1615, or at Canterbury following
the passage of a city ordinance against public dancing in 1565.
In addition to the courts of assize and quarter sessions that administered the common law
through representatives of the Crown and local magistrates, the church also administered canon
law through its system of ecclesiastical courts. 37 All probate matters came under the jurisdiction
of the archdeacon's court or the consistory court of the bishop. During the annual visitation of
the archdeacon or bishop, the churchwardens of each parish also returned their answers to the
visitation articles set for each diocese by the bishop. These articles ranged in content from the
repair of the church fabric to the moral conduct of the parishioners. During the second half of
the sixteenth century and the first half of the seventeenth centur) they usually included sabbat-
arian articles prohibiting people from practising their trade or craft on Sunday and forbidding
drinking in the taverns, dancing, minstrelsy, or plays during the time of divine service. Most of
the cases prosecuted by the ecclesiastical courts in response to these visitation articles involved
recusancy or some form of sexual immorality; however, between the 1560s and 1640s there
were also over 120 cases involving dancers, minstrels, players, bearbaiting, morris dancing, and
maypoles presented by churchwardens to the archdeacon's and consistory courts in the diocese
of Canterbury.
When the churchwardens presented a parishioner for breaking one of the visitation articles,
the court summoned the parishioner through a court official called the summoner or apparitor.
If the defendant did not appear, he would be summoned again by ways and means, a process
which involved fixing the summons to the door of his residence or to the door of the parish
church. If he still did not appear, he would be declared contumacious and be excommunicated.
A letter of excommunication would then be read by the vicar at the next service in the parish
church. To lift the sentence of excommunication, the defendant would have to appear in court,
submit to the judge a petition for absolution, and pay a fine to the parish poorbox. Then the
case would continue where it had left off. When the defendant did appear, he could either plead
guilty and submit to the correction of the judge or deny the charge and undergo compurgation.
If he did plead guilty, he could be dismissed with a warning or required to perform penance,
usually reading out a confession in church on the next Sunday or holy day while dressed in a
white penitential garment and carrying a candle. A letter from the vicar or curate verifying the
completion of penance had to be produced before the case could be dismissed. If he denied the
charge, he had to swear an oath or produce compurgators, persons of honest reputation and
good i:haracter in the parish, to verify his story. At any point in the proceedings, which often
stretched over several months, the defendant could be declared contumacious if he did not
cooperate and be excommunicated? 8
All parishes in the county were subject to these diocesan courts; however, many parts of the
county were exempt from both the county administration exercised by the sheriff, coroner, and
lord lieutenant and the jurisdiction of the judges and magistrates in the assize and quarter
sessions courts? The cities of Canterbury and Rochester and the town of Maidstone after 1549
xxiv HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
the slow process of advancing Protestant faith and worship in the diocese of Canterbury began.
During his first decade Parker concentrated on removing the visible practices of Catholicism. By
1569, when the archbishop made a visitation of the diocese, most parish churches had acquired
the necessary service books and church furniture, s7 The shortage of trained Protestant clergy,
however, hampered Parker's efforts to combat Catholic recusants and to eradicate the vestiges of
popular Catholicism in the parishes. Churchwardens may have removed the rood loft, destroyed
the images of saints, substituted a Communion table for the altar, and purchased copies of the
homilies and the Bible in English, but many parishioners did not hear a Protestant sermon from
one year to the next. u The shortage of clergy in the diocese also forced Parker initially to tolerate
both conservative Marian clergy and the radical reformers who, forced into exile during the
Marian persecution, had returned to push forward the Protestant agenda.
Protestantism gradually gained ground in Kent, supported by Protestant gentry and magis-
trates who joined forces with the clergy and churchwardens to suppress not only the perceived
reat from recusants but also the ever-present threat to public order posed by disruption and
orderly behaviour. 9 As Puritan magistrates and aldermen increasingly controlled civic affairs
in Canterbury, the attitude of the city oligarchy toward players and minstrels turned from
benevolence to hostility. A Canterbury city ordinance in 1565 prohibiting public dancing in
taverns and inns led to prosecutions in quarter sessions court. In May 1589 morris dancers were
arraigned for dancing in front of the mayor's house. In March 1592 boys of the King's School
were in trouble with the diocesan court of High Commission for going 'abrode in the cuntrey
to play playes contrary to lawe and good order' (see p 228). In 1595 the burghmote court
passed a sabbatarian ordinance prohibiting performance of plays on Sundays, limiting perform-
ances by travelling troupes to two consecutive days in any calendar month, and establishing
curfews. Hythe passed a similar ordinance against players in 1615, curtailing performance and
authorizing payments to players not to play. In Canterbury payments to players slowed, then
ceased. From 1616 Canterbury chamberlains' accounts show routine payments to players not to
play, as in 1634 when the court reimbursed the mayor 20s for 'putting offof certen players'
in order 'to avoyed disorders and night walkyng which myght come therby' (see p 290).
Chamberlains in Dover and Tenterden made similar payments. By 1635 payments of any kind
to players had ceased to appear in the chamberlains' accounts anywhere in Kent except in
Canterbury where the last gratuity payment was made in 1641. At Hythe the maypole was
removed in 1615 and apparently also at Dover in 1619. Throughout the diocese churchwardens
routinely presented minstrels and morris dancers during the archdeacon's visitations, as both
town and village authorities moved to suppress popular games and public disorder.
During the final decades of the sixteenth century conformist Puritanism increasingly
permeated the centre ground of Kentish society occupied by the governing oligarchies in both
town and countryside. At the same time the radical, nonconformist Puritan minority continually
pushed at the boundaries, attacking rituals and ceremonies and opposing episcopal authorit
When Archbishop John Whitgift (1583-1604) came to the see of Canterbury, noncomformity
had spread to most parts of the diocese. ' Attempts to make Kentish clergy subscribe to certain
articles of religion led to polarization between moderate and radical Puritans and charges of
episcopal harassment of godly ministers. The seeds of presbyterianism had already been sown in
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
the fertile soil of Kentish clergy and Kentish parishioners, producing in the seventeenth century
the increasing polarization between the mainstream Puritanism practised by the county gentry
and the more radical Puritanism that called for root and branch religious reconstruction. As
the county and the country edged toward civil war, the logical conclusion of Kent's radical
Protestantism came in August 1642, when the parliamentarian troops of Colonel Sandys
vandalized Christ Church Cathedral, overturning the Laudian altar and smashing the altar rails.
Following a parliamentary ordinance in August 1643 for the removal of all crucifixes, crosses,
and images of saints from cathedrals, forces led by the Puritan minister Richard Culmer again
attacked the cathedral, destroying the stained glass windows and pulling down the image of
Christ from Christ Church gate. '
The Boroughs
Most of the ancient boroughs of Kent were located in the Diocese of Canterbury: Canterbury,
Dover, Faversham, Foikestone, Fordwich, Hythe, Lydd, Maidstone, New Romney, Sandwich,
and Tenterden. The ancient boroughs of Gravesend and Rochester and other towns and
parishes in the Diocese of Rochester will appear in a separate collection in the mED series.
CANTERBURY
When the Romans first saw the ancient British settlement straddling the River Stour at the lowest
crossing point east of the Forest of Blean plateau, they called it Durovernum Cantiacorum, or
'fort of the Kent people beside the swamp,' a name later altered by the Saxons to Cantwaraburh,
or 'fort of the people of Kent. '62 The Romans established a military presence in Canterbury during
the first century and by the time of Trajan (98-117) and Hadrian (117-38) had developed the
settlement into a large town with masonry buildings, including public baths, a temple, and a
theatre. Rebuilt early in the third century, the theatre measured 250 feet across and was capable
of seating around 7,500 spectators. The city walls dating from the late third century had gates
opening on the main roads to London (Westgate), Reculver (Northgate), Richborough (Burgate),
Dover (Ridingate), and Lympne (Worthgate). By the beginning of the fifth century, however,
the Romans had abandoned the city, retreating from the invading Jutes and Saxons. 6
For the next century the city most likely remained deserted, having been reoccupied only
from the middle of the sixth century when the Saxons constructed their timber buildings among
the Roman ruins. When Augustine arrived with forty monks to begin his mission in 597, he
founded a church dedicated to St Martin in a building dating from the Roman occupation of
the city and already being used by Queen Bertha as an oratory. 6 After the conversion of
]Ethdberht, Augustine began to build in the northeast section of the city the first Christ Church
Cathedral, consisting of an apsidal chancel and a simple nave surrounded by porches. Outside
the Roman walls of the city Augustine established in 598 an abbey dedicated to Sts Peter and
Paul, which was consecrated in 613 by Archbishop Lawrence (607-19) and served during the
seventh century as the burial place for the early archbishops and the royal family of the kingdom
of Kent. Capital of the kingdom of Kent during the early Anglo-Saxon period, Canterbury
XXX HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
where the churches of St Martin, St Peter, and St Mary clustered around the medieval market
place. Before the middle of the tenth century there was a mint at Dover, the earliest of the
Cinque Port mints, indicating a sizable trading community. 9 Perhaps because the town was
destroyed by fire shortly after the Conquest, the Domesday Book does not list the properties
or enumerate the burgesses, making it impossible to form any estimate of the Anglo-Saxon
population. Nevertheless, the survey does identify Dover as an important and strategic port,
listing the standard charges for transporting the king's messengers across the Channel and noting
that the town provided twenty ships, each manned by twenty-one men, for fifteen days' annual
ship service for the king. 94
The Domesday Book also establishes Dover as a borough by prescription acting without a
charter of incorporation, for in exchange for ship service the king had endowed the town with
independent jurisdiction and free courts. The town's earliest charter, granted by Henry but
known only from its confirmation by John in 1205, confirms the liberties that Dover had held
in the time of Edward the Confessor, William and , and Henry .* In Norman times Dover
was governed by a portreeve; however, the first mayor appears in the records as early as 1257.
The custumal, drawn up in 1356, describes the ancient customs for the annual election of the
mayor and jurats by the commonalty, a practice altered only in 1556 with the election of thirty-
seven freemen from the commonalty to form the common council, who then proceeded to elect
the mayor and jurats. Throughout the medieval period the commonalty had gathered annually
at St Peter's Church and later at St Mary's on 8 September, the Nativity of St Mary the Virgin,
to elect the town officers and receive the chamberlains' accounts, but by the early seventeenth
century the town had erected its own court hall.
Marking the strategic position of Dover as a head port of the Cinque Ports and the main port
for trade and transportation to and from the Continent, the imposing walls of Dover Castle
towered over the town. After 54 Bc the Romans had built fortifications on Castle Hill, including
the Pharos and a square tower. Henry strengthened the fortifications, providing the constable
of Dover Castle and eight knights with endowed estates in 1166 and building a Norman keep
in 1188. By the beginning of the thirteenth century the lord warden of the Cinque Ports also
served as the constable of Dover Castle, while the main administrative responsibility for the
castle was vested in the office of lieutenant of Dover Castle? 7 Guarded by the strong towers
of the castle atop the white chalk cliffs, ships sailed in and out of Dover harbour conveying
passenger traffic to the Continent and transporting both overseas and coastal trade. The Roman
harbour had been located up the Dour valley, the medieval harbour on the northeast side of the
bay under the Castle Cliff, and the sixteenth-century harbour at the foot of the Western Heights.
Like the other Cinque Ports Dover struggled with the perennial problem of protecting its
harbour; however, unlike the other Cinque Ports Dover attracted royal support. Silting up of the
eastern harbour led to the construction of a new harbour on the western side of the bay under
the patronage of Henry vm in 1534 and further work under Elizabeth in 1583, described in
Holinshed's Chronicle (see pp 474-6), to construct The Pent to dam up water from the Dour
and The Great Sluice to flush the shingle from the harbour mouth. At the height of operations
in the 1580s, 1000 men with 500 carts were at work under the direction of engineer Thomas
Digges. In 1606 the warden and assistants of the Dover Harbour Board were established by
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND xxxvii
From Saxon times the town of Hythe had been attached to the manor of Saltwood. In 1036
during the reign of Cnut the manor was given to Christchurch, Canterbury, and came into the
possession of Archbishop Lanfranc after the Conquest. Until the sixteenth century the town was
governed by the archbishop's bailiffand twelve jurats, who met in the chapel of St Edmund in
the north transept of St Leonard's Church to conduct the business of the town. In 1541, when
Archbishop Thomas Cranmer exchanged the manor of Saltwood for other lands belonging to
Henry wn, the town passed into the hands of the Crown. In 1575 Elizabeth granted a charter
to the Mayor, Jurats, and Commonalty of the Town and Port of Hythe, who then met annually
at Candlemas in the room above the south porch of St Leonard's Church to elect twenty-four
commoners, twelve jurats, and the mayor. ''
From the late fourteenth century St Leonard's was the only church still in use in Hythe. The
Norman chancel was pulled down early in the thirteenth century and a new chancel built in the
Early English style with a flight of steps separating the choir from the nave. During the four-
teenth century the nave aisles were raised and Decorated windows inserted. ': Chapels and altars
were maintained in the chancel for St Leonard, in the south choir aisle for St Mary, in the north
choir aisle for St Catherine, in the north transept for St Edmund, king and martyr, and in the
south transept for St James. Lights were also kept burning before images of St John the Baptist,
St John the Evangelist, St Anthony, Corpus Christi, St Mary of the Assumption, and St
Christopher. During the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries there were also fraternities or
brotherhoods of St John and St Catherine. 's Perched on the steep slope of the cliffs above the
two or three streets that ran parallel to the sea, the imposing church of St Leonard during
medieval times, as it does still today, dominated the Cinque Port town of Hythe.
LYDD
Now a small Cinque Port town located well inland on the marshland bordering the southern
Kentish coast, about three miles southwest of Romney, the former Roman settlement of Lydd
once stood on the estuary of the River Rother and probably derived its name from the Latin
word 'litus,' or seashore. In Saxon times Lydd, or 'Hlidd as it was then known, belonged to the
archbishop of Canterbury, having been granted to Archbishop Jaenberht by King Offa in 774,
and was governed by his bailiff. ' Remains of a Saxon aisled basilica incorporated in the north
and west walls of the Lydd parish church of All Saints may date from the late eighth or early
ninth century, in which case the church no doubt was plundered when the Danes sailed up the
River Rother and wintered in Appledore in 893, or from the middle of the tenth century, built
after peace had been restored. '
Lydd is not mentioned in Domesday Book, which mentions only the hundred of Langport
in which the town is situated; however, shortly after the Conquest Lydd began to appear in the
Cinque Port charters. '' The earliest surviving Lydd charter granted by Edward m in 1364 con-
firms an earlier charter granted to Lydd by Edward n in 1313, a general charter granted to the
Cinque Ports and letters patent granted to Lydd by Edward, in 1290, and an even earlier charter
of Henry n recognizing Lydd as a corporate member of the Cinque Ports and a limb of the head
port of Romney and declaring them as free from toll and tax 'as they have been in the time of
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND xliii
its privileges and responsibilities as a head port of the Cinque Ports. Since the ninth or tenth
centuries, when the town passed into the control of the archbishop, Romney had been governed
by a bailiff appointed by the archbishop and jurats elected annually by the commoners at the
feast of the Annunciation. As the archbishop's officer in the town, the bailiff presided in the
town and hundred courts, examined felons, and acted as coroner. Above all he swore an oath to
uphold the liberties and customs of the town granted to Romney by the charter of Henry in
1161, confirming liberties granted to the men of Romney in the time of Henry L In exchange
for the provision of five ships for the king, Romney like the other ports enjoyed freedom from
taxation, freedom of trade, the right to hold their own courts, and the right to representation in
parliament, liberties described in great detail in the general charter of Edward to the ports in
1278. "4 When town clerk John Forsett translated the town custumal in 1564, the town was still
following the same basic rules established in its early charters and its fourteenth-century custumal.
The only major change in local government came that same year when Queen Elizabeth granted
the town a new charter, confirming its ancient liberties and providing for the election of a mayor
by the jurats and commoners. Since the middle of the fourteenth century the town of Romney
also functioned as the administrative centre of the Cinque Port court of Brotherhood, which
met twice annually in the town on the Tuesday in Easter Week and the Tuesday after the feast
of St Margaret (20 July)? '
SANDWICH
Sandwich first appears in the records as a seventh-century trading settlement near the Saxon
shore fort of Richborough at the eastern end of the Wantsum Channel, then an arc-shaped
stream of tidal water separating the Isle of Thanet from the mainland of Kent. Geological
evidence demonstrates that the Wantsum once had a breadth of two miles and a depth of forty
feet; however, the relentless deposit of shingle at Stonar on the south coast of Thanet opposite
Sandwich eventually blocked the eastern end of the Wantsum Channel, reducing the tidal flow
of the Wantsum and encouraging the deposit of silt from the Stout estuary, which drained into
the Channel. By the eighth century Bede estimated the width of the Want.sum Channel at only
three furlongs, or three-eighths of a mile. By the seventeenth century the northern arm of the
Wantsum Channel had been largely reduced to a system of dykes and marshes, the eastern arm
fed primarily by the meandering course of the River Stout separating Sandwich from Stonar.
Despite numerous schemes presented to Elizabeth L James , and Charles to save the harbour,
the port of Sandwich failed as the Wantsum dwindled and filled with silt, leaving behind a small
market town two miles from the sea. :'6
In addition to their doomed battle against geological forces, Sandwich suffered from the
invasions of the Danes, who repeatedly burned and pillaged the town between the mid-ninth
and mid-eleventh centuries. It was at Sandwich where Olaf's fleet of ninety-three Viking ships
was based in 994 and where the English fleet of ASthelred gathered to oppose the Danes in
1006. In 1015 Cnut landed at Sandwich and defeated ASthelred to become king in 1016,
followed by Harthacnut, who came to Sandwich with sixty ships after the death of Cnut and
was made king by agreement of the Danes and English in 1035. Nevertheless, Sandwich thrived
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND xlv
In 1385, after Richard II issued a royal order for enclosing and fortifying the town, a stone
wall was built to the east along the River Stour. A moat with a steep bank and wooden palisade,
broken by four gates, surrounded the town on the other three sides. In spite of these fortifications,
the French again attacked the town with a force of sixty ships and 4,000 men in 1457, destroy-
ing all but the ancient town centre before aid from the other Cinque Port towns forced the
French to retreat? '} Recovery from this devastating attack was slow, compounded by the severe
decline of the harbour in the late fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. By 1560 the population had
fallen to about 1,500. The 1563 diocesan survey revealed an estimated population of only 1,010;
the 1566 survey showed only 420 houses in the town and only seventeen ships in the harbour
employing sixty-two men in trade and fishing. :'* The depression of Sandwich continued until
the coming of the Walloons fleeing the religious persecution of Philip II. In 1561 Queen
Elizabeth licensed the settlement in Sandwich of twenty-five families of Flemish and Dutch
immigrants who were to be engaged in "making saes, bay and other cloth, which hath not
used to be made in this our realme of Englonde, or for fishing in the seas. '''s The immigrant
community quickly increased the population to over 2,000 people, necessitating the removal of
the French-speaking Walloons to Canterbury in 1575. The town's population reached a peak of
4,000 during the late sixteenth century, fueled primarily by immigration, before falling back
to about 3,200 by 1640. v In spite of the economic boost from the Flemish immigration,
Sandwich never regained the prominence it had enjoyed in the thirteenth and fourteenth
centuries.
TENTERDEN
The Wealden market town of Tenterden is situated eighteen miles southeast of Maidstone and
ten miles north of the Sussex town of Rye. Tenterden derives its name from the Anglo-Saxon
phrase 'Tenetwara denn,' or 'the denn or swine-pasture of the Thanet people,' for throughout
the Saxon period and for long after the Conquest the town was part of the manor of Minster
(in Thanet). ''7 The earliest surviving Anglo-Saxon charter for Tenterden, dating from 968, con-
firms this connection with Thanet, for it conveyed land in the parish at Heronden adjacent to
the 'Tenetwara brocas,' or the 'meadows of the men ofThanet. '''8 The Anglo-Saxon connection
with Thanet also explains the unusual dedication of the Tenterden parish church to St Mildred
the Virgin, one of only four Kent churches that bear this dedication. Although Hugo Norman,
the first vicar to appear in the records, was presented to the parish church of Tenterden by the
abbot of St Augustine's, Canterbury, during the reign of Richard I, the parish church had been
established centuries before, probably during the eighth century when the royal abbey of Minster
flourished on the Isle of Thanet. Founded in the late seventh century by Egbert and dedicated
to the Virgin Mary, the abbey was rededicated to St Mildred the Virgin sometime after 733 to
commemorate Mildryth, or Mildred, the second abbess and granddaughter of Egbert. In 840
the manor was looted and the monastery destroyed by the Danes. During the successive Danish
invasions of the ninth and tenth centuries, when Thanet was periodically pillaged by the Danes,
the manor of Thanet was held by the king until 1027, when Cnut granted it to the Abbey of St
Augustine and the relics of St Mildred were transferred to the abbey in 1030. From then until
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
xlix
warden of the Cinque Ports and constable of Dover Castle. Most of the ancient boroughs and
many smaller towns in east Kent were linked in the federation of the Cinque Ports and Two
Ancient Towns, thus extending the lord warden's authority far beyond the four head ports in
Kent. The lord warden, moreover, wielded great power and influence, not only within the
liberties of the Cinque Ports but also within the county at large, often taking his place on the
commissions of the peace, participating in the county quarter sessions, sitting on other special
commissions in the county, organizing with the lord lieutenant the defence of the county, and
representing the portsmen to the Crown.
Some lord wardens, such as Humphrey Stafford, duke of Buckingham and lord warden
1450-60, Richard Neville, 16th earl of Warwick and lord warden 1461-70, or William Fitz
Alan, 21st earl of Arundel and lord warden 1470-87, were appointed from outside the county
because of their prominence in national affairs. Few of these lord wardens maintained residences
in the county or had much effect on the county outside of their official duties. Other lord wardens,
particularly during the sixteenth century, were appointed from within the county families of
Kent, thereby increasing their natural sphere of influence in the county. For example, James
Fiennes, 1st Lord Saye and Sele, whose seat was at Knole near Sevenoaks, held numerous
prominent county offices, including sheriffofKent from November 1436 to November 1437, Mr'
for Kent throughout the 1440s, and lord warden from 1447 to 1450. During the minority of
Henry viii, who had been appointed lord warden as an infant, Edward Poynings, whose seat was
at Westenhanger near Hythe, served first as lieutenant of Dover Castle from 1496 and then as
constable of Dover Castle and deputy lord warden from 1505 and lord warden from 1509 to
1521. George Nevill, 5th baron of Abergavenny, whose seat was at Birling in west Kent, acted as
lord warden in the absence of Edward Poynings between 1512 and 1515. Sir Edward Guildford,
whose seats were at Halden and Hempstead, was constable of Dover Castle and warden of the
Cinque Ports from 1521 to 1534. George Boleyn, Lord Rochford, of Hever Castle in west Kent
briefly held the two offices between 1534 and 1536, before being tried for treason and beheaded
following the downfall of his sister Anne Boleyn. Sir Thomas Cheyne, lord warden from 1536 to
1558, who also held positions in the royal household as well as numerous other appointments in
Kent, used his influence to gain more ex-Crown land in Kent after the Dissolution than any
other grantee except the archbishop, particularly benefiting from lands formerly belonging to
Boxley Abbey, Faversham Abbey, and Minster (in Sheppey) near his residence at Shurland on the
Isle of Sheppey. :4s If any lord warden could be singled out as the leader of the Kent gentry and
nobility during the sixteenth century, it would be William Brooke, lOth Lord Cobham, a
favourite of Queen Elizabeth, who more than once entertained the queen at Cobham Hall and
held not only the offices of lord warden of the Cinque Ports, constable of Dover Castle, and lord
lieutenant for Kent from 1559 until his death on 6 March 1596/7, but also the office of lord
chamberlain of the household from 8 August 1596 until his death. Henry, 11 th Lord Cobham,
succeeded his father in the offices of lord warden, constable of Dover Castle, and lord lieutenant
for a short time until he was arrested for treason and imprisoned in the Tower in 1603. During
the seventeenth century, however, many of the lord wardens once again were appointed from
outside the county, thus reducing the effect of the office on the indigenous county families.
Drama, Music, and
Ceremonial Customs
Travelling Minstrels and Players
The most striking feature of the Kent: Diocese of Canterbury entertainment records is the large
number of payments to professional travelling minstrels and players. From the earliest recorded
payment to 'histrionibus' by the monks of Christ Church Priory on the feast of St Thomas
Becket in 1272 until the last recorded payment in Puritan Canterbury on 22 July 1641 'in
dischardge of a Companie of plaieres out of Towne by master maiores appointment,' the surviving
monastic and borough records of the diocese of Canterbury contain just over 2,400 payments
to professional travelling minstrels and players.' This figure, although high, represents only part
of the actual number of performances by these minstrels and players. The uneven survival of
monastic records and several significant gaps in the borough accounts mean that for many years
there are few or even no extant records. During some years for which records have survived
there are only summary payments for entertainment, such as the payments at Faversham in
1546-7 'to diverse pleyers & Mynstrels' or 'to dyvers noble mens players' in 1569-70. Often
medieval and early modern accountants entered individual payments in their rough accounts
but then summarized them in their revised accounts at the end of the accounting year, as in the
summary payment at Dover for 42s 4d 'geven this yere in Rewarde to sundry noble mens pleyers
mynstrelles and other as in the paumflet apperythe' in 1539-40, a year for which 'the paumflet,'
or paper booklet containing the itemized rough accounts, has perished and only the summary
accounts have survived. Even when fully itemized rough accounts do contain payments to
minstrels or players, the official payments made by the mayor or the chamberlain may not
represent the only performances by the minstrels or players in a given place. Travelling minstrels
and players probably performed as many times as possible in the streets and inns of the town
before moving on to the next location. 2 At Canterbury in 1574, for example, the earl of
Leicester's players played 'before Master Mayer & his bretherne at the Courte halle' on 3 Decem-
ber and again on 7 December before the dean and chapter of Christ Church Cathedral;
however, other probable performances in the town between these dates have gone un-
recorded because no official payments were made. Similarly, at Canterbury in 1608-9 the
city chamberlains paid for a performance by the queen's men and paid gratuity payments
to Lord Chandos' players and Lord Berkeley's players not to play. These three official pay-
ments notwithstanding, the diary of Thomas Cocks, auditor to the dean and chapter of
DRAMA, MUSIC, AND CEREMONIAL CUSTOMS
have been a discernible difference. At Folkestone in 1543-4 (an accounting year that saw
payments both to minstrels of the king and the queen and to players of the lord warden and
the prince), the accounts include a payment to 'the lord wardens [pleyers] rMenstrelles .' Here
the warden first wrote the word 'players' and then deliberately altered it to 'minstrels.' The
payment at Dover in 1502-3 for 'the Kynges [Mynstrelles] Players' shows the correction of the
opposite mistake.
If these distinctions made by medieval and early modern accountants between minstrels and
players are accepted at face value, clear historical trends do emerge from the hundreds of pay-
ments to these travelling performers. As Figure 1 illustrates, payments to travelling minstrels in
the monastic and borough accounts in the diocese of Canterbury began in the late thirteenth
century and continued through the first quarter of the seventeenth century. The low number
of payments during the late fourteenth and early fifteenth centuries reflects the lack of sources
rather than the lack of minstrel activity. A gap in the Dover borough records between 1384 and
1423 and the change in accounting procedures at Christ Church Priory (the daybook of the
prior with its frequent expenses for entertainment was after 1378 no longer copied into the
treasurers' accounts) mean that the total payments for these years are artificially low. Throughout
the remainder of the fifteenth century the sporadic survival of the priors' daybooks and priors'
account rolls again depresses the otherwise high number of payments that reached their peak in
the last quarter of the fifteenth century. During the sixteenth century the number of payments
to minstrels across the whole range of borough accounts dropped steadily until the last recorded
payments early in Elizabeth's reign: to the lord warden's minstrels in 1558-9 at Faversham and
Lydd and to 'Mr cheynyes servantes beyng mynstrells' at Dover in 1561-2. After these two pay-
ments there were no forther payments to professional travelling troupes of minstrels. Occasional
payments to individual minstrels and jesters appear in later accounts, such as the payment to
350-, /
300
2504
150
1004
t3Without Patron
t2With Patron
0
1250-74 1275-99 I.,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,24 1329-49 130-74 1375-99 1400-24 1429-49 1450-74 1475-99 1500-24 1529-49 1590-74 1579-99 1600-24
Figure 1 : Payments to Travelling Minstrels in Monastic and Borough Accounts
MUSIC, AND CEREMONIAL CUSTOMS li
Walter, the queen's jester, during her visit to Canterbury in 1573 (see p 201), the payment at
Dover 'to Blynde will/am the musician' in 1599 (see p 486), and seventeenth-century payments
at Canterbury 'to ffenner Iester to the lady Elizabeth the xx th of Aprill 1613 toward losse of his
clothes and mony whearofhe said he lost and was here robbed' (see p 261), again at Canterbury
to the court jester during the visit of Charles I in 1625, and at New Romney in 1620-1 to
'the kings Iugler in reward that he should not shew his tricks in this Towne.' Although these
scattered payments testify to the continued presence of individual minstrels and jesters,
particularly in the Elizabethan and Stuart courts, the heyday of organized troupes of travel-
ling minstrels came in the century between 1425 and 1525 with 61 per cent of all surviving
payments to travelling minstrels falling during that period, s
The other significant aspect revealed by the surviving records of payments to minstrels in
the monastic and borough accounts is the high percentage of minstrels travelling under the
patronage of royalty and nobility. Overall 78 per cent of the minstrels receiving payment in
these accounts had patrons. During the century between 1425 and 1525 that figure rises to
94 per cent. Although some payments to minstrels without patrons do appear throughout the
period covered by these accounts, most such payments occurred during the late thirteenth and
fourteenth centuries when the treasurers' accounts at Christ Church Priory often recorded
only the feast day on which the performance occurred, such as the payments in 1308-9 to
'ystrionibus die translacionis sancti thome" or 'ystrionibus die sancti michaelis,' rather than
noting whether or not the minstrels had a patron. Although it is impossible to know for certain,
this clerical peculiarity may explain the large number of minstrels otherwise travelling without
patrons during these years.
Minstrels of the king or queen or prince received 42 per cent of all payments to minstrels with
patrons during the century between 1425 and 1525. Although minstrels of most noblemen
prominent in national or court politics also visited Kent during that century, over half of all
other payments were made to minstrels of the lord warden of the Cinque Ports, who wielded
more influence and power over the towns of east Kent than any other nobleman. Minstrels of
Humphrey, duke of Gloucester and lord warden from 1415 until 1447, for example, were paid
forty-six times in the borough accounts of Canterbury, Dover, Hythe, Lydd, and New Romney
between 1423 and 1447. Minstrels of Lord Saye and Sele, lord warden for less than three years,
received eight payments between 1447 and 1450. Minstrels of Humphrey Stafford, duke of
Buckingham and lord warden from 1450 to 1460, received seventeen payments for perform-
ance, and minstrels of Richard Neville, earl of Warwick and lord warden from 1461 to 1470,
received nineteen. Minstrels of William Fitz Alan, earl of Arundel and lord warden from 1470
to 1487, were paid sixty-four times. Minstrels of Henry Tudor, who was created lord warden
while still an infant in 1492, performed in Kent twenty-four times between 1492 and 1509.
Minstrels of Sir Edward Poynings, who served as deputy lord warden from 1505 to 1509 during
the minority of Prince Henry and then as lord warden from 1509 to 1521, received forty-two
payments, including many individual payments to his lute player named Thurrold. Finally,
minstrels of Sir Edward Guildford, lord warden from 1521 to 1534, were rewarded twenty-
five times. Altogether during these years payments to the lord wardens' minstrels totalled 245
performances or 30 per cent of all payments to minstrels with patrons.
liv DRANL, MUSIC, AND CEREMONIAL CUSTOMS
If the century between 1425 and 1525 was the heyday of professional travelling minstrels, the
century between 1525 and 1625 was the heyday of professional travelling players. As Figure 2
indicates, payments to travelling players extend from the final quarter of the fourteenth century
to the second quarter of the seventeenth century. Of all the payments in monastic and borough
records to these players, however, 81 per cent fall in the century between 1525 and 1625. As pay-
ments to travelling minstrels dropped steadily during the sixteenth century, payments to travel-
ling players increased steadily during the same period. In the last quarter of the fifteenth century
there were 306 payments to minstrels and forty to players; in the first quarter of the sixteenth
century, 216 payments to minstrels and sixty to players; in the second quarter, 143 payments to
minstrels and 144 to players; and in the third quarter, fifty-four payments to minstrels and 178
to players. In the last quarter of the sixteenth century, when the borough accounts record only
one payment to minstrels, there were 256 payments to travelling companies of players. Payments
to players then declined to 194 during the first quarter of the seventeenth century before drop-
ping sharply to just twenty-seven payments to travelling players between 1625 and 1642.
Just as most minstrels travelled under the patronage of royalty or nobility so most professional
travelling players also had patrons. Some payments to players without patrons were made
throughout the period between 1375 and 1642. During the fifteenth century, however, many
of these payments were summary payments, such as the payment at Christ Church Priory
in 1446-7 to "diuersis lusoribus ludentibus coram domino Priori' or the payment by the
Dover wardens in 1440-1 to 'diuersis hominibus ludentibus in ludis.' During the seven-
teenth century payments to players without patrons tended to be gratuity payments to un-
specified players, such as the payment at Canterbury in 1639-40 'to a Company of plaiers,
300- j
[] Without Patron
r With Patron __
250-
200-
i " :
5o
Figure 2: Payments to Travelling Players in Monastic and Borough Accounts
DRAMA, MUSIC AND CEREMONIAL CUSTOMS
not to play' or the payment at Dover in 1630-1 'to Players, who were sent out of Towne.'
The vast majority of payments to specific companies of players, however, did mention patrons.
Overall the figure for payments to players with patrons is 82 per cent, rising to 93 per cent
during the century between 1525 and 1625.
The first unambiguous payment to players with a patron appears in the 1477-8 Dover
borough accounts where separate payments were made to the minstrels and the players of
William Fitz Alan, earl of Arundel and lord warden of the Cinque Ports. During the peak of
minstrel activity in the remainder of the fifteenth century and the first quarter of the sixteenth
century, most payments to performers with patrons were still made to minstrels; however, the
payments to players with patrons increased dramatically during the second quarter of the
sixteenth century. Henry vaII, for example, maintained both a travelling troupe of waits or
minstrels and a travelling troupe of players, as did the lord wardens Sir Edward Guildford and
Sir Thomas Cheyne. Just under half of all payments to players with patrons between 1525 and
1625 went to players of the king, queen, or prince, with players of most noblemen prominent
in national or court politics also playing in Kent during that century.
When minstrels or players travelling under royal or noble patronage visited the towns of the
diocese of Canterbury, they seem to have been rewarded according to the prestige of their
patron rather than the quality of their performance. 1 The Canterbury chamberlains' accounts
for 1477-8, for example, include payments of6s 8d to the king's minstrels, 5s each to the
queen's minstrels and the duke of Gloucester's minstrels, and 3s 4d to the minstrels of the
duchess of York. Similar gradations in entertainment payments appear in the accounts of every
borough in almost every year. In addition to the reward for their performance the performers
often received additional payments for their expenses or for food and drink. In 1477-8 the
Canterbury chamberlains made additional payments for wine given to visiting minstrels: 8d for
the king's minstrels, 8d for the queen's minstrels, 4d for the duke of Gloucester's minstrels, and
4d for the duchess of York's minstrels. Payments to travelling players in the sixteenth century
followed a similar pattern of carefully calibrated rewards. At Lydd in 1589-90, to cite just one
example, players of the earl of Sussex received 6s, players of the earl of Essex and players of the
lord admiral each received lOs, and the queen's players received 20s.
Travelling minstrels and players moved with relative ease along the well-developed system of
main roads radiating from Canterbury and connecting the towns of east Kent. In some cases
suflqcient payments survive in the town accounts to enable the reconstruction of the probable
itineraries of these travelling performers. During the 1588-9 accounting year, for example,
payments to the queen's players appear in the chamberlains' accounts at Faversham dated
30 January, at Canterbury 'aboute candlemas,' at New Romney on 14 February, and at Lydd on
15 February. Additional undated payments are found at Folkestone, Hythe, Maidstone, and
Rye." At Dover during the last payment period of the accounting year in September 1589
expenses were submitted for money 'given vnto the quenes players at Christmas laste.' This
suggests a tour of Kent, perhaps starting at Maidstone, moving through Faversham, Canterbury,
and Dover, then westward along the coast through Folkestone, Hythe, New Romney, Lydd,
Rye, and the west? A second tour by the queen's men during the summer of 1589 is indicated
by further payments in the 1588-9 accounts to the queen's players at Canterbury, at Dover 'at
DRAMA, MUSIC, AND CEREMONIAL CUSTOMS lvii
Apart from a few isolated sources, however, our knowledge of these amateur plays and players
comes only from payments in the borough accounts of Lydd and New Romney and to a lesser
degree in those of Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone, Hythe, and Sandwich. The Lydd accounts,
for example, show payments to bann criers from the nearby towns and parishes of Appledore,
Brookland, Folkestone, Hythe, Ivychurch, New Romney, and Stone and to players from
Benenden, Bethersden, Chart, Dymchurch, Goudhurst, Hamstreet, Lympne, Ruckinge,
Tenterden, and Wittersham. From farther afield in Kent players came to Lydd from Dover,
Faversham, Herne, Maidstone, Rochester, and Sittingbourne, from Billericay in Essex, and from
Lewes, Rye, and Winchelsea in Sussex. Most of these players and bann criers, as well as players
from Hastings and bann criers from High Halden, Lydd, and Wye, also performed in New
Romney. Similar evidence of widespread parish drama survives in east Kent where the Dover ac-
counts include payments to players from Boughton, Canterbury, Elham, Faversham, Folkestone,
Herne, Hythe, Sandwich, Sittingbourne, Sturry, and Thanet, and the Sandwich treasurers'
accounts for 1462 include payments to players from Ash, Canterbury, Deal, and Herne.
Altogether players and bann criers from thirty-five different boroughs and parishes in the diocese
of Canterbury are mentioned in these accounts. Over half of these players and bann criers, as
well as those from the Kentish parishes ofAshford, Bonnington, Cranbrook, East Mailing,
Frittenden, Harrietsham, Lydden, Mersham, Newenden, Reading Street, and West Mailing, are
also mentioned in the accounts of the nearby Sussex town of Rye? 2 The records range from just
two performances between 1488 and 1490 in Rye by the players of the parish of Frittenden to
twenty-five performances between 1494 and 1534 in Dover, Hythe, Lydd, New Romney, and
Rye by the bann criers and players of the parish of Brookland, the payment for at least one
performance having been designated 'to players of Brokland for the Reparacions of the Church
ther' (see p 399).
Except for Bethersden, Lydd, and New Romney, however, none of the boroughs or parishes
mentioned in the account books of the Cinque Port towns has significant records of its own
players. Few fifteenth- or early sixteenth-century churchwardens' accounts have survived; those
that have rarely mention plays or players. The only other references in the Kent records to the
players of Brookland and Frittenden, for example, are found in a bequest of 12d to William
Ealdishe in the will of James Hoggelyn of Old Romney in 1527 'if he playe yn brokeland playe
on penticost next cornmyng to the makyng of his hoses' and a bequest in the will of Richard
Bannoke of Faversham in 1522, giving to his son Nicholas 'my sure of playing garmentes that
the men offfetynden hath yn kepyng.' Players of Dover were paid at Lydd in 1527-8 and at
Rye in 1506-7 and 1508-9; however, the only record of these players in the Dover wardens'
accounts are rewards paid 'to players of the towne of Douorre' in 1522-3 and again in 1523-4. '3
Even such slim supporting evidence has not survived for most of the other borough and parish
plays. The Christ Church Priory treasurer's accounts in 1444-5 include a reward to 'parochianis
sancte Mildrede in coexibicionem ludi'; however, no further evidence of this play survives
in the parish records of St Mildred's, Canterbury. The Boughton under Blean churchwardens'
accounts include a receipt for money gathered in 1535 at the 'Corpus christi play'; how-
ever, no further evidence of this play survives in the parish records of Sts Peter and Paul,
Boughton under Blean. Not even in the boroughs of Faversham, Folkestone, or Hythe does
Iviii DRAMA, MUSIC, AND CEREMONIAL CUSTOMS
evidence survive of their own town or parish players. The borough accounts of Canterbury,
Dover, Hythe, Lydd, New Romney, and Sandwich record seven performances by the players of
Faversham between 1446 and 1527, twelve performances by the bann criers and players of
Folkestone between 1473 and 1534, and fourteen performances by the bann criers and players
of H.wdae between 1387 and 1533, yet none of these three towns has any record of its own plays
or players. Given the scarcity of supporting evidence for these borough and parish plays, what
conclusions can be drawn about this once thriving dramatic tradition?
The surviving evidence suggests that these amateur borough and parish plays were primarily
saints' plays and biblical plays encouraged by the piety of late medieval religious guilds and
fraternities, dedicated at least in part to raising parish funds, and brought to an abrupt end
by the sustained attack on the veneration of saints during the early Henrician Reformation. As
Figure 3 indicates, payments in the borough accounts of the diocese of Canterbury for perform-
ances by borough and parish bann criers and players rose steadily throughout the fifteenth
century, reaching their peak during the early sixteenth century. Payments to fifty-three travelling
troupes, or 29 per cent of all payments to bann criers and players, were made in the last quarter
of the fifteenth century and fifty-five payments, or 30 per cent, in the first quarter of the
sixteenth cenruty." During the next decade between 1525 and 1534 the number of performances
proportionally increased even further with twenty-seven payments, or 15 per cent of all pay-
ments, being made during this decade alone. After the 1534-5 accounting year, however, pay-
ments for borough and parish plays virtually disappeared with only the payment in Canterbury
to players of Hadlow in 1537-8 and the payment in New Romney to players of Rochester in
1539-40 falling during the second half of the decade. ' After that date there are no further pay-
ments to bann criers and players from boroughs and parishes in the diocese of Canterbury.
Why did the performances of borough and parish plays disappear so abruptly in 1535? The
surviving evidence points to the content of the plays. Apart from a single reference to the 'Robyn
hod playes' of Hythe in 1532 (see p 770), all other named plays in the records are miracle plays or
5o-
3o
1300-99 1400-24 1425--49
1450-74
1475-99 1500-24
525-34 1535-9
Figure 3: Payments to Borough and Parish Bann Criers and Players
DRAMA, MUSIC, AND CEREMONIAL CUSTOMS
lix
saints' plays. In 1408-9 the bursar of Boxley Abbey, for example, rewarded six men for playing
'vnum miraculum de sancta Maria." At Bethersden in 1521-2 playwardens' accounts survive
for the play of St Christina. Judging from the payments for swords and axes the heroine
was probably the fourth-century virgin and martyr honoured in both Eastern and Western
churches for suffering a series of tortures after her refusal to sacrifice to pagan gods. At Lydd
between 1456 and 1534 the town chamberlains' accounts and churchwardens' accounts con-
tain scattered references to the parish play of St George, the last performance of which was
recorded in 1532-3. None of these saints' plays, however, survived the sustained attack on the
veneration of saints during the early 1530s that culminated in an act of parliament for the
abrogation of numerous feast days and saints' days in September 15367 Under the protection
of Thomas Cromwell and Archbishop Thomas Cranmer radical preachers like Hugh Latimer,
who was appointed Lenten preacher to the king in 1534, campaigned against pilgrimages to
shrines, the superstitious veneration of relics, the lighting and adornment of images of saints,
and the invocation of saints. After the break with Rome in March 1533 traditional piety in
pulpit and parish had become associated with dissatisfaction with the Crown and support of the
papacy. Under the watchful eye of the archbishop of Canterbury performance of traditional
parish plays celebrating the miracles of the saints had suddenly become far too dangerous.
The only exception to the sudden disappearance in 1535 of traditional borough and parish
plays in the diocese of Canterbury was the passion play of New Romney where evidence of
performance continues as late as 1568. In 1539 the New Romney chamberlains paid for
'expences at the rehersyng of the play in lent.' Other play expenses occur in the New Romney
accounts during the 1540s and 1550s. In December 1555 three recognizances, listing most of
the players and binding them to learn their parts before the feast of Pentecost, appear in the
New Romney court book. Both the court books and chamberlains' accounts contain extensive
records concerning the production of the play in 1560. The Lydd accounts for this year include
a reward to the bann criers of New Romney. Evidence in the New Romney quarter sessions
records, as well as a payment to the New Romney players in the Dover accounts, indicates a
performance in 1562 while an enigmatic memorandum in the New Romney chamberlains'
accounts may indicate a further performance in 1568.
This survival of the New Romney passion play well into the first decade of Elizabeth's reign
resulted from the solid support of the play by the wealthy and powerful men of the town's
oligarchy. .7 Comparison of the names on a tax assessment of New Romney residents levied on
1 April 1559 with the names of players on the 1555 recognizances and the names of townsmen
who agreed on 18 February 1559/60 to help produce the play at Whitsuntide shows a high
correlation between wealth, as measured by the amount of tax paid, and support of the town's
play. '8 In the lower tax bands 58 per cent of residents did not participate in the play; in the
higher tax bands 76 per cent of residents did. Furthermore, most of the influential men who
served as the churchwardens, jurats, or bailiff of New Romney, who held the offices of town
clerk, chamberlain, or serjeant, or who represented the town in the Brotherhood meetings of
the Cinque Ports or in parliament also were involved in the proposed revival of the passion play
at Whitsuntide in 1556 or the production of the play in 1560 (see pp 1362-3, endnote to
NR/JB 6 ff215-16, and pp 1363-4, endnote to Ec: NR/JB 7 if40-1). These men not only
lxii
DRAMA, MUSIC, AND CEREMONIAL CUSTOMS
tormentors - Mischaunce, Falce at Nede, Untrust, Faynthart, Unhappe, and Evyll Grace - who
shared the stage with Annas and Caiaphas. As in Thomas Preston's Cambises, Bale's King John,
and other sixteenth-century hybrid plays, these abstract personifications rubbed shoulders with
concrete historical or biblical characters, depicting in stylized form emotions that later sixteenth-
century dramatists learned to show realistically through speech and action. * When Jesus
appeared before Annas, the tormentors objectified or portrayed outwardly the torment he must
have felt inwardly: Falce at Nede portrayed the denial of Peter, Untrust the betrayal of Judas,
Faynthart the desertion of the disciples, Evyll Grace the mockery of Annas and .Caiaphas, and
Mischaunce and Unhappe the misfortune of scourge and thorns and nails.
The third play, depicting Christ's death and descent into hell, probably consisted of three
scenes, each with its own stage or centre of action noted in the 1560 memorandum listing the
builders of the stages. Three crosses are specified for the Crucifixion scene. The recognizances
include parts for Simon of Cyrene, the three Marys, and John. No soldiers are listed but the
1560 accounts include payments for swords and for the shoeing of the centurion's horse. If the
playwright was still following the Gospel of John, then Pilate, Annas, Caiaphas, and the two
Pharisees would have swelled the group around the cross. A burial scene in 'the cave,' featuring
Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea, who also appear in the Gospel of John, may have
followed although neither character appears in the recognizances. The harrowing of hell may be
safely inferred both from the hell stage and from the mention of the second and third devils, the
former having doubled as Annas in the second play. Among other stage properties the fifteenth-
century account fragment calls for 'Campanis pro inferno' (see p 747), or bell's bells, probably
morris bells strapped to the arms and legs of the devils.
The last play, 'ludi de resureccione' (see p 737), is the only play specifically mentioned by
name in the New Romney records. The action here revolves around two centres - 'the cave' for
the Resurrection scene and 'heaven' for the Ascension. The former may have featured Mary
MagdaJene, mentioned in the recognizances, as does the Resurrection account in John 20. The
latter scene apparently featured both God the Father and God the Son appearing on the heaven
stage, for the 1560 accounts include payments 'for makyng of the fyrst godheddes Coote' (see
p 786) and 'for skynnes for the ij d godheddes Coote & for makyng' (see p 787), as well as a
payment for half a dozen sheepskins 'for ye godheddes coote for the iiij th playe' (see p 789).
Altogether the payments for these two costumes totalled 7s 4d.
These numerous hints about the passion play's content, structure, and staging drawn from
the surviving New Romney records, then, reveal a fully developed passion play performed on
fixed staging, dramatizing scenes from Christ's baptism to his ascension, and probably based on
the Gospel of John. Together with the surviving records of the Bethersden play of St Christina
and the Lydd play of St George, the records of the New Romney passion phy also give fasdn-
ating glimpses into the administration of these borough and parish plays. All three plays were
administered by playwardens. The 1521 Bethersden play accounts were submitted by four play-
wardens. The wardens of the St George play are mentioned in the Lydd chamberlains' accounts
for 1526-7. The churchwardens' accounts for the same year refer to 'ij of the wardens of Saynt
Georges playe,' implying that there were others as well. At New Romney the playwardens were
elected by the bailiff, jurats, and commonalty. A memorandum in the chamberlains' accounts
Ixiv DRAMA, MUSIC, AND CEREMONIAL CUSTOMS
disbursing money, or performing in the 1556 and 1560 performances of the play. In addition to
the deviser, the actors, and the many inhabitants who played backstage and administrative roles,
both Bethersden and New Romney hired musicians for their plays. The playwardens' accounts
at Bethersden include a payment 'to the menstrelles the ijd pleye daye.' In the fifteenth-century
playwardens' accounts at New Romney there are several payments for minstrels and in the
1560- l accounts payments 'to the wayre of Rye for his seruyce at our ijde play day' (see p 787),
'to the mynstrylles that played at our iij de playe' (see p 788), 'to the drom player for his paynes'
(see p 788), and 'to A mynstryll at our iiijth play' (see p 789).
As the play day drew near, bann criers travelled to surrounding towns and villages to proclaim
the banns of the play. For the 1521 performance the Bethersden playwardens paid for 'Water at
nashe to Ryde with our banys.' Similarly, Lydd chamberlains paid 20d in 1466-7 'in Exspences
of oure Bane cryares ofoure play.' These banns were apparently separate from the play and
comprised an official announcement that summarized and advertised the play. 22 This practice
explains the expenses submitted by the New Romney town clerk in 1560 for writing out the
playbook, writing out the parts, and writing the 'proclaymynge of the playe' (see p 790). Often
the players who read this proclamation or cried the banns were dressed in costume. Before the
1560 performance of the New Romney passion play, for example, the deviser spent 10s in
London for 'iiij beardes & heares for the bane cryers & A heare & beard for the ffoole' (see
p 791). Usually, the bann criers were rewarded with donations toward play expenses and
were often entertained with food and drink. In 1508 bann criers for the Bethersden play of
St Christina were paid 3s 4d for the proclamation of their banns in New Romney and 4s in
Rye. During their promotion of the St George play Lydd bann criers were paid at Hythe
in 1503-4, at New Romney in 1476-7, 1478-9, 1486-7, 1493-4, 1494-5, 1503-4,
1509-10, and 1532-3, and at Rye in 1502-3 and 1508-974 According to the fifteenth-
century playwardens' account fragment, New Romney bann criers collected 3s 4d each from
Ivychurch and Brookland, 5s from Folkestone, and 6s 8d each from Hythe and Lydd (see
p 748). In other years the New Romney bann criers were paid at Dover and Lydd in 1479-
80, at Hythe in 1497-8 and 1503-4, at Rye in 1502-3, at both Lydd and Rye in 1516-
17, 1525-6, and 1539-40, at Dover in 1547-8, and at Hythe, Lydd, Rye, and Tenterden
in 15607 s
The finances of the plays were usually administered by the playwardens, as at Bethersden in
1521 and at New Romney in the 1480s; however, in other years the town chamberlains seem to
have accounted directly for the receipts and expenses, as at Lydd in 1532-3 and New Romney
in 1560. Apart from using the money collected by the bann criers in advance of the performance,
the playwardens apparently paid the majority of expenses for rehearsals, costumes, and properties
from loans that were then repaid from the play's receipts. At New Romney in 1503, for example,
the playwardens received a loan directly from the town chamberlain; in 1497 and again in 1505
the chamberlain reimbursed various townspeople who had themselves loaned money to the
playwardens. In 1560 the chamberlain accounted for a total of 35s from various inhabitants
'gyven towardes our playe which afterwardes was paid ageyne' (see p 785). At Lydd in 1532-3
the town chamberlain repaid bailiff John Cawston in several instalments for money 'whiche is
owing to hym for the pley' (see p 687). In 1533-4 the Lydd chamberlain was still paying off
ixviii
DRAMA, MUSIC, AND CEREMONIAL CUSTOMS
area of land was specifically designated as 'the playing place' and was used by travelling bann
criers, players, and other entertainers in the late medieval period. At Lydd, for example, entries
in the earl), sixteenth-century rent book of the manor of Aldington for 'Tenementes lyeng on the
sowthewest parte of strete ledyng from the church to the harmytage' refer in passing to land
known as 'the playing place' (see pp 672-3), formerly an open area bordered by the High
Street, Park Street, and New Lane but now covered with buildings. At Linsted in 1482 the will
of John Weston contains a bequest to the churchwardens of a piece of land in Church Field for
making a place called 'apleying place' for use by parishioners on feast days and holy days. In
other communities payments were made for outdoor performances in the streets or markets or
other open areas. In the 1484-5 accounts the Lydd chamberlains paid a reward 'to the Playres
in the hyghe strete.' At nearby New Romney in 1441-2 the chamberlains rewarded the men of
Wittersham for showing their parish play 'super le Crokhill' and other men playing 'super le
Cro "khill,' an elevated open space on the western side of New Romney, southwest of Church
Road, "known also as Crocky Green or Crocldey Green. At Sandwich in 1520-1 the treasurers
paid the "king's players for a performance 'in the fishemarket openly,' and at Dover in 1550-1
the wardens paid for 'players that played in the markett place one estre mundaye.'
INNS AND PUBLIC HOUSES
Occasionally, payments in the borough chamberlains' accounts to travelling players and
minstrels or to civic musicians mention inns or public houses as the performance venue or
the place where the entertainers were rewarded with food and drink after their performance.
Particularly in Canterbury, where some seventeenth-century vintners' licences have survived,
many of these locations can be identified. The Chequers Inn, for example, where the mayor
and his brethren rewarded the prince's players after their performance in 1546-7, was loc-
ated on the northwest corner of the High Street and Mercery Lane in St Andrew's parish.
Vintners' licences for this inn survive from 1667. 3s During the early seventeenth century
The Chequers Inn is mentioned as a performance venue for the queen's men in 1608-9, for
the city waits at the annual accounting dinners in 1609-10 and 1610-11, at the entertain-
ment of the French ambassador in 1624-5, at the eating of venison sent by the countess
of Winchilsea in 1632-3, and at the gunpowder treason dinner on 5 November 1638.
The Crown Inn, where the city waits entertained the mayor and aldermen at the dinner on
5 November 1612, was located in the parish of St Mary Bredman on the southwest side
of the High Street, not far from the guildhall. During the early seventeenth century The
Crown is mentioned as the site of further civic entertainment by the city waits at the annual
accounting dinner in 1613 (see p 263). One seventeenth-century vintner's licence survives
from 1685. 6 The Red Lion Inn, where the mayor and his brethren rewarded the king's
minstrels in 1505-6, was situated on the High Street immediately east of the guildhall.
Demolished in 1806 to allow for construction of Guildhall Street connecting Sun Street
with the High Street, The Red Lion had often catered for civic functions at the adjacent
guildhall, the requirement to provide 'one gallon of good claret wine to the mayor at every
sessions dinner' actually appearing in surviving vintners' licences from the seventeenth
DRAMA, MUSIC, AND CEREMONIAL CUSTOMS ixxi
referred to in this payment need not have taken place in the church building. '7 Nor does the
payment specify the play that was performed. It may have been a performance of Bale's play
The Chief Promises of God or, judging from the large payment of 40s, possibly a combined
performance of that play with his other two biblical plays, John Baptist's Preaching in the
Wilderness and The Temptation of Our Lord by Satan, all described on title page or colophon as
'compiled in 1538. TM The third church mentioned as a performance space in the records of the
diocese of Canterbury is the parish church of St Mary Magdalene, Stockbury, where "an
Enterlude or playe' was performed in the chancel on the afternoon of 22 July 1600. The play
was disrupted by servants of the Catholic Sir Edmund Baynham, who forced their way into
the church, began a brawl with the players, and two months later ended up in the arch-
deacon's court. 4"J
The Stockbury church, which stands on the North Downs near the remains of a Norman
motte and bailey castle, was a part of the ancient possessions of the Priory of Leeds and passed
to the dean and chapter of Rochester following the Dissolution of the monasteries. Mentioned
in the Domesday Book. the church was rebuilt in the thirteenth century with further alterations
dating from the fifteenth and nineteenth centuries. There are four bays in the nave with a
blanked clerestory above and narrow aisles on either side. The chancel, where the play was
performed, has four more bays with arches resting on marble columns along the north and
south sides of the chancel and with access on either side into the transepts through the western-
most two arches. A large arch separates the nave from the chancel, and smaller arches separate
the side aisles from the transepts. The north transept (16' 2" square) and the south transept
(2l' by 18' 6") are asymmetrical, causing the arches separating the chancel and transepts from
the nave to run at an angle across the church, making the possible performance space in the
chancel 36' 10" on the north, 37' 8" on the south, and 16' 2" on the east and west. The rood
screen originally stretched across the nave through the fourth bay; however, the screen has now
been removed and the stairway to the rood loft in the north aisle blocked up. An opening or
squint in the south wall of the chancel, which originally provided sight of the main altar from
the south transept, has also been blocked up. Screens, which may have been part of the rood
screen, now separate the north and south transepts from the chancel. It is not known whether
these screens were in place in 1600, when the interlude or play was performed in the chancel on
22 July, the patronal festival of St Mary Magdalene.
Professional Travelling Musicians
In addition to the payments to travelling minstrels and players, the borough records of the
diocese of Canterbury also contain many payments to professional travelling musicians. These
performers fall into two general classes: ceremonial musicians and civic musicians. In the first
class belong the drummers, fife players, and trumpeters who usually accompanied royalty and
the great magnates on their travels, heightening their impressive entrances or departures with
trumpet fanfares or the beating of drums. When Henry vm and Jane Seymour visited Dover in
1536, for example, the Dover wardens paid a reward to 'the kynges Trompettes' (see p 433) as
well as rewards to the royal footmen. Two years later, when the king accompanied by the lord
Ixxii DI,AM, MUSIC, AND CEREMONIAL CUSTOMS
warden again visited Dover to inspect the harbour fortifications, the Dover wardens paid not
only the "king's trumpeters but also the lord warden's drum and fife. Similar payments to these
ceremonial musicians appear in the borough accounts of Canterbury, Dover, Faversham,
Folkestone, and Sandwich whenever there was a royal visit (see pp lxxxii-lxxxiv). These
ceremonial musicians also travelled separately on behalf of their masters with proclamations.
For example, when Henry Vll and Ferdinand formed an Anglo-Spanish alliance to counter
the threat of French military expansion in October 1515, royal trumpeters accompanied the
king's messengers who brought the news. The Dover wardens that year paid a reward 'to the
Trvmpettes in reward at the proclamacion of the peax betwene the kyng and the prince of
Castell." Other royal trumpeters were paid at Dover and Faversham at the proclaiming of the
accession of James I in 1603 and again in 1625 at the accession of Charles I. Occasionally,
the king's trumpeters seem to have accompanied the king's men, as suggested by the payment
in the 1605-6 Maidstone chamberlains' accounts 'to the kinges playeres by master maior &
to the trompettors.' Both the king's players and the king's trumpeter were also paid during
the same year at Faversham.
In the second class of professional travelling musicians are the civic musicians or waits,
identified by their home location, who travelled to Kent from outside the county. Many
of these musicians seem to have been hired to perform for particular occasions. For the
Midsummer marching watch at Canterbury in 1506, for example, the chamberlains paid 'the
waites of Ionden on seint Thomas Night goyng before the wacche' and made similar payments
in 1505, 1507, and 1510. Likewise, the wardens of the New Romney passion play in 1560
paid 'the wayte of Rye for his seruyce at our ij de play day.' Other waits from outside the
county seem to have toured widely, performing in Kent several times over a period of years.
The waits of Calais, for example, performed at Dover in 1467-8, at New Romney in 1539-40,
and at Lydd in 1540-1. The waits of Hertford were paid at Lydd in 1538-9 and 1541-2,
and at New Romney in 1539-40. Other travelling waits included the waits of Norwich at
Sandwich in 1515-16, the waits of Harwich at Lydd in 1516-17, the waits of London at
Faversham in 1519-20, the waits of Colchester at Lydd in 1541-2, and the waits of Lincoln
at Canterbury in 1549- 50.
Civic Musicians
WAITS AND MINSTRELS
The best documented tradition of civic waits or minstrels within Kent comes from Canterbury.
Variously referred to as 'histriones,' 'uigiles,' 'musicians,' 'waits,' or 'minstrels,' the waits of
Canterbury appear in the city records from 1401 until 1641, wearing the city's livery, enter-
taining the mayor and aldermen at civic feasts, and playing in the streets. The chamberlains'
accounts record the purchase of silver scutcheons in 1401-2 and in 1416-17 the awarding of
scutcheons to the minstrels John l_angle, Thomas Wodelond, and William Fordmell. Similar
notices appear periodically thereafter, whenever a scutcheon was returned after the death or
dismissal of a wait and a replacement was chosen. Often the weight of each scutcheon in ounces
.XXV
DRAMA, MUSIC, AND CEREMONIAL CUSTOMS
controversy about the number of apprentices that should share in the proceeds of the company
required the attention ofa burghmote committee of aldermen. In April 1638, when two rival
groups both petitioned the burghmote court for the honour of being named city waits, again the
dispute was re|rred to a committee. In their report the committee recommended a compromise,
choosing some players from each group, but in January 1639/40 the issue again came before the
court when William Matheres, the chief wait, objected to the arrangement for dividing the
money and "did refuse to be [at] one of the wakes of this Cittie vnles he may haue his owne will
& a full share for his boy.' The waits were still wrangling in February 1640/1 when the court
voted to disband the company: 'It is ordered that in respect of the misdemenor of this Citty
musick the Escutchons of the Citty shalbe called in by master Chamberleyn & if they refuse to
deliuer the same then to be sued for them by master Chamberlyn & the said Citty musick &
company are hereby absolutely dischardged & dissolued.' Not until after the Restoration did
the city waits again play in Canterbury.
The records of Dover, Faversham, Lydd, and Sandwich also contain evidence of civic min-
strels or waits. At Dover payments to the wait, called 'fistulator' or 'piparius' in the Latin ac-
counts and "piper' or 'wait' in the English accounts, appear routinely in the town accounts from
1365 to 1571. Along with the town clerk, town serjeant, mayor's serjeant, and other civic
officers, the wait is named at the beginning of the annual rough accounts. Occasionally, two
musicians served together but usually only one held the post, receiving an annual stipend for
livery and a quarterly wage of 5s, rising to 6s 8d by the mid-sixteenth century. After 1570-1 all
mention of the wait disappears from the town records until 1605 when the assembly act book
notes that Matthew Woodden volunteered to serve as wait free of charge without either wages
or livery. At Faversham, in contrast to the extensive evidence of town waits at Dover, only two
references appear in the chamberlains' accounts: a payment in 1561-2 'to the wakes of the
Town for ther wages for one hole yere' and a payment in 1572-3 for the 'aperile ofwaittes.'
At Lydd there is only one reference to waits in the chamberlains' accounts: a reference in
1517-18 'for the wages of the wayte betwene alhalowyn & Cristemasse.' At Sandwich references
in the town year books and in the surviving account rolls, although sporadic, suggest a civic
tradition of town musicians throughout the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. In 1468-9
the waits received 40s for their wages and 16s for their livery. In 1476-7 John Watson, William
Watson, and William Scarlett were appointed waits by the mayor and jurats and were granted
the scutcheons ofofflce. In 1489-90 the treasurers paid for remaking a silver collar for one of
the waits. Further payments for wages and for livery appear in the accounts for 1482-3,
1489-90, and 1536-7. Few accounts survive for the later sixteenth century; however, the
year book does contain an order in January 1567/8 for paying the wages of the town wait.
As in Canterbury the Sandwich waits played for the public as well as for the mayor and jurats,
for reference is made in 1536-7 'to the Mynstrelles gowing euery morning about the Town
piping,' a custom that Bavarian envoy, Leo of Rozmital, had noted during his visit to Sandwich
in February 1465/6. Like the Canterbury waits the Sandwich waits also travelled and performed
outside the town. The Sandwich minstrels or waits received numerous payments for performing
at Dover between 1381 and 1492, as well as payments at Canterbury in 1402-3, at Hythe in
1483-4, and at New Romney in 1478-9 and 1491-2.
DRAMA, MUSIC, AND CEREMONIAL CUSTOMS IXXV
HORN BLOWING
Medieval and early modern Kentish towns also paid civic musicians for blowing the brazen
horn to assemble the townspeople for meetings or to defend the town in times of danger. The
surviving custumals of Dover, Faversham, Folkestone, New Romney, and Sandwich all describe
the custom of blowing the town horn at various locations in the town to signal the freemen to
assemble for the annual mayoral dection. At Hythe, where the custumal does not survive, the
account books contain payments in 1582-3 and 1619-20 for blowing the horn for the
dection at Candlemas. An agreement in 1258 between the abbot of Faversham Abbey and the
men of Faversham specified certain other occasions for blowing the horn of Faversham: for
meetings of the burghmote, for the death of a man, for the command of the king, for fire, and
for setting of watch against criminals or invasion. Records of purchase and repair of town horns
also demonstrate their common use in Kentish towns. Canterbury, in one of few references to
horn blowing, paid 'for amending the Burghmot home' in 1615-16. Dover purchased two
horns 'pro vigilatoribus' in 1370-1 although the town had a horn as early as February 1297/8,
when the horn was blown to call the townsmen to prevent the archbishop's messengers from
ddivering a summons for town officials to appear in the ecclesiastical courts. Over the years the
Dover wardens paid for periodic repairs, including payments in 1551-2 'to Robard the tynker
for mendyng of the towne home' and in 1601-2 'for Sodering the Brasen home.' Faversham
paid for mending its horn in 1540-1, 1552-3, 1565-6, and 1636-7; Lydd purchased two
horns 'pro le wachemen' in 14.:36-7 and a third in 1454-5; and New Romney, where frequent
payments for blowing the town horn appear in the records between 1432 and 1608, bought a
new horn in 1614-15. In addition payments to various town officials for blowing the horn
further demonstrate its common use in Kentish towns although in some cases the responsibility
for blowing the town horn seems to have been included in the iob description of the town wait
or town serieant and therefore was not especially noted in the accounts. That appears to have
been the case in Canterbury where, apart from a single payment to the town crier in 1637, no
payments for horn blowing appear in the accounts. At Dover, however, payments appear almost
annually between 1367 and 1609 for horn blowing. Originally, the town wait received a reward
of 2d for each horn blowing in addition to his regular quarterly stipend; however, in 1538 the
iob passed to the town serieant. At Folkestone the town serieant also performed the duty,
receiving during the 1540s an annual fee of 14d, rising to 24d during the seventeenth century.
At Sandwich the town serieant, or common wardman, received an annual supplement to his
wages of 16d in the early sixteenth century and 4s during the seventeenth century for blowing
the town horn.
RINGING THE BASIN
Public punishment in medieval and early modern towns often included the carting of wrong-
doers through the streets of the town to the mocking cacophony of clashing cymbals or
the beating of metal basins. In the Kent records this custom of rough music, or charivari,
first appears in the Sandwich records where it is the punishment for scolds prescribed in a
Ixxvi
DRAN|A, MUSIC, AND CEREMONIAL CUSTOMS
fourteenth-century custumal. Women guilty of brawling or quarrelling in the streets or other
public places were to be led through the town, carrying a mortar and preceded by the wait or
another minstrel making some sort of rough music (see p 823). At the end of this spectacle the
wait was to receive ld flora the woman for his trouble. The surviving accounts include no
particular payments for this punishment, probably since the accused was responsible for paying
the wait; however, a memorandum in the Sandwich assembly book in 1638 does describe ring-
ing the basin during the punishment of a 'leud wench' who had abused the mayoress, 'calling
her by many ill refines, and saying she cared not a fart for her.' A similar clause for the punish-
ment of scolds appears in the fifteenth-century Fordwich custumal, which was based on the
Sandwich custumal. No early accounts survive in Fordwich; however, the mayor's accounts
for 1578-9 do contain a payment to two boys for 'leadinge of a cart & Ringinge a bason.'
During the second half of the sixteenth century numerous payments appear in the Canterbury
chamberlains' accounts for carting and basin ringing. The crime most often mentioned was
sexual immorality, as in the payment in 1562-3 'ffor a Cart & one yat Range ye basson beffore
a harlott,' but basin ringing was also used to punish seditious speech in 1558-9 and witchcraft
in 1571-2. Typical punishment included ringing the basin while leading the guilty person
through the streets in a horse-drawn cart, the crime written on a placard and displayed on his
or her head. Sometimes the punishment also included whipping, as in the 1576-7 payment 'to
hym that was in the devylles clothes that whypped the man & the woman' and in the 1585-6
payments for carting, writing of papers, ringing the basin, and for 'hym that dyd whyp the
woman.' During the seventeenth century the Dover court records and account books also relate
in great detail both the sexual crimes and their punishment that culminated in ringing the basin
in 1604-5, 1606-7, 1610-11,1611-12, 1614-15, and 1619-20. As in Canterbury a paper,
usually bearing the words 'for whoredome,' was placed on the head of the guilty party or parties
as they were carted through the streets with the discordant serenade of rough music.
DRUMS AND DRUMMING
In addition to the discordant rough music of ringing the basin, the clarion call of the brazen
horn, and the sound of cornets, sackbuts, and shawms played by the town waits in the streets,
the beating of drums also filled the urban air of early modern Kent. During the sixteenth and
seventeenth centuries militia bands marched and trained to the music of fife and drum; however,
drumming in Kent was not limited to military activiry. At Canterbury in 1554 and 1555
drummers beat their drums in the marching watch with pageants on the eve of the Translation
of St Thomas Becket. At Dover throughout the early seventeenth century and at Sandwich in
1625-6 the town drummers called people to work at the harbour and to work on the highways.
Town drummers welcomed visiting royalty, as at Faversham in 1573 during the progress of
Elizabeth I or at Sandwich in 1641 during the visit of the prince of Orange. Town drummers
even drummed on holidays. At Lydd there are payments in 1579 for 'playing vppon the drom
in ye Easter Hollidaies' and 'in whitson Holidaies' and in 1588 'for playeng vppon our droms
on the queenes daye' on 17 November. At Dover in 1589 there is a payment 'for playeng the
dromme to give warning vnto the tounsmen agaynst may day.'
lxxxvi
DRAMA, MUSIC, AND CEREMONIAL CUSTOMS
these official ceremonial events were numerous informal popular customs observed in the towns
and parishes throughout the diocese of Canterbury. Such popular customs usually involved
feasting, music, and dancing, often with a mimetic component such as disguising, role reversal,
or the acting out of folk rituals. Just as the civic ceremonial customs followed the rhythm of the
civic year so these popular mimetic customs followed the rhythm of the church year and the
natural cycle of the seasons. Beginning with Advent and Christmas and continuing through
the major Christian festivals of Epiphany, Easter, Ascension, and Whitsun, the celebrations of
the church year mingled and merged with the natural rhythm of the seasons: Christmas festivity
with Midwinter wassail, Whitsun ales with May games and morris dancing, Corpus Christi
processions with Midsummer bonfires and marching watches.
The surviving evidence for popular mimetic customs is far more fragmentary and dispersed
than the evidence for the dramatic, musical, and ceremonial activity that is concentrated in
the annual records of the larger Kentish towns. Few official records were kept of informal
celebrations. Summer games may have escaped official notice unless they involved expenditure
by parish churchwardens or borough chamberlains or unless they invo}ved disorder or damage
to property and came to the notice of the ecclesiastical courts or magistrates. Maypoles may
have been noticed in the records only when they needed repair or when they were erected or
taken down. Other long-standing customs, such as wassailing the apple trees on New Year's Eve
or Twelfth Night at Fordwich, were mentioned only when they were interrupted for some
reason or when they were discontinued. Many of these popular mimetic customs were doubtless
performed for years or decades without ever appearing in official records. The caveat that
absence of evidence is not evidence of absence is nowhere more pertinent than in attempts
to assess the extent and longevity of these popular mimetic customs. As always the available
information also depends on the survival of the relevant manuscripts. Nevertheless, considerable
evidence does survive in the Kent records for popular mimetic customs, even though most of
them cannot be routinely documented from year to year.
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
During the medieval and early modern periods the twelve days between the feast of Christmas
on 25 December and the feast of Epiphany on 6 January were celebrated with general feasting,
entertainment, and merriment in monasteries, in towns, and in parishes alike. 6' At Boxley
Abbey, for example, surviving bursars' accounts between 1353 and 1409 include payments
for players before the abbot and monks on the feasts of Christmas and the Circumcision
(1 January). In Canterbury the treasurers' accounts show that the prior and monks of Christ
Church in the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth centuries also frequently paid for entertain-
ers, minstrels, pipers, and players on the feasts of Christmas, St Stephen (26 December), the
Martyrdom of St Thomas Becket (29 December), the Circumcision (1 January), and Epiphany
(6 January). During the 1445 festive season, for example, there were payments for interludes at
Christmas in the presence of the lord cardinal, for players playing before the lord prior, for the
cardinal's minstrels, and for other minstrels (see pp 66-7). The few surviving fifteenth-century
accounts from St Augustine's Abbey show that the abbot and monks also paid for minstrels
DRAMA, MUSIC, AND CEREMONIAL CUSTOMS lxxxvii
or players on Christmas Day and on the feast of St Thomas Becket. Fewer payments in town
records than in monastic records are dated by feast days; however, in 1501-2 the Canterbury city
chamberlains' accounts include expenses for a 'bankett in the Courte hall' and the performance
of a play of 'the iij kynges of Coleyn' on Twelfth Night (see pp 95-6). At Dover the wardens"
accounts show frequent expenses between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries for enter-
tainers, minstrels, players, and wine at Christmas, including payments in 1452 for 'hominibus
de herne ludentibus coram Maiore &c tempore Natalis Christi,' in 1481 'for playeres at
christemasse," in 1492 for players and wine when Dover officials entertained the mayors of
Folkestone and Faversham at Christmas, in 1535 for 'my lord lyles players in wyne on christmas
dale,' and in 1588 for a reward 'given vnto the quenes players at Christmas laste.' At Fordwich
in 1592 the mayor paid for 'players in the Cristmas ryme.' At Sandwich the treasurers' accounts
also show the custom of celebrating Christmas and Twelfth Night with plays, including pay-
ments in 1458 for 'diuersis hominibus ludentibus ad festum Natalis domini,' in 1497/8 for 'the
waites of Canterbury on xij the day,' in 1505 'for a player a fore the Mayer at Crestmas,' and in
1521 'for a play at the Bull in Crystmas.' Although most prosecutions of minstrels and dancers
in the quarter sessions and ecclesiastical courts involved disorderly behaviour during summer
games, the churchwardens of Elmstead did present a minstrel in 1584 for 'occupienge his
instrumente to daunsinge' on a Sunday 'beinge St Iohns daye in Christmas.'
The entertainment, merriment, and festivity of the twelve days of Christmas also incorpor-
ated the inversion of order in such mimetic customs as the lord of misrule and the St Nicholas
bishop. 6' During the sixteenth century such controlled disorder seems to have flourished
particularly in the towns and parishes of Romney Marsh and the south coast of Kent. In 1525
the lord of misrule of Old Romney was entertained at New Romney. In Lydd the church-
wardens' accounts show receipts in 1534 and again in 1537 for money gathered at Christmas
by the lord of misrule and his retinue for 'the maynteynyng of the light of Seynt george' in the
parish church of All Saints (see pp 689, 690). It is possible that at Lydd these 'lordes of mysrule
in Cristmas tyme' may have been a group of morris dancers since there are six names listed in
the churchwardens' accounts and six was the traditional number of dancers for the morris. In
1542 the Folkestone wardens' accounts include payments for bread, beer, and wine for the lord
of misrule of Folkestone and the lord of misrule of nearby Sandgate. In 1550 the Dover wardens
paid for 'a baynckett made to the Lorde of mys Rull of Sandwiche in full contentation and pay-
ment of his demand.' The 'diskeysers of Caunterbury' paid at Sandwich in 1489 and the pay-
ment by Sir Edward Dering at Surrenden Dering 'to some fellowes that came a maskinge hither'
at Candlemas in 1620 may also be related to the traditions of festival disguise and lords
of misrule.
In monasteries, cathedrals, colleges, and parish churches the boy bishop or St Nicholas bishop
customs on St Nicholas' Day (6 December) or the feast of the Holy Innocents (28 December)
provided a similar opportunity for disguising and role reversal, involving parody by choirboys
and students of their teachers and masters. At Christ Church, Canterbur the earliest references
to St Nicholas clerks, or boys in the priory's almonry school who were in minor orders and
hence referred to as clerks, appear in the treasurers' accounts in 1367 and again in 1377 (see
p 1267, endnote to LvL: as. 243 f 143 col 2). The archbishop's school, the forerunner of the
lxoviii DRAMA, MUSIC, AND CEREMONIAL CUSTOMS
present day King's School in Canterbury, also kept the custom of the St Nicholas bishop during
the fifteenth century, for its omission in 1464 and its resumption in 1466, when the monks of
St Augustine's dined in the hall of the prior of Christ Church 'in presenlcia episcopi sancti
Nicolai,' were both noted by John Stone in his chronicle of Christ Church Priory. Scattered
references to the custom appear in other monasteries and churches throughout the diocese of
Canterbury. In his will dated 1417 John Wotton, the first master of the collegiate church of All
Saints, Maidstone, bequeathed vestments for the St Nicholas bishop at All Saints'. Maidstone
had a St Nicholas bishop long before 1417, however, for the bursars' accounts of Boxley Abbey
include a payment for a ring given to 'Episcopo sancti Nicho/ai de Maydynstane' in 1355. A
parish inventory of St Dunstan's, Canterbur); in 1500 lists A vestment, for Saint Nicholas tyme,
with crosyar and myter'; an inventory of church goods at Faversham parish church in 1512 lists
two vestments 'for seynt Nycolas with ij Course Mitours'; and at the Priory of Sts Mary and
Sexburga, Minster (in Sheppey), an inventory taken at the dissolution of the monastery in 1536
lists a cope and 'ij olde Mytars for saynt nycholas.' At Dover Priory the one surviving prior's
account roll lists a payment in 1530 'in reward to the St Nicholas clerks.' By far the best
documented observance of the St Nicholas bishop festivities in the diocese of Canrerbury was
at St Nicholas' Church in New Romney. Although no reference to the custom survives either
in the New Romney town records or in the parish records of St Nicholas' Church, the fifteenth-
century chamberlains' account book in the nearby town of Lydd shows annual payments
between 1428 and 1485 to the boy bishop and his retinue from New Romney. On 6 Decem-
ber the boy bishop of New Romney, usually accompanied by the men of the town, made his
episcopal visitation of Lydd, where he and his company were often rewarded with bread and
wine and beer. By royal proclamation Henry vII finally abolished the St Nicholas bishop
festivities in July 1541.
Another mimetic custom during the twelve days of Christmas featured the singing of wassail
carols, drinking from the wassail bowl or cup, and the election of a king and queen to preside
over the festivities on New Year's Eve or on Twelfth Night (5 January). 6 At Fordwich the
surviving borough records begin in the mid-sixteenth century just in time to record the end of
this popular mimetic custom. In 1565 expenses appear in the mayor's accounts for making and
mending of the apparel for the king and queen. In 1566 an inventory of apparel 'appertaynyng
to the kyng & the Quene of fordwiche' lists a cloak trimmed with velvet, a velvet jacket trimmed
with lace, breeches embroidered with lace, two velvet caps, a velvet jerkin, red satin sleeves, and
two kirtles. A later memorandum in 1579 mentions tables, forms or benches, tablecloths, and
an ornamental bowl or drinking cup. Whatever ceremony surrounded the Twelfth Night king
and queen at Fordwich was stopped in 1579 by a town ordinance that decreed the sale of'the
apparell & other thinges of the late supposed kinge & Quene within the sayd towne. ' The
wassail festivities at Fordwich had also included the related custom of wassailing the apple trees
of the east Kent orchards on New Year's Eve and Twelfth Night. This folk custom, known also
in the orchards of Sussex and Devon, involved 'hoode boyes' singing and rapping the trees
with sticks in order to increase the apple crop. In January 1576/7, however, the ecclesiastical
commissioners instructed the mayor and jurats of Fordwich to end this 'superstycious or old
custome or fond order conrynewyd or maynteyned vnder collour of boyes pasryme.'
DRAMA, MUSIC, AND CEREMONIAL CUSTOMS
All these popular customs associated with maypoles and May games appear in the Kent
records. Although there are no systematic records of summer games, scattered references do
occur in the town chamberlains' accounts and assembly books, in parish churchwardens'
accounts, and in judicial records of the quarter sessions and the ecclesiastical courts. Among
these disparate references to summer revelry there are glimpses of official support and sponsor-
ship, of corporations that paid for maintenance of maypoles and catered for communal
celebrations. There are also inevitable attempts by civic and ecclesiastical authorities either
to control the licence and disorder often connected with May games or to suppress the games
outright. Overall the picture that emerges from these disparate records shows a flourishing
folk tradition, both favoured and feared, both supported and suspected by authority, a folk
tradition that flourished during the early Tudor period and that could not entirely be sup-
pressed during the more austere Elizabethan and Stuart periods.
Communal celebration on May Day appears in town records as early as 1424, when the New
Romney chamberlains paid for the expenses of entertaining the men of Lydd 'when they came
with their May,' and 1432, when they again entertained the men of Lydd 'in the showing of the
May.' At Dover in 1476 the wardens paid for 'le May of Mongeham.' At Sandwich in 1517 the
town treasurer paid for 'Costes of the May.' Again at Dover in 1549 there are payments for 'a
breckfast made one maye daye,' 'a banker that the comynes made at maye daye,' and 'a hoghed
ot-here spent one maye daye'; in 1550 payments for 'rberel spent one the hill one may daye'
and for a 'bankett one may daye made by a grett nomber of the honest comynes'; and in 1589
a payment 'for playeng the dromme to give warning vnto the tounsmen agaynst may day.' At
Fordwich during the 1550s and 1560s the mayors' accounts contain payments for baking wheat
and malt, brewing beer, and hiring minstrels for the annual Easter ale or give ale until it was
abolished by ordinance of the mayor and jurats in 1569.
Maypoles also appear in the records of several Kentish towns and villages, including refer-
ences to their erection, repair, and removal. At Dover a flag was purchased for the maypole on
18 May 1560. In 1587 a total of9s 4d was spent to repair the Dover maypole, including
splicing the pole, binding it with iron bands, painting it, and setting it up again. In 1619-20,
when May games were suppressed in Dover, the wardens paid ls 2d 'for pavinge the ground
whet the Maypole did stand.' In 1567-8 the Faversham chamberlains paid 'for mendyng of the
benche of the may pole,' the same year in which the Maidstone chamberlains paid for taking
their maypole down. The Maidstone maypole was evidently re-erected, for after a storm in
1585-6 the chamberlains received money for selling 'a peece of the Maypole' and two trees
'blowne downe in the great wynd.' A maypole was also erected in 1589 at Sandwich, where on
20 May the mayor and jurats, who had assembled in the council chamber 'fort Reformacion
of divers disorders lately spronge vpp within this Towne,' committed three men to gaol for
threatening to cut down the maypole 'Lately sett vpp by consent of the said maior & Iurates.'
At Birchington the churchwardens paid to take down the maypole in 1606 and thirty years
later, following the publication of The Book of Sports, to set it up again in 1636. At Hernhill in
1611 zealous parishioners were also in trouble for attacking the maypole. The churchwardens
presented Thomas Baker and John Steven to the consistory court for digging up the parish may-
pole and using the bell ropes from the church tower to lower the pole 'in most Contemptious
XCiV DRAMA, MUSIC AND CEREMONIAL CUSTOMS
feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist on 24 June. As at Midwinter people decorated their
doors with boughs and greenery, made bonfires in the streets in front of their houses, and
invited their neighbours to share their food and drink. Traditional bonfires on St John's Eve
included both bones and wood to commemorate the martyrdom of St John the Baptist,
whose tomb had been desecrated and bones burned during the time of Julian the Apostate.
The proximity of a second major saint's feast, St Peter's Day on 29 June, provided one last
opportunity for more bonfires, music, and dancing on St Peter's Eve as the season of summer
revelry finally drew to a close. 77
The major organized Midsummer celebration in Kent before the Reformatio had been the
Canterbury marching watch with torchlight and pageants, which was celebrated a week later on
6 July due to the proximity of the feast of the Translation of St Thomas Becket (see pp ixxviii-
lxxx). Dover also frequently provided entertainment at Midsummer, just as it did at Midwinter
during the twelve days of Christmas. In 1375, for example, the minstrels of the lord warden
were paid 'contra festum Natiuitatis sancti Iohannis Baptiste.' In 1429 the mayor paid 'vj
hominibus ludent/bus in vigil/a sancti petri.' In 1435 there were payments for wine given to the
minstrels of the earl of Warwick at Midsummer and in 1440 payments to 'diuers/s ludis coram
maiore in festo Natalis domini Natiuitatis sancti Iohannis & Sancti Petri.' At Lydd on St Peter's
Eve in 1432 the players of New Romney were rewarded for showing their play and entertained
with bread, wine, and beer. At Sandwich payments appear in the treasurers' accounts for civic
bonfires on St John's Eve and St Peter's Eve. 78 Elsewhere in the diocese of Canterbury, even after
the Reformation, Midsummer on St John's Eve and St Peter's Eve was observed with the tradi-
tional bonfires, music, and dancing. As with the celebration of May games much of the evid-
ence for this popular custom survives in the presentments of churchwardens to the ecclesiastical
courts and as a result documents only the occasions on which disorder or disobedience came to
the notice of the authorities. At Elmstead in 1577, for example, Arthur Baker of Wye insisted
on playing his taber 'bothe the sonday beinge St lohns even & also St lohns day.' In their
presentment the churchwardens noted, 'no warninge wolde stay him.' At Stone in 1579 the
minstrel Stephen Helyard missed church because he was playing on 28 June, St Peter's Eve, and
at Great Chart in 1582 another minstrel Peter Waterman missed church because he 'went out of
our parish on St Peters day last.' At Wormshill in 1586 it was one of the churchwardens who
was in trouble for failing to collect the usual 12d fines from 'such as playd and daunsed in the
tyme of common prayior vpon St Peters day last.' At Chislet in 1600 it was the alehouse keeper
who was in trouble for keeping 'a garlond with a minstrell plaieinge' in his public house during
service time 'about Midsomer last past.' At Cranbrook in 1606 another innkeeper, James Riche,
was presented 'for keeping disorder in his house vpon ye Sabboath day in the time of devine
service, as fydling, pyping, & as we suspect dauncing.' When he appeared before the court
Riche admitted that 'a sevennight before midsomer last' he had a firkin of beer and about
twenty people in his house during time of divine service. At Preston near Wingham in 1608
churchwarden John Phillips presented the other churchwarden, John Allen, who had kept a
garland in his house on Midsummer Day and again on St Peter's Day 'and then and there
suffered playeing vpon instrumentes & daunceing all the said two holie dayes whollie without
intermission.' At Benenden on St Peter's Day in 1612 Edward Morlene was presented because
The Documents
The document descriptions and the transcriptions have been arranged in six sections: Boroughs
and Parishes, Religious Houses, Households, County of Kent, Province of Canterbury, and
Diocese of Canterbury. The first three sections are subdivided alphabetically by place and,
where appropriate, further subdivided by types of record: civic records, ecclesiastical records,
guild records, miscellaneous records, and antiquarian records. In the document descriptions
that follow no notice has been taken of individual documents that do not contain entertain-
ment records, even though their omission may disturb an unbroken series of documents.
Boroughs and Parishes
ALKHAM
Archdeacon's Court Books
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, DCb/J/X.2.1; 1577-85; English and Latin: paper; iii + 184 + ii,
gathered in 8s; 305mm x 205mm, average 30 lines; contemporary ink foliation 1-96, continued in
modern pencil 97-184; modern brown cloth binding. Contains comperta and detecta presentments
for Elham and Dover deaneries.
This book also supplies entries for Hmstead and Waltham
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, DCb/J/X.5.4; 1609-18; English and Latin; paper; i + 186 + v,
gathered in 12s; 295mm x 192mm, average 36 lines; contemporary ink foliation 1-178, continued
in modern pencil 179-86; original parchment binding. Contains comperta and detecta presentments
for Dover and Elham deaneries.
ASHFORD
Archdeacon's Court Book
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, DCb/J/X.2.2; 1577-82; English and Latin; paper; iii + 189 + i,
gathered in 8s; 305mm x 205mm, average 30 lines; contemporary ink foliation 1-154, continued in
modern pencil 155-89; modern brown cloth binding. Contains comperta and detecta presentments
xcviii THE DOCUMENTS
for Charing deanery.
This book also supplies an entry for Biddenden.
Nehemiah Ii'Mlington. Historical Notes and Meditations
The Puritan artisan Nehemiah Wallington (1598-1658) was a freeman of the Company of
Turners and a resident of the London parish of St Leonard's, Eastcheap. By his own account
\Vallington wrote some fifty volumes of notebooks, journals, and commonplace books, mostly
on religious, historical, or autobiographical subjects, six of which survive in the British Library.'
The commonplace book entitled 'Historical Notes and Meditations,' which quotes or refers to
over 300 tracts and pamphlets on religious and political topics covering the history of the civil
war and ending with the beheading of Charles , was published in the nineteenth century:
Nehemiah Wallington, Historical Notices of Events Occurring Chiefly in the Reign of Charles I,
Rosamond Anne Webb (ed), 2 vols (London, 1869).
London, British Library, Additional MS. 21,935; 1588-1646; English; paper; ii + 281+ i; 200mm x
150mm (195mm x 135mm); modern pencil foliation replacing imperfect contemporary ink foliation
(1 unnumbered blank leaf following f 1); 19th-c. tooled green leather binding, title on spine: 'N.
Wallington, Historical Notes and Meditations, 1588-1646, Autograph."
BARHAM
Archdeacon's Court Book
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, DCb/J/X.5.8; 1612-24; English and Latin; paper; i + 279 + vi,
gathered in 12s; 295mm x 205mm, average 21 lines; contemporary ink foliation; original parchment
binding. Contains comperta and detecta presentments for Bridge deanery.
This book also supplies an entry for Stodmarsh.
BENENDEN
Archdeacon's Court Book
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, DCb/J/X.5.5; 1610-15; English and Latin; paper; ii + 285 + viii,
gathered in 12s, with numerous loose pages of confessions pinned in; 298mm x 200mm, average
29 lines; contemporary ink foliation; parchment binding, modern brown cloth case. Contains
comperta and detecta presentments for Charing deanery.
BETHERSDEN
The ancient parish church of St Margaret in Bethersden was given by Archbishop Lanfranc in
1086-7 to the Priory of St Gregory, which he had founded outside Northgate in Canterbury
in 1084 or 1085. This deed of gift firmly establishes that the church was dedicated to
THE DOCUMENTS
of fifty-eight charters from Henry II (l 155) to James I (1622), burghmote minutes from 1429,
subsidy rolls from 1591, account books from 1393, lease books from 1575, and judicial
records of the borough court of pleas from 1300, the court of piepowder ('curia pipedis
puluerisati 'that dealt with cases of debt, theft, and assault) from 1459, and the court of
quarter sessions from 1465. Among these records the account books, burghmote minutes and
orders, and the records of the quarter sessions court proved the most fruitful for records of
ceremonial activity, minstrelsy, and dramatic entertainment. The account books contain an
almost unbroken series from 1393 to 1642, beginning with jurats' accounts and, after a change
in city administration, continuing with the accounts of two chamberlains in the latter third of
the fifteenth century and a single chamberlain in the sixteenth century. In the list of accounts
below, CC/FA 2, which covers the years 1445 to 1505 and spans this change in accounting
procedure, has been designated simply as 'Civic Accounts.' Many of these account books also
include occasional accounts for the city bailiffs and the common serjeant.
The assembly or burghmote minutes have many gaps before 1542 and a missing volume
between 1603 and 1629. From 1542 to 1602 and from 1630 to 1642, however, the minute
books record in detail the fortnightly meeting of the court of burghmote. The Canterbury
court of quarter sessions was established in 1461, when the Yorkist Edward rv created the city
of Canterbury a county in return for its financial and loyal support against Henry vI during
the Wars of the Roses. Four court sessions were held annually until 1972, when the county
borough and city of Canterbury was abolished by the Local Government Reorganization Act
of 1972. Although Canterbury regained city status in 1974, as one of forty-seven new cities
established by royal charter that year, it did not regain its power to hold a quarter sessions
court. Early quarter sessions document bundles include sheriff's oaths, jury lists, calendars of
prisoners, writs, bills, indictments, bonds, recognizances, presentments from wards for such
offences as theft, murder, assault, and riots; in the seventeenth century the quarter sessions
records also include such typical poor law material as apprenticeship indentures and bastardy
papers. Many of the quarter sessions records were lost after flooding in 1929, including all
court records for 1461-4, 1466-8, 1469-73, 1476-84, 1487, 1489-99, 1501, 1502, 1507,
1517, 1526-8, 1531, 1535, 1537, 1543-52, 1559, 1574, 1583, 1586, 1598, 1620, 1625,
1633, 1636, and 1641.
City Jurats' Accounts
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, CC/FA l; 1393-1445; Latin and English; paper; 313 leaves in
irregular gatherings; 403mm x 275mm, average 46 lines; contemporary roman foliation in groups
of 50 folios, superseded by modern pencil arabic foliation; original leather binding.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, CC/FA 3; 1394-1404; Latin; paper; ii + 42 + ii, in irregular gather-
ings; 282mm x 217ram, average 38 lines; modern pencil foliation (ff31-42, containing 1394-8
accounts, bound out of chronological order); repaired and rebound in modern red cloth binding.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, CC/FA 4; 1459-64; Latin and English: ii + 43 + ii, in irregular
THE DOCUMENTS
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives. CC/FA 24; 1630-40; English; paper; i + 488 + i. in irregular gather-
ings. 1 for each year; 330ram x 212ram (305ram x 202). average 28 lines; modern pencil foliation;
modern red cloth binding.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, CC/FA 25; 1640-50; English; paper; i + 539 + i, in irregular gather-
ings, 1 for each year; 340ram x 215ram (285mm x 180ram). average 30 lines; modern pencil foliation;
modern red cloth binding.
Burghmote Court Minutes
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, CC/AC 1; 1419-1542; Latin and English; paper; ii + 108 + it;
-30mm x 298mm (261ram x 72ram), average 21 lines; modern pencil foliation; leaves of irregular
size much repaired and stitched in irregular gatherings; half-vellum modern binding.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives. CC/AC 2; 1542-78; English; paper; ii + 346 + i; 303ram x 204ram,
average 25 lines; contemporary ink foliation (ff 326-34 misbound after f 346); many leaves repaired;
modern blue and black half-leather binding.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives. CC/AC 3; 1578-1602; Latin and English; paper; i + 418 + it.
gathered in 16s; 285mm x 210ram, average 40 lines; contemporary ink foliation; contemporary brown
leather binding.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, CC/AC 4; 1630-58; English; paper; xi + 472 + i, gathered in 12s;
345mm x 225mm, average 37 lines; contemporary ink foliation; modern half-leather binding.
Burghmote Orders
Canterbury. Cathedral Archives. CC/AB 1; 1487-1608; English; paper; ii + 129 + it, in irregular
gatherings; 277mm x 210ram; modern pencil foliation; leaves repaired; rebound in original rough
calf binding.
Ordinance for Regulating the Markets
London, British Library, Stowe ls. 850; 1489-90; Latin and English; paper; 4 leaves consisting
of I bifolium and 2 separate leaves; 292mm x 210ram; now numbered as ff 15-18 of a compos-
ite MS containing various documents of the reigns of Henry vii and Henry Vll; brown morocco
binding.
Order of the Marching Watch
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, Literary MS C13; 16th c.; Latin and English; paper; ii + 204 + iv,
in irregular gatherings; 292mm x 210ram, 29 lines; 2 series of foliation. 1 in contemporary ink in
roman numerals beginning with ij and continuing to ccxxix with many gaps. 1 in modern pencil
in arabic numerals for ff !-127 (followed here); 16th-c. leather binding.
THE DOCUMENTS cvii
Quarter Sessions Jury Presentments
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, CC/J/Q/366; 1566-7; English; paper; bifolium; 3 l Omm x 2 l Omm;
unnumbered; faded and mutilated by damp, but repaired. One of a file of 3 documents.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, CCIJIQ/370; 9 July 1571; English; paper; 2 bifolia (f [4] blank);
310ram x 210mm; unnumbered; damaged by damp, but repaired. One of a file of 11 documents.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, CC/J/QI374/i; 1574-5; English; paper; 4 sheets, attached at the top;
415mm x 308ram; writing on 1 side only; modern pencil foliation.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, CCIJIQ/396(a); 1596-7; English; paper; single sheet; 300ram x
200ram.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, CC/J/Q/428/ii; 1628-9; English; paper; 5 sheets, attached at top;
397mm x 305ram; writing on 1 side only; roll repaired; modern wrapper.
Quarter Sessions Examinations
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, CC/J/Q/388; 10 May 1589; English; paper; single sheet; 306ram x
206ram; damaged by mildew, but now repaired.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, CC/JIQI388; 10 May 1589; English; paper; bifolium; 306ram x
204mm; modern pencil foliation; damaged by mildew and damp, but now repaired.
Quarter Sessions Recognizance
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, CC/J/Q/405/vii/28; 1605-6; English and Latin; paper; single sheet;
304ram x 203ram.
Ecclesiastical Records
This section describes the records of the three great ecclesiastical foundations in Canterbury:
Christ Church Priory, the dean and chapter of Christ Church Cathedral, and St Augustine's
Abbey. Christ Church Priory, whose long history stretched back to the arrival of St Augustine
in 597, ceased to exist on 8 May 1540, when the last medieval prior, Thomas Goldwel[,
surrendered the monastery to a royal commission headed by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer.
By royal charter dated 8 April 1541 the cathedral establishment was refounded as the dean
and chapter of Christ Church Cathedral, consisting of a dean, twelve prebendaries, six
preachers, twelve minor canons, musicians such as lay clerks and choristers, and various other
officials. Reflecting this historical break between the medieval monastery and the reformed
new foundation, the records relating to the prior and monks of Christ Church Priory have
been described separately from those relating to the dean and chapter of the new foundation.:
cxiv THE DOCUMENTS
William Thorne's Chronicle of St August,nes" ' Abbey
Little is known about the life of William Thorne, monk of St Augustine's Abbey, except that
he was a candidate for the abbacy in 1375 and that he subsequently served as attorney for
Abbot Michael Peckham and his successor, William Welde. He is remembered today primarily
for his chronicle of St Augustins Abbey, which survives in two manuscripts: a late fourteenth-
century manuscript (Cambridge, Corpus Christi College: MS. 189), which is used in the
Records and Appendix 3, and an early fifteenth-century manuscript (BL: Additional MS.
53,710), which once belonged to Sir Roger Twysden, who edited Thorne's Chronicle in the
seventeenth century." Printed editions include Chronica Guill: Thorne Monachi S. Augustini
Cant., cols 1753-2296, in Roger Twysden and John Selden, Historiae Anglicanae Scriptores X
(London, 1652; Wing H2094), and A.H. Davis (trans), William Thorne's Chronicle of Saint
Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury (Oxford, 193zi).
Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, ts. 189; late 14th c.; Latin; parchment with paper flyleaves
(probably 18th c.); v + 202 + v, gathered mosdy in 12s; 290mm x 200mm, average 40 lines; variously
paginated and foliated, but ink foliation (often very faint) is followed here; paragraph marks, important
names or topical words, enlarged initial capitals of chapters, and running titles in red; 18th-c. leather
binding, largely perished, over boards covered with reused parchment. Thorne's chronicle occupies
ff45-190 according to the ink foliation.
London, British Library, Additional Ms. 53,710; early 15th c.; Latin; vellum with paper flyleaves; v + 384
+ iv, primarily gathered in 10s; 277mm x 190mm, average 36 lines; later ink pagination; original brown
leather binding. Manuscript also contains two charters of/Ethelberht to the Abbey of Sts Peter and
Paul, Canterbury (pp 382-3), and memoranda of bonds for the ransom of Alfonso de Villena of
Aragon, son of the count of Denia, held hostage in England for his father after the battle of Najera
in 1367 (p 384).
Parish Records
St Andrew's Churchwardens' Accounts
The ancient parish church of St Andrew's, Canterbury, was situated in Middle Row in the
High Street between the crossing of Mercery Lane and St Margaret's Street on the west and
Butchery Lane to the east until it was pulled down in 1763. Churchwardens' accounts survive
with some gaps from 1485 until 1625 and have been published in a series of articles by
Charles Cotton in Archaeologia Cantiana.
For much of the first half of the sixteenth century the accounting year ran from Michaelmas
to Michaelmas; however, during the early sixteenth century and throughout the Elizabethan
and Jacobean periods the accounting year was highly irregular, beginning and ending at
different times of year and often extending for periods longer than one year.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, U3151411; 1485-1625; English; paper; 215 leaves, gathered in
cxvi THE DOCUMENTS
Ecclesiastical Court Books
Examinations in John Bale con. Richard Ugden
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, DCb/J/X. iO.7; 1560; Latin and English; paper; i + 358 + i, in
irregular gatherings; 300mm x 200mm, average 29 lines; modern pencil foliation; modern brown
cloth binding.
This book also supplies an entry for Appendix 1.
Consistory Court Book
See under Bonnington for cc^: DCb/J/X.8.8.
Acres du Consistoire
In 1575, by order of the privy council, the Walloon refugees were moved from Sandwich
to Canterbury. By 1576 the French-speaking congregation had begun to worship in the
cathedral crypt and to hold their own consistory courts to discipline their members. For further
background, see p 1289, endnote to co^: U47/A1 p 31.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, U47/A1; 1576-8; French; paper; 63 leaves; 210mm x 155mm,
average 20 lines; modern pencil pagination 1-126; original manuscript has been disbound and
individual leaves tipped into modern binding interleaved with guard pages: parchment binding over
hard boards, wording on spine: 'Acres du Consistoire de I'Eglise Wallonne 1576-1578.'
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, U47/A2; 1581-4; French; paper; ii + 62 + i, in irregular gatherings;
298mm x lOOmm, average 50 lines; modern pencil foliation supersedes inaccurate pencil pagination;
parchment binding over hard boards, title on front: 'Acres du Consistoire de L'Eglise Francaise a
Canterbury 1581 to 1584.'
Archdeacon's Court Book
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, DCb/J/X.5.2; 1608-15; English and Latin; paper; ii + 272 + ix,
gathered in 16s; 287mm x 195mm, average 20 lines; contemporary ink foliation; modern binding
incorporating original parchment covers in a brown clothbound case. Contains comperta and detecta
presentments for Canterbury deanery.
GuiM Records
Minstrels' Guild Deed of Incorporation
Two copies of the incorporation deed for the Fellowship of the Craft and Mystery of Minstrels
CXX THE DOCUMENTS
Charles v's Visit to Canterbury
This description of the emperor's visit to Canterbury was entered in the 1 July 1520-
28 February 1520/1 volume of an extensive collection of diaries kept by the Venetian
diarist and historian Marino Sanuto (1466-1535).
Venezia, Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana, Cod. It. v**, 257 (=9244); 27-8 May 1520; Italian; paper;
i + 402 +ii; average 330ram x 225mm; contemporary ink foliation; good condition; early 20th-c.
binding over boards with leather spine and clasps.
Thomas Cromwell's Accounts
This account book of Thomas Cromwell, kept by Thomas Avery, covers three calendar years
from 1 January 1536/7 to 31 December 1539. Receipts month by month for 1537 appear
on ff3-30v, for 1538 on ff31-58v, and for 1539 on ff59-81v. Payments for 1537 follow
on ff82-115, for 1538 on ff 116-48v, and for 1539 on ff 149-181.
London, Public Record Office, E 36/256; 1537-9; English; paper; ii + 183 + ii; 284mm x 195ram,
average 26 lines; modern pencil foliation, original parchment cover bound in as f 1; repaired and
rebound in green half-leather binding.
Depositions Concerning Henry Totehill of London
London, Public Record Office, SP 1/142; l0 January 1538/9; English; paper; bifolium; 308ram x
221 ram. Originally enclosed in an otherwise unrelated letter of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer to
Thomas Cromwell, chief minister of Henry vm, now foliated 35-6 and mounted in a guardbook.
John Bale, 'A retourne of James Canceller's raylinge boke'
This holograph manuscript of John Bale, radical Protestant playwright and prebendary of
Christ Church Cathedral, was intended as a reply to Thepathe of obedience, righte necessarye
for all the king and quenes maiesties louing subiectes (src: 4564) by James Cancellar, theological
writer and priest in Queen Mary's chapel. Bale's manuscript was entered in the Stationers'
Register by the printer, John Day? Folios 1-2 were marked up for printing but the book
never appeared in print. The dedicatory epistle was addressed to Francis Russell, 2nd earl of
Bedford, and was dated Canterbury, 6 July 1561. For further biographical records of John
Bale, see Appendix 1 (pp 945-54).
London, Lambeth Palace Library, Ms. 2001; 1561; English; paper: iv + 45, gathered in 4s; 198ram x
135ram; foliated i-iv (a prefatory epistle), 1-7, 7A, 8-44 (f7 is tipped in and smaller than original
leaves; 7A is the original 7); modern cloth binding with 13th-c. vellum wrapper bound inside.
Holograph manuscript of John Bale entided 'A retourne of lames Canceller's raylinge boke upon hys
cxxviii THE DOCUMENTS
ELMSTEAD
Archdeacon's Court Books
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, DCb/J/X. 10.17; 1576-7; English and Latin; paper; part 1: ii + 199,
part 2:162 + 1, both gathered in 8s; 297mm x 200ram, average 21 lines; part 1: contemporary ink
foliation 1-188 continued in modern pencil 189-99, part 2: contemporary ink foliation 1-150
continued in modern pencil 151-62; modern brown cardboard binding and case. Contains comperta
and detecta presentments for all deaneries.
See also under Alkham for cc^: DCb/J/X.2.1.
FAIRFIELD
Quarter Sessions Presentment
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, Q/SRp; 1630-1; Latin and English; parchment; 8 mbs
attached at top with parchment tag; dimensions vary from 659mm x 310mm to 684mm x 317mm;
original ink numbering; writing on both sides.
FAVERSHAM
Faversham records form one of the largest collections of borough records in Kent. The
borough custumal survives from the early fifteenth century. Wardmote minutes survive from
1448, containing annual lists of jurats and officers, admissions of freemen, memoranda, and
orders of the wardmote. Draft accounts of the chamberlains, overseers, surveyors of the high-
ways, churchwardens, and other town officers survive in rolls and files from 1569. Revised
accounts appear from the early sixteenth century in the first wardmote book, FA/AC 1, and
in the account book FA/FAc 197. Judicial records include fines in the borough court of record
dating from 1295-1640; pleas, depositions, bonds, and recognizances dating from 1560-
1666; and quarter sessions rolls and papers dating from 1571-1641 containing such custom-
ary sessions business as inquests, indictments, recognizances, and judgments for theft, piracy,
and assault. Among these records only the town custumal and the accounts contain evidence
of civic musicianship and dramatic activity. The mayoral and civic accounting year in
Faversham began and ended at Michaelmas.
Civic Records
Town Custumal
Faversham, Alexander Centre, Borough Custumal; c 1400; Latin, Anglo-Norman, and English;
parchment; 54 leaves, gathered in 8s (first gathering in 6, fifth gathering in 10); 195mm x 140mm,
average 31 lines; contemporary ink foliation; modern white sheepskin binding.
cxxxiv THE DOCUMENTS
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, FA/FAc 42; 1611-12; English; paper; roll of 9 unnumbered
sheets attached at top with original fastening, single sheet, and 2 bifolia, unattached but kept at begin-
ning of roll; 405mm x 310mm (roll), 410mm x 155mm, average 53 lines (booklet); 2nd bifolium only
numbered in modern pencil; torn and badly repaired fragment. Contains chamberlains' expenses.
Maidstone. Centre for Kentish Studies, FA/FAc 46; 1615-16; English; paper; roll of 9 sheets attached
at top middle with original fastening, and unattached bifolium; dimensions vary from 410mm x
310mm to 396mm x 153mm (roll), 205mm x 190mm, average 31 lines (bifolium); bifolium only
numbered in modern pencil: badly repaired. Contains chamberlains' expenses.
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, FA/FAc 48; 1617-18; English; paper; 6 leaves in stitched
booklet; 395mm x 155mm, average 61 lines; modern pencil foliation; repaired and bound in protect-
ive grey cover.
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, FA/FAc 50; 1619-20; English; paper; roll of 8 sheets attached
at top with original fastening, and 8 leaves in stitched booklet, a single sheet, and a bifolium; 410mm x
310mm (roll), 308mm x 202mm, average 42 lines (loose accounts); loose accounts only numbered in
modern pencil; badly damaged by damp.
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, FA/FAc 51; 1620-1; English; paper: roll of 7 sheets attached at
top with original fastening, and 1 bifolium; 405mm x 310mm (roll), 307mm x 200mm, average 36
lines (bifolium); bifolium only numbered in modern pencil. Contains chamberlains' expenses.
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, FA/Fac 52; 1621-2; English; paper; roll of 6 sheets attached at
top with original fastening, 2 single sheets, 1 bifolium, and 22 leaves in a stitched booklet (mostly
blank); 395mm x 305mm (roll), 405mm x 155mm, average 52 lines (booklet); booklet only foliated in
modern pencil; badly damaged by damp at bottom.
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, FA/FAc 53; 1624-5; English; paper; 8 leaves in stitched
booklet; 415mm x 155mm, average 73 lines: modern pencil foliation. Now in a folder with a flattened
roll of 6 sheets attached at the top with the original fastening.
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, FA/FAc 54; 1625-6; English; paper; 8 leaves in stitched folder;
400mm x 150mm, average 44 lines; modern pencil foliation; damaged by damp. Now in a folder with
a flattened roll of 5 sheets attached at the top with the original fastening.
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, FA/FAc 55; 1626-7; English; paper; roll of 13 sheets attached
at top with original fastening; dimensions vary from 390mm x 305mm to 154mm x 200mm, average
40 lines; sheets numbered consecutively in a combination of original ink and modern pencil foliation
(sheet 1 modern pencil, sheets 2-4 original ink, sheets 5-13 modern pencil).
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, FA/FAc 56; 1627-8; English; paper; roll of 11 sheets originally
attached at the top; dimensions vary from 405mm x 310mm to 205mm x 153mm, average 34 lines;
modern pencil foliation. Now rolled up loosely with a bifolium and 3 single sheets.
cKx.xvi THE DOCUMENTS
3 Iiscellaneous Records
\Viii of Richard Bannoke
Maidstone. Centre for Kentish Studies, PRC 17/15; 1521-3; English and Latin; paper; v + 290 + v,
in irregular gatherings; 312ram x 215mm, average 38 lines; modern pencil foliation; modern yellow
cloth binding. Contains register of wills in archdeacon's court.
The Murder of Thomas Arden
This document is included in a manuscript containing the collections of the chronicler John
Stow (1525-1605), almost all written in his own hand.
London, British Library, Harley MS. 542; late 16th c.; English; paper; v + 168 + iv; 200mm x 155ram;
modern pencil foliation; single sheets and gatherings tipped into brown leather binding.
Deposition Concerning Thomas Napleton of Faversham
This deposition appears among a series of&positions and petitions (PRO: SP 14/90, items
111, 139, 140, 141, 142; SP 14/91, items 7, 8; SP 14/96, item 101; and SP 14/104, item 132)
relating to an allegedly seditious remark by Thomas Napleton. Only this deposition mentions
the performance of a play.
London. Public Record Office, SP 14190; 14 February 1616117; English; paper; bifolium; 304mm x
200ram; originally item 66, now numbered 66 and bound with other state papers in a guardbook.
FOLKESTONE
Few early manuscripts have survived at Folkestone. Of these only three have entertainment
records: a fragmentary chamberlains' account from the sixteenth century, a seventeenth-
century book of corporation minutes and chamberlains' accounts, and a volume of church-
wardens' accounts from the parish church of Sts Mary and Eanswithe covering the years 1489
to 1590. During the nineteenth century, however, several antiquarians saw and used many
other ancient Folkestone records. In his preface to A Descriptive and HistoricalAccount of
Folkestone and Its Neighbourhood, Mackie writes, 'I have had often to describe antiquities that
no longer exist, and customs and events long since forgotten; to wade through piles of old
manuscript accounts, to extract a few historical facts disseminated through masses of petty
expenses and municipal memoranda.' Between 16 September 1882 and 9 June 1883, John
English, the printer and publisher of The Folkestone Express, printed in the weekly newspaper
a series of thirty-two articles entitled 'Folkestone in Olden Times. Gleanings from the
Municipal Records.' In the opening article he described the records as he found them in
1882: 'In the muniment chests stowed away in the Town Hall, there are piles and piles, and
cxxxviii THE DOCUMENTS
manuscript repaired and rebound in original parchment binding with the following heading on
the front cover: 'No 4 Minutes of Proceedings of Corporate Meetings Sessions of the Peace &
Chamberlains Accounts from 2nd James 1st to 1 lth Chas 1st (1635)?
Assembly Book of Orders and Decrees
See under Dover for lL: Egerton MS. 2093.
Antiquarian Records
Wardens' Accounts (Ac)
John English, printer and publisher of The Folkestone Express, made excerpts from the borough
records in a series of thirty-two articles that appeared in the newspaper between 16 September
1882 and 9 June 1883 under the title 'Folkestone in Olden Times. Gleanings from the
Municipal Records.' Two of these, 11 (from 25 November 1882, p 5) and 15 (from 30
December 1885, p 5) are relevant for our Records. In August 1883 the series was revised and
reprinted in book form by J. English along with the second edition of S.J. Mackie's history
of the town, A Descriptive and Historical Account of Folkestone and Its Neighbourhood, first
published in 1856. Among the volumes that English saw were three volumes of minutes
of the sessions and hundred courts and accounts of the chamberlains from 1547-95,
1596-1625, and 1635-60.
James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps (1820- 89), indefatiguable antiquarian, book collector,
and energetic contributor to such Victorian literary societies as the Camden Society, the
Percy Society, and the Shakespeare Society, is chiefly remembered today as a biographer of
Shakespeare. In 1848 he was the first historian to make use of the Stratford records in his L/
of llliam Shakespeare, including many particulars respecting the poet and his family never before
published, marking the beginning of a lifetime study that culminated in the four editions of
Outlines of the Life of Shakespeare published between 1881 and 1887. Many of his letters and
literary scrapbooks were bequeathed to the library of the University of Edinburgh. The
Shakespearian collections, including many volumes of 'literary scraps,' were sold at auction
after his death and now reside in the Folger Shakespeare Library.
John English, Gleanings ]om the Municipal Records of the Corporation of Folkestone, ]om the Reign of
Edward !!! to the Present Time (Folkstone, [1883]).
Washington, D.C., Foiger Shakespeare Library, W.b.141, 147, 173, 174, 176, 200, 203; 19th c.;
English; paper; each scrapbook contains viii + 84 (some volumes have pages cut out); 310mm x
180mm; pagination by stamping machine, pages divided on both sides into double columns, many
pages trimmed after writing; each volume bound in red or blue half-calf with matching marbled
boards, series and volume titles stamped in gold on spine. Title page [ii]: LITERARY SCRAPS: I
CUTTINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS, EXTRACTS, I MISCELLANEA, ETC. I "They are abstracts
cxl THE DOCUMENTS
FORDWICH
The borough of Fordwich dates from Anglo-Saxon times, its earliest charter having been
granted in 1055 by Edward the Confessor. Records of the mayor's court survive from the
thirteenth century and mayors' accounts from the sixteenth century. Quarter sessions records
begin in the seventeenth century. Borough elections were held in the parish church, and
perhaps due to the general intermingling of parish and borough affairs in this sparsely
populated borough, one volume of churchwardens' accounts, dating from 1510-37, survives
with the town records. The borough of Fordwich ceased to exist by act of parliament in
1883, when the borough archives and lands were placed in the hands of the Trustees of the
Fordvich United Charities. The archives continued to be kept in a wooden chest in the
medieval guildhall in Fordwich until 1956, when the trustees deposited them in the Canter-
bury Cathedral Archives.
The Fordwich mayoral and accounting year began and ended on the Monday next after
the feast of St Andrew (30 November). This means that the initial and terminal dates of the
civic year fell between 1 December and 7 December according to the day of the week on
which the feast of St Andrew fell.
Town Custumal
Canterbury. Cathedral Archives, U4/26; 15th c.; English, Latin. and Anglo-Norman; parchment;
123 + i, gathered in 8s; 250mm x 162mm, average 27 lines; modern pencil pagination; decorated
red and blue initial capitals head each clause; 16th-c. leather binding.
Ancient Book of Decrees
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, U4/19; 1433-1736; 174 leaves in irregular gatherings; 305ram x
205mm, average 35 lines; modern pencil foliation supercedes partial ink foliation; vellum binding,
bound out of chronological order with many folios missing; title on front cover: 'The ancient
Booke of Decrees of the Towne of Fordwich.' Contains orders of the mayor and jurats mostly
dating from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Assembly Book of Orders and Decrees
See under Dover for m.: Egerton MS. 2093.
Borough Court Minute Book
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, U4/20/1; 1560-1621; English; paper; 423 leaves, gathered in 6s;
300mm x 205mm, average 29 lines; modern pencil foliation; original leather binding.
THE DOCUMENTS cxli
Mayors" Accounts
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, U4/8/29; 1559-60; English; paper; 6 leaves in 2 stitched gatherings;
313mm x 200mm, average 31 lines; modern pencil foliation.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, U4/8/30; 1560-1; English; paper; bifolium; 305ram x 203mm,
average 25 lines; modern pencil foliation.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, U4/8/31; 1565-6: English; paper; 4 leaves in I gathering; 240mm x
345mm. average 30 lines; modern pencil foliation.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, U4/8/35; 1566-7; English; paper: 4 leaves in 1 stitched gathering;
309ram x 212ram, average 25 lines; modern pencil foliation.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, U4/8/36; 1567-8; English; paper; 4 leaves in 1 gathering with
attached memoranda and receipts; 320ram x 205ram, average 37 lines; modern pencil foliation.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, U4/8/37; 1568-74; English; paper; 12 leaves in 1 stitched gathering;
300mm x 208mm, average 34 lines; modern pencil foliation: incomplete at beginning and ending.
Apparently copied from annual rough accounts.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, U4/8/34; 1570-1; English; paper; 4 leaves in I stitched gathering;
305ram x 207ram, average 33 lines; modern pencil foliation.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, U4/8/38; 1571-2; English; paper; bifolium; 305mm x 200ram,
average 36 lines; modern pencil foliation.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, U4/8/45; 1577-84; English; paper; 10 leaves in stitched gathering,
and single loose sheet of accounts; 298mm x 207mm, average 39 lines; modern pencil foliation; torn
and mutilated by damp in upper left corner and incomplete at beginning.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, U4/8/41; 1578-9; English; paper; 2 bifolia; 315mm x 207ram,
average 31 lines; modern pencil foliation.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, U4/8/40; 1581-2; English: paper; bifolium; 305ram x 200ram,
average 36 lines; modern pencil foliation.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, U4/8/43; 1582-3; English; paper; 4 leaves in 1 pinned gathering;
303ram x 205ram, average 37 lines; modern pencil foliation.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, U4/8/44; 1583-4; English; paper; 2 bifolia in stitched booklet;
305ram x 205ram, average 27 lines; modern pencil foliation.
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, U4/8/45A; 1584-7; English; paper; 10 leaves originally gathered in 6s
THE DOCUMENTS cxliii
Antiquarian Accounts
Mayors" Accounts (^c)
Although Giles Dawson saw the chamberlains' accounts for 1507-8 when editing Collections 7
for the Malone Society, the booklet has subsequently been mislaid and could not be traced in
the Canterbury Cathedral Archives, where the rest of the Fordwich manuscripts are stored.
Dawson, Giles E. (ed), Collections 7, Malone Society (Oxford, 1965).
GODMERSHAM
Consistory Court Book
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, DCb/J/X.9.7; 1608-9; English and Latin; paper; i + 183 + ii,
gathered in 16s; 290mm x 195mm, average 22 lines; contemporary ink foliation; original parchment
binding and modern brown clothbound case. Contains comperta and detecta presentments to the
consistory court.
GOODNESTONE
Letter of Richard Culmer to Sir Edward Dering
Radical Puritan preacher Richard Culmer (d. 1662) was born on the Isle of Thanet, attend-
ed the King's School in Canterbury, and received the degrees of B^ in 1618 and Ms in
1621 from Magdalene College, Cambridge. Culmer was suspended by Archbishop Laud
from his first parish, Holy Cross, Goodnestone next Wingham. In 1643, however, he
was appointed rector of Chartham and shortly thereafter made vicar of St Stephen's,
Hackington, followed by a further preferment to Harbledown. Everywhere he went he
made himself unpopular by his attempts to suppress sabbath sports and drunkenness.
In 1643 he was appointed by parliament one of the ministers to detect and demolish
the superstitious inscriptions and idolatrous monuments in Canterbury Cathedral, and
in Cathedral News, or Dean and Chapter News j&om Canterbury (1644) Culmer relates
how he "rattled down proud Becket's Glassie bones' from the great north window of
the Martyrdom Chapel. On 4 October 1644 he was made one of the Six Preachers of
Canterbury Cathedral, and in the same year parliament appointed him vicar of St Mary's,
Minster (in Thanet), a post he held until he was deprived of the living after the Restoration
in 1660. '
London, British Library, Additional Ms. 26,785; 8 January 1640/1; English; paper; original bifolium;
203mm x 195mm, 24 lines; addressed 'To the Right Worshipfull, and my Worthy freind, Sir Edward
Deering, at his house in St Martins lane, neer the Church, present these' and endorsed by recipient
'1640 11 lanuary Mr Culmer.' Now foliated 84-5v, mounted on a guard, and bound with other
THE DOCUMENTS cxivii
Whitfield, East Kent Archives Centre, H 1056 [item A]; 1480-1; Latin; paper; 2 sheets formerly
serially attached; 430ram x 185ram; modern pencil numbering; heading is mutilated and entire roll is
damaged by damp, but now repaired; stored unlabelled in box designated H 1056 with various other
unlabelled fragments of jurats' accounts including [Item B].
Whitfield, East Kent Archives Centre, H 1061a [Item B]; 1562-3; English; paper; I0 leaves in !
gathering; 310ram x 205mm, average 23 lines; modern pencil foliation; condition delicate, faded and
mutilated by damp; stored unlabelled in a box designated as H I061a with various other unlabelled
account fragments from the reigns of Edward ,v to Elizabeth I including Item [A].
Assembly Book of Orders and Decrees
See under Dover for BL: Egerton MS. 2093.
Assembly Books and Chamberlains' Accounts
Whitfield, East Kent Archives Centre, H 1208; 1580-91; English; paper; iii + 309 + i, gathered in 28s;
308mm x 205ram, average 41 lines; 19th-c. ink foliation; 19th-c. brown leather binding.
Whitfield, East Kent Archives Centre, H 1209; 1608-42; English; paper; iii + 253 + ii; 306mm x
200mm, average 39 lines; 19th-c. ink foliation; display script used in some marginal headings and
openings of decisions; 19th-c. brown leather binding.
Whitfield, East Kent Archives Centre, H 1210; 1624-35; English; paper; ii + 153 + ii; 307mm x
210ram, average 42 lines; 19th-c. ink foliation; 19th-c. brown leather binding, repaired and rebound
in 1968.
Town Accounts
Whitfield, East Kent Archives Centre, H 1061; 1483-1509; English and Latin; paper; 162 leaves,
gathered in 8s; 390ram x 285mm, average 28 lines; 19th-c. ink foliation; leaves faded and damaged
by damp; manuscript repaired and bound in 19th-c. brown half-leather binding. Contains revised
chamberlains' and ward collectors' accounts.
LINSTED
Will of John Weston
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, PRC 32/2 vol 2; 1475-84; Latin; paper; v + 310 + v, in
irregular gatherings; 295mm x 215mm, average 38 lines; foliated 324-633 in modern pencil; modern
hardback cloth binding.
Archdeacon's Court Book
See under Faversham for cc^: DCb/J/X.1.14.
cxlviii THE DOCUMENTS
LITTLE MONGEHAM
Visitation Proceedings
See under Chart Sutton for LPL: Register of Archbishop William Warham, vol i.
LYDD
Civic Records
In 1364 a charter of Edward m, confirming an earlier charter of Henry n dated 1155, recog-
nized Lydd as a corporate member of the Cinque Ports and a limb of Romney responsible for
every fifth penny of ship duty levied on Romney. Town accounts survive from 1428 with
gaps from 1485-1511, 1542-9, and 1575-8. Plea books for the borough court of record
survive with some gaps from 1507-49 and quarter sessions books from 1566-1685, but
neither of these latter two classes of records yielded any evidence of entertainment.
After 1476 the bailiffand jurats were elected and the accounts audited annually on 22 July,
the feast of St Mary Magdalene, the same day on which the churchwardens of All Saints'
Church were elected. A general intermingling of religious and civic affairs in the town has
resulted in the survival of two volumes of early churchwardens' accounts in the borough
records covering the years 1519-59, 1560-77, and 1589-1613, but only the first preserves
any record of communal entertainment.
Chamberlains' Accounts
Whitfield, East Kent Archive Centre, Lyl2111111; 1428-85; Latin and English; paper; iii + 185 + iii;
285mm x 210ram; modern ink foliation (f 15 is numbered twice, i unnumbered leaf appears between
f 54 and f 55, and several leaves are loose, with some numbered out of chronological order); bound
in parchment.
Until 1476, the first volume of accounts was kept by the twelve jurats representing Lydd and Denge
Marsh but from 1477 by two chamberlains. Accounts for the following years have been bound out of
chronological order: 1429-30: if8, 153, 10; 1430-1: if9, ii; 1441-2: ff28-9; 1442-3: f i31;
1443-4: ff 131v-2v; 1444-5: ff 132v-6; 1445-6: ff29v-31v; 1446-7: f29v; 1447-8: ff32-3v,
178, 176v; 1448-9: ff 178v, 34-5v; 1467-8: ff99v-102v, 184v; 1468-9: ff 184. 103-5v. At least
one folio containing part of the 1442-3 accounts is missing, and the expenses for that year continue
on f 131. No payments are recorded for players in this year. Accounts for 1475-6 are incomplete.
Most of the 1481-2 account is missing.
Whitfield, East Kent Archive Centre, Lyl2/i/i/2; 1511-42; English and Latin; paper; 129 leaves,
gathered in 14s; 280ram x 200ram, average 25 lines; modern pencil pagination; some initial leaves
missing (i stored separately as a loose fragment in an envelope labelled 'Fragment from second account
book'), final leaf repaired; originally bound in parchment, now in modern cardboard archival binding.
The separately-stored leaf appears to be a fragment of the 151 i-12 accounts.
d THE DOCUMENTS
V,/hitfield, East Kent Archive Centre, Lyl21112113; 1635-6; English; paper; single sheet; 272mm x
165mm, 44 lines. Now kept in a folder of draft accounts and vouchers. Contains rough accounting of
'Mr Thomas Stroughill Bayliffe his ( ..... ) of mony owinge him by the Towne.'
Whitfield, East Kent Archive Centre, Ly/2/1/2/15; 1639-40; English; paper; 10 leaves in 1 gathering
in stitched booklet; 195mm x 145mm, average 26 lines; modern pencil pagination. Now kept in
a folder containing assessments, vouchers, and draft accounts. Contains the rough accounts of
chamberlain John Potten.
Assembly Book of Orders and Decrees
See under Dover for BL: Egerton MS. 2093.
Ecclesiastical Records
All Saints' Churchwardens' Accounts
Whitfield, East Kent Archive Centre, Ly/15/2/l/l; 1519-59; English and Latin; paper; 147 leaves,
gathered in 20s; 303mm x 215mm, average 31 lines; modern pencil pagination 1-268 (1 leaf cut
out between p 64 and p 65, 2 between p 172 and p 173 containing accounts for 1542-3, and 9
between p 258 and p 259); original parchment binding.
Miscellaneous Records
Aldington Manor Rent Book
The Manor of Aldington, one of several manors in the parish of Lydd, was granted by King
Offa to Archbishop Jaenberht in 774 and in the Domesday Book was still recorded among
the possessions of the archbishop.
Whitfield, East Kent Archive Centre, Ly/15/l/l; early 16th c.; English; paper; iv + 48, in irregular
gatherings; 310mm x 210mm, average 25 lines; first 4 folios numbered in modern pencil, followed
by second foliation series in contemporary ink; final leaves mutilated; modern paper binding over
limp parchment front cover on which is written: 'The Rent booke commonly called Allington Rent
otherwise called Bishopp rent and a boundary of all the lands and tenements lying in Lydd and
midley which are holden of the manor of Allington.'
LYMPNE
Archdeacon's Court Books
See under Bonnington for cc^: DCb/J/X.3.3 pt 2.
clii THE DOCUMENTS
Madstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, Md/FCaI/1584; 1583-4; English; paper; 5 leaves in 1 stitched
gathering; 4 lOmm x 155mm, average 39 lines; modern pencil foliation.
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, Md/FCal/1585; 1584-5; English; paper; 9 leaves in l stitched
gathering; 415mm x 150mm, average 57 lines; modern pencil foIiation.
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, Md/FCaI/1586; 1585-6; English; paper; 8 leaves in 1 stitched
gathering: 412mm x 155ram, average 47 lines; modern pencil foliation.
Maidstone. Centre for Kentish Studies, Md/FCaI/1587; 1586-7; English; paper; 12 leaves in 1
stitched gathering: 410ram x 155ram, average 48 lines; modern pencil foliation.
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, Md/FCal/1588; 1587-8; English; paper; 6 leaves in l stitched
gathering; 415mm x 153mm, average 67 lines; modern pencil foliation.
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies. Md/FCaI/1589; 1588-9: English; paper: 9 leaves in 1 stitched
gathering; 410ram x 155ram, average 48 lines; modern pencil foliation.
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, Md/FCal/1590; 1589-91; English; paper; 12 leaves
in 1 stitched gathering; 408mm x 155mm, average 48 lines; original ink foliation in 2 series:
1589-90 account foliated 1-8 and 1590-1 account foliated 1-4 from back to front with
booklet reversed.
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, Md/FCaI/1592; 1591-2; English; paper; 8 leaves in 1 stitched
gathering; 407mm x 150mm, average 66 lines; modern pencil foliation.
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, Md/FCaI/1593; 1592-3; English; paper; 6 leaves in 1 stitched
gathering + single sheet (unnumbered); 408mm x 152mm, average 52 lines (booklet), 226mm x
198mm (single sheet); modern pencil foliation. Single sheet contains late accounting to 1592-3
chamberlains from Thomas Frankleyn for expenditures on behalf of town when Frankleyn was
mayor, 1591-2.
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, Md/FCaI/1594; 1593-4; English; paper; 6 leaves in I stitched
gathering; 425mm x 168mm, average 70 lines; modern pencil foliation.
Maidstone, Centre for Kenush Studies, Md/FCaI/1595; 1594-5; English;
gathering; 400ram x 150mm. average 57 lines; modern pencil foliation.
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, Md/FCaI/1596; 1595-6; English;
gathering; 520mm x 200mm, average 46 lines; modern pencil foliation.
paper; 6 leaves in 1 stitched
paper; 9 leaves in 1 stitched
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, Md/FCal/1598; 1597-8; English; paper; 20 leaves in l
stitched gathering; 405mm x 142mm, average 50 lines; modern pencil foliation.
THE DOCUMENTS c[ix
RECULVER
Quarter Sessions Examinations
See under Canterbury for cc^: ccIJlQI388.
RUCKINGE
Archdeacon's Court Book
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, DCb/J/X. 1.7; 1566-7; English and Latin; paper; i + 228 + i, in
irregular gatherings; 297mm x 200ram, average 33 lines; modern pencil foliation; modern brown
cloth binding, Contains comperta and detecta presentments.
SANDWICH
The civic history of the ancient Town and Port of Sandwich is contained primarily in the
unsurpassed series of Year Books beginning in 1431 and preserving an unbroken record of
common assemblies, resolutions, ordinances, and elections of officers for over 400 years.
Records of the borough court of record, dealing with such matters as pleas of debt, trespass,
and breach of covenant, survive from 1456. Court of quarter sessions records, including
presentments, recognizances, and indictments, survive only from 1640. Financial records of
the town treasurers (sometimes called chamberlains) survive in a series of account rolls from
1375 to 1550 with many gaps and in bound volumes from 1625 to 1663. The town custumal
survives in several versions, the earliest dating from c 1375 based on the lost original custumal
of 1301. There were three ancient parishes in Sandwich. Churchwardens' accounts survive
from St Mary's for the period 1444-1582 (ccA: U3/11/5/1) and from St Peter's for the period
1592-1696 (ccA: U3/12/5/1); however, neither contains any entertainment records. Accoun ts
for St Clement's begin in 1667.
The civic year in Sandwich began and ended on the first Thursday in December.
Civic Records
Town Custumal
According to its introductory paragraph, the Sandwich custumal was originally compiled by
Adam Champneys in 1301. Although the original custumal has been lost, six additional
copies of the custumal survive from the period before 1642: SA/LC 1, c 1375, appears to be a
fair copy of the original; SA/LC 2, c 1450, is a working copy of either SA/LC I or of the
original; SA/LC 3, c 1563, is an often inaccurate transcription with paragraph by paragraph
English translation; SA/LC 4, c 1571, is a miscellaneous volume of customs and precedents,
including the custumal; SA/LC 5, c 1625, contains a complete copy ofSA/LC 2 with addi-
clxviii THE DOCUMENTS
Maidstone. Centre for Kentish Studies. TE/FAc 5; 1637-8; English; paper; 10 sheets, fastened at
the top in original format; 390mm x 305ram; modern pencil numbering.
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, TE/FAc 6; 1638-9; English; paper; 10 sheets, fastened at
the top in original format; 400mm x 305mm; modern pencil numbering.
Maidstone. Centre for Kentish Studies. TE/FAc 8; 1640-1; English; paper; 9 sheets, fastened at
the top in original format; 385mm x 305ram; modern pencil numbering.
Maidstone, Centre for Kentish Studies, TE/FAc 9; 1641-2: English; paper; 9 sheets, fastened at
the top in original format; 400ram x 320ram; modern pencil numbering.
MscelLzneous Records
Bill of Complaint and Plea in Elliot et al v. Whitfield
For the background of these proceedings in the court of Star Chamber brought by James
Skeets and John Elliott against George Whitfield and Herbert Deering, see pp 1377-8,
endnote to plO: STAC 8/132/6 mb 2.
London, Public Record Office, STAC 8/132/6; 1607/8; English; parchment; 2 mbs attached at left
margin; 275mm x 498mm and 395mm x 545mm; modern pencil numbering; bill (mb 2) endorsed:
"Lune Octavo ffebruarij Anno Quinto Regni lacobi Regis &c I (signed) Willelmum Mill/I Retornatus.
8 ffebruarij.'
Bill of Complaint in Elliot et al v. Deering
London, Public Record Office, STAC 8113815; 1609; English; parchment; single mb; 576mm x
640mm at greatest extent; damaged on the right hand side, resulting in a ragged edge and the loss of
words at the end of every line of the complaint and the end of every line of the fifth column of the
appended verses; endorsed: 'Lune vicesimo sexto lunij Anno Septimo lacobi Regis I (signed) Edward
lones I Retornatus.'
TEYNHAM
Archdeacon's Court Book
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, DCb/J/X.2.7; 1584-96; English and Latin; paper; part !: ii + 190,
part 2: i + 186 + 1, both gathered in lOs; 300mm x 200mm, average 25 lines; contemporary ink
foliation; modern brown cardboard binding and case. Contains comperta and detecta presentments
for Ospringe deanery.
This book also supplies an entry for Westwell.
THE DOCUMENTS
TUNSTALL
Archdeacon's Court Book
See under Stockbury for cc^: DCb/J/X.3.6 pt 2.
WALMER
Archdeacon's Court Book
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, DCb/J/X.5.7; 161 !-39; English and Latin; paper; part l: i + 213
+ viii, part 2:284 + vii, both gathered in 12s; 290ram x 195mm, average 22 lines; contemporary
ink foliation; modern brown cloth binding. Contains comperta and detecta presentments for
Sandwich deanery.
WALTHAM
Archdeacon's Court Book
See under Alkham for cc;^: DCb/J/X.2.1.
WARDEN
Archdeacon's Court Book
Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, DCb/J/X.l.13; 1576-7; English and Latin; paper; i + 189 + i, in
irregular gatherings (! gathering of 12 unnumbered folios inserted between f 46 and f 47); 297mm x
200mm, average 21 lines; contemporary ink foliation 1-118, modern pencil foliation !!9-28, 61
unnumbered leaves (mostly blank) after f 128; modern brown cardboard binding and case. Contains
comperta and detecta presentments for Chafing, Ospringe, Sittingbourne, and Sutton deaneries.
WESTWELL
Archdeacon's Court Book
See under Teynham for cc^: DCb/J/X.2.7 pt 2.
WHITSTABLE
Archdeacon's Court Book
See under Chislet for c;c^: DCb/J/X.2.6.
clxix
dxx THE DOCUMENTS
WI LLES BO RO UG H
Archdeacon's Court Book
See under Stone for cc^: DCb/J/X.I.17.
\VORMSHILI.
Archdeacon's Court Book
See under Boxier for cc^: DCb/J/X.2.9 pt 1.
Religious Houses
BOXLEY
The Cistercian abbey of St Mary, Boxley, was founded in 1146 and suppressed in 1538.
Numerous obedientiary accounts from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries survive in the
Public Record Office, including accounts of the bursar and the chaplain that contain many
payments for entertainment. '
Bursars'Accounts
London, Public Record Office, SC 6/1253/4; 13 October 1353-23 June 1356; Latin; parchment; roll
of 3 rotulets attached at foot, each rotulet composed of 2 robs serially attached; rotulet [1]: 380ram x
245mm and 650ram x 252mm, rotulet [2]: 250ram x 220ram and 535mm x 240ram, rotulet [3]:
260mm x 277mm and 745mm x 277mm; rotulets unnumbered but mbs numbered 1-6 in modern
pencil; rotulets written front to back in chronological order but attached and robs numbered in reverse
order as follows: rotulet [3] mbs 5-6 (13 October 1353-24 June 1354), rotulet [2] mbs 3-4 (24 June
1354-14 June 1355), rotulet [I] robs 1-2 (14 June 1355-24 June 1356); repaired.
London. Public Record Office, SC 6/1253/12; 1 November 1360-3 June 1363; Latin; parchment; roll
of 4 rotulets attached at foot, rotulet [1] composed of 4 mbs serially attached, rotulets [2]-[4] composed
of 1 mb each; rotulet [1]: 375mm x 255mm, 625mm x 235mm, 395mm x 230ram, and 260ram x
236mm, rotulet [2]: 495mm x 218ram. rotulet [3]: 495mm x 220ram, rotulet [4]: 620ram x 225mm;
rotulets unnumbered but mbs numbered 1-7 in modern pencil in reverse chronological order; rotulets
written front to back and attached in chronological order as follows: rotulet [1] robs 4-7 (1 November
1360-25 December 1361), rotulet [2] mb 3 (24 June-29 September 1362), rotulet [3] mb 2
(29 September-24 December 1362), rotulet [4] mb l (25 December 1362-3 June [1363]); repaired.
London, Public Record Office, SC 6/I 253/15; 1363-6; Latin; parchment; roll of 4 rotulets attached
at head. rotulet [1] composed of 3 mbs serially attached, rotulet [2] composed of 1 mb. rotulet [3]
composed of 2 mbs serially attached, rotulet [4] composed of 3 mbs serially attached; rotulet [1]:
737mm x 220mm. 223mm x 223mm, and 247mm x 215mm, rotulet [2]: 725mm x 230mm, rotulet
THE DOCUMENTS dx.xi
[31: 490mm x 195mm and 520ram x 205ram, rotuJet [4]: 537mm x 235mm, 590mm x 237mm, and
600ram x 245mm; rotuJets unnumbered but robs numbered in modern pencil i-9 in reverse chrono-
logical order; written front to back but rotuJets attached in reverse chronological order with rotulet [4]
apparently reversed as follows: rotulet [4] dorse (3 June 1363-22 February 1363/4), rotuJet [4] (22
February 1363/4-11 August 1364), rotulet [3] (ll August 1364-2 February 1364/5), rotulet [2]
(2 February 1364/5-29 June 1365), rotulet [1] (29 June 1365-22 February 1365/6).
London, Public Record Office, SC 6/1253/16; 22 February 136516-22 February 1366/7; Latin;
parchment; 2 robs serially attached; 450mm x 245mm and 485mm x 255mm; written on both sides;
modern pencil numbering; repaired.
London, Public Record Office, SC 611253119; 25 December 1371-16 April 1372; Latin; parchment;
single rob; 650ram x 250ram; written on both sides; repaired.
London, Public Record Office, SC 6/1253/20; 16 April-29 September 1372; Latin; parchment single
mb 685mm x 258mm written on both sides.
London, Public Record Office, SC 6/1254/i; 29 September 1372-29 September 1373; Latin;
parchment; 2 mbs serially attached; 695mm x 258mm and 415ram x 245mm; written on both sides;
modern pencil numbering.
London, Public Record Office, SC 61125415; i November 1376-1 May 1377; Latin; parchment;
single rob; 670ram x 258mm; written on both sides.
London, Public Record Office, SC 6/1254/14; c 1 July 1380-1 June 1383; Latin; parchment; single
rob; 433mm x 176ram; written on both sides; repaired.
London, Public Record Office, SC 61125519; 1385; Latin; parchment; single rob; 560ram x 180ram;
written on both sides; text legible despite loss and spotting of parchment.
London, Public Record Office, SC 6/1254/13; c 1385-97; Latin; parchment; single mb; 685mm x
240ram; written on both sides; repaired. Account is for a single term, 1 January-! April, but the exact
year cannot be determined.
London, Public Record Office, SC 6/1256/8; 29 September 1400-29 September 1401; Latin:
parchment; single rob; 667mm x 240ram; written on both sides; damaged by damp but now repaired.
London, Public Record Office, SC 6/1256/!0; 22 February 1403/4-January/February 1405/6; Latin;
parchment; roll of 3 rotulets attached at foot, each rotulet composed of 2 mbs serially attached; rotulet
i: 595mm x 230ram and 245mm x 230ram, rotulet 2: 330ram x 235mm and 750ram x 235mm;
rotulet 3: 550ram x 230ram and 715ram x 230ram; modern pencil numbering; written front to back
in chronological order but attached and numbered out of order as follows: rotulet l (22 February
1403/4-1 October 1404), rotulet ld (i Oct 1404-1 January 1404/5), rotulet 3 mb i (i January
1404/5-1 April 1405), rotulet 3 mb 2 (1 April 1405-1 July 1405), rotulet 3 mb id-2d (i July
1405-1 October 1405), rotulet 2 (1 October 1405-January/February 1405/6); condition poor with
some tearing and loss of text from rubbing and wear.
clxxii THE DOCUMENTS
London, Public Record Office, SC 6/1256/13; 1408-9; Latin; parchment; single mb; 510mm x
188ram: written on both sides; repaired.
Chaplains'Accounts
London, Public Record Office, SC 6/1255/1; 1 March 1380/1-1 October 1381; Latin; parchment;
single mb; 354mm x 264mm; written on both sides; repaired.
LEEDS
The Augustinian priory of Sts Mary and Nicholas, Leeds, founded in the early twelfth
century, comprised a prior and twenty canons at the visitation of Archbishop William
\Varham in the early sixteenth century. No monastic accounts have survived the suppression
of the monastery in the late 1530s; however, evidence of the sacrist and cellarer's indulgence
in illicit entertainment does survive from the visitation of Leeds by Archbishop Simon
Langham in 1368."
Archbishop Simon Langham's Visitation
London, Lambeth Palace Library, Register of Archbishop Simon Langham; 1366-8; Latin; parchment
with paper flyleaves; i + 148 + i; 360mm x 254mm; contemporary but irregular ink foliation; stamped
leather binding over boards, title on spine: 'Langham 1366.'
M INSTER
The Priory of Sts Mary and Sexburga at Minster on the Island of Sheppey was founded in
about 670 by Seaxburg, the Anglo-Saxon queen of Kent, who endowed the new abbey and
became the first abbess. Attacked by the Danes in 835 and 855 and again by Earl Godwin in
1052, the monastery was probably abandoned during part of the ninth and tenth centuries
during the Viking invasions. The priory was restored in 1130 by the archbishop of Canter-
bury, William Corbeil, and continued to function until it was surrendered in 1536. Taken by
Sir Thomas Cheyne, lord warden of the Cinque Ports, this inventory lists the contents of the
monastery at the time of the Dissolution."
Inventory of Monastic Goods
London, Public Record Office, E 36/154; 1536; English; paper; v + 245 + iv; 303ram x 205ram;
average 35 lines; modern pencil pagination; modern brown half-leather binding over green cloth
boards. Composite volume containing separate returns for different monasteries.
MOTTENDEN
The Trinitarian friars of Mottenden, established in the early thirteenth century and sup-
clxxiv THE DOCUMENTS
On 14 January 1447/8 Kempe drew up the statutes for the college. The highly ornate
decoration of the manuscript suggests that it was probably Kempe's official copy made for the
foundation of the college. According to a note written in a seventeenth-century hand on the
last folio, on 17 April 1613 the manuscript was presented by John Budden, Regius Professor
of Law at Oxford, to Merton College, where Kempe had been a fellow. On 13 June 1947 the
fellows of Merton College returned the manuscript to Wye College, now merged with
Imperial College at Wye, University of London, on the occasion of the five-hundredth
anniversary of the foundation of the college. 22
Statutes
Wye, \Vve College; 14 January 1447/8; Latin; parchment; 20 leaves in ! gathering with first 2 leaves
cut away; 380mm x 290mm, average 40 lines; unnumbered; illuminated border on folios [!] and [2],
red and blue decorated capitals and section headings in red display script throughout manuscript;
original parchment cover mounted on boards, title displayed on front cover: 'Statuta Collegi de Wy in
Cantio de fundatione lohannis Cardinalis et Archiepiscopi Eboraci.'
Households
DERING OF SURRENDEN DERING
The library and family archive of the Dering family of Surrenden owes much to the efforts of
the antiquarian and scholar, Sir Edward Dering (1598-1644), who was a personal friend of
Sir Robert Cotton, Sir William Dugdale, Sir Christopher Hatton, and Sir Thomas Shirley.
Writing at the end of the eighteenth century, Kentish historian Edward Hasted noted about
Sir Edward: 'He was the founder of the library at Surrenden, for which he collected a great
number of books, charters, and curious manuscripts, and caused others to be transcribed with
great labour and expence; among which were the registers and chartularies of several of the
dissolved monasteries in this county, and a series of deeds and muniments relating not only
to the family of Dering, but to others connected at different times with it. '' Even in Hasted's
day, however, the dispersal of the family collection had begun, for Hasted adds, 'but most
of these valuable manuscripts have been unwarily, not many years since, dispersed into
other hands.'
Following the decline in the family fortunes in the mid-nineteenth century, several large
sales of manuscripts took place with many documents going to the British Library and the
Phillipps Collection. A further disposal took place in 1928, when Sir Henry Dering sold the
estate; and in 1951 a miscellaneous accumulation of documents discovered in the attics was
acquired by Commander C.D. Stephenson of Little Chart. The break-up of the Phillipps
Collection in the twentieth century resulted in an additional dispersal of Dering documents.
The main collection of Dering family and estate papers now at the Centre for Kentish
Studies comprises a valuable group of medieval deeds mainly for Plucldey, a collection of
original correspondence dating from 1607 to 1737, and Sir Edward Dering's collection of
Editorial Procedures
Principles of Selection
This edition attempts to include all records of dramatic, musical, and ceremonial activity before
1642 in the diocese of Canterbury: records of professional travelling players and minstrels;
records of amateur town and parish plays, liturgical plays, household plays, and school plays;
records of musical performance by professional travelling musicians and by civic musicians,
including waits and people responsible for horn blowing, drumming, and rough music; records
of civic ceremony incorporating musical or mimetic activity, including marching watches with
pageants, triumphs and festive celebrations, royal visits, bullbaiting, and bearbaiting; and
ceremonial customs incorporating mimetic or minstrel activity, such as the boy bishop celebra-
tions, Hocktide rituals, and summer games. Appendix 1 contains biographical details of the
playwrights John Bale, Stephen Gosson, and Christopher Marlowe and the producer Richard
Gibson found in the records of the dean and chapter of Christ Church Cathedral, the city of
Canterbury, and the town of New Romney. Otherwise, strictly biographical details not related
to performance by minstrels and players have been omitted?
Although most dramatic, musical, and ceremonial activities pose few problems of selection,
some need further comment here. Ceremonial activity, whether liturgical or secular, has been
included only when it involved mimetic or musical activity. Liturgical drama, for example,
is included but purely liturgical rituals, such as sepulchre watching, torches for liturgical
processions, or vigils on the eve of feast days, have been omitted unless mimetic or musical
activity was clearly specified as in the processions in Sandwich on St Bartholomew's Day.
Routine payments in churchwardens' accounts for torches used in festival processions are
excluded, whereas the sale of torches in Canterbury in 1519-20 to the wardens of the Grocers'
pageant is included. Hocktide rituals in Canterbury and elsewhere have been included; however,
bequests for hock lights in parish churches have been omitted. Some secular ceremonies or
customs, such as royal visits, civic feasts, and parish ales, were often, but not always, accompanied
by entertainment. Again I have recorded such activities only when they clearly included mimetic
or musical activity. At the annual Fordwich giveale, for example, I have recorded expenses only
when minstrels are known to have performed and have ignored such peripheral items as repairs
to the giveale house or rents from the giveale lands. In Canterbury, as Puritans increasingly
shunned dramatic performance, the city fathers turned to civic feasting on quarter session days
clxxxvi EDITORIAL PROCEDURES
and audit days, often paying the city waits to perform. When no evidence of such entertainment
occurs, I have ignored these feasts. Similarly, numerous payments appear in borough accounts
for visiting magnates and royalty - payments ranging from rewards for royal retainers to gifts of
food and wine to elaborate ceremonies of welcome. I have included only the visits that involved
mimetic or musical activity; however, when such mimetic or musical activity is explicitly
indicated, I have included all payments related to the visit in order to place the entertainment
payments in context. Routine bell ringing on coronation days is not included; however, bell
ringing to mark a royal visit is, if the visit also included entertainment. Finally, only those
expenses appearing in provincial accounts for royal visits are included; expenses appearing
in the royal household accounts, which could not be systematically searched, are not.
Some civic musical activities also pose their own selection problems. The head ports and
limbs of the Cinque Ports followed the custom of summoning the men of the town by blowing
a brazen horn. Directions for sounding the common horn appear in the town custumals.
Payments for purchase and repair of the horns and payments to the town wait or the town
serjeant for horn blowing throughout the year routinely appear in many of the town accounts.
Often the town accounts, however, included payments only for the annual wages of the serjeant
rather than specific payments for horn blowing, which formed only one of his numerous duties.
I have included serjeants' wages when horn blowing was specifically mentioned. Beginning with
the threat of invasion during the 1580s and continuing throughout the seventeenth century,
the Cinque Port towns also employed civic drummers for military musters, for summoning the
residents to their required labours on the harbours or fortifications, or even for entertainment
on holidays. Most towns purchased their own drums and paid annual salaries to town drum-
mers. Payments for the routine maintenance and occasional replacement of these civic drums
appear throughout the town accounts. Since it is not always possible to distinguish between
military exercises and musical entertainment, particularly in such matters as the purchase and
repair of instruments and the payment of annual salaries to town musicians, all payments for
civic drums and drumming have been included, except where payments for drumming or drum
repair are clearly related to musters. In such cases the annual totals of muster-related drumming
are given in the Endnotes.
Rough and Revised Accounts
A particular problem of selection arises in borough accounts when two versions of the accounts
survive for the same year. Typically, the town chamberlains or wardens kept rough accounts in
paper booklets or rolls with expenses entered daily or weekly in order of payment, often with
later corrections or deletions. At the end of the accounting year these rough accounts were
revised, often with similar payments grouped together, quarterly payments added up to produce
annual totals, and payments that had been disallowed by the auditors omitted, before a fair
copy was made for the official town records. Usually, only one version or the other has survived,
but in Canterbury, Dover, Faversham, and New Romney both rough and revised accounts exist
for certain years. In Canterbury two series of chamberlains' accounts survive between 1393 and
1505. Two large folio volumes, CC/FA 1 (1393-1445) and CC/FA 2 (1445-1505), form the
clxxxviii EDITORIAL PROCEDURES
The revised accounts for the same year (BL: Additional Ms. 29,618, f 299) simply give the
subtotals from each division of the rough accounts, producing the less than informative entry:
'Item paied for rewardes to Mynstrelles berewardes and players as apperith in the pamflett
vs. xd.'
Unfortunately the Dover manuscripts do not fall neatly into two categories of rough and
revised accounts. When the manuscripts were rebound in their characteristic green leather bind-
ings in the nineteenth century, the accounts were incorrectly sorted, revised and rough accounts
often being bound together in the same manuscript. The earliest Dover account book (BL:
Additional Ms. 29,615), for example, has a mixture of revised and rough accounts with many
folios bound out of order. From 1465 to 1479 the rough accounts appear mainly in BL:
Egerton ms. 2090 and from 1485 to 1509 in BL: Additional Ms. 29,617, while the revised
accounts from 1462 to 1485 appear mainly in BL: Additional Ms. 29,616 and from 1485 to
1508 in BL: Egerton Ms. 2107. Nevertheless, in 1490-1 the revised accounts appear in the
former series and the rough accounts in the latter. Similarly, BL: Egerton Ms. 2092 contains
mainly the rough accounts from 1509 to 1546, and BL: Additional ts. 29,618 mainly the
summary accounts for the same period, yet eight times the annual accounts are reversed. After
1546 only one version, sometimes rough, sometimes revised, survives for each accounting year.
When both rough and revised accounts do survive, they often contain different information.
In 1467-8, for example, the revised accounts give both more and less detail than the rough
accounts. The revised accounts that year include payment for the wait's livery and his annual fee
of 20s, while the rough accounts give only partial payment for wages on two of the four quarter
days and no payment for livery. The revised accounts mention the king's minstrels while the
rough accounts do not. On the other hand several specific payments to named minstrels and
players in the rough accounts are simply lumped together in one general summary payment in
the revised accounts. In the transcription of the Dover accounts, therefore, I have where possible
preferred the rough accounts and given the full reference to the revised accounts in an endnore
along with significant variations in entertainment details and terminology. I have ignored minor
variations of form, such as the annual 20s payment to the wait in the revised accounts versus
the quarterly 5s payments in the rough accounts, unless there is a discrepancy in the total
amount. When payments occur in the revised accounts but not in the rough, I have included
these additional expenses alongside the rough accounts.
A final word of explanation must be made about the Hy-,.he accounts. In a unique accounting
system, encountered in no other borough in Kent, the annual accounts are entered ward by
ward - East Ward, Middle Ward, West Ward, Market Ward, and West Hythe - with each
freeman residing in that ward listing his 'maletot' or tax assessment due to the town less
allowances for his expenses on behalf of the town. Sometimes these expenses are totalled
ward by ward or the totals for several wards are combined; other times no totals are given.
Entertainment expenses, then, appear sometimes under one ward, sometimes under another,
depending on the residence of the jurat who paid the bill. In 1477, for example, there are
thirteen payments to minstrels and players made by ten different jurats living in three different
wards. The identities and wards of the residents who made payments for entertainment, when
not given in the entries, have been supplied in the footnotes. In many cases the small sums
EDITORIAL PROCEDURES clxxxix
suggest that the entertainment bill may have been split by two or more jurats, such as in 1471-2
when Thomas Stace and John Edewy each paid 8d to the minstrels of the earl of Arundel.
Whether these payments represent two visits by the same minstrels or partial payments by two
jurats for one visit is impossible to determine.
Dating
Few of the entertainment records in this edition give the exact date of performance. Civil and
ecclesiastical court cases were sometimes dated according to when the proceedings began, not
according to when the alleged musical or dramatic performance occurred. Although the latter
date was sometimes referred to within the presentment or deposition, it was often not given.
The proceedings themselves, however, were carefully dated as the case continued from one court
day to the next, making these dates the most reliable point of reference. Most of the payments
to players and minstrels transcribed from churchwardens' accounts or borough accounts can be
firmly assigned to a fiscal year. In borough accounts this year was usually the same as the annual
term of the civic officers. For example, the translation of a typical fifteenth-century account
heading at Lydd begins, 'Account of John Kempe and Thomas Holdernesse, Chamberlains of
Lydd, in the time of Thomas Gros, bailiff there, from the feast of St Mary Magdalene in the
eighteenth year of the reign of King Edward IV until the same feast in the nineteenth year of the
said lord king.'-" When the saint's day and regnal years are converted into modern usage, these
accounts run from 22 July 1478 until 22 July 1479, giving terminal dates for any entertainment
expenses during that year. Since the borough chamberlains or treasurers rendered up their
accounts at an annual audit day, before handing over the finances to their successors, expenses
rarely ran over from one year to the next. If unpaid bills were carried over, they were clearly
identified, as illustrated by this payment for entertainment in the 1495-6 Canterbury chamber-
lains' accounts: 'Item solutum Edwardo Bolney nuper Maiori pro histrionibus domini Regis pro
annis ix & xO Regis nunc xiiij s. iiij d.' Although Edward Bolney paid these players while
serving two terms as mayor between 29 September 1493 and 29 September 1495, he was not
reimbursed by the town chamberlain until the 1495-6 accounting year. For almost all payments,
however, the beginning and end of a town's accounting year give the terminal dates for the
dramatic performance.
The exact date of a performance within these terminal dates usually remains unknown. A
typical entry in the chamberlains' accounts, such as 'Item paid in reward to the king's players vj s.
viii d.,' can refer to a performance given any time during the town's accounting year. Not even
the order of payments gives reliable clues. Players were often paid by the mayor or one of the
jurats, who were then reimbursed by the chamberlain at a later date. Some chamberlains seem
to have paid bills in weekly or fortnighdy batches, for marginal dates in the rough accounts often
seem to refer to blocks of payments. Thus the payment date most likely differs from the perform-
ance date. Occasionally, individual payments are dated by saint's day or festival day, such as "Item
datum istrionibus die passionis sancti thome martir/s vj s. viij d.' (see p 39), or by a specific date,
such as 'Item payd to the quenes players the 27 ofmarche 1588 xx s.' (see p 220). Even here it is
difficult to tell whether the date refers to the date of performance, the date of payment, or to both.
cxc EDITORIAL PROCEDURES
Although the accounting year, then, represented the primary unit of dating, not all accounting
years were equal. Throughout Kent the beginning of the borough, parish, and monastic fiscal year
ranged from February to December. Hythe began its year on Candlemas (2 February), New
Romney on Annunciation Day (25 March), Lydd after 1477 on the feast of St Mary Magdalene
(22 July), Dover and Folkestone on the feast of the Nativity of St Mary the Virgin (8 Septem-
ber), Canterbury and Faversham on Michaelmas (29 September), Maidstone on All Saints'
(1 November) or All Souls' (2 November), Fordwich on the Monday after St Andrew's Day
(1 December-7 December), and Sandwich usually on the Thursday after St Andrew's Day
(1 December-7 December). In any given accounting year only the two months of December
and January overlapped in all the boroughs throughout the county, making all dramatic activity
in a given year in Kent difficult or even impossible to determine. The most common terminal
dates, however, were Michaelmas to Michaelmas, appearing in many monastic and parish
accounts as well as in the boroughs of Canterbury and Faversham. In the records that follow,
then, an accounting year running from Michaelmas to Michaelmas is assumed unless different
initial and terminal dates are given in editorial parentheses following the folio, page, or
membrane number. When parish or guild accounts followed a different accounting year than
that followed by the borough accounts, they have been sorted under the civic year and the
actual dates of the account term have been given in the subheading.
All regnal years, saints' days, or dates of moveable feasts in account headings have been
converted into modern usage. For reference purposes dates of all fixed festivals mentioned in the
Records are listed in Appendix 5; dates of moveable feasts are identified in the footnotes. When
documents do give day, month, and year, they almost always follow the practice, which
continued to be used in England much hrer than 1642, of beginning the new year on 25 March,
Annunciation Day, rather than on 1 January. This means, for example, that records dated
1 January-24 March 1579 in the original manuscripts should be dated 1 January-24 March
1580 according to modern usage. A court case that began on 20 March 1579 and continued
until 27 March 1580 really lasted only one week. To avoid confusion in the editorial apparatus
and in the headings in the Records, dates between 1 January and 24 March indicate both the
contemporary and modern usage by a slash date. For example, when the minstrel John Collyar
was presented in the archdeacon's court for playing in Bredgar during service time, the tran-
scription includes court proceedings on 26 January 1579 and 9 February 1579 but the date
in the heading reads 1579/80.
Editorial Conventions
The transcriptions of documents appear with a minimum of editorial interpretation. The layout
of the documents generally follows that of the manuscripts in the placement of headings,
marginalia, and columns, except for lineation in prose texts and the shifting of right marginalia
in the manuscripts to the left margin in the transcription where it has been marked by the
symbol 09. The text of the documents also follows that of the manuscripts even when the
chances of some sort of scribal error are high. Editorial corrections are given in footnotes, except
for the frequent correction of the wrong number of minims in Latin text where the corrected
Notes
Historical Background
1 Hasted, County of Kent, voi 1, p 294.
2 Kentish writers as early as William Lambarde, A Perambulation of Kent, pp 200-1, have
described these prominent geographical features of the county. For more recent examples
see C.W. Chalklin, Seventeenth-Century Kent: A Social and Economic History (London,
1965), 7-10; Ronald Jessup, South East England (London, 1970), 15-23; and Alan
Everitt, Landscape and Community in England (London, 1985), 66-9.
3 Peter Drewett, David Rudling, and Mark Gardiner, The South East to m) 1000 (London
and New York, 1988), 24-62; Jessup, South East England, pp 27-112.
4 Drewerr, Rudling, and Gardiner, The South East to m) 1000, pp 63-177, especially 158-62.
5 Drewett, Rudling, and Gardiner, The South East tom) 1000, pp 181-6; Frank W. Jessup,
A History of Kent (Chichester, 1974), 21-5.
6 For a general discussion of these Anglo-Saxon boroughs and a plan showing the coastline,
see Tatton-Brown, 'The Towns of Kent,' pp 1-4.
7 Everitt, Landscape and Community, pp 61-91.
8 Everitt, Landscape and Community, pp 83-6.
9 Chalklin, Seventeenth-Century Kent, pp 23-4; Everitt, Landscape and Community,
pp 113-14, 126.
10 Henry Hannen, 'An Account of a Map of Kent Dated 1596,' Arch. Cant. 30 (1914),
85-92, argues for an earlier date of 1576.
11 Everitt, Landscape and Community, p 115; C.W. Chalklin, 'South-East,' The Cambridge
Urban History of Britain, vol 2, Peter Clark (ed) (Cambridge, 2000), 51-2; Chalklin,
Seventeenth-Century Kent, p 24; John Patten, Engltsh Towns 1500-1700 (Folkestone,
1978), 116.
12 This sixfoid division of the county's geography and agriculture is developed by Joan Thirsk,
'Agriculture in Kent, 1540-1640,' Early Modern Kent 1540-1640, Zell (ed), pp 75-103.
See also Joan Thirsk, 'The Farming Regions of England: South-Eastern England,' The
Agrarian History of England and Wales, vol 4, 1500-1640, Joan Thirsk (ed) (Cambridge,
1967), 55-64; and Joan Thirsk, The Rural Economy of England (London, 1984),
225-6.
cxciv NOTES
21 (1895), 198-243; Hasted, County of Kent, vol 1, pp 235-47; S.J. Bindoff, The House
of Commons 1509-1558, vol 1 (London, 1982), 112-18.
33 Hyde and Zell, 'Governing the County,' Early Modern Kent 1540-1640, Zell (ed),
pp 25-8. For lists of MPS, see J.M. Russell, The History ofMaidstone (Maidstone, 1881;
rpt Rochester, 1978), 409; Frederick Francis Smith, A History of Rochester (Rochester,
[1928]; rpt 1976), 499-501; John Bavington Jones, Annals of Dover (Dover, 1916),
365-83; John Stokes, 'The Barons of New Romney in Parliament,' Arch. Cant. 27 (1905),
44-63; Hasted, County of Kent, vol 8, pp 241-2, 452-3; vol 10, pp 172-4; and
vol 11, pp 45- 55; Bindoff, The House of Commons 1509-1558, vol 1, pp 112-18.
34 J.S. Cockburn, A History of English Assizes 1558-1714 (Cambridge, 1972), 15-22.
35 Cockburn, A History of English Assizes, pp 23-8.
36 J.H. Gleason, The Justices of the Peace in England 1558 to 1640 (Oxford, 1969), 8-30,
123-44; Michael L. Zell, 'Early Tudor jps at Work,' Arch. Cant. 93 (1977), 125-43;
Michael L. Zell, 'Kent's Elizabethan jps at Work,' Arch. Cant. 119 (1999), 1-43.
37 For jurisdiction of the ecclesiastical courts, see Brian L. Woodcock, Medieval Ecclesiastical
Courts in the Diocese of Canterbury (London, 1952), 6-29.
38 Woodcock, Medieval Ecclesiastical Courts, pp 68-71, 93-102.
39 Hasted, County of Kent, vol 1, pp 256-9, lists eighteen liberties in the county. See also
Hyde and Zell, 'Governing the County,'
pp 9-11.
This account is based on K.M.E. Murray,
Early Modern Kent 1540-1640, Zell (ed),
The Constitutional History of the Cinque Ports
(Manchester, 1935) and Felix Hull (ed), A Calendar of the White and Black Books of the
Cinque Ports 1432-1955 (London, 1966), ix-xxxvii.
41 The name 'Brodhull,' sometimes spelled 'Brodhelle' or 'Brodhyll,' was in use for this
court from the thirteenth century onward. During the reign of Henry vii it sometimes
appeared as 'Brothereld' or 'Brotherweld' or 'Brotherheld.' The term 'Brotherhood' first
appeared in 1577 and gradually replaced the older term 'Brodhull.' See Murray, The
Constitutional History of the Cinque Ports, p 140.
42 Jessup, A History of Kent, p 75.
43 G.M. Livett, 'Ecclesiastical History: Part I (to death of Lanfranc),' vcm Kent, vol 2, pp 1-2.
44 Bede, Ecclesiastical History, Book 1, chapters 25-6, in C. Plummet (ed), Venerabilis Baedae
'
Opera Historica, vol 1 (Oxford, 1896), 44-7; Livett, 'Ecclesiastical History: Part I, pp ,.-10.
45 Nicholas Brooks, The Early History of the Church of Canterbury (Leicester, 1984), 8-11, ,.0,..
46 M.E. Simkins, 'Ecclesiastical History: Part I,' vcm Kent, vol 2, p 110.
47 R.C. Fowler, 'The Religious Houses of Kent,' vcm Kent, vol 2, pp 112-13; see also the
useful map facing p 112 showing both rural deaneries and religious houses according to
the Valor Ecclesiasticus of 1535.
48 Michael Zell, 'The Coming of Religious Reform,' Early Modern Kent 1540-1640,
Zell (ed), pp 196-200, 205-6; R.C. Fowler, 'The Abbey of Boxley,' vctt: Kent, vol 2,
p 154.
49 Eamon Duffy, The Stripping of the Altars: Traditional Religion in England c. 1400-c. 1580
(New Haven and London, 1992), 398-423.
NOTES cxc-v
50 Duffy, The Stripping of the Altars, pp 433-45; Zell, 'The Coming of Religious Reform,'
Early Modern Kent 1540-1640, Zeli (ed), pp 192-6, 200-4; Peter Clark, English
Provincial Society Jorn the Reformation to the Revolution: Religion, Politics and Society in
Kent 1500-1640 (Hassocks, 1977), 57-66.
51 C. Eveleigh Woodruff, 'Extracts from Original Documents Illustrating the Progress of the
Reformation in Kent,' Arch. Cant. 31 (1915), 92-106; Michael Zell, 'The Establishment
of a Protestant Church,' Early Modern Kent 1540-1640, Zell (ed), pp 207-15.
52 Woodruff, 'Extracts from Original Documents,' pp 106-10; Zell, 'The Establishment
of a Protestant Church,' pp 224-6; Duffy, The Stripping of the Altars, pp 555-64.
53 Finn (ed), Recorda ofLydd, pp xxv-xxvi.
54 Zell, 'The Establishment of a Protestant Church,' pp 218-22; Clark, English Provincial
Society, pp 87-97.
55 Zell, 'The Establishment of a Protestant Church,' pp 222-4.
56 Zell, 'The Establishment of a Protestant Church,' pp 226-32, 242-4.
57 Zell, 'The Establishment of a Protestant Church,' pp 234-5.
58 Clark, English Provincial Society, pp 152-63; Zell, 'The Establishment of a Protestant
Church,' pp 236-7.
59 Clark, English Provincial Society, pp 162-6; Gibson, 'Stuart Players in Kent: Fact or
Fiction?', pp 1-12.
60 Clark, English Provincial Society, pp 169-78.
61 Patrick Collinson, 'The Protestant Cathedral, 1541-1660,'A History of Canterbury Cathed-
ral, Patrick Collinson, Nigel Ramsay, and Margaret Sparks (eds) (Oxford, 1995), 194-7.
62 El|eft Ekwail, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names, 4th ed (Oxford,
1960), 85; Tim Tatton-Bro,vn, Canterbury: History and Guide (Stroud, 1994), 1, 16.
63 Tatton-Bro,vn, Canterbury: History and Guide, pp 1-9; E Bennett, 'The Topography of
Roman Canterbury: A Brief Re-Assessment,' Arch. Cant. 100 (1984), 47-56.
64 Bede, Ecclesiastical History, Book 1, chapter 26, in Plummet (ed), Venerabilis Baedae Opera
Historica, voi 1, pp 46-7.
65 Tatton-Bro,vn, 'The To,vns of Kent,' pp 5-10; Tatton-Bro,vn, Canterbury: History and
Guide, pp 10-15; Nicholas Brooks, 'The Anglo-Saxon Cathedral Community, 597-1070,'
A History of Canterbury Cathedral, Patrick Coilinson, Nigel Ramsay, and Margaret Sparks
(eds) (Oxford, 1995), 1-37. For archaeological excavations of St Augustine's Abbey,
see R.U. Ports, 'The Latest Excavations at St. Augustine's Abbey,' Arch. Cant. 35 (1921),
117-26; R.U. Ports, 'A Note on the Plan of St. Augustine's Abbey Church,' Arch. Cant.
40 (1928), 65-6; R.U. Ports, 'The Plan of St. Austin's Abbey, Canterbury,' Arch. Cant.
46 (1934), 179-94; and D. Sherlock and H. Woods, St. Augustine's Abbey: Report on
Excavations, 1960-78 (Maidstone, 1988).
66 William Urry, Canterbury under theAngevin Kings (London, 1967), 80-7.
67 Tim Tatton-Brovn, 'The Anglo-Saxon Tovns of Kent,' Anglo-Saxon Settlements, Della
Hooke (ed) (Oxford, 1988), 228-9; Tatton-Brown, Canterbury: History and Guide,
pp 16-21; Brooks, The Early History of the Church of Canterbury, pp 256-310; Brooks,
'The Anglo-Saxon Cathedral Community, 597-1070,' pp 26-37.
NOTES cxc;vii
suburbs of the city are counted. See also Jacqueline Bower, 'Kent Towns, 1540-1640,'
Early Modern Kent 1540-1640, Zell (ed), p 144, and Peter Clark and Paul Slack,
English Towns in Transition 1500-1700 (London, 1976), 161, for a map showing that
the population had fallen and Canterbury was no longer one of the larger towns of
4,000 or above.
86 'Acte concernyng the Ryver in Caunterbury,' 6 Henry vm, c. 17, The Statutes of the Realm,
voi 3 (London, 1817), p 134.
87 Zell, 'The Coming of Religious Reform,' Early Modern Kent 1540-1640, Zell (ed),
pp 196-200, 205-6.
88 R.C. Fowler, 'The Cathedral Priory of The Holy Trinity or Christ-Church, Canterbury,'
vcn: Kent, vol 2, p 119; Collinson, 'The Protestant Cathedral, 1541-1660,' A History
of Canterbury Cathedral, Patrick Collinson, Nigel Ramsay, and Margaret Sparks (eds),
pp 159-62.
89 Tatton-Brown, Canterbury: History and Guide, pp 55-60.
90 C. Eveleigh Woodruff and William Danks, Memorials of the Cathedral and Priory of Christ
in Canterbury (London, 1912), 301-3; Woodruff, 'Extracts from Original Documents
Illustrating the Progress of the Reformation in Kent,' Arch. Cant. 31 (1915), 114-15.
91 Laura Hunt Yungblut, Strangers Settled Here Amongst Us (London, 1996), 89-90; Peter
and Jennifer Clark, 'The Social Economy of the Canterbury Suburbs: The Evidence of
the Census of 1563,' Studies in Modern Kentish History, Alec Detsicas and Nigel Yates (eds),
Kent Archaeological Society (Maidstone, 1983), 66; Bower, 'Kent Towns, 1540-1640,'
Early Modern Kent 1540-1640, Zell (ed), pp 145, 160; Chalklin, Seventeenth-Century
Kent, pp 31-2.
92 Canon Puclde, 'Vestiges of Roman Dover,' Arch. Cant. 20 (1893), 128-36; Canon Puclde,
'The Ancient Fabric of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Dover,' Arch. Cant. 20 (1893),
119-27.
93 Tatton-Brown, 'The Towns of Kent," pp 22-3; Tatton-Brown, 'The Anglo-Saxon Towns
of Kent," Anglo-Saxon Settlements, Hooke (ed), p 227.
94 Morgan (ed), Domesday Book: Kent, la-ld; Darby and Campbell, The Doomesday
Geography of South-East England, p 546.
95 Murray, The Constitutional History of the Cinque Ports, p 234.
96 John Bavington Jones, Annals of Dover (Dover 1916), 225-47; Hasted, County of Kent,
vol 9, p 513; Robert Tittler, Architecture and Power: The Town Hall and the Engluh Urban
Community c. 1500-1640 (Oxford, 1991), 164.
97 Jones, Annals of Dover, pp 1-78; EW. Hardman, 'Castleguard Service of Dover Castle,'
Arch. Cant. 49 (1938), 97-8.
98 Jones, Annals of Dover, pp 79-140; Alec Hasenson, The History of Dover Harbour
(London, 1980), 17-32; Alec Macdonald, 'Plans of Dover Harbour in the Sixteenth
Century,' Arch. Cant. 49 (1938), 108-26.
99 Lambarde, A Perambulation of Kent, pp 62-3, 65; Hasted, County of Kent, vol 9, p 516.
100 Gibson, 'The 1566 Survey of the Kent Coast,' Arch. Cant. 112 (1994 for 1993), 346-7;
Bower, 'Kent Towns, 1540-1640,' Early Modern Kent 1540-1640, Zell (ed), p 151.
cxcviii NOTES
101 Willan, The English Coasting Trade 1600-1750, pp 137-9.
102 Bower, "Kent Towns, 1540-1640,' p 151; Challdin, Seventeenth-Century Kent, p 30;
Patten, English Towns 1500-1700, pp 42, 106.
103 EC. Plumptre, 'Some Account of the Remains of the Priory of St. Martin's and the Church
of St. Martin-Le-Grand, at Dover,' Arch. Cant. 4 (1861), 1-26 (including plan of priory
facing p 26). See also Charles Reginald Haines, Dover Priory (Cambridge, 1930), 111;
Jones, Annals of Dover, pp 169-80; and R.C. Fowler, 'The Priory of Dover,' vcn: Kent,
vol 2, pp 133-7. Gordon Ward, 'Saxon Abbots of Dover and Reculver,' Arch. Cant. 59
(1946), 19-28, offers an alternative view of the early history of the priory, arguing from
the evidence of Anglo-Saxon charters that St Martin's was a monastery with abbots from
at least 761 to about 890 and a college of canons only from sometime before 1017.
104 Edward Knocker, 'On the Municipal Records of Dover,' Arch. Cant. 10 (1876), cxxxv;
R.C. Fowler, 'The Hospital of St. Mary, Dover,' vcn: A'ent, vol 2, pp 217-19.
105 W.H. St. John Hope, "On the Praemonstratensian Abbey of St. Radegund, Bradsole in
Polton, near Dover,' Arch. Cant. 14 (1882), 140-52 (includes plans); and S.E. Winbolt,
"St. Radegund's Abbey, Dover,' Arch. Cant. 43 (1931), 187-98.
106 Tatton-Brown, 'The Anglo-Saxon Towns of Kent,' Anglo-Saxon Setdements, Hooke (ed),
pp 227-8; Tatton-Brown, 'The Towns of Kent,' pp 22-3; G. Gilbert Scott, 'The Church
on the Castle Hill, Dover,' Arch. Cant. 5 (1863), 1-18 (includes plan facing p 1).
107 W.A. Scott Robertson, 'The Old Church of St. Martin, at Dover,' Arch. Cant. 20 (1893),
297. See also EC. Plumptre, 'Some Account of the Remains of the Priory of St. Martin's,
and the Church of St. Martin-Le-Grand, at Dover," Arch. Cant. 4 (1861), 21-6.
108 John Leland, Collectanea, Bodl.: Ms. Top. gen. c. 3, p 128.
109 Jones, Annals of Dover, p 184.
I10 Robertson, 'The Old Church of St. Martin, at Dover,' Arch. Cant. 20 (1893), pp 298-9.
I11 Haines, Dover Priory, p 25; Jones, Annals of Dover, pp 216, 221; Hasted, County of Kent,
vol 9, pp 540-1; S.P.H. Statham, Dover C/arters and Other Documents in the Possession of
the Corporation of Dover (London, 1902), 400-1.
112 John Leland, Collectanea, Bodl.: Ms. Top. gen. c. 3, p 144.
113 EE Giraud, 'Faversham Town Charters,' Arch. Cant. 9 (1874), Ixii.
114 Morgan (ed), Domesday Book: Kent, 2d. See also Tatton-Brown, 'The Towns of Kent,'
pp 28-32.
115 R.C. Fowler, 'The Abbey of Faversham,' vcn: Kent, vol 2, pp 137-41.
116 See Murray, The Constitutional History of the Cinque Ports, p 236, and Giraud, 'Faversham
Town Charters,' Arch. Cant. 9 (1874), Ixiv, for the 1252 charter. EE Giraud, 'The Service
of Shipping of the Barons of Faversham,' Arch. Cant. 21 (1895), 273- 82, describes the
royal demands for ship service from the thirteenth century to the defence against the
Spanish Armada and the exploits of Faversham sea captains. A later article, EE Giraud,
'Cinque Ports: Notes from Minute Books of the Corporation of Faversham,' Arch. Cant.
28 (1909), 28-74, discusses the summons to meetings of the General Brotherhood,
assessments for ship money, and other administrative payments from 1570 to 1740.
117 Giraud, 'Faversham Town Charters,' Arch. Cant. 9 (1874), lxv-lxvi.
NOTES cci
158 Gibson, 'The 1566 Survey of the Kent Coast,' Arch. Cant. 112 (1994 for 1993), 346.
159 See A.J.E Dulley, 'Four Kent Towns at the End of the Middle Ages,' Arch. Cant. 81
(1966), 99, 104- 8, for analysis of the surviving Hythe wills prior to 1558, as transcribed
by Arthur Hussey in 'Hythe Wills: First Part. A to F,' Arch. Cant. 49 (1938), 127-56;
'Hythe Wills: Second Part. G to M,' Arch. Cant. 50 (1939), 87-121; 'Hythe Wills: Third
Part and Final Part,' Arch. Cant. 51 (1940 for 1939), 27-65.
160 Clark and Hosking, Population Estimates of English Small Towns 1550-1851, p 79.
Cha|klin, Seventeenth-Century Kent, p 30, however, estimates 700-800 in 1570 falling
to 350-450 in 1670.
161 Herbert D. Dale, St. Leonard Church Hythe Jom Its Foundation with Some Account of the
Life and Customs of the Town of Hythe jgom Ancient Sources (London, 1931), 7-8; Herbert
D. Dale, 'Notes on Hythe Church,' Arch. Cant. 30 (1914), 263-4. A court case in 1625
refers to the 'common hall or town hall' 0'lo: E. 134/19 Jac. I/mic. 25, Defendants
Interrogatories, no. 5); however, the location of this hall is unknown (this reference was
provided by Robert Tittler).
162 Dale, 'Notes on Hythe Church,' Arch. Cant. 30 (1914), 263-72.
163 G.M. Livett, 'The Architectural History of the Church of St. Leonard, Hythe,' Arch.
Cant. 30 (1914), 307; W.A. Scott Robertson, 'St. Leonard's Church, Hythe,' Arch. Cant. 18
(1889), 403-20.
164 Gordon Ward, 'Saxon Lydd,' Arch. Cant. 43 (1931), 29-37; see also Grevile Mairis Livett,
'Lydd Church,' Arch. Cant. 42 (1930), 87-92.
165 EC. Elliston Erwood, 'Notes on the Churches of Romney Marsh in the County of Kent,
1923,' Arch. Cant. 37 (1925), 177-90; Livett, 'Lydd Church,' Arch. Cant. 42 (1930),
72-87. For a summary of evidence, see Tatton-Brown, 'Church Building on Romney
Marsh in the Later Middle Ages," Arch. Cant. 107 (1990 for 1989), 254.
166 Morgan (ed), Domesday Book: Kent, 4c.
167 A facsimile of this charter forms the frontispiece in Arthur Finn (ed), Records of Lydd
(Ashford, 1911), and a translation appears on pp xxix-xxxii.
168 John Leland, Collectanea, Bodl.: Ms. Top. gen. c. 3, p 142.
169 Lambarde, A Perambulation of Kent, p 64; Hasted, County of Kent, vol 8, p 422; Clark
and Hosking, Population Estimates of English Small Towns 1550-1851, p 79; Murray,
Constitutional History of the Cinque Ports, pp 240-1.
170 W.A. Scott Robertson, 'Churches in Romney Marsh,' Arch. Cant. 13 (1880), 427-3;
Arthur Hussey, 'Further Notes from Kentish Wills,' Arch. Cant. 31 (1915), 29-30.
171 Peter Clark and Lyn Murfin, The History of Maidstone: The Making of a Modern County
Town (Stroud, 1995), 9-14; D.B. Kelly, 'The Mount Roman Villa, Maidstone,' Arch.
Cant. 110 (1993 for 1992), 177-235. For earlier archaeological investigations, see Beale
Poste, 'Observations on the Supposed Site of Ancient Roman Maidstone,' Arch. Cant. 1
(1858), 154-75; C. Roach Smith, 'On a Roman Villa Near Maidstone,' Arch. Cant. 10
(1876), 163-72; and W.A. Scott Robertson, 'Traces of Roman Occupation in and near
Maidstone,' Arch. Cant. 15 (1883), 68-88.
172 Morgan (ed), Domesday Book: Kent, 3b; Clark and Murfin, The History ofMaidstone, p 20.
NOTES cciii
(1953 for 1952), 12-24, demonstrates the existence of this channel from historical
sources, but Green, Soils of Romney Marsh, pp 33-4, disputes that another branch of the
Rother flowed through Walland Marsh to reach Romney from the southwest. Recent
re-evaluations support Ward's interpretation; see Brooks, 'Romney Marsh in the Early
Middle Ages,' Romney Marsh: Evolution, Occupation, Reclamation, Eddison and Green
(eds), pp 98-102, and Tim Tatton-Brown, 'The Topography of the Walland Marsh Area
between the Eleventh and Thirteenth Centuries,' Romney Marsh: Evok, tion, Occupation.
Reclamation, Eddison and Green (eds), pp 105-11.
189 Green, Soils of Romney Marsh, p 40; Tatton-Brown, 'The Towns of Kent,' p 26.
190 Tatton-Brown, 'The Topography of the Walland Marsh Area between the Eleventh and
Thirteenth Centuries,' Romney Marsh: Evolution, Occupation, Reclamation, Eddison and
Green (eds), pp 105-11. W.V. Rendel, 'Changes in the Course of the Rother,' Arch.
Cant. 77 (1963 for 1962), 63-76, describes further changes to the course of the River
Rother by the commissions of sewers during the early seventeenth century.
191 Described by Matthew Paris, Holinshed, and Camden, as quoted by Margaret Brenmall,
The Cinque Ports and Romney Marsh (London, 1972), 255-7.
192 Calendar of the Patent Rolls, Henry m, vol 4 (London, 1908), 635. Nineteenth-century
writers assumed that the Romans had constructed the Rhee Wall in order to reclaim the
marshland to the east. See, for example, Robert Furley, 'An Outline of the History of
Romney Marsh," Arch. Cant. 13 (1880), 181-2, and W..A. Scott Robertson, 'The Cinque
Port Liberty of Romney,'Arch. Cant. 13 (1880), 271. Gordon Ward, 'The Saxon History
of the Town and Port of Romney,' Arch. Cant. 65 (1953 for 1952), 15, however, demon-
strated that the Anglo-Saxon Romney charters did not mention the Rhee Wall; and
Green, Soils of Romney Marsh, pp 37-42, has further demonstrated from geological
evidence that the Rhee Wall was constructed much later, partly before and partly after the
storms of the thirteenth century. See also Robertson, 'Churches in Romney Marsh,' Arch.
Cant. 13 (1880), 418, for evidence of construction of a sluice gate north of Romney at
Snargate in 1254: and Tatton-Brown, 'The Topography of the Walland Marsh Area
between the Eleventh and Thirteenth Centuries,' Romney Marsh: Evolution, Occupation,
Reclamation, Eddison and Green (eds), p 108.
193 E.W. Parkin, 'The Ancient Buildings of New Romney,' Arch. Cant. 88 (1973), 117-28,
has shown two categories of ancient buildings in New Romney: medieval timber-framed
houses built at the present ground level and a second group, including the parish church
of St Nicholas, standing on the lower pre-1287 level.
194 Robertson, 'The Cinque Port Liberty of Romney,' Arch. Cant. 13 (1880), 273.
195 For a summary of the documentary evidence, see Mark Gardiner, 'Old Romney: An
Examination of the Evidence for a Lost Saxo-Norman Port,' Arch. Cant. 114 (1995 for
1994), 339-44.
196 Gordon Ward, 'The Saxon History of the Town and Port of Romney,' Arch. Cant. 65
(1953 for 1952), 25, gives a photographic reproduction and translation of the charter.
See also R.C. Fowler, 'The Abbey of Lyminge,' ,'ot: Kent, vol 2, p 146.
197 Ekwall, Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names, p 392: see also Ward,
cciv NOTES
'The Saxon History of the Town and Port of Romney,' Arch. Cant. 65 (1953 for
1952), 18.
1'8 \Vard, 'The Saxon History of the Town and Port of Romney,' Arch. Cant. 65 (1953 for
1952), 21-2. See also the note by S.E. Rigold in Parkin, 'The Ancient Buildings of New
Romney,' Arch. Cant. 88 (1973), 118, note 7.
199 Morgan (ed), Domesday Book: Kent, 4a, 4c, 10d, 1 la; Darby and Campbell, The Domesday
Geograptry of South-East England, p 553.
200 W.A. Scott Robertson, 'Romney, Old and New,' Arch. Cant. 13 (1880), 349-73;
Tatton-Brown, 'The Topography of the Walland Marsh Area between the Eleventh and
Thirteenth Centuries,' Romney Marsh: Evolution, Occupation, Reclamation, Eddison and
Green (eds), p 106; Mark Gardiner, 'Old Romney: An Examination of the Evidence
%r a Lost Saxo-Norman Port,' Arch. Cant. 114 (1995 for 1994), 339-44.
201 This theory has recently been revived. Beresford, New Towns of the Middle Ages, p 459,
for example, without much support states that the town was re-sited sometime before
960. Tatton-Brown, 'The Towns of Kent,' pp 26-7, first suggested a date of 1000 for the
development of a new town under the direction of the archbishop, a date coinciding
with the establishment of the mint. In later articles - 'The Anglo-Saxon Towns of Kent,'
Anglo-Saxon Settlements, Hooke (ed), pp 229-31; 'Church Building on Romney Marsh
in the Later Middle Ages,' Arch. Cant. 107 (1990 for 1989), 255; and 'The Topography
of the Walland Marsh Area between the Eleventh and Thirteenth Centuries,' Romney
3Iarsh: Evolution, Occupation, Reclamation, Eddison and Green (eds), p 106 - he has
revised this date, arguing that the Saxon port and mint were located at Old Romney,
the new town not having been founded until the twelfth century when St Nicholas'
Church was built and the distinction between old and new began to be made in the
historical records. In the nineteenth century W.A. Scott Robertson disputed the theory
of relocation on historical evidence in 'Romney, Old and New,' Arch. Cant. 13 (1880),
349-73, and on archaeological evidence in 'Churches in Romney Marsh,' Arch. Cant.
13 (1880), 408-87. More recently, reviewing both the documentary and archaeological
evidence, Mark Gardiner, 'Old Romney: An Examination of the Evidence for a Lost
Saxo-Norman Port,' Arch. Cant. 114 (1995 for 1994), 329-45, also argues against the
relocation of the town.
202 Tatton-Brown, 'Church Building on Romney Marsh in the Later Middle Ages,' Arch.
Cant. 107 (1990 for 1989), 253-65, gives a useful summary of the evidence.
203 See Robertson, 'Churches in Romney Marsh,' Arch. Cant. 13 (1880), 408-18 for Old
Romney Church (St Clement's) and 466-79 for St Nicholas', New Romney. Tatton-
Brown, 'Church Building on Romney Marsh in the Later Middle Ages,' Arch. Cant.
107 (1990 for 1989), 255, while acknowledging that there is no evidence, suggests an
eleventh-century date for St Clement's.
204 W.A. Scott Robertson, 'Destroyed Churches of New Romney,' Arch. Cant. 13 (1880),
237-45, 249; C. Everleigh Woodruff, 'Some Early Kentish Wills,' Arch. Cant. 46 (1934),
27-30; J. Bradshaw, 'Investigations and Excavations during the Year: Ashford Area,' Arch.
Cant. 84 (1970 for 1969), 235; J. Bradshaw, 'Investigations and Excavations during the
NOTES CCv
Year: Ashford Area,' Arch. Cant. 85 (1971 for 1970), 179; Mark Gardiner, 'Old Romney:
An Examination of the Evidence for a Lost Saxo-Norman Port,' Arch. Cant. 114 ( 1995 for
1994), 330-8.
205 Murray (ed), Register of Daniel Rough, p xxxix.
206 John Leland, Collectanea, Bodl.: MS. Top. gen. c. 3, p 142.
207 Clark and Hosking, Population Estimates of English Small Towns 1550-1851, p 79. This
figure, however, may be too low. A list of Old Romney and New Romney heads of house-
holds assessed for a tax levied on 1 April 1559 (Evoc: NR/FAc 6, ff57v-8v) includes 102
names, suggesting a population closer to 400.
208 Robertson, 'Romney, Old and New,' Arch. Cant. 13 (1880), 372-3.
209 Edward Bacheler Walker, 'The Town and Port of New Romney,' Arch. Cant. 13 (1880), 205.
210 Hasted, County of Kent, vol 8, p 450.
211 PC. Elliston Erwood, 'Notes on the Churches of Romney Marsh in the County of Kent,'
Arch. Cant. 37 (1925), 197-202; Robertson, 'Churches in Romney Marsh,' Arch. Cant.
13 (1880), 408-18, 466-79.
212 Robertson, 'Destroyed Churches of New Romney,'Arch. Cant. 13 (1880), 238-45; W.L.
Rutton, 'St. Martin's Church, New Romney: Records Relating to its Removal in A.D.
1550,'Arch. Cant. 20 (1893), 155-60; Tatton-Brown, 'Church Building on Romney
Marsh in the Later Middle Ages,' Arch. Cant. 107 (1990 for 1989), 255.
213 R.C. Fowler, 'The Hospital of St. John the Baptist, Romney,' and 'The Hospital of St.
Stephen and St. Thomas, Romney,' vct4: Kent, vol 2, p 225; Robertson, 'Destroyed
Churches of New Romney,' Arch. Cant. 13 (1880), 245-9; and K.M.E. Murray,
'Excavations on the Site of the Leper Hospital, New Romney,' Areh. Cant. 47 (1935),
198-204. Andrew E Butcher, 'The Hospital of St. Stephen and St. Thomas, New
Romney: The Documentary Evidence,' Arch. Cant. 96 (1981 for 1980), 17-26, however,
cites some evidence for the hospital's continued existence in the early sixteenth century.
214 Murray (ed), Register of Daniel Rough, pp liv-lv; Murray, The Constitutional History of the
Cinque Ports, pp 232, 237-9; John Stokes, 'The Barons of New Romney in Parliament,'
Arch. Cant. 27 (1905), 44-63.
215 Calendar of Patent Rolls, Elizabeth, vol 7, pp 202-3; Fehx Hull (ed), A Calendar of
the White and Black Books of the Cinque Ports, pp xii-xiv.
216 EW. Hardman and W.ED. Stebbing, 'Stonar and the Wantsum Channel. Part .
Physiographical,' Arch. Cant. 53 (1941 for 1940), 62-80; EW. Hardman and W.PD.
Stebbing, 'Stonar and the Wantsum Channel. Part i. Historical,' Arch. Cant. 54 (1942
for 1941), 41-55; Gordon Ward, 'The Saxon History of the Wantsum,' Arch. Cant. 56
(1944 for 1943), 23-7; Tatton-Brown, 'The Anglo-Saxon Towns of Kent,' Anglo-Sax'on
Settlements, Hooke (ed), pp 217-20.
217 Helen C. Bentwich, History of Sandwich in Kent (Deal, 1971), 11-14; Tatton-Brown, 'The
Towns of Kent,' pp 16-22; Tatton-Brown, 'The Anglo-Saxon Towns of Kent,' Anglo-
Saxon Settlements, Hooke (ed), p 226; Morgan (ed), Domesday Book: Kent, 3a; Darby and
Campbell, The Domesday Geography of South-East England, p 552; E.W. Parkin, 'The
Ancient Cinque Port of Sandwich,' Arch. Cant. 100 (1985 for 1984), 189-92.
ccx
0
NOTES
Peter Clark and Lyn Muffin, The History of Maidstone: The Making of a Modern County
Town (Stroud, 1995), 30, 48-9.
41 Robert Tittler, Architecture and Power: The Town Hall and the English Urban Community
c. 1500-1640 (Oxford, 1991), 139-50, gives a useful survey of the performance of plays
in town halls.
42 cc.: CC/Woodruff's List LVht/Z
43 For the history and description of the guildhall, I am indebted to an unpublished paper by
Anne M. Oaldey, June 1999, in the pamphlet file of the Canterbury Cathedral Archives.
44 Tittler, Architecture and Power, p 164.
45 Tittler, Architecture and Power, p 145, following Glynne Wickham, Early English Stages,
1300 to 1600, vol 2, pt 1 (London and New York, 1963), 183-4, interprets the payment
at Maidstone 'for layeng the tymber offye stage to gether' in 1567-8 as an example of the
erection of a stage in the town hall. The chamberlains' accounts, however, give no clue
where this stage was erected or the purpose for its construction.
46 John M. Wasson, 'The English Church as Theatrical Space,' A New History of Early
English Drama, Cox and Kastan (eds), pp 25-7, draws attention to churches as possible
venues for performance; however, the Kent records do not confirm the evidence surviving
in some other counties.
,17 Peter Roberts, 'Politics, Drama and the Cult of Thomas Becket in the Sixteenth Century;'
Pilgrimage: The English Exerience j%m Becket to Bunyan, Colin Morris and Peter Roberts
(eds) (Cambridge, 2002), 221-2, argues that this performance took place not in the
church but in the Hackington rectory where Cromwell had acquired a share in 1535. Paul
Whitfield White, Theatre and Reformation: Protestantism, Patronage, and Playing in Tudor
England (Cambridge, 1993), 149-62, admits that there is no proof that Bale's plays were
actually performed in St Stephen's Church (p 152) but, nevertheless, gives a useful plan
of the church (p 153) and discusses the possible staging of these plays, employing the
rood screen and rood loft that separated the nave from the choir. For an architectural
discussion of the church with plans and nineteenth-century drawings of the rood screen,
see Kenneth H. Jones, 'St. Stephen's Church, Hackington, and its Possible Connection
with Archbishop Baldwin,' Arch. Cant. 44 (1932), 253-63, and the appendix by Aymer
Vallance, 'The Rood-Screen at St. Stephen's, Hackington,' pp 264-8.
48 Alfred Harbage, Annal of English Drama 975-1700, Samuel Schoenbaum (rev) (London,
1989), 26-7, indicates a performance of all three of these plays at St Stephen's.
49 This play, probably a Protestant or humanist interlude, does not belong with the late
medieval tradition of biblical plays and saints' plays that were suppressed during the
Henrician Reformation. For a discussion of the evidence, see p 1377, endnote to ccA:
DCb/J/X.3.6 pt 2 ff 158v, 159.
50 Ronald Hutton, The Rise and Fall of Merry England." The Ritual Year 1400-1700 (Oxford
and New York, 1994), 37-44.
51 John Stow, A Survey of London, Charles Lethbridge Kingsford (ed), vol 1 (Oxford, 1908),
101-4.
52 Roberts, 'Politics, Drama and the Cult of Thomas Becket in the Sixteenth Century,'
cxiii
NOTES
(Westminster, 1902), 125-37; and G.H. Rooke, 'Dora William Ingrain and his Account-
Book, 1504-1533,' Journal of Ecclesiastical History 7 (1956), 30-44.
7 For a discussion of the relationship between the two manuscripts, see M.A.E Borrie,
'The Thorne Chronicle,' British Museum Quarterly 31 (1967), 87-90.
8 Joseph Foster, Alumni Oxonienses, Early Series, vol I (Oxford, 1891).
9 See Edward Arber (ed), A Transcript ofthe Registers ofthe Company ofStationers of London:
1554-1640A.., vol 1 (London, 1875), 155.
10 See R.C. Fowler, 'The Priory of Dover,' vcu: Kent, vol 2, pp 133-7.
11 See the General Report to the King in Council fiom the Honourable Board of Commissioners
on the Public Records, Parliamentary Sessional Papers 34 (1837), Appendix, p 452.
12 John English, 'Folkestone in Olden Times. Gleanings from the Municipal Records,' The
Folkestone Express (16 September 1882), 6.
13 Derek Ingram Hill, The Six Preachers of Canterbury Cathedral (Ramsgate, 1982),
52-4.
14 For further description of the New Romney recotds, see 'Mr. Edward Salisbury's Report
on the Records of New Romney,' Arch. Cant. 17 (1887), 12-33; and Major Teichman-
Derviile, 'The New Romney and Cinque Ports Records,' Arch. Cant. 42 (1930),
1-36.
15 See William Boys, Collections for an History of Sandwich in Kent (Canterbury, 1792),
197-275; John Cavell and Brian Kennett, A History of Sir Roger Manwood's School
Sandwich 1563-1963 with a Life of the Founder (London, 1963), 1-48; and EW.
Hasler, The House of Commons 1558-1603, vol 3 (London, 1981), 15-17.
16 See R.C. Fowler, 'The Abbey of Boxley,' vcu: Kent, vol 2, pp 153-5.
17 See R.C. Fowler, 'The Priory of Leeds,' vcu: Kent, voi 2, pp 162-5.
18 See R.C. Fowler, 'The Priory of Minster in Sheppey,' vcu: Kent, voi 2, pp 149-50.
19 See A.G. Little, 'The Trinitarian Friars of Mottenden in the Parish of Headcorn,' vcu: Kent,
voi 2, pp 205-8.
20 See R.C. Fowler, 'The Hospital ofOspringe,' vcu: Kent, voi 2, pp 222-4.
21 See Hasted, County of Kent, vol 7, p 355.
22 See C.S. Orwin and S. Williams, A History of Wye Church and Wye College (Ashford,
[1913]), 134-55, for an abstract of these statutes.
23 Hasted, County of Kent, vol 7, p 468.
24 C.R. Cheney, 'The so-called Statutes of John Pecham and Robert Winchelsey for the
Province of Canterbury,' Journal of Ecclesiastical History 12 ( 1961 ), 14-34, discusses
the authenticity of this statute (pp 23-5) and lists the twenty-seven surviving manuscripts
that contain the statute (pp 33-4).
25 See Cheney, 'The so-called Statutes of John Pecham and Robert Winchelsey,' pp 14-34.
26 See Powicke and Cheney (eds), Councils andSynods, voi 2, pt 1, pp 23-36.
27 For a discussion of these statutes and comparison with Richard Poore's statutes for the
diocese of Salisbury, see Powicke and Cheney (eds), Council and Synods, vol 2, pt 1,
pp 57-96, 165-7.
Select Bibliography
This list includes all books, articles, and published facsimiles that contain primary tran-
scriptions from the records edited in this volume and general reference works that have
proved particularly useful.
Baker, Oscar. History of the Antiquities of Sandwich and Richborough Castle, in Kent (London, 1848).
Bale, John. The Complete Plays of John Bale. Voi 1. Peter Happd (ed) (Cambridge, 1985).
- KingJohan. John Henry Pyle Pafford (ed). Malone Society Reprints (Oxford, 1931).
Barrett, J.E A History of the Ville of Birchington, Thanet, Kent. 2nd ed (Margate, 1908).
Boggis, R.J.E. A History of St. Augustine's Monastery, Canterbury (Canterbury, 1901).
Borough of Folkestone. Municipal Records: Report by Mr. E.G. Atkinson of the Public Record
Office (Folkestone, 1904).
Boys, William. Collections for an History of Sandwich in Kent (Canterbury, 1792).
Brayley, Edward Wedlake. Delineations, Historical and Topographical, of the Isle of Thanet and
the Cinque Ports. 2 vols (London, 1817-18).
Brent, John. Canterbury in the Olden Time. 2nd ed (London, 1879).
Bunce, John Bowes [V.S.D.]. 'Church Goods of St. Dunstan's, Canterbury, 1500,' Gentleman's
Magazine ns 8 (December, 1837), 569-71.
Burn, John Southerden. The History of Parish Registers in England. 2nd ed (London, 1862;
rpt East Ardley, Wakefield, 1976).
Carlisle, N. A Concise Description of the Endowed Grammar Schools in England and I)&/es. 2 vols
(London, 1818).
Chambers, E.K. The Elizabethan Stage. 4 vols (Oxford, 1923).
- The Mediaeval Stage. 2 vols (London, 1903).
Clark, Peter. English Provincial Society om the Reformation to the Revolution: Religion, Politics
and Society in Kent 1500-1640 (Hassocks, Sussex, 1977).
- 'Josias Nicholls and Religious Radicalism, 1553-1639,' TheJour,ml of Ecclesiastical History 28
(1977), 133-50.
- and Philip Morgan (eds). Towns and Townspeople 1500-1780: A Document Collection
(The Open University Press, 1977).
Cotton, Charles. 'Churchwardens' Accounts of the Parish of St. Andrew, Canterbury, from
^.t). 1485 to ^.t). 1625: Part ,, 1485-1509,'Arch. Cant. 32 (1917), 181-246.
Ccxvi SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
- 'Churchwardens' Accounts of the Parish of St. Andrew, Canterbury, from ^.D. 1485 to
^.D. 1625: Part , 1509-1523,'Arch. Cant. 33 (1918), 1-62.
- 'Churchwardens' Accounts of the Parish of St. Andrew, Canterbury, from ^.D. 1485 to
A.D. 1625: Part m, 1524-1557,' Arch. Cant. 34 (1920), 1-46.
- "Churchwardens' Accounts of the Parish of St. Andrew, Canterbury, from ^.D. 1485 to
.D. 1625: Part v, 1553-4-1596,' Arch. Cant. 35 (1921), 41-108.
- "Churchwardens' Accounts of the Parish of St. Andrew, Canterbury, from ^.D. 1485 to
,X.D. 1625: Part v, 1597-1625,'Arch. Cant. 36 (1923), 81-122.
- 'St. Austin's Abbey, Canterbury, Treasurers' Accounts 1468-9, and Others,' Arch. Cant. 51
(1939), 66-107.
Cowper, J[oseph] M [eadows]. 'Accounts of the Churchwardens of St. Dunstan's, Canterbury,
^.D. 1484-1580,'Arch. Cant. 16 (1886), 289-321.
- 'Accounts of St. Dunstan's, Canterbury,' Arch. Cant. 17 (1887), 77-149.
- 'Notes from the Records of Faversham, 1560-1600,' Transactions of the HistoricalSociety 1
(1872), 324-43; rpt in Transactions ofthe Royal Historical Society 1 (1875), 218-38.
- (ed). The Diary of Thomas Cocks March 25th, 1607, to December 31st, 1610. From us E.31
in the Library of Canterbury Cathedral (Canterbury, 1901).
- (ed). The Register Booke of the Parish of St. George the Martyr within the Citie of Canterburie
of Christenings, Mariages and Burials, 1538-1800 (Canterbury, 1891).
Cox, J. Charles. Canterbury: A Historical and Topographical Account of the City (London,
1905).
Cranmer, Thomas. Miscellaneous Writings and Letters of Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of
Canrerbu Martyr, 1556. John Edmund Cox (ed). Parker Society (Cambridge, 1846).
Cross, Francis W. 'The Early Minute Books of the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury,' The
Archaeological Journal 53 (1896), 235- 48.
- History of the Walloon and Huguenot Church at Canterbury. Publications of the Huguenot
Society of London 15 (Canterbury, 1898).
Dawson, Giles E. (ed). Collections 7. Malone Society (Oxford, 1965).
Dorman, Thomas. 'The Sandwich Book of Orphans,' Arch. Cant. 16 (1886), 179-206.
Duncan, Leland L. Testamenta Cantiana: A Series of Extracts jom Fifteenth and Sixteenth
Century Wilh Relating to Church BuiMing and Topography. West Kent (London, 1906).
Edwards, D.L. A History of the King's School, Canterbury (London, 1957).
Fairfield, Leslie P. John Bale: Mythmaker for the English Reformation (West Lafayette, Indiana,
1976).
Finn, Arthur (ed). Records of Lydd. Arthur Hussey and M.M. Hardy (trans and transcr)
(Ashford, 1911).
Frere, W.H. (ed). Registrum Matthei Parker Diocesis Cantuariensis A.D. 1559--1575. E. Margaret
Thompson (transc). 3 vols (Oxford, 1928-33).
- (ed). Visitation Articles and Injunctions of the Period of the Reformation. 3 vols. Alcuin Club
Collections 14-16 (London, 1910).
Gardiner, Dorothy (ed). The Oxinden Letters 1607-1642: Being the Correspondence of Henry
Oxinden of Barbara and His Circle (London, 1933).
Kent, from John Speed, Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine (1611 ). This item is
reproduced by permission of The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
. E s s e x ..........
LEGEND
T h e W - .e
e
Abbey Worlg
Kent with renaissance roads (derived from Philip Symonson's A New Description of Kent, 1596).
Canterbury, from John Speed, Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine (1611). This item is
reproduced by permission of The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
RECORDS OF EARLY ENGLISH DRAMA
Symbols and Abbreviations
BL
Bodl.
CCA
CK$
British Library Er,c
Bodleian Library Folger
Canterbury Cathedral Archives _l,_
Centre for Kentish Studies eRo
East Kent Archives Centre
The Folger Shakespeare Library
Lambeth Palace Library
Public Record Office
A
AC
Arch. Cant.
PTC
RED
I,'CH
Wing
(blank)
Antiquarian Compilation
Antiquarian Collection
Archaeologia Cantiana
Dictionary of National Biography
Patrons and Travelling Companies
Records of Early English Drama
A.W. Pollard and G.R. Redgrave (comps), Short-Tttle Catalogue... 1475-1640
The Victoria History of the Counties of England
D.G. Wing (comp), Short-Title Catalogue... 1641-1700
(after folio, membrane, page, or sheet 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
text written above the line
text written below the line
caret mark in the original
ellipsis of original matter
change of folio, membrane, page, or sheet in continuous text
right-hand marginale
marginale too long for the left-hand margin
BETH ERSDEN 1521-72
Item payed for nayle
Item payed to Iohn dewar
Item payed for a quart of wyne
Item payed to Ryclmrd bannoke for a ffachan
Item payed to Thomas Elsey for borde
Item payed to lermen Glouer
Item payed for the getheres dennar the iii d playe daye
Item payed to quersted
Item payed to Elsey wyfe
Item payed to iii boyes to fetche clothes
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
Item payed for lohn a Vale and Thomas a Vale Sopper the
iij d pley dayes evyn
Item payed for mete and drynke the sayd playe daye
Item payed to Rychard bannokes iij boyes
Item payed to Thomas bregge for Corde
Item payed to Iohn lodar for bere
[Item payed to lamys peres
Item payed to William Glouer for carryenge vp and down
of the devysores gere
Item payed for fatchons and axces
Item payed to the devyser for his labor
Item payed to the clerke for wryttyng of the accomptes
Summa vjii. v s. xj d. oh.
11
i i d.
ij s. iiij d.
ii d.
iij d.I
xvjd. 5
ij d.
iiij d.
d.
xiij d. oh.
iij d. 0
ij d.
xj d. ob.
iii d.
iiij d. s
xvij d.
iij s. iiij d.l
iij s. iiij d.
iij li. x s.
iiij d.
holnest
1572
Archdeacon's Court Book
f 145v (19June)
cc^: DCb/J/X. 1.11
25
Proceedings of the court held in St Margaret's Church, Canterbury, before Thomas
Lawse, deputy of the archdeacon's official, and in the presence of Thomas Cranmer, 30
notary public and registrar
Also we presente one Stephen holnest a mynstrell for playenge on his
Instrument on the sabothe dayes, and the most parte of the youthe passe
the daye in daunsynge, wherfore we desyre some good order herein 35
Quo die preconizatus hoinest non comparuit, vnde dominus pronunciauit
ipsum contumacem ret in penam excommunicauit in scriptis I [pena reseruata
in prol
I I/Vale': aheredfkom Wale
38 C^NTERRy 1324-8
f 147v col 1
Item ystrionibus die sancte trinitatis & festo translacionis
sancti thome
1325-6
Christ Church Treasurers'Accounts LPL: MS. 242
f 352 (Miscellaneous business)
Item datum ystrionibus in passione sancti thome
Item ystrionibus die sancte trinitatis & translacionis
1326-7
Christ Church Treasurers'Accounts LPL: MS. 242
f 361 col 1 (Miscellaneous business)
Item datum ystrionibus die passionis sancti thome rper priorem
f 361v col I
.oo
Item datum ystrionibus die sancte trinitath & beati thome
rper capel/anum 1
1327-8
Christ Church Treasurers'Accounts
f 2v col 1 (Miscellaneous business)
LPL." MS. 243
Item datum lstrionibus .die Natalis domini passionis sancti
thome pasche & pentecostis
vj s. viii d.
5
IO
vs.
vj s. viii d.
vj s. viii d. 20
25
XS.
30
3/die sancte trinitatls: Trlmty Sunday. 2June
13/die sancte trinitatis: Trlmty Sunday. 18 May
13/translaconis: e, Translation of St Thomas Becket. 7tidy
25! die sanc*e trinitatiJ'. Trimty Sunday. 7June
25/die ... beatt thome: probably Translation of St Thomas Becket. 7July
34/pasche: 3 April
34/pentecotis: 22 May
CNTRBRV 1351--3
col 2 (Prior's payments)
ooo
hem datum cuidam histrioni
ooo
f 78v col 1 (Prior's payments)
(" Item datum histrionibus ducis Lancastrie
( Item datum histrionibus die translacionis beati thome
1352-3
Christ Church Treasurers'Accounts LPL." MS. 243
f 83 col 1 (lliscellaneous business)
Item datum histrionibus ducis lancastrie
col 2
Item datum histrionibus die passionis sancti thome
f 83v col 1 (Prior's payments)
Item datum histrionibus die passionis sancti thome
Item datum cuidam histrioni
Item datum I. harpour existenti cum Regina
f 84 col 1
ooo
Item cuidam histrioni
Item in aliis
col 2 (Miscellaneous business)
Item datum cuidam histrioni
Item datum cuidam histrioni
Vo So
iij. s. iiij. d.
xxvj s. tviij d. t
10
15
vj s. vii i d.
xxvj s. viii d. 2
xviij d.
vj. s. viii d.
30
VS. 40
xij d.
c^uIv 1359-61 49
1359-60
Christ Church Treasurers'Accounts LI'L'. Ms. 243
f 11 lv col ! (Prior's payments)
Item datum ystrionibus contra eundern festurn
col 2
ooo
Item datum ystrionibus domini principis apud suthcherch
Item ystrionibus in eodem festo
1360-1
Christ Church Treasurers'Accounts LPL: MS. 243
f 115 col 1 (Prior's payments)
Item datum ystrionibus in die passionis sancti thoma martiris
Item iiij ystrionibus domini Regis ibidem
oo.
f l15v col !*
Item ystrionibus existentibus cure filio Regis francie
col 2
C Item ystrionibus comitis de Warewyk
ooo
Item ystrionibus in festo translacionis beati thome
Item aliis in eodem festo
ooo
Item datum histrionibus die translacionis beati thome
51 contra: ign jCor ra u,r*tten twice in ms
5. 12/eundern feJtum, eodem festo: Tramlatwn of St Thoma Becket. 7July
lO/suthcherch: Southchurch. Eswx, ute of one of the priory' ma.or
12/viii: ]br viii d.
19/thoma: .tGr thome
21/ibidem: Eastry, ite of one of the priory' manor
xxvj s. vii i d. s
vj s. viii d. o
vj s. viij
xxvj s. viii d.
20
iij s. iiij d.
25
XS.
30
vj s. viii d.
xiij s. iiij d.
v i s. viii d.
35
0
CANTERBURY 1360--4
f 116 col 1
Item datum ystrionibus domini principis
Item datum istrionibus domini Principis & al' per Eundem
XS.
xv i s. vii i d.
1362-3
Christ Church Treasurers'Accounts
f 120 col 2 (Prior's payments)
Item datum cuicbrm Istrioni
Item datum istrionibus
LPL: MS. 243
iij s. iiij d.
iij s. iiij d.
IO
15
f 120v col 1
Item datum quibusdam istrionibus
vj s. vii i d.
20
col 2
Item datum quibusdam istrionibus in festo Translacionis
beati Thome
Item quibusdam Cocis & al' in eodem festo
Lwj s. viii d.
xii i s. iiij d.
25
1363-4
Christ Church Treasurers'Accounts LPL."
f 124 col 1 (Prior's payments)
Item datum hobbe ffol & socio suo
Item datum ystrionibus domini regis Cipri
MS. 243
Xo So
30
X.S. 35
col 2
Item datum cuidam ystrioni existenti cure domina Regina
xiij s. iiij d. 40
5/Eundem: the prior. Robert Hathbrande
CA'rEmUm' 1363--5
f 124V col 1
Item ystrionibus domini Regis apud Chartham
ooo
Item datum ystrionibus die sancte Trinitatis
ooo
Item datum quibusdam ystrionibus venientibus cure
domino Rogero Beauchamp'
ooo
Item datum famulie & ystrionibus domini ducis Lancastrie
ooo
Item datum Istrionibus per priorem die sancti Thome
ooo
Item Datum ystrionibus in festo translacionis beati Thome
Item diuersis cocis in eodem festo
ooo
51
Xo So
vj s. viii d.
vj s. viii d.
xxvj s. viii d. ,o
col 2
ooo
Item ystrionibus domini Comitis herfordie & al'
xxvj s. viij d. 20
1364-5
Christ Church Treasurers'Accounts LPL: Ms. 243
f 129 col 2 (Priorpayments)
Item datum familie & Istrion'domine Isabeile filie Regis
Item datum Istrionibus die Purificacionis beate Marie
f 129v col 1"
o,o
Item datum Istrionibus die Translacionis beati
Thome martiris
Item datum diuers/s cocis in eodem festo
Item datum Istrionibus dominica Septuagesime
oo,
25
xiij s. iiij d.
3O
L.s. 35
xiij s. iiij d.
vj s. viii d.
5! die sancte Trinitatis: Trinity Sunday, 19 May
12/die sancti Thome: probably Martyrdom of St Thomas Becket, 29 December
371 dominica Septuageime: 9 February
52
CANTERBURY 1364--6
Item cuidam Istrioni
Item datum cuidam Istrioni cure domino Rege
col 2
Item datum Istrionibus die Pasche
Item datum Istrion' domini Regis
Item datum Labikyno Istrioni
Item Datum Roberto ffool
f 130 col 1
Item datum Istrionibus domine Phillipe Regine
Item datum cuidam ystrioni
col 2
Item datum Istrionibus precepto Prioris
1365-6
Christ Church Treasurers'Accounts LPL: MS. 243
f 134 CO! 2 (Prior's payments)
Item datum Istrionibus die Translacionis beat] Thome
precepto Prioris
Item datum Istrionibus Londonie
Item datum cuidam Istrioni
X$.
vj s. viij d.
vj s. viij d.
vj s. viii d.
VS.
iij s. iiij d.
VS.
xlvj s. viij d.
X$.
ij s.
1o
15
20
25
35
8/die Pa.sche: 13 Aprd
CANTERBURY 1367--9 55
Item datum Nunciis & ystrionibus domini Regis in festo
pen tecostis
Item datum cuidam ystrioni
vij s. vj d.
ij s.
col 2
Item datum thome fustulatori domini prioris
Item cuidam ystrioni
Item datum ystrioni domini Regis
Item cuidam ystrioni
Item datum hanekyno lybekyn ystrioni domini Regis
iij s. iiij d.
IO
xxd.
vj s viii d.
ijs. s
xiij s. iiij d.
1368-9
Christ Church Treasurers'Accounts
f 148 col 2 (Prior's payments)
Item datum cuidam ystrioni
LPL." MS. 243
f 148v col 2
Item datum histrionibus
Item datum cuidam histrioni
Item datum cuidam histrioni constabularij douorie
Item datum histrionibus domini Walteri mauny
f 149 col 1
Item histrionibus in festo translacionis beati Thome
o.o
20
ij s.
iij s. iiij d.
j s. 30
vj s. viii d.
vj s. viii d.
35
xxiij s. iiij d.
40
1-21 festo pentecost/s: 28 May
CANTERBURY 1371--3 57
1371-2
Christ Church Priors'Accounts ccA: DCc/Priot 22
sheet 1 (Rendered December 1372)
Item datum histrion' in festo sancti Thome vz. trans|actone
et Wafrator'domini Archiepiscopi eodem die
Item datum histrion' die assumpcionis beate Marie
Item datum histrion' domini Principis
1372-3
Christ Church Treasurers'Accounts LPL: MS. 243
f 159 col 2* (Prior's payments)
Item datum histrionibus die Omnium sanctorum
f 159v col 1
Item datum histrionibus domini Regis die Passionis beafi
Thome martiris
Item datum Thome Skynnere Stuito domini Regis
Item datum histrionibus domini Regis apud Westwell
Item datum histrionibus domini Ducis Lancastrie
Item datum histrionibus domini Regis
Item pro pannis lineis & lands pro stulto
Item datum histrionibus domine de Mann
Item datum histrionibus in festo Pasche
Item datum histrion" domini Comitis March' in festo Pasche
5
xxxiij s. iiij d.
ii i s. iiii d.
xiij s. iiij d. to
15
iij s. iiij d.
2O
xxvj s. viii d.
vj s. viii d. :5
vj s. viii d.
iij s. iiij d.
30
iij s. iiij d.
vj s. viii d.
ij s. 3s
iij s. iiii d.
xiij s. iiij d.
qO
37. 39/festo Pasche: 17April
58 c^NrEmuRv 1372-6
Item histrion' apud Broke
Item datum histrion' die Pentecost/s
ij s.
iij s. iiij d.
1374-5
Christ Church Treasurers'Accounts LPL: MS. 243
f 164V col l (Prior's payments)
Item datum Istrionibus domini Regis & Principis
Item datum Istrionibus domini Regis
Item datum cuidam Perciual' Istrioni domini Regis
Item datum Istrionibus domini Principis
xxvj s. vii i d.
xiij s. iiij d.
vj s. viii d.
vj s. viii d.
1375-6
Christ Church Treasurers'Accounts LPL: MS. 243
f 170V col 1 * (Prior's payments)
Item datum histrionibus die Lune post dominicam in
ramis palmarum
Item datum histrionibus die translacionis beati thome
vj s. viii d.
xxxiij s. iiij d.
col 2*
Item datum familie eiusdem & histrionibus domini
Regis & ducis lancastrie
Item datum histrionibus domini Regis & ducis lancastrie &
Waffrer & Marssiote in festo Sancti thome
Item datum histrionibus in festo sancti thome
Item datum histrionibus dominica septuagesime
xxx s. iiij d.
Lo So
iij s. iiij d.
2/die Pentecostu: 5June
21-2/dte Lune ... ramts palmarum: 7April
29/eiusdem: Simon Sudbury. archbuhop of Canterbury 1375-81
33, 35/festo Sancti thome, festo sancti thome: probably Martyrdom of St Thomas Becket. 29 December
36/dommica sepruagesime: I0 February
I0
15
2O
25
3O
35
62 CANTERBURY 1407-32
M I CCCCviijo isto anno de assensu domini Thome Arundei Archiepiscopi &
capituli dimisit & tradidit administracionem omnium temporalium ecc/esie
Alumpno suo domino lohannis Wodenysbergh ecc/esie Eiemosinario & ipse
ad sacrum concilium pisanum prefectus est primo die Aprii/s Anno supradicto
& in die sancti Bartholomei post creacionem domini Alexandri papev ti qui
fuerat de ordine minorum apud sandwicum aplicuit & in crastino cum omni
clero populique tripudio ad ecc/esiam suam est reuersus
Pleg/pro lez
skochonz
(-
(-
1416-17 l0
City Jurats" Accounts CCA: CC/FA 1
f 124" (Waits'pledges)
ooo
Memorandum quod iiberatum fuit ^ranno supradicto 1 lacobo Gyiot I. skochon
argenteum & deamelatum quia fatebatur se fore pleF/'um pro iangle menstrallo s
vt ipse Iacobus respondeat in camera xij luratorum pro eodem
Item consimili modo liberatum fuit I. skochon Wiilelmo Chihon spycer
plegio ^rpro 1 Thoma Wodelond menstralio vt ipse &c
Item consimili forma iiberatum fuit I skochon Thome Payntor plegio ^rprol
Wiilelmo ffordmeli menstrallo. Et ipse Thomas postea reliberauit in cameram 20
xij Iuratorum Iv] & ponitur vna cum vna obligacione Iohannis iymton
seruientis camere in magna cista cerata cum iijbus ceruris. Et remansit
ibidem &c
1429-30
City furats" Accounts
f 198
ccA: CC/FA 1
... Et solutum lohanni iangle Pdcardo Belle & Pdcardo Barton Mynstraliis
vocatis ies waytes pro eorum liberatura togarum suarum de vna secta
vestiendo ob honorem dicte Ciuitatis in Camera xij luratorum persoluendo
xiij s. iiij d ....
25
30
1431-2
St Augustine's Treasurers'Accounts
mb 4" (Clothing)
CCA;
DCc/Charta Antiqua A 218a
ooo
Et datum diuersis generosis & valettis pro robis emendath
erga aduentum domini Regis
35
IXj S.
4O
64 CANTERBURY 1436-45
Christ Church Pro'ors'Accounts ccA: DCc/Prior 7
mb 2 (Offerings and gifis)
Et in donis datt3 Ministris domini Regis. domini Duct3
Gloucestrie & aliorum dominorum & magnatum
histrionibus nuncijs & alijs fistulatoribus venientibus
per vices hoc anno
xij. li. xiiij, s. v. d
1439-40
City Jurats" Accounts ccA: CC/FA 1
f 269" (Wages and rents paid)
... Et solutum Iohanni harnhell Taillor pro panno ab eo empto pro togis
|ohannis lengle & sociorum suorum Ministrallorum Ciuitatis nomine eiusdem
Ciuitatis huius anni xviiji xiij s. iiij d ....
10
1440-1
City Jurats" Accounts ccA: CC/FA 1
f 276v (Wages and rentspaid)
...Et solutum Iohanni langle Mynstrallo pro toga sua huius anni xix i vj s.
viii d ....
1442-3
Christ Church PHors" Accounts cca: DCc/Prior 6
mb 2* (Offerings and girls)
.oo
Et in donis dath Ministris domini Regis. domini ducis Gloucestie
& aliorum dominorum & magnatum histrionibus nuncijs &
alijs fistulatoribus hoc anno
20
25
30
1444-5
Christ Church Treasurers'Accounts cc.: DCc/Miscellaneous Accounts 4
f 41 (Gis)
Et datum Ministrall' [domini] Comitis Exonie apud Chartham vj s. viii d.
3It (...): edge ofmembra,e damage& ,.m lo,t 38t Comiti,: Jbr duels (?)
35
CANTERBURY 1450-7 73
f 55
Et datum histrionibus domini ducis Bokynhamie xvjO die Iulij
.oo
Item decim histrionibus die sancti Thome
1452-3
Christ Church Prlors'Accounts m.: Sloane MS. 4074
single rob* (Offerings and gis)
.oo
Et in donis dat/s Ministris domini Regis domine Regine
& aliorum Magnatum Histrionibus nuncijs & alijs
fistulatoribus
1453-4
Christ Church Priors'Accounts ccA: DCc/Prior 9
mb 2 (Offerings and gis)
o.o
Et in donis datis Ministris domini Regis domine Regine
& aliorum Magnatum histrionibus nuncijs & alijs
fistulatoribus superuenientibus hoc anno
1455-6
Christ Church lador$'Accounts cc,: DCc/Prior 10
mb 3 (Offerings and gifts)
ooo
Et in donis datis Ministris domini Regis domine Regine
& aliorum magnatum histrionibus nuncijs & alijs
fistutatoribus superuenientibus hoc anno
ooo
1456-7
Christ Church Priors' Accounts
mb 3*
cc^: DCc/Prior 15
.oo
Et in donis datis Ministris domini Regis & aliorum
magnatum histrionibus nuncijs & alijs fistulatoribus
superuenientibus hoc anno
vj s. viii d.
xvj s. viij d. s
10
xij li. xviij, s. ix d.
5
20
xii li. vi i s. iiii d.
25
.t0
xvij li. iij s. xj d.
35
x li. xvj .s. iiij d. 40
74 CANTERBURY 1459-65
IS Plegus pro
lez Scochons
1459-60
St Augustine's Treasurers'Accounts
f 15 (Girls)
Et datum Ministrall' domini Regis
Et ministrail' in festo Natalis domini
LL: Estate Document 298
iij s. iiij d.
vj s. vii i d.
f 15v
Et ministrall' domini Regis londonie
XS.
I0
1461-2
City Jurats" Accounts etA: CC/FA 4
f 9 (4 November)
Memorandum quod iiij die Nouembris anno primo Regis Edwardi iiij. ti
iiberata fuerunt Iohanni langle de Cantuaria Mynstrallo .iij. Skochons
Argentea & dealmelata quia fatebatur se fore plegium pro seipso Willelmo 20
Rampayn & Iohanne Sciough Mynstrall/s vt idem Iohannes langle respondeat
pro iez iij. Skochons in Camera xij. Iuratorum Sub pena xv .li. sterlingorum.
Nouerint &c me Iohannem langle de Cantuaria Mynstrallum teneri &c
Iohanni Wynter Willelmo Sellow & Thome Prowde in xv li. sterlingorum
soluendas in festo Natalis domini proximo futuro &c datum die & anno 25
supradicto.
1464-5
St Augustine's Treasurers'Accounts
f 27v* (Girls)
ccA: DCc/Charta Antiqua A 66e 30
Ministrali' Cantuarie in die Natalis domini
Ministrall" domini Regis
Ministrall' domini de warwyk
Ministrail' domini Regis
Ministrall' Cancellar/j
Pdcardo Ministrallo
xij s. iiij
viij s. iiij
xiij s. iiij
iiij s. ij
ij s. j
Et datum
.oo
Et datum
Et datum
Et datum
Et datum
Et datum
24/Iohanni Wynter Willelmo Sellow & Thorne Prowde: 3 of the 12juratt for 1461-2
40
C^nTO 1464--9 75
John Stone's Chronicle of Christ Church Priory
Corpus Christi College, Cambridge: as. 417
f 73v* (6 December)
Episcopus de scola Cantuarie
Item hoc anno in festo sancti Nicholai non erat Episcopus in Scola gramaticali
in ciuitate Cantuar/e et hoc ex defectu Magistrorum. videlicet Iohannis Gedney
& Thome hikson/
1466-7
John Stone's Chronicle of Christ Church Pm'ory
Corpus Christi College, Cambridge: Ms. 417
ff 78--8v (8 December)
...et eodem die fratres sancti augustini comederunt in aula domini prioris in
presenlcia episcopi sancti Nicolai & prioris ecclesie Christi Cantuarie. Et in
eodem anno Thomas Burbage episcopus erat sancti Nicolai-
1467-8
City Chamberlalns'Accounts ccA: CC/FA 5
f 60 (Wages and rents paid)
Et solutum Iohanni harnell nuper Maiori Ciuitatis Cantuarie
pro vestura histrionum
xiij s. iiij d.
Christ Church Priors'Accounts CCA: DCc/Prior 16
mb 1" (Offerings and gifts)
ooo
Et in donis datis Ministris domini Regis & alijs Magnatum histrionibus
nuncijs & alijs fistulatoribus superuenientibus hoc anno vt pater per
librum domini prioris de particulis
1468-9
Christ Church Priors'Accounts ccA: DCc/Prior 11
mb 3 (Offerings and gifis)
Et in donis datis Ministris domini Regis & alijs Magnatum histrionibus
25/iohanni hameli ... Maiori: John HarnelL mayor 1466-7 32.41/aliis: #r aliorum
IO
15
20
25
30
35
4O
76
CANTERBURy 1468-73
Nuncijs & alijs flstulatoribus superuenientibus hoc anno vt pater
per librum de particulis domini Prioris
vii j(...)
St Augustine's Treasurers'Accounts
f 14 (Gs)
o.o
Et Ministrall' domini Regis
Et Ministrall' in die sancti Augustini
CC&'.
DCc/Charta Antiqua A 66d
vj s. viij d.
xij d.
IO
1471-2
City Chamberlains'Accounts ccA: CC/FA 5
f 131 * (External expenses)
Item solutum le Mynstrallys domtni Regis
Item solutum pro vino dato eisdem mynstrallys
Item datum le [D] Menstrallys Domini Ducis Clarencie
Item datum in vino & pane eisdem
15
vj s. viii d.
xvj d.
VS.
xij d. 20
1472-3
City Chamberlains'Accounts cc: CC/FA 5
f 142v* (External expenses)
Et solutum le Mynstrellys domini Regis
Et solurum le Mynstrellys domini Ducis Clarencie
Christ Church Pro'ors'Accounts ccA: DCc/Prior 12
mb 3 (Offerings and gs)
ooo
Et in donis datis Ministris domini Regis & alijs magnatum
histrionibus Nuncijs & fflstulatoribus superuenientibus hoc
anno vt patet per librum domini Prioris
x s. iiij d.
v s. iiij d.
lxxiij, s. ij. d.
25
30
35
34/aliis: ]br ahorum
80 CANTERBURY 1477-9
1477-8
City Chamberlains'Accounts cc^: CC/FA 5
f 206" (E'ternal expenses)
Et solutum histrionibus domini Regis vj s. viij d. & pro vino
dato eis viii d.
Et solutum histrionibus domine Regine v s. & in vino viij d.
Et solutum histrionibus Ducis GIocestrie v s. & in vino iiij d.
Et solutum histrionibus Ducisse Eboraci iij s. iiij d. & pro
vino iiij d.
Et solutum histrionibus equestribus Domine Regine
Summa xxiij s. viii d.
vii s. iiii d.
v s. viii d.
v s. iiij d.
iij s. viii d.
x.xd.
l0
f 210
.oo
Item tribus histrionibus vocatis le waytes pro Togis suis hoc anno
Item solutum eisdem tribus pro feodis suis hoc anno
1478-9
Civic Accounts ccA: CC/FA 2
f 191 v (Wages andpayments)
...Et solutum lohanni Chaldan Willelmo Skarlett & Willelmo Powlyng
vigilibus Ciuitat/s Cantuarie pro Togis suis hoc anno xx s. Et solutum eisdem
tribus vigilibus pro eorum feodis hoc anno xl s.
XXS.
xl S.
15
20
25
City Chamberlains'Accounts cc^: CC/FA 5 30
f 194 (Delivery ofscutcbeons)
Et idem Willelmus Massyng .vtO. die Nouembris anno regni regis Edwardi
.iiijti .xviijo. reliberauit le Scocchon suum willelmo Sellowe & lohanni
whitlok Camerarijs Ciuitatis predicte
f 223 (Ex'ternal expenses)
Item solutum [,,tie1 mynstrallys] ,,rTubicinis 1 domini Regis in
pecunijs & vino datis eis in domo Maioris
5/vj s. viii d: th*s turn and other ,nternal subtotala underlined
40
82 CANTERBURY !79-82
Item solunon lohanni Chaldan & Willelmo Pawlyng pro feod/s
ipsorum duorum a predicto festo annunciacionis beate Marie vsque
fi'srum sancti Michae/is archangeli tunc proximum sequentem
xiij s. iiii d.
1480-1
City Chamberlains'Accounts co^: CC/FA 6
f 19" ('ages andpayments)
Et solutum lohanni Chaldan [Willelmo Scarlet] & willelmo
Pawlyng ij.b,s vigilibus Ciuitatis Cantuarie pro Togis suis
hoc anno
Et solutum eisdem vigilibus pro stipendio suo hoc anno
f 21v
ooo
Et solutum le Mynstrellis domine [Regis] Regine in pecunijs
& vino
o,o
Et soluturn le Mynstralis dornini Regis & pro vino eis dato
Et solutum le Mynstrelys Ducisse Eboraci
.oo
xiij s. iiii d.
v s. viii d.
vij s. iiij d.
iij s. iiij d.
IO
20
1481-2
City Chamberlains'Accounts ccA: CC/FA 6
f 32* (External expenses)
Et solutum histrionibus domini Regis in pecunijs & vino vii s. iiij d. Et
solutum histrionibus domini Principis in pecun/js & vino v s. vj d. Et solutum
histrionibus domini Ducis Glocestrie v s. Et pro vino dato eisdem vj d.
Et solutum histrionibus domini ducis Eboraci iij s. iiij d. Et solutum pro
vino iiij d ....
f 35 (Wages andpayments)
C Et solutum Iohanni Chaldan Willelmo Pawlyng & Thome
Pawlyng fratri suo pro Togis suis hoc anno
- Et solutum eisdem vigilibus pro stipendio suo hoc anno
35
XXS.
XIS. 40
I I/ij.b": appa,ently added m Ioq margin 1 I/Cimtatis: s u,,tten otranother letter, pmubly b
CANTERBURY 1496-9
Et solutum willelmo Paulyn lohanni Raffe Nicho/ao Ryps vigilibus
dicte Ciuitatis pro vadijs & togis suis hoc anno
ii i li.
St Dunstan's Churchwardens'Accounts cc^: U31I41141l
p 28" (MayCune-MayCune)
Item receyuyd that was gatheryd at hoctyde Summa
1497-8
Civic Accounts cc: CC/FA 2
f 282 (Wages and rentspaid)
Et solutum willelmo pawlyn Iohanni Rawff & Nicho/ao Ripys
vigilibus dicte Ciuitatis pro vadijs & togis suis
Et solutum histrionibus domini principis
Et solutum histrionibus domini Regis & Regine hoc anno
5
iij s. vii i d.
l0
15
iij s. iiij d.
x i s. vii i d. 2o
St Dunstan's Churchwardens'Accounts cc^:
p 31" (MayCune-MayCune) (Receipts)
Item of hockemoney of paryshyns & strangers
U3/141/4/1
xiiij s. iij d.
25
1498-9
Civic Accounts ccA: CC/FA 2
f 295 (Wages artd rentspaid)
30
ooo
Et solutum willelmo paulyn & Nicho/ao Ryps vigilibus dicte
Ciuitatis pro vadijs & togis suis hoc anno xlvj s. viii d.
Et solutum Maiori pro histrionibus domini Regis hoc anno vj s. viii d. 35
Et solutum eidem Maiori pro histrionibus domine Regine in regardo v s.
8/hocryde: 3-4 Aprd
26/hockemoney: gathered 23-4 April
35/dommi Regis: corrected from domme Regine
CANTERBURY 1498--1500 93
pro
Taur,s scosis
f 299v (Mayor's accounts)
.oo
Et receptum de xij d. de ffine vnius tauri interfecti cum licencia sine
inquietacione siue vexacione canum per Thomam Ridar Carnificem
Et de xvj d. pro consimfli ffine duorum taurorum Thome Broux & hugonis
Clarke interfectorum
Et de viii d. pro consimili ffine vnius tauri Ricardi Pesemede Carnificis
interfecti
Summa iij s.
IO
St Dunstan's Churchwardens'Accounts CCA: U3/141/4/1
p 31" (May/June-May/June) (Receipts)
.oo
Item of hockemoney in the xiiij yere of the seyde kyng of
parysshens & straungers
ooo
v s. iij d.
15
1499-1500
Civic Accounts ccA: CC/FA 2
f 308 (Wages and rentspaid)
.oo
Et solutum histrionibus domini Regis hoc anno
Et solutum histrionibus domine Regine hoc anno
ooo
vj s. viij d.
VS.
20
25
f 313v (Mayor's accounts)
o.o
Et receptum de xx d. pro [firme] rffinel duorum taurorum interfectorum sine
inquietacione canum per Thomam Breux & hugonem Clark Carnifices 30
cum licencia
Et de xx d. pro consimili fine pro duobus Tauris interfectis cure licencia per
lohannem Russhelyn
Et de viii d. pro consimili fine pro vno Tauro interfecto cure licencia per
lohannem Edmond Carnificem 35
Summa iiij s.
ooo
151 hockemoney ... kyng: gathered 29-30 April
94
CANTERBURY 1499-1501
St Dunstan's Churchwardens'Accounts ccA: U3/141/4/1
p 33* (MayCune-MayCune)
Item of hockemoney last passid of paryssens & strangers
St Dunstan's Church Inventory Bunce: 'Church Goods'
p 571 col 1 (1May)
A vestment, for Saint Nicholas tyme, with crosyar and myter
viij s. ij d.
10
ffine pro auris
1500-1
Civic Accounts CCA: CC/FA 2
f 331 (Wages and rents paid)
Item to the kynges Milstrelles
Item to the Quenys mynstrelles
Item to the prynces Mynstrelles
Item paied to the iij waytes for their wages by half ayere endyng at
Mighelmas &c
Item for their gownes by thesame tyme
vj s. viij d.
VS.
VS.
XXS,
XS,
f 346v (Mayor's accounts)
Et receptum de iij s. iiij d. receptis pro finibus Taurorum interfectorum cum
licencia &c per communes Carnifices Ciuitatis predicte hoc anno &c
Summa iij s. iiij d.
15
20
25
30
Mynstrelle
f 349* (E_x'ternal expenses)
Et solutum histrionibus domini Regis eis in regardis datis
Et solutum histrionibus domine Regine &c
Et solutum histrionibus domini de Oxforde ex precepto Maioris
vj s. viij d. 3s
VS.
xxd.
4/hockemoney last pass,d: gathered 27-8 April 1500
CANTERBURY 1501-4 97
(Vages and rents paid)
Item paied to the Mynstrelles for their wages and gownys
Item to the kynges mynstrelles
Item to the quenys mynstrelles
Item to the prynces mynstrelles
xlvj s. viii d.
vj s. viij d.I
VS.
1502-3
Civic Accounts ccA: CC/FA2
f 379v (Epenses and rents paid)
ooo
Et solutum Thome pygeon vigilibus et socijs suis pro vadijs
& Togis suis hoc anno
xlvj s. viii d.
IO
15
f 384 (External expenses)
o.o
Et de vj s. viii d. solutis histrionibus domini Regis Et de v s. solutis histrionibus
domine Regine Et de v s. solutis histrionibus domini principis...
2O
A g3,f-te to
my lorde
prynce Arrur
1503-4
Civic Accounts CCA: CC/FA2
f 395*
Item in a gyft gevyn to theseid lorde prynce artur at his first
comyng to Caunterbury that is to say a gyite Cuppe weyng
xxiij vnces price the vnce iiij s. ij d. Summa iiij li. xvj s. ij d.
and in mony paied to Iohn Alcock Goldesmyth for the byeng
of thesame iiij s. and ouer that xiij li. vj s. viii d. in nobilles in
theseid Cuppe Summa totalis
Item paied to the pursyvaunt bryngyng the Commyssion
for the ayde xx d. Item to the kynges Desers xx d. to the
kynges Mynstrelles xx d. to the kynges ffotemen vj s. viii d.
to thesaid prynces foremen vj s. viii d. Item to the kynges
henshmen and the prynces henshmen iij s. iiij d. And to
the Clerk of the markett vj s. viii d. vnde summa
Summa xix li. xv s. ij d.
oo.
xviij li. vj s. x d.
xxviij s. iiij d.
25
3O
35
4O
131 vig*libus et socijs suis : ]r et socijs suis vigil*bus
i O0 C-ATEaBUaV i 04--
A
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts CCA: U3/5/4/1
f 17v* (25 December 1504-25 December 1506) (Receipts)
Received of the wyvys for hokke monday yn the same yere
xiiij s. ix d. ob.
0 Quantum in Rebus Inane
sheet [9] cols 1-2"
William Warham)
STC: 25073
(9 March) (Enthronement banquet for Archbishop
Prouisiones & Emptiones
circa dictam lntronizationem.
De Frumento. liiij, quarteria precio quarterij v. s. vii i. d. xv. li. vj. s.
De simula pura & pro operatione le Wafers xx. s.
De vino rubeo vi. dolea precio dole/iiij, li. xxiiij li.
De Vino clareto iiij. dolea precio dole/lxxiij, s. iiii. d. xiiii, li. xiii. s. iiii. d.
De Vino albo electo unum doleum iii. li. vj. s. viii. d.
De Vino albo pro coquina i. doleum iii. li.
De Maluesey. i. butta iiij. li.
De Ossey i. pipe. iij. li.
De Vino de Reane. ii. almes, xxvj. s. viii. d.
De Ceruisia Londini. iiij. dolea vj. li.
De Ceruisia Cantuariae vj. dolea precio dole/xxv, s. vii. li. x. s.
De Ceruisia anglice bere. xx. dolea precio dole/
xxiii, s. iiij. d.
De Speciebus in grosso simul cure le Sokettes.
De Cera operata & diversis luminaribus iijC. li. le C.
xlvi. s. viii. d.
De Candelis albis liiii, dd. le dd. xv. d.
De Panno lineo & Canuasio viC. vlnae le ulna v. d.
De Lynge iijC. precio C. iij. li.
De Coddes viC. le C. xxvi. s. viii. d.
De Salmonibus salssatis vii. barel/i le barrel xxviij, s.
De Salmonibus recentibus xl. precio capitis vii. s.
De Halece albo xiiij, barel/i ie barrel viii. s.
De Halece rubeo xx. cades, le cade iiii. s. viii. d.
De Sturgion salssato v. barel/i le barrel xxx. s.
De Anguillis salssatis ii. barel/i le barrel xlvi. s. viii. d.
De Anguillis recentibus vi.C. precio c. xl. s.
De Welkes viii.M, precio M. v. s.
xxiij, li. vi. s viii. d.
xxxiii, li.
10
4/hokke monday yn the same yere: 20 Henry 71: hence 31 March 1505
15
20
25
vii. li.
iiij. li. so
xiiij, li. x s.
ix li.
viii li.
ix. li. xvj. s.
xiiij, li. ss
v. li. xii. s.
iiij. li. xiii. s. iiii. d.
vii. li. x. s.
iiii. li. xiii. s. iiii. d.
xii. li. 40
X S.
CANTERBURY i 504-5
101
De Pykes v.C. le C. v. li. xxv. ii.
De Tenches iiii.C, precio C. iii. ii. vi. s. viii. d. xiij. ii. vj. s. viii. d.
De Carpes C. precio capitis xvi. d. vj. ii. xiii. s. iiii. d.
De Breames viii. c. precio c. xl. s. xvi. li.
De Lampreys salssatis ii. bard//le bare/xx, s. xl. s. s
De Lampreys recentibus lxxx. precio capitis xxii. d. vii. li. vi. s. viii. d.
De Lamprons recentibus xiiii.C, precio in grosso iii. s.
De Congre salssato Cxxiiii. precio capitis iii. s. xviij, li. xii. s.
De Roches grossis CC. precio C. iij. s. iiii. d. vj. s. viii. d.
De Seales & Porposses precio in grosso xxvi. s. viii. .... d. io
De Pophyns vi. dd. le dd. iiii. s. xxjJq, s.
De Piscibus marinis xxiiii, seames, le seame xi. s. iiii. d. xiij. li. xij. s.
De Sale albo & grosso iii. quarteria |e quarter x.s. xxx. s.
De Oleo Rape. ii. bard//le bare/xxxvi, s. viii. d. iij. li. xiii. s. iiii. d.
De Oleo Oliui v. lagenae precio lagenae ii. s. x.s. *s
De Melle i. barellus precio xliii, s.
De Sinapio in grosso xiii. s. iiii. d.
De vino acri i. hoggshead viii. s.
De Vergez i. pipe. xvi. s.
De Carbonibus. cc. quarteria precio v. li. 2o
De Talshide & Fagotes ii.M. precio liij. s. iiij. d.
De conductione vC. garnishturarum vasorum
electrinorum capiente pro le garnish, x.d. xx. li. xvi. s. viii. d.
De vasis ligneis Ix. dd. precio dd. viii. d. xl. s.
De ciphis ligneis albis iii.M, precio v. ii. 25
De Oilis terreis lxij. dd. precio iii. li. ii. s.
In cariagio stauri per terram & aquam xlii. li.
In stipendiis Cocorum Londini & aliorum, xxiij, li. vi. s. viii. d.
In regardis Haraldorum armorum le Trumpets, &
aliorum mimorum. &c. xx. li. o
In pictura Throni & operatione de le Sotilties in saccharo
& cera. xvj. li.
In expenssis necessarijs vnacum regardis datis diversis
personis venientibus cum diversis exhenniis x. li.
Summa vC.xiij, li. iii. s.
Vkra.
Compositionem cure Duce pro feodis suis, & regardis expensis circa famulos
suos, & vltra dietam suam per tres dies, in manerijs Archiepiscopi
Et vltra conductionem lectorum. &c. Vltra ea qua: missa sunt a
Londino, & conductionem vasorum coquinariorum preter sua propria Et
recompensationem vasorum electrinorum id est. iiij. garnishturarum
40
106 CANTERBURY 1508-- 14
Et solutum Thome lohnson pro lahore suo in emendacione
harnisie Militum cure alijs xx d.
Et so|utum Thome Courte seniori pro ministracione sanguinis
extra capud sancti Thome martiris viii d.
Et solutum pro vno saculo correo pro sanguine viij d.
Et so|utum pro payntyng capitis & Tunice sancti Thome iiij d.
Et solutum pro pane potu & cibarijs &c xij d.
Et solutum Iacobo Co|man pm stacione pageanti predicti in
orreo suo per annum ij s.
Et solutum pm conduccione vnius eque ad cariandum pageantum
predictum cure duobus hominibus adiuuantibus xvj d.
Et solutum lohanni Parke pro Tunica sua curta iij s. iiij d.
Summa reparacionis pageanti predicti xj s. x d.
f 157 (Wages andpayments)
Et so|utum histrionibus domini Regis venientibus vsque
Cantuar,am in regardo
vj s. viii d.
IO
15
20
f 157v
Et solutum histrionibus domini Principis in regardo
ooo
iij s. iiij d.
25
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts cca: U3/5/4/1
f 40v* (6January 1508C-6January 1509/10) (Receipts)
Item vppon hokmonday & hoktuysday
xiiij s. x d. 30
1508-14
St Dunstan's Churchwardens' Accounts
p 51" (Receipts)
Item of hokmony
ccA: U3/141/5/2
vj s. iiij d.
35
I/"I-home Iohnson: keeper of the archbishop's palace 301 hokmonday & hoktuysday: 16-17 April 1509
108
CANTERBURY 1509-- 13
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts cox: U3/5/4/1
f 45* (6January 1509/lO-6January 1510/11) (Receipts)
Item vppon hokmonday & hoktuysday
xij s. iij d.
1510-11
Register of Christ Church Penitentiarian cc^: Literary MS C11
f 1 (7June) (Inventory of goods of Dom Henry Arundel)
Item ij lewtes with casis ]
Item ij par clavicordis I domino priori
10
1511-12
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts cox: U3/5/4/1
f 51 (6January 1511C2-6January 1512/13) (Receipts)
Item vppon hokmonday and hoktuysday of the wyvys
xvij s. ij d.
15
20
pageanti sancti
-l-home &c
1512-13
City Chamberlains'Accounts
f 29v
ccx: CC/FA 10
Item paied for nayle nedillys and threde to amende and
sowe the clothys of the pageant
Item paied to Colbrande for his horse hyre to cary the
pageant and his labour
Item in mete and drynk to theym that holpe to dresse
the pageant
Item for standyng of the same pageant in the barne &c
probatur Summa iiij s.
f 38v (Wages andpayments)
Item paied to theseid William May for his Cote ayenst seint
Thomas evyn
iij d.
ix d.
xij d.
ij s.
iij s. iiij d.
25
30
35
4/hokmonday & hoktuysday: 8-9 April 1510 37/Wilham May: serjeant of the chamber
191 bokmonday & hokmysday: 19-20April 1512
C^N-rEtRV 1513--15 111
Repaciones
pagianti sancti
Thome &c
Item paied to the ffrenche quenys ffotemen in seynt austyns a
Crowne summa
probatur Summa xxx s. viij d.
Register of Christ Church PenitentiaHan
f 124v (25 March-24June)
Item pro le clauicord wyre
ccA: Literary MS C11
1514-15
City Chamberlains'Accounu
f 139v
ccA: CC/FA 10
nq s.
iiij d.
IO
36/hit: t corrected over s
I/the ffrenche quenys: Mary. rater of Henry *m
35/the Nunry: St Sepulchre' Priory
Item paied to lohn Kenet Carpenter for mendyng of the s
pageant by iij dayes xviij d.
Item for C of iiij peny naile iiij d.
Item paied for small nayles & taynterhokes ij d.
Item paied for beryng of bord & tymber fro the store
house to the Pagent j d. 20
Item paied for x yardes of new canvesse to hang a bowte
the pagent price le yard iij d. oh. Summa iij s. ij d. oh.
Item paied for payntyng of theseid canves to Iohn latter
paynter price le yard payntyng ij d. Summa xx d.
Item paied to the seid Iohn for payntyng ofseynt Thomas hede x d. 25
Item paied for pakthrede j d.
Item paied for white threde and sowyng togeder of the
paynted Clothese j d. oh.
Item paied to Thomas a Court thelder for helpyng prepayre
the pagent xij d. 0
Item paied to hym that turned the vyce ij d.
Item paied to lamys Colman & hys hors with a laborer to
Cary a boute the pagent xij d.
Item paied for stondyng of the pagent ij s.
Item paled for cariage of the pagent to the Nunry from there s
hit stode ij d.
Item paied for mete & drynke to the Children & the Cariers
of the pagent vj d.
probatur Summa xij s. x d.
116 CANTERBURY 1518-19
to the kvnges +
mynstralles
Item paied for brede & drynk for the children that pleyed in the
pagent byfore the wacche ij d.
Item for Sope and Candell j d. ob.
Item paled for mete & drynk for the seid Children and other
that holpe convey and cary a boute the pagent after the wacche
was don xij d.
Item paled to lohn Temple for caryeng a bowte of the seid pagent xij d.
Item paied to hym that turned the wce in the wce in the pagent ij d.
Summa ij s. vij d.
f 319v (External expenses)
Item the ix th day of lune paied & gevyn in reward to the
kynges mynstalles
vj s. viii d.
1o
15
Recepoones
pro tauris
ma,.andu &c
ff 329-9v (Mayor's accounts)
Item ffirst the seid Chamberleyn yeldyth accompt ofxij d receyved
of [the wedow] of Thomas [Edynden] rBrewx Bocher for a fyne 20
for one bull sleyn not bayted at the Bulstake xij d.
Item receyved of lohn Chapman bocher for a Bull in lyke wyse
not bayted xij d.
Item receyved of Iohn Iamys Bocher for ij Bulles euery of them xij d.
Summa ij s. 25
Item receyved [for] of the wedow of Iohn Guston for one Bull xij d.
Item receyved of lohn hobbyes for ij Bulles &c ij s.
Item receyved of Robert Gray Bocher for one Bull by hym in
lyke wyse sleyn xij d.
Item receyvedof Edward Guston bocher for one bull &c xij d. 30
Item receyved of Iohn wakefelde Bocher for one Bull by hym
in lyke manet &c xij d. I
Item receyved of william Brome Bocher for one Bull not
Bayted &c
Item receyved of hym for half a yong Bulchon
Summa xj s. [v] iiij d.
xij d.
iiij d. 35
8/the vyce in the vyce in: dtttography
14/mynstalles: Jr mynstralles
20/of... of: dttograpt,y
118 CANTERBURY 1519-20
(7 Item paied for payntyng of an ymage of our lady with
ij angelles gylt to hang ayenst the ymage ofseynt Thomas
vppon the auter
(7 Item for di. C of iij d. naile & iiij d. naile for mendyng
of the pageant
(7 Item for mete & drynk to the Carpenter henry Ebbeney
that gave ye mendyng therof
(7 Item for taket nailes taynter hookes and pak threde
(7 Item for j li. soope for the wheles
(7 Item for mendyng of the mytre
(7 Item paied to Barow for Caryeng a bout of the pagent on
seynt Thomas evyn
(7 Item for turnyng of the vyce
(7 Item for mete & drynk for the Children & other that holpe
convey ye pagent
Summa ix s. v d.
iij s. iiij d.
ij d. oh. 5
ij d.
ij d.
jd.
iiij d. oh. 0
xij d.
ij d.
vjd. 15
ff 394-4v (External expenses)
Item paied the xvjth day ofaprill for ij galons ofwyne Rede
& Claret gevyn to my lord Chief Iustice & my lord warden
for their good advyces and Counsell gevyn for the orderyng
of the Citie ayenst the kynges corfiyng
Item for spyced brede sent theym
Item paied to a man that went to hem to shew my lord
Chief Iustice that my lord warden wold be at Canterbury
the xvjth day of april
Item paied for thexpences of william Milys towne Clark
rydyng to london the v th day of May for a Commyssion
that no vytaile shulde be takyn nygh Canterbury for the
kynges comyng &c as it apperirh by a byll of hys hand
Item the xix th day of May gevyn in Reward to my
lord of Arundelles Mynstralles
Item paied to lohn lewgor for the hire ofa hors to Charryng
for Iohn Tortes rydyng to Charryng ij dayes to Inquyre & "know
by what way the kynges grace wold come to Canterbury
Item for hys expences & hors mete ther
xvjd.
xviij d.
yd.
vi i s. iiij d.I
ij s. viij d.
iiij d.
2O
25
30
35
37/Iohn Tortes: common clerk o]rthe chamber
montar in naue il re Io acompagno/5/mia rasonando ne volse niun di
oratori vi andasse...
Charles r's lit to Canterbury
Venezia, Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana: It. vl,, 257 (=9244)
f 147 (27May)
...finita la messa il Reuerendissimo cardinale legato si vesti d un piuiale di
soprarizzo d oro & dette la beneditione & indulgentia plenaria et his peractis
leuati li Re et ordinatamente acompagnati peruenerunt iterum alia camera 0
doue rimasero le majea prelate & la regina et licentiati Tutti iui disnorono
assetati a messa ambi li re a dextra lo imperatore la regina & madama maria
soli Da poi pranso si danzo & al tardo fece la intrata la Regina sua sorella et
dame a cauallo 60 sopra chinee bianche & sellate Di Drappo d oro incontrata
tra le altre da madama maria olim regina di franza era etiam acompagnata da 5
200 dame di natione hyspane et di habito il capo di le qualle vellato alia
usanza fiamenga con uelli sotilissimi & longi con berette piciole in capo pur
con le coste & doppie piege pur a la fiamenga di color qual blanche qual verde
qual lionato Queste Dame non erano belle ma Gratiate & per li costumi
hispani atratiue molto.., z0
ff 147v-8v* (28 May)
... La messa fu solenne finita & acompagnati li re alia stantia de 1o Imperatore
Qui le Majesta sue disnorono insieme 1o imperator fu in megio la mensa 2s
apresso quello a sinistris El seren/ssimo anglese a dextris apresso 1o imperatore
la reina anglese a sinistris apresso el re anglese madama maria a dextris
apresso la raina anglese la reina Germana Disnato che hebbe si ballo
allongamente & el re anglese impersona ma non I Gia 1o imperatore la sera
poi ad horam circa vna de notre furno ambi li oratori veneti mandati a 30
leuar de casa nomine regio per dui caualieri & andati a corte in vna salla
molto Grande al basso nel palaggio doue era alogiato la cesarea majesta
doue erano preparate mense tre due per longo vna in testa de la salla et qui
ritrouorono etiam I orator franceso Da poi expectato vn pezo discesero li
re & reine & fu data la aqua alle mano in questa forma lauaronsi insieme 35
1o Imperatore 1o re la regina anglese & non altri Fu portato per il duca di
sopholch cognato dil re vn gran bazil d oro coperto sopra il qual coperto
era vna corona et nel mezo di quella corona era vna tazza piccola qual
prese il duca di buchingan Poi el fradello del marchexe di brandeburg
venuto con 1o Imperatore scoperse il bazil & poselo sotto laltro che era in 40
man del duca di sopholch De inde per il duca preditto di buchingan Presa
la aqua fu data a bere al duca prefato di sopholch & fatta la credenza poi
122 CANTERBURY 1519--20
effuse con el bazil suo che hauea alia banda el forame ouer bocca atta de
funder ! aqua alle mani de dicti re et lauate le mani el fratello del conte
pallatino del reno, ancor lui venuto con lo lmperatore porse la Touaglia
ad sugar le mani poi Questi re & raina si posero a Tauola lo imperatore in
mezo a sinistris el re anglese Ambi sopra sedie indorate et molto pompose 5
a destris sedete la raina anglese ma sopra vna sedia bassa Da poifu portato
il segondo bazil d oro pur coperto ma senza corona per el figliolo del come
de nort Tamburlan che vno dell primi signori del regno de anglia la Taza
de far credenza hebbe el sopraditto duca di buchingan: la scoperse il
marchese d anghelteram: la Touaglia de asugar le mani porse el duca 0
vechio di norfolch anglese lavaronsi le mani insieme il Reuerendissimo
cardinal eboracense la raina Germana & madama maria assentaronsi a
mensa el Reuerendissimo cardinal apresso la raina anglese a destris ma
distante da lei quanto potea capir vna sedia apresso el cardinale pur a
dextris la reina Germana & a sinistris apresso el re di anglia la raina I s
maria sua sorela & questi sei sederono ne la mensa al capo de la sala posta:
poi ne la segonda mensa a dextris primo fu posto lo orator francese con
vna dama spagnola nominata signora dona maria figlia de vno conte hyspano
secundo fu posto lo orator veneto Suriano con la duchessa di norfolch
seguiua poi il fratello del conte pallatino con la figlia del ducha Di 20
buchingan & poi altri signori successiue con dame spagnole & anglese
Da parte sinistra Primo fu posto ! orator veneto cornario e appresso la
cesarea majesta con vna Dama & poi il duca di alba con li signori &
dame: el conuiuio fu lautissimo Circumdauano le mense & peidi Giouani
innamorati & tra li altri alcuni hyspani che faceuano lo innamorato Tanto 2s
brauamente che nihil supra vno fo tra li altri nominato conte de capra che
fece lo innamorato Tanto di core che se ne ando in sincopi ouero angossia
per la Innamorata soa Di maniera che fu portato a piedi et mani via fin
che si rihebbe Finito il bancheto che duro da horre quarto Tame viuande
ui fu & leuate le mense si hallo et la prima danza put alia spagnola fu dil 30
duca di alba vechio di anni quasi sesanta ma innamorato ancora el qual
ballo con vna soa fauorita hyspana non bella ma sopramodo Gratiata in
ogni parte & maniera il ballo fu li Guanti di spagna con certa piua in fine
molto Galante: ! habito Di la dama era questo che saria longo ma lui duca
portaua vna bareta picolla di pano Tane con vna cordelina di seda verde 3s
che trauersaua la bereta la quale portaua pendente alia banda sinistra alia
gibellina Da poi questo duca ballo lo innamorato conte di capra Da poi
vno altro hyspano conte Quarto ballo el Serenenissimo re anglese vltimo
ballo el principe de bisignano molto bello Tutti questi ballorono alia
spagnola finito il ballo era ! alba & di chiaro onde Tutti se ne ritornorono 40
finita la festa a casa/
CANTERBURY 1520--2 125
(- Item of the wedowe of Thomas Pert for one bull
( Item of Robert Gray Bocher for j bull
( Item of william Canon Bocher for one bull
(- Item of Robert Sampson Bocher for ij bulles
C Item of-Richard Goorde Bocher for one bull
Summa ix s.
d.
xij d.
xij d.
ij s.
xij d. s
f 69v (Officers'fees and livery)
Item paled for xi i yardes of theseid Clothe gevyn to Thomas
waren Iohn waren Iohn Eton and to harry seruant of the foreseid
Thomas waren Comen waytes of theseid Citie to euery of them
iiij./iij yardes summa
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts cc^: U3/5/4/1
f 82v (Casual receipts)
Item Received in money gathered aswell by men as by women
at hoktyd this yere
l0
15
xv s. j d. ob. 2o
Expense
Reparacaonu
pagiantis sancti
Thome martiru
&c
1521-2
City ChamberLains'AccounH
f 104v
cc^: CC/FA 1 1
Item paied for j li. of Sope for the yaxe
Item for pakthrede & taket nailes
Item for drynk to the children at the dressyng of them
Item for turnyng of the vyce
Item paied to Iohn pvtt for carying of the pagent a bowte
in the watche
Item for a quarter oflambe & brede & drynk for the knyghtes
& other that holp to convey the pagent after the watche
Item for wasshyng of the auter clothes & albe & emperrellyng
a gayn therof
Item paied to the Priores ofSeynt Sepulcre for the stondyng of
the pagent in her barne this yere
Summa iiij s. iij d. oh.
25
jd.
jd.
j d. ob.
ij d. 30
xij d.
xij d.
35
ij d.
xxd.
19/hoktyd: 8-9April
34/the Priores of Seynt Sepulcre: 3lildred Hale. prioressJom c 1511
CANTERBURY 1521--2 129
Item paled for j quarte of malvesey gevyn to Master Champneys of
london for the kyndnes that he lent the Canape that fwas I borowed
at london of hys owne mynde beyng then churche warden of seynt
dunston in the East wherunto the Canape bylonged
Item for j li. of confettes gevyn hym the same tyme
iiii d.
f l17v
Item paied for x li. of gunpowder for the watche on seynt Thomas
Evyn price the li. vii d. Summa
Item paled for a staf & a baner to bere byfore the Mores pykes
^& the gunners on seynt Thomas eve
vs. xd.
IO
15
finium pro
tauris
f 127 (Mayor's accounts)
ffirst theseid Chamberleyn yeldyth accomptes of the receytes of
dyuerse fi/nes for bullys sleyn this yere by dyuerse Bochers vsyng &
occupyeng theseid Citie not bayted at the Bolstake &c/ffirst of
Thomas Shipston Bocher receyved for ij bulles
Item of Robert Sampson Bocher for j bull
Item of Iohn hobbys Bocher for one bull
Item of lohn Chapman bocher for j bull
SuDlma v s.
ij s.
xij d.
xij d.
xij d. 25
f 135v (Mayor's fee and officers' livery)
Item paied for xij yardes of theseid cloth gevyn to Thomas waren Iohn
waren lohn Eton and to harry seruaunt of theseid Thomas waren Comen
waytes oftheseid Citie to euery of them lower iij yardes Summa
30
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts CCA: U3/5/4/1
f 88 (Casual receipts)
Item Received in money gathered aswell by men as by women
at hoktyd thys yere
xviij s. vj d.
381 hoktyd: 28-9 Aprd
130 CAT:RaV 1522-3
1522-3
Ciry Chamberlains'Accoun
f 169v
cc^: CC/FA 11
.oo
Item paied to the priores of seynt Sepulcre for the stondyng of
the seid pagent in her Barne
Summa patet
ooo
f 176v (Wages andpayments)
ooo
Item paied to Thomas waren Iohn waren Iohn Eton and harry
(blank) seruant of theseid Thomas waren Comen waytes of theseid
Citie to euery of them for their wages this yere xiij s. iiij d. Summa
f 179v (Externalexpenses)
ooo
Item paied to Edmunde Goodlad for rydyng into Tenet at tyme
of the surmyse of the landyng of the danes
Item for iij vessell of Bere gevyn to the Citizens the same tyme
Item gevyn to Mynstrall the same tyme
l0
liij s. iiij d.
15
iiij s. vj d.
xij d.
f 186" (Mayor's accounts) 2s
ooo
ffirst theseid Chambedeyn yeldeth accomptes of the Receytes ofdyuerse
fynez for bullys sleyn by dyuerse Bochers vsyng and occupyeng theseid
,,rcitiel not bayted at the bulstake &c ffirst receyved of Iohn
Iamys for one bull this yere xij d. so
Item of Iohn Chapman Bocher for j bull xij d.
Item of Robert Sampson Bocher for j bull xij d.
Summa iij s.
f 193v (Mayor's wages and officers'livery)
Item paied for xij yardes of the seide clothe gevyn to Thomas waren
Iohn waren Iohn Eton & harry (blank) seruant of theseid Thomas
waren Comen waytes of theseid Citie to euery of theym flower
iij yardes Summa
5/the priores ofseynt Sepulcre: MiMred Hale. prioress 9ora c 1511
35
X]S. 4O
132
CANTERBURY 1523-5
St Andrew's Ciurciwardens' Accounts CCA: U3/5/4/1
f 97 (Casual receipts)
Item receyued in money Gadered by the parysshons on hockmunday
and Tewysday as well by the men as by the women xxj s. viii d.
1524-5
City Chamberlains'Accounts ccA: CC/FA 11
f 295 (Wages andpayments)
.oo
Item payd to Thomas waren Iohn waren Iohn Eton & harry knyght
seruant of theseid Thomas Comen waytes of theseid Citie to euery
of theym for ther wages this yere xiij s. iiij d. Summa liij s. iiij d.
to the kynges
Mynstralles
f 296v (External epenses)
Item the first day of Iuly gevyn in reward to the kynges Mynstralles vj s. viii d.
ooo
Item payd to the priouresse ofseynt Sepulcre for the standyng of
seynt Thomas pagent ther this yere xx d.
ooo
20
Recepciones
Taurorum &c
f 302 (Mayor's accounts) 2
fflrst theseid Chamberleyn yeldyth Accomptes of the Receytes of dyuerse
ffynes for bulles sleyn this yere by dyuerse Bochers vsyng & occupyeng
theseid Citie not bayted at the Buistake ffyrst receyved of Iohn hobbys
for one bull this yere xij d. 30
Item receyved of Iohn Chapman Bocher for one Bull xij d.
Item receyved of theseid Iohn hobbys for another bull xij d.
Item of theseid Iohn Chapman for a nother Bull xij d.
Summa iiij s.
f 307 (Mayor's wages and officers' livery)
Item for xij yardes of theseid cloth gevyn to Thomas waren Iohn waren
4-5/hockmunday and Tewysday: 4-5 April
21/the priouresse ofseynt Sepulcre: MMred Hal, prmreu Jom c 1511
35
CANTERBURY 1524--6
Iohn Eton and harry knyght seruant of theseid Thomas Comen waytes
of the seid Citie to euery of the same iii i. ii i yardes for their leuery
133
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts cc.: U3/5/4/1
f 101 v (Casual receipts)
Item Received in money Gadered by the parysshons on hokmunday
and tuysday aswell by men as by women xxvij s. ij d. ob.
l0
geyn to my "
lord C.ardynalles
wayLs
Recepcaones
Taurorum &c
1525-6
City Chamberlains'Accounts cc,: CC/FA 11
f 342v (Wages andpayments)
Item payd to Thomas waren lohn waren lohn Eton and harry (blank)
seruant of theseid Thomas waren Comen waytes of the seid Citie to
euery of theym xiij s. iiij d. for their wages this yere Summa liij s. iiij d.
f 343v (External expenses)
Item the xxvij th day of apryll payd for a reward gevyn to my lord
Cardynalles waytes vj s. viii d.
15
20
25
f 344
Item the xxix th day of Iuly payd to the kynges waytes in reward
vj s. viii d.
30
f 350 (Mayor's accounts)
ffirst theseid Chamberleyn yeldyth accompt of the Receytes receyved of
dyuerse fynez for Bulles sleyn by dyuerse Bocheres vsyng & occupyeng the
markettes w/thin the seid Citie not Bayted at the Bulstake &c/ffirst
Receyved of a Straunge Bocher for half a Bull put to sale vj d.
Item receyved of Rychard Saunder Bocher for half a Bull vj d.
Item receyved of Iohn Chapman Bocher for a Bull xij d.
Item receyved for a quarter of a Bull iij d. 40
8-91 hokmunday and tuysday: 24-5 April
134 CANTERBURY 1525-7
Item receyved of lohn hobbys for a Bull
Summa iij s. iij d.
d.
f 357v (Mayor's wages and officers'livery)
Item for xij yardes of theseid clothe gevyn to Thomas waren lohn waren
lohn Eton and henry (blank) seruaunt of the seid Thomas waren Comen
waytes of theseid Citie to euery of them iij yardes for their }everey summa
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts ccA: U3/5/4/1
f 105v (Casualreceipts)
Item yn monye gaderyd by the parysheons on hocke mundaye and
tewysdaye as well bye men as bye wemen xvij s. ix d.
1526-7
City Chamberlains'Accounts cc: CC/FA 11
f 399 (External expenses)
Item payd & gevyn in reward to the kynges trumpettes goyng ouer
with my lord Cardynall
Item gevyn to the kynges Mynstralles the xvth day of Iuly
Item payd to Thomas Iohnson kepar of the palys in the price of a
payer ofshose for the stondyng ofseynt Thomas pagent in the palys
hall this yere
iij s. iiij d.
vj s. viii d.
ix d.
IO
15
20
25
Taurorurn &c
f 405 (Mayor's accounts) 3o
fflrst theseid Chamberleyn yeldyth accomptes of the receytes receyved of
dyuerse ffynez for Bulles sleyn by dyuerse Bochers vsyng & occupyeng the
markettes w/thin theseid Citie not bayted at the Bulstake &c ffirst
Receyved of lohn hern Bocher for ij bulles by hym sleyn this yere ij s. 35
Item receyved of lohn hobbys for j bull xij d.
Item receyved of lohn Chapman Bocher for j Bull xij d.
Item receyved of william deryng Bocher for ij Bullys ij s.
Summa vj s.
40
13-1l hocke rnundaye and *ewysdaye: 9- ] O Aprd 25/*hepalys: ie. of the archbishop of Canterbu7
22/my lord Cardynall: Thoma Wokey
CANTERBURY 1526--8 135
f 410v (Mayor's wages and officers" livery)
Item for iij yardes & di. of theseid clothe gev),n to Iohn Eton
Comen wayte of the seid Cide by Bourmote
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts cc^: U3/5/4/1
f 109v (Casual receipts)
Item Received in money Gaderred by the parysshons on
hockmunday and Tewysday as well by the men as By
the wemen
St Dunstan's Churchwardens'Accounts cc^: U31141/5/2
p 43* (25 November-25 November)
Item resceyued of hokmony [th] of the wemen gadryng of the
fyrst yere
xj s. viii d.
5
I0
xvij s. vj d.
15
iiij s. j d.
20
Expense
pauagij Regis
Crucem apud
le Bulscake
1527-8
City Chatnberlains" Accounts
f 438v
cc^: CC/FA 11
Item payd for ij loodes of Bolder price the lode ij s. vj d. Summa
Item payd for iij loodes of Sand
Item payd for pavyng ofxx yardes ther price le yard pavyng j d. oh.
summa
Summa viii s. ix d.
ij s. vj d.
25
3O
f 442v (External expenses)
Item paid to the kynges pleyers the xvjth day of Ianuary
Item paid to Iohnson in the price of a paire of shose for the
standyng of seynt Thomas payent in the pales
iij s. iiij d. 35
ix d.
I I/hockmunday and Tewysday: 29-30 April
18-19/hokmony ... of the /rst )'ere: gathered Hock Monday. 29 Aprd
371 |ohnson: keeper of the archbishop' palace
138 carqTEaStmv 1529-30
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
for ij skynnes to make harnes
for ij dosen of poyntes
for paktrede & white threde
for paynters oyle
for a quartron of Rosett
for a quartron of partie gold
for ij li. of glue
for remevyng of the pagent
to Wodrof for cariage of the pagent a bowte the watche
for drynk & on to turne ye vyce
Summa xv i s. x d.
vd.
iij d.
ij d.
iij d.
vj d.
vj d.
iij d.
xij d.
vd.
IO
f 78v (External e.x'penses)
o.o
Item gevyn in reward to the kynges waytes
Item gevyn in reward to the kynges players
ooo
Item paid for a paire of shose gevyn to Thomas Iohnson of the palys
for the standyng of seynt Thomas pageaunt there
Item paid for nyne pownd ofCorne powdre for the gunners on seynt
Thomas nyght price the li. ix d. summa
vj s. viij d.
iij s. iiij d.
15
xd. 20
vj s. ix d.
Taurorum &c
f 83 (Mayor's receipts)
o.o
Item theseid Chamberleyn yeldyth accomptes of the receytes
of dyuerse ffynes for bullys sleyn this yere by dyuerse bochers
vsyng & occupying theseid Citie not Bayted at the Bulstake
ffirst receved of Thomas Bocher for sellyng of Bullflesshe in
the market
ix d.
25
30
Summa ix d.
f 89v (Mayor's wages and officers'livery)
ooo
Item paid for x yardes of the seid Cloth gevyn to lohn Eton &
his ij seruantes Comen waytes of theseid Citie for their lyuerey
this yere
35
xxxiij s. iiij d. 40
142 CANTERBURY 1531-3
gevyn to the
kvnges wayteJ
Ecpnst
Pagantis
sancri Thome
&c
Item payd for stondyng of the pagent
Summa v s. vii d.
f 176v (Externalexpenses)
Item gevyn to the kynges waytes
Item gevyn to the kynges players
f 177
.oo
Item paid to iiij serieantes of the mace and to the serieant of
the chamber toward the bying of their cotes ayenst seynt
Thomas nyght
Item paid for xij li. of [gonne],,rcorne 1 powdre for hand gonnys
Item paid for hatte gevyn to Vmfray wales aynst the watche
.oo
Item spent vppon the Carpenters in Bred & drynk at ordeiners at
the makyng of the frame a a bowte the Crosse at the Bulstake
f 186 (Mayor's wages and officers' livery)
.oo
Item payd for x yardes of theseid cloth gevyn to Iohn Eton and
hys ij [serieaunt] seruantes Comen waytes of the seid Citie for
their levery this yere
1532-3
Ci Chamberlains'Accounu
f 213v
cc^: CC/FA 12
Item payed to William Gylbert paynter by the grete for payntyng
of dyverse thynges a boute the pagent & the hede
Item payd for golde foyle & tynfoyle
Item payd for wyre taynt hookes nailes blak soope & pactherde
Item payd to a Carpenter by the grete for mendyng & trymyng of
the pagent
xd.
vj s. viii d.
xl d.
10
x-vj s. viii d.
XS. 15
ij s.
25
xxxiij s. iiij d.
30
xij d. 3s
vjd.
xij d.
16/Vmfray wales: jet, cant of the chamber
16/aynst: /'r ayenst
19/a a: dittography
CANTERBURY 1532--3 143
gevyn to
dyuerse +
ihe kynges
Item payd to Semark Couper for ij hoopys to bere vp the clothe ouer
the hors bak ij d.
ltem payd for mete & drynk spent vppon the children after the watche xij d.
Item payd for cariage of the Page to & from the place where it stondyth iiij d.
Item paid to wodrof for cariage of the pagent a bowte the watche xvj d. 5
Item paid for a payer of new shose gevyn to Thomas Iohnson for the
stondyng of the Pagent in the palys x d.
Item for a payer of new shose this yere bought for seynt Thomas vii d.
Summa vii s. ix d.
f 216v* (External expenses)
Item payd to the kynges fote men for a reward in two Crowne
rof ye some 1
Item gevyn to the kynges trumpettors
Item gevyn to the kynges Clark of the market in reward
Item gevyn to the kynges harbenger in reward
Item paied for a dosen spyced bred ij li. of Orrenget & sucket
bake gevyn to Mr Crumwell at hys comyng to Caunterbury
Item for quynces & spices for the seid Mr Crumwell
Item paied for iiij Coupell of Capons sent to Mr Crumwell
to Calys
Item for ij dosen of Bake wardens
Item for a galon of ypocras gevyn to the seid Mr Crumwell
10
ix s. iiij d.
v s. iiij d. ,5
vj s. viij d.
vj s. viii d.
ij s. iiij d.
ij s. zo
vj s. viii d.
iiij d.
111} $.
gevyn *o ihe +
kynges pleyers
f 217
Item gevyn in reward to the kynges pleyers
iij s. iiij d.
30
gevyn ,o the +
kynges waytes
ff 217v-18
ooo
Item gevyn to the kynges waytes in reward
Item payd for xij li. of fi/ne come powder for handes gunnes
ayenst seynt Thomas evyn
vj s. viii d.
XS.
35
II Semark: John Semarke. cooper
4/Page: .]$r Pageant (?)
6/Thomas Iohnson: keeper of the archbishopj palace
14/some: extra minim in s
20-3/Item for ... vj s. viii d.: entries written tn reverse order but marked for inversion by clerk
CANTERBURY 1532--4 145
Pagiant
Thome
the ordereres of the Cressettes lohn ambrose Robert hunt C Carpynter lames
Tompson Mark olford P,s'chard barker
the ordereres of the watche Christopher Levyns lohn Coppyn lohn Tortes henry
gere lohn starky lohn hobbys Iohn burgroue
St Dunstan's Churchwardens'Accounts CCA:
p 39
In primis Receyvyd ofgethyryng at hoptyd
U311411512
vj s. j d.
JO
1533-4
City Chamberlains'Accounts
f 249
cca: CC/FA 12
Item Payd to hocchon Carpenter by grete for trymmyng of the
pagent and nailes xv d.
Item payd to william Stephynson paynter by the grete for payntyng
of seym Thomas hed & other apparel[ and for trymmyng of the
knyghtes harnes kepyng the vice & other necessaries iiij s. 20
Item payd for vii dosyn ^r& di.1 of Goldfoyle and tynfoyle for
the harnes [ij s.] ij s.
Item payd for glue partie gold with dyuerse other co[ours for
the payntyng of the hed & the garmentes & other ij s. ij d.
Item payd for mete & drynk for the knyghtes & other that holp 2
furth the pagent after the watche xij d.
Item payd for car[age of the pagent in and out to the palys & fro v d.
Item payd for stondyng ofpagent ther to Iohnson the kepar x d.
Item payd to wodrof for carieng a boute of the pagent in
the watche xij d. 30
Item for wyre & taynter hookes iiij d.
Summa xiij s.
f 252v (External expenses)
Item gewn in reward to the kynges pieyers
.oo
Item gevyn to the kynges waytes
iij s. iiij d.
vj s. viii d.
35
40
91 hoptyd: 21-2April
CANTERBURY 1533-- 5
f 253
ltem payd toward the Cootes of the iiij serieauntes and and the
serieaunte of the Chamber euery of them iij s. iiij d. Summa
ayenst the watche on seynt Thomas evyn
Item payd for xij li. of fyne Come powder ayenst the watch on
seynt Thomas evyn for hand gunnes
Item payd for a hart for the serieaunt of the Chamber ayenst
the watch
xvj s. viij d.
XS.
xiiij d.
mactatorum &c
f 258v (Mayor's receipts)
Item receyved of Rychard Saunder Bocher for halfa Bull sold in
the market & not Bayted at the Bulstake
Item receyved of Thomas ffarthyngton Bocher for a quarter of a
Bull in lyke wyse sold vnbayted &c
Summa ix d.
f 262 (Mayor's wages and ojcers' livery)
Item payed for xiij yardes of [Cloth] the seid Cloth gevyn to
Iohn Beamond & his iij seruantes Comen wakes of the seid
Citie for lyuereys
rid. IS
iij d.
20
xliij s. iiij d. 2
Repaaclones
pageanti sancri
"[home
1534-5
City Chamberlaim' Accounts
f 284
CCA: CC/FA 12
Item paid for the knyghtes souper
Item paid for a hors to cary the pageant
ltem paid for wyre
Item paid for standyng of the pageant
Item payd for a hatt gevyn to humfray to ryde in the watche on
seynt Thomas evyn
Summa iij s. x d.
30
viij d.
d.
xd. 35
xiiij d.
31 and and: dmograpby 36! humfray: Humphrey Wales. serleant of the chamber
The
cxpcns
of Bysshop
Bcckczz
pgcm
C^TEB 1537-8
Item payd for x li. of gonpowder price le li. x d. Summa
Item for caryage of the same pagent & all charges spent vppon
the same
Summa xj s. vj d.
f 373v (External expenses)
Item gevyn to my lord Chauncellers players ouer and aboue vj s.
viii d. gathered at the play
Item paid for Candell at the same play
Item the ij de day of Marche gewn to the pryncys players
149
viii s. iiij d.
iij s. ij d.
iij s. iiij d.
iiij d. o
VS.
f 374v
Item gewn to the kynges Trompettours
Item the xth day of September paid to the players of hadley
vj s. viii d.
xxd.
15
f 375
Item paid to the iiij serieauntes towardes their Cootes on bysshop
Bekettes nyght
ooo
xiij s. iiij d.
20
25
f 383v (Mayor's wages and officers" livery)
[Item paid for ix yardes of theseid cloth gevyn to the iij waytes of
theseid Citie for their lyvereys this yere
xxx s.] 30
Burghmote Court Minutes CCA: CC/AC 1
f 93v (g July)
.oo
Memorandum that at this burgemote Robert Brigeman Henry ade and
lohn lyberd were admyttyd to be waytes of thys Citie and not to haue
any lyuere
3
C^TEReORV 1538-9 151
Bale & his
ffelowes
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts ccA: U3/5/4/I
f 148 (Casualreceipts)
.oo
Item Received of hoctyd al thinges gadderyd the ij days and
at supper
xvij s. x d.
Thomas Cromwell's Accounts vRo: E 36/256
f 153v (31January)
.oo
The last of Ianuary gyven to him & his ffelowes for playing before
nay Lorde
10
Depositions Concerning Henry Totehill of London rico: SP 1/142
ff [l-lv]* (lOJanuary)
15
Wimes examined the X th daye of Ianuary in the xxx yere of the Reign of our
soueraign Lorde King Henry the viiith, of certen wourdes, whiche one Henry
Totehill of the parishe of saincte kateryns bisides the Tower hill shipman
should speake in the house of one Thomas Brown of Shawlteclyf w/thin the
Countie of kente, concerning the bisshop of Rome and Thomas Becket some
tyme Archebisshop of Canterbury
2O
Iohn Alforde of thage of xviij yeres examined saith that by reason that he had 25
ben in Christmas tyme at my Iorde of Canterburys and yet had harde an
enterlude concernyng king Iohn/aboute viii or ix of the clocke at nyght on
thursdaye the seconde daye of Ianuarye last paste, spake, theis wourdes
folowing in the house of the said Thomas Brown That it ys perle, that the
bisshop of Rome should reigne any lenger, for if he should, the said Bisshop 30
wold do with our king as he did with king Iohn. Whervnto (this deponent
saith) that Henry Totehill answered and said That it was petie, and nawghtelye
don to put down the pope and saincte Thomas, ffor the Pope was a good
man, And saincte Thomas savid many suche as this deponet was frome
hangyng, whiche wourdes were spoken in the presence of Thomas Browne 35
and one Will/am (blank) seruante vnto the said Totehill
Thomas Brown of the age of.l. yeres examined, saith that about viij of the
clocke on ffridaye the iij daye of Ianuarye laste paste as he remembereth,
one Henry Totehill beyng in this deponentes house at Shawlteclyf, this
40
4/hoctyd: 14-15April
12/my Lorde: Archbisiop Thomas Cranmer
34/deponet: jr deponent: abbrea,iarion mark musing
152 CANTERBURY 1538-0
deponent tolde that he hadde ben at my Iorde of Canterburys, and there hadd
hard one of the best matiers that euer he sawe towching king Iohn and than
sayd yat he had harde diuers tymes preistes and clerkes say, that King Iohn did
Ioke like one that hadd rune frome brynnyng of a house, butt this deponent
knewe now, that yt was nothing treu, for as farr as he perceyued, king Iohn
was as noble a prince as euer was in England, And therby we myght perceyve
that he vas ye begynner of the puttyng down of the bisshop of Rome,
and thereof we myght be all gladd, Than answerd the said Totehill that
the bisshope of Rome was made Pope by the Clergie and by the consent
of all the kinges christen, Than said this deponent holde your peace for
this communicacion ys nawght, Than said Totehill, I am sorye, ifI haue said
amysse, ffor I thoughte no harme to no man This I Communicacion was
in the presence of Iohn Alforde and a laborer of the said Totehill/and this
deponente And this deponente saithe, that the said Totehill was dronken
This deponent examyned wherfore he thought the wourdes of Thotehill
so nawght, saith, [that] by cause he thought that he spake theym in the
mayntenance of the bysshop of Rome/
Also concernyng the wourdes spoken of Thomas Beckette This deponente
aggreeth with the firste witnes
Antony Marten examyned what he harde spoken of Henry Totehill syns
he was in his custodie or at any tyme bifore/Saith that he harde Iohn
halforde reporte, that Henry Totehill should saye, that it was petie that
saincte Thomas was put down, and yat the olde lawe was as good as the
newel And farther sayth, that the said Iohn Halforde reported, That
Totehill said, that the Bisshop of Rome was a good man, and this he harde
the said Halford reporte bifore he toke hym/And farther the forsaid
Antony marten, saith, That he demanded one Thomas Brown (in whose
house the said Totehill spake theis wourdes aboue rehersid) what said
Totehill/And he saithe that the said Brown said, that the said Totehill
hath spoken very evill, and whan he shoulde be examined, he would tell
the trueth
1539-40
City Chamberlains'Accounts
f 62v (Casual receipts)
cc^: CC/FA 13
Item receyved of Stevyn apsley for the Cart of Bysshop
bekettes pageant
iij s. iiij d.
2O
25
35
4O
38/Stevyn apsley: alderman
18 c^nterurv 1543-4
Item paid to my lord Daubnes bereward in reward
Item paid to Master Tresurers pleyars in rewarde
o.o
Item gevyn to my lord wardens Mynstrelles in reward
Item gevyn to the quenys pleyars in reward
Item gevyn to the pryncys pleyers in reward
ij s.
ij s.
xvj d.
VS.
VS.
f 236v*
ooo
Item gevyn in reward to the mynstrelles of leyceter
.oo
Item gevyn to the kynges foremen in reward
Item gevyn to the kynges Trompettours
Item paid for the hire of a hors to send to the Court to knowe
the kynges plesure whether he wold come thorowe the towne
or nay
viij d.
vIIJ s.
10
15
f 237v
.oo
Item paid to my lord of Norfoikes Trompettour at Master
Mayres
ooo
f 244v (Mayor's wages and officers" livery)
Item paid for x yardes of theseid Cloth gevyn to the Comen
waytes of the Citie for their lyuereys this yere
ooo
iij s. iiij d.
xxxiij s. iiij d.
20
25
30
Burghmote Court Minutes cc^: CC/AC 2
f 5v (26February)
oo.
memorandum at the seyd Court of Boroughmote it was agreed that the
waytes of the seyd Citie for the tyme beyng shall haue all suche lyberties as
heretofore hath ben vsed & accustomed
35
I/Daubnes: D u,mtten o*,er another letter (?)
C^TERBURY 1544-5 161
any personne of the foresayd mystery shall not take any Iournyman into hys
seruyce but he to be of the age ofxviij yeres or des to be seasyd for one holle yere
vppon payne to forfett for euery suche default vj s. viii d. also we orden that yf
any that haue ben apprentice in the seyd Cytie for the time of vii yeres or More
be dysposid to abyde w/thin the seyd Citie and occupie will pay to hys felowshyp
at thend of hys apprentishod vj s. viii d. that then he shalbe admytted to be ffree
of the seyd Mystery & felowshyp that he was apprentice of also we orden that
any of the seyd rCraft' or Mystery of Mynstrelles from hensforth doo entyce any
other mannes seruant lournyman or apprentice beyng of the seyd Cytye orelles
where to lose and forfett for euery suche default xl s. also we orden that from L0
hensforth yt shall not be laufuIl to any personne or personnes of the seyd Craft or
mystery of Mynstrelles to play of any Instrument on the Sonday in tyme of Masse
or evynsong in any Inne Tavern or any other place Except it be at a weddyng or
a place where he ys hyred or at the Comaundement of Master Mayre of thys Citie
for the tyme beyng or any other wurshypfiAl man and also except yt be a freman
syttyng at hys owen house to tune hys instrument or a foren Mynstrell syttyng
at hys ostes house tunyng his Instrument vppon payne to forfett for euery tyme
doyng the contrary iij s. iiij d. also we orden that yfany of the seyd Craft or
mystery at any tyme hereafter in sport or in malice doo call one another knave
or any other vyle wordes then euery personne of the seyd Craft or Mystery so 20
offendyng shall lose &forfett for euery tyme that he shall so offend xij d. also we
orden that )4 any foren Mynstrell resortyng thys Cytye shall offend in any of the
articles herein comprysed after that they shalbe warned by the waytes of the seyd
Citie after what wayes they shalle haue them sylfes that then they & euery of them
shall suffer suche penaltye as ys before expressyd accordyng to the quantetye of
there offensys also we orden that )4 any Mynstrelles yea though[t] the be ffree
admytted with the waytes of thys Cytie to be in any Inne or other place w/thin
the seyd Cytye wher any noble man shall repayre and they not hauyng entred or
begone to play that then they shall geve place to the waytes of thys Cytie and
shall not excercise any melody tyll they haue begon or otherwyse haue leve of
them vppon payne to forfett for dysobedyens or contrary doyng for euery tyme
vj s. viii d. provyded always that nothyng in thys ordynance before rehersyd shalbe
at any tyme hereafter any thyng preiudiciall or hurfull to any of the kynges
Mynstrelles the queenes my lord princes or any honorable or wurshypfull manns
Mynstrelles of thys realme also we orden that )4 yt shall fortune any personne or
persones freman & Inhabytauntes of the seyd Citie to hire the waytes of the seyd
Citie for any weddyng Mayegame or other suche like thynge by the space of one
Collation continued: 16 tune] tyme B 17 tunyng] tymyng B 22 resortyng]
resortyng to B 31 or] B omits 32m nora] B omits 33 hurfull] hurtfull B
37 for] of B
33/hurfull: r hurtfull
162 CANTERBURY 1544- 5
two or thre dayes that then euery suche personne & wrsones that shall so
hire the waytes of the seyd Citie shall paye & geve to euery of the seyd waytes
for euery daye xij d. & nomore and yfyt fortune the seyd waytes at any tyme
hereafter be not able or refuce to serue in Manner & fourme next before
mencioned that then yt shalbe laufull to euery of the inhabitauntes of the seyd s
Cytie that shall fortune to haue any suche nede to take any other Mynstrell
mete & able for the same also we orden that all such somes of money that
shalbe forfett by any Meanes or occasion aboue sayd shalbe levyed by the comen
seriant of the seyd Citie for the tyme beyng and by suche personne as for the
tyme beyng shalbe called the Bedyll of the sayd mystery of Mynstrelles and 0
the seyd Comon seriant to haue for gatheryng of euery xij d. iiij d. and so
vpward after the ratte also we orden that yf any Manner of some of money by
any Meanys or occasyon aboue mencioned shalbe forfetted that the one half
therof shalbe to thuse of the Maire & Comynaltye of thesayd Citie for &
toward the comen Charges of the seyd Citie & the other half therof to thuse s
of the felowshyp of the seyd Craft or mystery and also that the wardens &
masters of the seyd Craft or mystery shall w/thin xv dayes next after any somme
of money forfetted by Meanes or occacion abouesayd make certificat therof to
the Maire & Chamberlyen of the seyd Citie for the tyme beyng vppon payne
of forfettyng to the comen Chamber of the seyd Citie for euery tyme duryng 20
the contrary xx s. provided always that yfyt shall happen any master wardens
or other personne or persones beyng in thys ffelowshyp or in any other that
will take vppon hym to adde subtra or ther to enfrynge any thyng in thys boke
conteyned or in any other liberties given by the kyng to the maire & aldermen
of the seyd Citie Then the seyd partie or parties so doyng shall forfett to the 25
Chamber xl s. and these contentes to stand in as muche power & effect as they
dyde before foreuer Provided also that thys boke or any thyng therin conteyned
shall not be at any tyme hereafter any thyng preiudiccyall or hurtfull to the
Maire & other hys bretheren & there successours nor agenst the Comen welth
in any act or graunt heretofore made & graunted by the kyng our souereigne 30
lord & hys progenytours.
Drapers" and Tailors" Memoranda Book CCA: U12/A1
ff lv-2* (Rendered25 October)
The Chardges of the dynner for the sayd ffelowshippe expended
35
Collation continued: 6m nota] B omits 13 that] that then B 18 by] by any B
20 duryng] doyng B 22 or other] or any other B 23 adde subtra] adde or
subtra B
20/duryng: Jr doyng
164 CANTERBURY 1544-6
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
of Iohn yemans
of Iohn Richardson in Saynct Margaretes parishe
of Thomas Walker
of Christopher Scotte
of henry Harte
of xvilliam Watson
of Roger ffoxvler
of Iohn Stexvard
of lohn Brompson
of Iohn ffrenche
of george Geffrey
of Iohn yonge draper
of the Skynner
of Iohn yonge taylor
of two Taylors in wynchepe
of Iohn xvalker
of Thomas Applegate
of Iohn Richardson
of Roger Litlexvoode
of Iohn Moire
of Angell Elyng
of lohn Nightingale
of Iohn Copper
of Bonaventure Rydar
of humfrey Dunkyn
of xvilliam Sxvetyng
of xvilliam Geyre
of Eustace ffrencham
of Robert Byckerstaf
of Robert Reade
of Roger Colbrand
of Robert Collens
The xvhole summe of the Receiptes for the dynner
1545-6
Burghraote Court Minutes
f 25v (26January)
cc,: CC/AC 2
vj d.
vj d.
vj d.
vj d.
vjd.
vj d.I
vj d.
(blank) Io
(blank)
vj d.
vj d.
vj d.
xij d. Is
iiij d.
vj d.
vj d.
(blank)
(blank) 20
vj d.
vj d.
vj d.
vj d.
vj d. 2s
vj d.
v d.
vj d.
vj d. 0
vj d.
vj d.
j s. viii d.
Memorandum at the seid Court of burmote it was enacted ordeyned and
establysshed by the assent of the hole court of burmotte that all & euery suche
waites & mynstrelles firemen w/thin theseid Citye ffrom hensforth shall be
35
40
549- 50 169
Item receyved of austyn Coke for ij bulles
Item receyved of Iohn kyngesdowne for iij bulles
Item receyved of Thomas Ongley for ij bulles
Item receyved of Gylbert Bland for one bull
Item receyved of Iohn Kyngesdowne for iij bulles
Summa viii s.
xij d.
xviij d.
xij d.
xviij d. s
Reparac/ones
de le Bulstake
f 152v
Item paid for sawyng of a rayle for the bulstake & the postes xiiij d.
Item paid to the Carpenter & hys man for settyng of theseid Rayle
& post by grete xx d.
Item paid for makyng of the hole for the post iiij d.
Item paid to paule Rychemond for xvj fore of tymber for the same ij s.
Summa v s. ij d.
10
15
f 156 (External expenses)
ooo
Item gevyn in reward to my lord of huntyngdons mynstrelles
ooo
f 156v
ooo
Item gevyn in reward to the IGnges Iester
Item gevyn in rewarde to sir George Somersettes pleyers
f 157
ooo
Item gevyn in reward to the dewke of suffolkes mynstrelles
ooo
Item gevyn in rewarde to the waytes of lyncoln
ooo
f 163v (Chamberlain's payments for mayoral charges)
Item payd for x yardes of the seid cloth gevyn to the Comen
waytes of the seid Citie for their lyuereys this yere
ooo
xxd.
xij d.
xxxiij s. iiij d.
30
35
4O
178 CANTERBURY 1556-7
1556-7
Burghmote Court Minutes CCA: CC/AC 2
f 107v (6April)
also at this Court of Bourmote it is agreed that Robert Bryggeman shalbe
discharged of the beyng of one of the waytes of the Citie/and that Thomas
wade and Robert alderson assocyatyng one other to them shalbe from
hensforth the waytes of the Citie/and that theseid Robert Briggeman in the
opyn Court of Bourmote hath delyuered vp his iij scochons and his bond
made for the delyuery of the same to be voyd
St Andrew's Churchwardens'Accounts
f 138v (Receipts)
Item Received at hopetide for gathering
cc^: U3151411
Drapers" and Tailors'Memoranda Book cc,: U12/A1
f 8v* (Charges)
Item payd
Item payd
Item payd
Item payd
Item payd
Item
f9*
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
for boles of wex and too Lytill tapers
to the berre of the torche
for bred and bere apon Synt peters yeven
for Cresset Lyght
to the bears of the Cressetes and to aboye
payd to the payntor for the torche
(Expenses)
payd
payd
payd
payd
paid
for gold foyle and gold paper
for nales
for [gover] govre paper & vardgrese
to the beres of the torche
to horshe for caryng the pagent
xviij s. v d.
xij
IllJ
lit I
xnt I
ix
nt I s. nt I
vj
lllJ
nt I
viij
15
20
do
d.
d.
d. 2s
d.
do
3O
do
d.
d. 35
do
do
16/hopetide: Hockt*dt. 26-7April 34/hales: 3 minims in us
CANTERBURY 1556--7 179
Letter3$om the Privy Council to the Mayor and Aldermen
cc^: CC/Woodruff's List L/29
single sheet* (27June)
After our hattie comendacions, we haue receuid your lettres toguithers with a
lewde boke, plaied of late, by pemonnes of like sorte in that Cittie of Caunterbury
and other places thereaboutes, And vnderstande by your said lettres your diligence
vsed in thapprehending of the plaiers and comitteng them to warde, ffor ^f the I
which we giue yow our verie hartie thankes, And praye yow to cause them to be
so kepte, and diligentlye examined who was the maker of the playe and where
he dwelleth with suche furder circumstances as ye shall thinke convenient, And
to signifi/e what ye shall lerne herein hither vnto vs, we haue taken order in the
meane tyme that the King and Quenes Maiestes lerned Counsell shall consider
what the matters contained in the said lewde play boke do way vnto in lawe,
vpon thunderstanding wherofwe shall furder signifi/e vnto yow what furder
order ye shall take with them, And this we bid yow hartely well to fare, ffrom
Westminster the xxvij th of Iune 1557
Your loving frendes
(signed) Nico/aus eboracensis Cancel/affus
PENBROKE
Anthony Mountague Thomas Eiyensis
E Clynton:
Iobn Bourne
The mayor of Canterbury
Winchester
25
Letter 3$om the Privy Council to the Mayor and Aldermen
ccA: CC/Woodruff's List -xx/27
single sheet* (11 August)
30
After our hartie commendacions, we haue receyved your Lettres of the seconde
of this present, wherin ye require vs, tadvertise yow by letres, what ordre ye
shall take, with the lewde personnes, that played the sediciouse playe there at
Canterburye, about whitsontyde laste./ffor aunswer wherunto, we haue thought 35
goode to signifie vnto yow, that considering, we wrote vnto yow allreadie in that
matter, and willed yow, to lerne of somme men of lawe nere about yow, what
their offence wayed vnto in lawe, and to cause them therupon, be proceded
withall according to Justice: we moche mervaile ye haue not so doon, or that
ye will eftsones trouble vs, ageine, with the selfsame matter, wherin I the Lord 4o
261 The mayor of'Canterbury: in display script
180 CANTERBURY 1556--8
Stuarde, also, tolde yow syns by mouthe, what was expedient to be doon,
for their punyshement./And therfore thies be in the Kinges and Quenes
Maiestes names to require yow, in eny wise, to see our former ordre duely
executed without delaye, so as having conferred, with somme men of
knowlege theraboutes (for whiche purpose, we returne yow herewith
aswell the playe itself, as the players examinacions) ye cause them to be
proceded withall accordinge to their desertes./And thus flare ye well ffrom
Richemound, this xj th of August 1557.
Your lovinge frendes,
(signed) Nico/aus eboracemis Cancellarius
lohn Mason
Arundell
Thomas Elyensis
Pdchard Southwell
Post scriptum:l The booke of the playe, semeth vnto vs very
sediciouse, and therfore we thinke, the parties are to be
punyshed as persons that sette furthe sedicion.!
The Maiour & Aldremen of Canterburye./
1557-8
City Chatnberlains" Accounts
f21
CCA: CC/FA 16
Item Recezyd of Iohn wyt bwtcher fro ye ffyen of one Bwll by hym
slayn & nott baytyd at ye Bwllstake
Item Recevyd off Iohn wytt/more ffor jo bull by hym slayne & not
baytyd at the Bwllstake
Summa xij d.
l0
15
20
25
30
f 30" (External expenses)
Item payd ffor a Cowrtt To Carry iij harlottes abowtt the town
Item payd to hym yat Carryd ye basson
Item payd to ye paynter ffor wryrynge off iij papers
vj d.
id. 5
vj d.
19/The Maiour & Aldremen ofCanterburye: m display script
251 fro: ]r ffor
0 CANTERBURY 1572-3
Item to his man
Item to the quenes bererd
Item to Mr Beale for paynes by hym taken for the Cyte
vj d.
XS.
XS.
f 200 (Chamberlain's allowances)
Item for the lyueries of the three waytes beyng viii yardes & a halle
of broade cloth at vii s. the yarde
iij li.
lO
Burghmote Court Minutes cc^: CC/AC 2
f 270 (13 August)
Memorandum it is agreed by master Major & the aldermen that euery of
them shall Ryde in the Scarlett gownes with foote clothes to mete the
quenes maiestie &c/and all the commen counsell to be a foote in their
best apparrell in decent gownes/& lyke wyse so many of the cheeffe
commeners as haue gownes to be assosyat together in desent order [&c]
to mete her grace &c/ 20
f 270v (21 August)
Item yt ys agreed that the quenes maiestie shall haue a gyfte of the Cytty at
her nowe commyng hether in procresse the Some ofxxx li., wherofxx li. to
be of the chambers charge and x li. resydue to be levied otherwyse as this
howse shall hereafter devyse & agree/
25
30
f 271 (4 September)
Item it is agreed at this burgemote that certen of the quenes maiestes
offycers shalbe rewarded as hereafter ensuythe
ffyrst to the herroldes xiij s. iiij d. 35
Item to the Trumpeters x s.
Item to the Seriantes at armes x s.
Item to her maiestes ffootemen x s.
Item to the gentleman Surveyar of the ways v s.
40
26/procresse: ./br progresse
204 CANTERBURY 1572-3
earn sub conopeo quatuor Militibus erecto sequentem, per Chorum vsqu
ad oratorium suum pra:ibant. Indeque finitis vespertinis precibus, reuersa per
vrbis plateas ad suum Palatium, quod antiquitus Augustinense dicebatur
transijt. Ac die Dominico ad eandem Ecclesiam, curriculo per plateas ducta,
rursus redijt, hoc die Decanus Sacro suggestu concionatus est. Cumque is
perorauisset ad pa|atium eadem via curriculo regressa est. Postridi ver/5 qui
septimus mensis septembris fuit, ad Conuiuium ab Archiepiscopo inuitata ad
Archiepiscopale palatium cum tota familia venit, Is natalis fuit Regina: dies ....
Nobiles soli Regina: ministrabant, qua: simulatque manus abluisset,
accessit ad mensam in summo Aula: Archiepiscopalis loco in latitudinem
extensam, ad cuius medium in veteri quadam Marmorea cathedra pannis
auro infusis ornata sub pretioso auroque fulgenti Regio conopeo descubuit.
Turn comes Retius Gallia: Mariscalcus qui paul6 ant a Regie Gallia: ad
Reginam cum centum generosis Cantuariam legatus venisset, vna cure
Domino Moto eiusdem Regis ad Reginam Oratore a dextris Reginae ad
eiusdem mensa: extremitatem, ore ad Reginam tergoque ad aulam, vt
convenientius familiariusque conferri sermones poterant, conuerso sedebant:
alteramque sinistris mensa: extremitatem quatuor illustres fcemina:,
Marchionissa Northamptoniensis, Comitissa Oxoniensis, Comitissa
Lincolniensis, & Comitissa Varuicensis occupabant./ 20
Reliqua: omnes aula: mensa: conuiuis repleta: sunt. In proximis Regina:
mensis dextris discubuerunt cure Archiepiscopo Consilarij cum quibusdam
turn ^rviris turn 1 fceminis illustribus, & ex his pra:cipui illorum qui ex Gallia
cum Rhetio venerant: sinistris nobiles ac illustres fcemina:: in remotioribus
vero mensis, Maior Cantuariensis cum illius Civitatis senioribus, & Cantiani
Comitatus generosi viri, & mulieres sederunt, Hisque omnibus ab
Archiepiscopi famulis toto conuivio servitum est./
Interea ver6 dum multi spectatum frequentes introissent, & aulam mediam
pent complessent, removeri eos et ad aula: latera concedere subinde iussit 30
Regina, vt aula: longitudinem & discumbentes per omnes mensas, conuiuas
intueretur. Epulis autem peractis, & remotis, mensis postquam assurectum est.
Regina cum Rhetio Legato, & Domino Moto Oratore Gallico ad longam illam
mensam secretum semonem habuit, interea dum inter Nobiles ad instrumenta
musica tripudia haberentur. Ac paul6 post per viam secretam in Archiepiscopi
deambulatorium ascendit. Ibi cum eodem I Legato ad noctem fer colloquium
perduxit./Tum Archiepiscopum accersiuit, narrauitque quam gratum atqu
honorificum sibi vsum esset illius diei convivium, actisque summis gratijs ad
Palatium suum in curriculo per plateas reducta est./
40
13/Regie: r Rege
CANTERBURY 1576-7 209
f 393v
ooo
Item payd to hym that was in the devylles clothes that whypped
the man & the woman
vj d.
f 394
Item payd to the waytes then
ooo
iij s. iiij d.
IO
f 394v*
Item gyven to the Earle of leycester his men that played at the Courte
halle apoynted so by Master Mayer & hys brethern
ooo
xxs. 15
f 395v
Item payd to the waytes at that session
ooo
iij s. iiij d. o
f 400 (Chamberlain's allowances)
Item payd for nyne yardes & a quarter of broade cloth for the
lyueries for the waytes this yere at vj s. viiij d. the yarde
iij li. j s. viii d.
25
New Foundation Treasurers" Accounts CCA: DCc/TA 8
f 11 lv (Necessary expenses)
o.o
Et in regardo per dictum Computantem hoc Anno Cure consensu Magistri
decani & prebendariorum dato diuersis personis viz .... Lusoribus prenobilis
Viri Comitis Leicestrie xl s ....
Acres du Cot*slstoire CCA: U47/A1
p 31" (8November)
fuit arreste qu'on admonestreite wallerand cocquel de ce quil auait Compose
une chanson mondaine et au deshonneur des filles de la Compaignie
3O
35
40
9/then: third (lltdsummer) quarter session 20/that session: fourth (llichaelrnas) quarter session
210 CANTERBURY 1576-8
p 33 (22 November)
Item dappeller wallerand Cocquel pour luj remonstrer a bon escrire le mal en
la Composition de cest chanson ou bien quil cest a declarer Chaunteur
p 34 (25 November)
Du 25 th
Walerand cocquel estant deuant Les freres apres auoit entendu La remonstrance
protesta nestre autheur de ceste chanson. Et Le personnage qui Lauoit fair
estoit passe par icj venant de Londres, et Lequel nestoit de Leglise et nestoit
aussi bien cognti de La Compaignie par quoj il prioit de nestre abstreint a le
nominer. Au cest il desaduouoit Ladite chanson et depuis quil auoit entendu
quelle estoit tiree en telle consequence Lauoit bruslee et sestoit abstenu de le
chanter auec protestation de ne le plus chanter ni autres par ailleur Suiuant
quoy Les freres furent content de luj
1577-8
City Chamberlains'Accounts
f 30v* (Ex'ternalexpenses)
cc^: CC/FA 18 20
Item payd to the [too] musitioners at the dynner made at Mr doddes
on the day of the chaunge of the quenes ma/esties reign
ij s. vj d.
f 32v
ooo
Item payd to hym that playde on the drumme that dwelt wythoute
westgate xij d.
Item payd to Edmond Mr palmers man for dromme & phyf ij s. vj d.
f 33v
Item payd on may day to the dromme & phyfe & to Mr ower
for their dynners
ij s.
25
30
35
4/ces': sait
14. 151 le: for h
23/Mr dodder. Sampson Dod linen-draper.
fieona,, fio, 1570;
31/Mr palmers: Henry Palm. jqeemanjgora 1578
371 dynners: 3 minims in ms
CANTERBURY 1577--9 211
f 37 (Chamberlain's allowances)
ooo
Item payd for a whole cloth for the lyueries of the town Clarck, the
chamberlayns Clarck, the keper & the ive serieantes
Item payd for the cloth of lyveries of the fyve waytes of the cytie v-z.
for xiij yardes & one quarter
Item lower of the companye of the wa)rtes had iij yardes a quarter a pece which
came to xiij yardes and the other quarter therofwas putt vnto two yardes halle
quarter that was left of the fi/rst cloth and that ij yardes quarter & di. serued
the boye Nicholsons sonne yet had euery of the fi/rst eight offi/cers iiij yardes a
peece so that the cloth was xxxiiij yardes di. quarter
xj li. xs.
iiij li. vii s.
l0
Burghmote Court Minutes cc^: CC/AC 2
f 328v (5 November)
ooo
Item at thys cort yt ys graunted & agreed by the hole consent of this housse
that whereas the company of the Musysyons [h] & wa)rtes of thys Cytry haue
accustomably had iij s. iiij d. in reward euery Sessyon day which comm)rthe
to xiij s. iiij d. a yere & three Gownes for thre of them, and howe ther
commpany [ys] ^rbeyng 1 incressed from thre vnto fyvell wherfore yt ys
graunted & agreed that the sayd Musysyons & wa)rtes shall from hensfurthe
haue no more the said reward in mony geven them, but in recompense therof
beyng but (xiij s. iiij d.) [Thy] They shall haue yerely fyve gowne clothes [s]
geven them at the charges of the Cytty and they to haue & take the good
wylles of euery man within the liberties of the Cytry in reward towardes their
paynes & travell &c as before they haue had
iij s. iiij d.
1578-9
City Chamberlains'Accounts cc,: CC/FA 18
f 78 (External expenses)
ooo
Item payd to Master Major iij s. iiij d. which before he had layd
owte to the quenes Berewardes
ij s.
f 78v
ooo
Item gyven to Edward the ffyf & his fellow
24/gowne: g corrected fom some other letter
33/iij s.: correctedfom iiij s.
30
35
40
214 c'rEm3uR 1580-2
f 170 (Wages andpayments)
Item payd for cloth for lyueries of the towneclarck, the Chamberleyns
Clarck the keper the fyve serieantes & for the waytes
xviij li.
1581-2
City Chamberlains'Accounts cc^: CC/FA 18
f 210 (External expenses)
ooo
to Iohn Bale for vndoyng the ventes vpon the bulstake & for makyng
it cleane
iiij d.
The Charge
of Quene
hsr comyng
Cy'y in the
r'rne of
Mr Gaunt
Mayor
f 210v* *s
ooo
payd to a laborer to digg gravell to lay on the streates agen her
maiestie was here xij d.
Item [payd for] gyven to the quenes maiestie at her beyng here at
Caunterbury xx li. 20
Item gyven to the quenes foote men at her maiesties beyng here xl s.
Item to the yeoman of the botteJles x s.
Item to the trumpettes xxx s.
Item to the serieantes at armes xx s.
Item to the surveyor of the wayes x s. 25
Item to the yeoman of the robes vj s. viii d.
Item to the knight Mershall his men xiij s. iiij d.
Item to the black garde x s.
Item to the quenes porters x s.
Item to the Coche men x s. s0
Item payd to Mr Berry for a syluer cup gyven to the quenes
maiestie at her beyng here lvij s. vj d.
Item for burnysshyng of that cup viii d.
Item to the Clarck of the markett at that tyme xxx s.
Item to the noble men their trumpettes at that tyme v s. ss
f 212
Item gyven to the lord morleys players
VS.
40
216 CANTERBURY 1582--4
Acres du Comlstoire ccA: U471A2
f 40 (22 September)
Du 22 e
Antoine Cambier, Iacques de frissencourt et Le filz a Ian catel estans
appellez pour leur faire remonstrance sur ce qu'ilz auoient chante des
chansons mondaines et dissoilues et qui plus est auoient Injuries ceux
qui leur en auoient fair remonstrance recognurent Leurs fames et
promirent de ne plus faire item de contenter ceux qui auaient este
offensez de ces choses
10
1583-4
City Chamberlaiu' Accounts
f 311 (External expenses)
cc^: CC/FA 18
Item payd to ffowler Colebrand for the serieantes dynner & other
waytes at the dynner at the coronacion of the quenes day
iiij s. vj d.
15
f 311v
Item to hym more for iij loades of Sand for the pavyng at
the bulstake
.oo
Item payd to atkynson for xlij yardes of pavyng at the bulstake
Item payd to harnes for a loade of sand brought to the bulstake
20
11 S.
x s.vj d. 2s
viii d.
f 312
Item payd to atkynson for xxiiij yardes of pavyng at the bulstake
& for helpyng to wey the stones
.oo
Item payd to the players that playd in the courte halle
Item payd for the serieantes dynner at that tyme
16/ffowler Colebrand: tailr, fieeman frorn 1574
221 hym: Willum Harne
25, 311 atkynson: John Atkymon. pavmur, freeman frorn 1569
30
vj s. iiij d.
XXS.
ij s. vj d. 35
CANTERBURY 1583-- 5 217
f 317 (Wages andpayments)
Item payd for the Cloth for the lyueries of the towne clarck
the Chamberleyns Clarck, the keper, the fyve serieantes, &
for the fyve waytes
xvi i !. xiij s. vii i d. 5
Burghmote Court Minutes ccA: CC/AC 3
f 75 (12 May)
Item at this Courte the Scutchions of the musitions of this Cittie beinge three
in number weyinge in the whole twentie Seauen ounces in Syluer ^rwere
deliuered to the Courte. 1 and yt is decreed at the petition of the musicions
that the same Scutchions shalbe altered, and of those three to be made fyve
[So the fashion thereof] and that the Chamberleyn of this Cittie shalbe
appointe the makinge thereof at his discrescion bothe as touchinge the
worckeman and also for the ffasshion So as there be no Sylver dyminsshed
and so as the same musitions doe allowe all chardges in alteringe those three
Scutchions as is aboue said.
10
15
20
Actes du Consistoire ccA: U47/A2
f 60v (1 May)
Du premier de May
Sur le raport que Gilles mallebrance auoit este veu par La ville accoustre
comme vn fol rut arreste de sinformer de la cause qui Le mouuoit a
ce faire
1584-5
City Chamberlains'Accounts
f 362* (External expenses)
cca: CC/FA 18
Item layd owte to hugh Iones for the offycers dynner & the waytes
the 17 day of November anno 27 regine Elizabethe
25
30
35
VS
15/shalbe: 39r shalle
17/dyrmnsshed: n corrected over p: for dyminisshed
CANTERBURY 1585-7 219
f 459v* (External expenses)
Item payd to phillip the fyff & Edward newchurche the drumme
for their paynes in their seruyces for the cytie in the tyme of mr
Estey maior so agreed by bourmowth vpon their byll exhibyted
to the bourmowth
5
xiij s. iiij d.
Burghmote Court Minutes ccA: CC/AC 3
f 101 (15 March)
ooo
Item at this Courte it is decreed that the five gownes for the waightes of
this Cittie shalbe deliuered to those five [waites] of them which haue
already hetherto doen the same Seruice the tyme of this yere [past]
Scithens mychelmas. And that vntill mychelmas nexte cominge they
whiche nowe remayne here namely Edmonde nycholson William hunte
nycholas Crosse & Roberte davies rtogether with one other to be by
them prouided 1 shall Serve oute theire tyme vntiil mychelmas [aft] in
suche Sorte as they maye and so from thence fourthe so as the nomber
shalbe full & the persons mete & sufficient for that purpose otherwyse 20
the same musitions to be otherwise Appointed & prouided by this
house:
1586-7
City Chamberlains'Accounts ccA: CC/FA 18
f 460v (Ex'ternal expenses)
ooo
Item gyven to the Earle of Sussex his players apoynted so by mr nutt
the [Earle of] deputie to master major
ooo
Item gyven to the Earle of leycester his players by order from Master
mayor & his brethren
ooo
25
xs. 30
xs.
f 462
ooo
Item payd to her maiesties players apoynted so by master mayor
ooo
591-2 227
1591-2
City Chamberlains'Accounts cc: CC/FA 19
f 204 (Externalexpenses)
Item payd more to Colebrand for the dynner of the waytes &
seriantes at the quenes day lefie vnpayd
ix s. iiij d.
f 205
Item payd to the quenes players the xxx day of marche 1592
1o
players
f 206*
ooo
Item payd the xiij day of Iuly to the lord straunge his players
when they playd in the courte halle before Mr leedes maior &
other his brethren
f 212 (Chamberlain's allowances)
Item payd more for the lyveries of the fyve waytes
vj li.
Court of High Commission Act Book cca: DCb/PRC 44/3
p 101" (14January)
Proceedings of the court held before the bishop of Dover; Wdliam Redman,
archdeacon of Canterbury; and Thomas Lawse, LaD, high commissioners, in
the bishop's residence and in the presence of Richard Walleys, notary public
o.o
offlcium dominorum contra symcox
Quo die domini monuerunt willelmum symcox presentem in iudicio ad
comparendum in proxima sessione ad recipiendum articulos, et cure tunc
comparuerit quod non recedat e curia sine licentia &c/
pp 103-4" (16March)
Proceedings of the court held before the bishop of Dover; lgqllam Redman,
15
20
30
35
4O
232 CANTERBURY 1594-6
of them so longe tyme as commonly [ys] rhathe byn 1 vsed ys deemed verie
inconvenient and hurtefull to the state and good quiet of this Cittie and
Impouerishinge thereof especially the same beinge so late as vsually they haue
byn in the nighte tyme yt is therefore at this Courte of Burghemote holden
here on tuesdaie this fyftenthe of Apri|| in the xxxvijda yere of the Quenes
highnes reigne by full consent (as a matter for the good of the same Cittie
decreed and agreed from hence fourthe for euer to be obserued and kept that
there shall not any playes enterludes tragedies or comedies be played or players
suffered to playe within this Cittie or liberties of the same on any Sabaothe
daye nor aboue t'woe daies together at any tyme. And no players ^rso to be 0
suffered for any such twoe daies [w/thin twentie nether] to be suffered to playe
againe within the said Cittie or liberties thereof within twentie and eighte
dales nexte after suche tyme as they shall haue laste played [d] within the said
twoe daies. And when soeuer any suche players shall fortune to playe in any
twoe Dayes as before they shall not exceede the hower of nyne of the clock in
the nighte of any of those daies, yf they doe then these players to be noted
what they are and not to be suffered at any tyme after to playe within this
Cittie And for better performance hereof master major of this Cittie for
the tyme beinge shall so often and whensoeuer any players doe come vnto
this Cittie disclose vnto them the tenor of this decree and geue to them 20
comaundement that they doe in everye respecte accomplishe the same vppon
payne to them not to be suffered to playe againe at any other tyme. And that
the same maior doe send for the oste of the house where any suche players
shall haue theire Abode or be p|ayinge and to lett hym also vnderstand the
tenor hereof I whiche yf he shall suffer to be in his house broken and not 25
obserued he shall forffecte and lose xl s. to the vse of the poore of the
Cittie and that of hym to be levied by distresse to be taken for euerye
suche contempte and offence by the Towne Sariaunte/
1595-6
City Chamberlains'Accounts
f 197v* (External expenses)
ccx: CC/FA 20
Item gyven to the Earle of darbye his players by the consent of
master maior & mr Gante
xviij s.
35
31 the: th corrected over w
61 {as ... Cittie: closmgparenthesis omitted
151 Daye: corrected over tynms (?)
36/mr Gante: Richard Gaunt. alderman
CANTERBURY 1599-- 1600 237
f 380v
ffor wyne Beere and bread in the Court halle after the readinge
of the laste Accompte
ffor [that] the dynner that daye ffor Master maior And those
that kepte him Companie after the accompte ended
To the waytes that daye in rewarde for their musicke
ooo
To the waytes in rewarde for their musicke at the firste
quarter Sessions
vj s. vj d.
5
vij li. j s. vj d.
iij s. iiij d.
V S. 10
f 382*
To the [Earle] lorde Admiralls players, in rewarde for A Playe which
they played before Master maior and [dyvers] manye of his frendes in
the Courte halle, And soe ordered bye [m] Master maior And the
Aldermen, vnder their handes, whose names ar here written, viz. Robert
wynne maior. Richard Gaunte. Marckes Berrye. Edward nethersoll.
Thomas longe. Ieames ffrencham. Charles wetenhall Aldermen
15
X]S. 20
f 382v
To the waytes in rewarde for their musicke at the Sessions at our
ladie daye
VS.
25
f 383*
ffor makeinge Cleane the Court halle after the playe
ffor mendinge the formes at the bullstake
f 384
ffor all manner of Charges for midsommer Sessions dynner beinge
29. at the first dynner with Master maior, And 14. at the other
dynner of the officers Servingmen and Waytes
30
xij d.
vj d.
35
lviij s. x d. 40
9-101 firste quarter Semions: ie, Christmas quarter sessions
252 CANTERBURY 1608-9
1608-9
City Chamberlains'Accounts cc^: CC/FA 21
f 286v* (External expenses)
Item paid to henry hamme executor of Iohn Launcelott Ioyner
ij s. vj d. for newe heddinge of one of the Cities drummes don by
the said Iohn in his lief tyme vppon the payment of this ij s. vj d.
the said henry delyuered to this Accomptant two drummes of the
Cities a payre of stickes and ral souldiers coate that Launcelott had
in his lief tyme
Item paid to Samuell Staples for one drumme which mr Paramore when
he was mayor agreed with hym for xl s. to serve for ^rthel Cities vse xl s.
ij s. vj d. 10
f 287v*
Item paid for a dynner at the fflowre de luce for master Mayor master
Recorder mr ffynch & others then there to the number ofxij beinge
that daye abowte the Cities busynes
Item paid then for xvj ordynaries for ye officers waytes & servingmen
at viij d. a peece x s. viii d.
Item payd then for wyne viij s. ij d.
Item gyven to ye lorde Chandoys players for that they shoulde not playe
here by reason that the sicknes was then in this Cytye so appoynted by
master Mayor & the Aldermen twenty shillinges xx s.
Item gyven to ye lorde Bartely his players for that they shoulde not playe
here in this citye by reason that the sicknes beynge her so appointed by
master Mayor and ye Aldermen twenty shillinges xx s.
xij s. 20
25
3O
f 289*
Item gyven to Basforde for hym self and the rest of his Companie for
playinge on the v th of November 1608
VS.
35
5/henry hamme: piner, freeman from 1600
12/mr Paramore: Thomas Paramore. mayor 1607-8
18/master Mayor: William Warmer
18-19/master Recorder: Sir John Boys
19/mr ffynch: Henry Finch. seeant at law,
Canterbury 1593. 1597
CNTEmtIY 1612--13 261
f I01"
ooo
paid one wilson for relume for heddyng the drom ^rthat 1 potter hathe iiij s.
paid for brasyng cord for the same xvj d.
paid Bonnam the phyffe for doyng ^rtherof/1 & to his sonne ij s. vii d.
Court hll
f 101V
paid Iohn flackden mason for trymyng the court hall by washing and
Colloring the same wh)rt against the kyng and prynces commyng and
for stuffe as lyme and here and the workmanshyppe therof ther iij s. viii d.
paid then to the sm)rth [to] ^rforl settyng to ryghtes in lead on the
topp of the postes at the Court hall dote x d.
l0
15
f 102"
paid more the xij th daye of Aprill 1613 agayne to wilson for velumes
for heddyng the best drome that was brok at babes hill comaunded
to be newe amended against commyng of the Palsgrave & prynces iiij s.
paid the xvj of Aprill 1613 ij s. iij d. for wyne when master mayer
mr yong the prynces gentleman ^rvsher and one ^rmr Grym one 1
of his comissioners and of the kynges trumpettes wer present at
^rmrl lockles ij s. iij d.
paid tewsday the xx th of Aprill 1613 that mornyng prynce charles
went awaye hens from Caunterbury toward london for bred here
& wyne at the lyon
paid & geven to ffenner Iester to the lady Elizabeth the xX th of
Aprill 1613 toward losse of his clothes and mony whearof he said
he lost and was here robbed
paid to whit the bell rynger of chrystchuche [from] ^rforl brynging from
Christ churche home to the Courthall a pyke and ancient of the Cyties,
that was lent vppon request of the vycedeane & prebendaries to hang out
of the topp of bellharry steple to knowe when the wynd dyd shyft well/
for the palsgrave and the lady Elizabeth his wyf myght take shypping
at Margate
xiiij d. so
ij s.
35
vj d. 40
10/trymyng: 4 minims for rn in a*s
26/Iocldes: Richard Lockley. vintner, freernan Jorn 1602; mayor 1623-4
264
CANTERBURY 1613-14
Item for fire at the County dinner
xviij d.
f 151v*
Item paid for wyne at dynner on the v th day of November 1613
being the gun powder treason day, for the dynners of master mayor
Aldermen & Common Counsell vizt. 2 gallons of Claret v s. iiij d.
and a gallon of sack iiij s. ix s. iiij d.
Item for fire then vj d.
Item for the dynner ofxij officers and servitors and waightes then viij s.
Item to Iohn Potter one of the drumms for the Citty for [y] his yeares
penc/on allowed by Burghmot v s.
To Thomas Bonnam the ffife for his yeares pencion likewise allowed v s.
Item to Iohn Warde an other of the drummes for his yeares pencion in
the like maner v s.
10
f 152
Item to Robert Rawlins for a Corde for the drum in Iohn Potters
Custody
Item to Iohn Wilson for taking downe the ij heades of that drum
Item to Thomas Bonnam for heading that drum
ij s.
ij s. vj d.
20
f 155
Item to warde the drumme for his chardges which he had layd out
vpon the drum vizt. for a head ij s. vj d. for 2 new hoopes viii d. for
setting on the same x d. in all
II!] $.
30
f 155v
Item for mendinge the formes at the Bullstack
xiij d.
35
6/ 1613: underlined in s
266 CANTERBURY 1614-16
Item to warde the drum for the like
.oo
Item for legging the foormes at the bulstake & for tymber to do them
ooo
f 195v
Item for legging of the foormes at the Bulstack r& stuffe 1
f 196
Item to Potter the drum
Item to warde the drum
f 197
Item to Tucker for ij drum stickes
xvd.
xviij d.
xvj d.
ij s. vj d.
10
15
20
1615-16
City Chamberlains'Accounts cc^: CC/FA 22(1)
f 237* (External expenses)
Item to mr Elvin Alderman for the County dinner which was at
his house & for wynne suger & tier at that dinner
Item to the waitts of the Citty for their atendinge and plaienge
yat daye
v li. xvj s.
VS.
25
3O
f 237v
Item to lohn Potter and Iohn ward the Cittys drums for their
quarters stipend
ijs. vjd. 35
f 238
ooo
Item to Rachard marable for amending the Burghmot horne
iij s. 4o
19/Tucker: John Tucker. jomer, freemanom 1598 40/Pochard rnarable: brazi freemanom 1605
270 C_XTr m3uav 1618-21
1618-19
City Chamberlains'Accounts cc^: CC/FA 22(1)
f 384" (External expenses)
Inprimis paide for the flee ofa ffatt dooe sent by the Lord
Wotton to master maior and the rest of the Company and for
bakinge and seasoning the same and for wyne and fi/er and
other Chardges att the eatinge thereof vpon the fi/fte of
November. 1618 being allowed by order of Burghmoth on the
10 th of November
Item payde to the musitians for theire attendance on master
maior that daye being the 5 th of November
ooo
Payd for the County dynner and wyne to the same and for iij podes
and a quarte of Muskadyne in the morning at the Cort hall and
for fi/er
Payd to the musitions for their attendance and playing that day
iij li. iiij s. x d.
VS.
v li. xv s.
VS.
1619-20
City Chamberlains'Accounts
f 445v
cc^: CC/FA 22(2)
ooo
To Iohn Terrey Carpenter for his man j daye to legg the fourmes at
Bulstack [(..)] ix d., and for wood vj d. for a peece of tymber of
ix foote at ij d. the foote to make a barr for Northgate xviij d. for
workinge the same ix d. for xviij th pales for westgate pound xviij d.
ij peeces of Tymber to make rayles for the pound xxij d. for a
hundred ofsixpeny nailes vj d. for workemanshipp ix d. in all
viij s. j d.
1620-1
City Chamberlains' Accounts
f 33*
cc^: CC/FA 23
To mr Elvyn for the Countye dynner which was vppon the
xxviij th daie of Novembre 1620
vii. vs. vj d.
10
20
25
35
5-6/Lrd Wotton: Edward Wotmn. first Baron Wotton. lord lieutenant of Kent
61 master maior: Avery Sabyn
24/|ohn Terrey: John Terry, carpenter, fieeman fiom 1614; mayor 1637-8
36/mt EIvyn: George Elvwin. vintner; aMerman: mayor 1613-14
CANTERBURY 1622-3 273
f 150
.oo
Item paied that was gyven the kinges players the xxiiijth of Aprill by the
Appoyntment of the maior and Aldermen in regrad they should depart
the Cittie and not playe the some of
xxij s. 5
f 150v
Item paled to mr Colffe for A bancquett for the Spanish Embassador
that came in Iune 1623
vj li. xij s.
Io
f 151
ooo
Item paied to Edward ffryerston for his Iornie he being sent by the
Maior and Aldermen to goe to meete the Spanishe Embassidor and to
retorne backe to gyve them notice by what howre he would come into
the Cittie
xviij d.
20
f 152
ooo
Item paied by the Appoyntment of master mayor for fyve elles of
Ribbon to hang the Citties Scuchins that doe remayne with the
waithes of the Cittie
iijs. vjd.
25
Letterom Sir Lewis Lewknor to Sir Edward Conway
p,o: SP 14/146
ff [1-1v]* (14June)
Right Honorable
I thought fitt according to the former direccions receaued from you to
acquaint your Honor with the perticulers of our voyage this day fiom Douer
to Canterburie. In ye morning my Lord of Rutlands fleete came from ye
30
35
4/regrad: r regard
IO/mr Colffe: Joseph Colfe, apothecary. eeman frora 1589; alderman; raayor 1611-12
16/Edward ffryerston: raaltster, fieeman flora 1623
37/my Lord of Rudands: Francis Manners. earl of Rutland. adrawal of the fleet
274 CANTERBURY 1622--3
Downes and roade before the to Towne of Douer not farre from ye shoare,
and when the Marquis went vp the hill with his Coaches the Admirall first
and then in order all the other shipps dicharged all theire Artillerie which was
seconded with the Artillery from ye Castle
Comming afterwardes to Barham Downes a braue Troupe of knightes &
gentlemen well horsed & ritchly apparelled mett him & lighted of their
horses. The Marquis the other Ambassador & the Spanish gentlemen did
the like out of their Coaches where after a Ciuill Complement past on
both sides with singuler contentment to the Marquis he went into ye
Coach & they toke theire horses and attended him into Canterburie 10
performing all kindes of respect & honor they could possibly do vnto
him. wherein Sir Dudley Diggs Sir Nicholas Tufton and Sir Edward
Hales did expresse the greate care they tooke in performing this service
according to his Maiesties commaundment so likewise did the other
knights and gentlemen and suerly your Honor shall do them a greate 15
deale of right to acquaint his Maiestie withall
vppon the Gates of Canterburie were placed by the Maior Hoboyes and
Sackbuttes that saluted his entrance into ye towne, w/thin ye Gates stood
the Maior and all his bretheren in [y] theire Skarlett gownes tendring
vnto him theire service and desiring his permission that they might waite
vppon him in his lodging, which they did ^tafterwardesl presenting him
with 30 dishes of Marchpanes & other Costly sweete meates & because
the presse was greate they placed 20 handsome men with halbertes at the
Gate all apparrelled in the liuery ofye Towne. after the Maior had taken
his leaue & signified his Maiesties commaundment giuen vnto him & his
bretheren to do his excellence all the honor [th] and service the[y] towne
could aford. The Marquis went to see the Church where they were
Courteously receaued by some of the Channons & shewed euery thing
that was worthy to be seene especially the place where St Thomas of
Canterburie was murdred which they beheld with much curiosity. I 30
assure your honor that I haue seen many receptions in Kent but I neuer
saw any [so] performed so well & so orderly as these of this day. and I
should haue condemned my selfe of a greate neglect if I should haue left
it vnaduertised I
So remembring my humble respectiue service vnto your Honor I rest 35
Douer Saterday
14th of Iune 1623
Your most devoted servant to Commaund
I/the to: Jbr to the (?)
3/dicharged: ]br dLscharged
31/honor. apparently insertedberucen ),our and that
38/1623: underhned in Ms
CANTERBURY 1624--5 277
paid to Roberte Buchin the free mason for mending the pinnacles ofye
Bulstacke & for Smithes worke there
f 248v*
oo.
paid to Paule Wiggons for his worke and stuffe vsed about the Court
hall & Bulstake. as by bill appeareth the some of
f 249* 10
Fees due to the Idnges seruantes at his being here in Canterbury Iune 1625 and
paid by the said Accomptant videlicet
To the gentlemen vsshers daily Waiters v li.
To the gent/emen vsshers ofye privey Camber v li.
To the Sariantes at Armes iij li. vj s. viii d.
To the gentlemen vsshers quarto Waiters xx s.
To the Sewers of the Camber xx s.
To the Kinges harbenger[s] iij li. vj s. viii d.
To the rknight 1 marshall xx s. 20
To the Yeomen vsshers xx s.
To the Gromes & pages xx s.
To the ffootemen xl s.
To the 4 yeomen of ye Mowth xl s.
To the Porters of the gate xx s. 25
To the Sariant Trumpeters xx s.
To the Trumpeters them selues xl s.
To the Surueier of the waies xx s.
To the Bottellmen of the feild x s.
To the Cochemen xx s. 30
To the yeomen Harbengers xx s.
To the yeomen vsshers for ye sowrd vj s. viii d.
To the King of Herralles and Purssevantes at Armes at his maiestes
entring this Citty v li.
To the kinges musitions the auncient fee x s. 35
To the [Gnges drume and fife v s.
To the Iester x s.
To mr waller Deputy Clarke of ye markett for the virge as a Curtesey
from the Citty in forbering to execute his Aughtority here xxx s.
The end of the said fees 40
6/Paule Wiggons: Paul Wigoru, bricklayer,
Jeeman Jom 1618
12/1625: underlned n
17/quarto Waiters: Jr quarter Waiters ()
CANTERBURY 1627--9 281
(Payments)
Item paid for the charge of the feast and other meetinges of the
componie this yere
Item paid the wakes
li. s. d.
7 1 7
0 5 0
1628-9
City Chamberlains'Accounts ccA: CC/FA 23
f 438v*
paid to the Citty waytes for their service at the County dinner
paid to mr Barham at the Lyon for the County dinner
the 16. of december 1628 as appeareth by his Bill
10
vs.
iiij li. ij s. [vjj d.] vij d. ,5
f 441
ooo
paid master Maior the 9 of march 1629: x s. hee gaue to the ldnges
players for there forbearing to play in the Citty allowed by Burmoth
o.o
XS.
2O
f 441v*
paid to Potter for setting in a snare head vpon on of the
Towne drummes
,oo
xi/d.
25
Quarter Sessions Jury Presentments ccA: CCIJIQI4281ii
single sheet (23 March)
3O
Presentments of the Grand Inquest made at the general quarter sessions held in the
court hall of Canterbury before John Roberts, mayor; Lancelot Lovelace, recorder;
and other
ooo
Item we present Iohn webb of the parish of St Mildred of this Citty Musition
for that he the twentith daye of this Instant In the yeres a foresaid and diuers
dayes before and sithence did and doth suffer many young men and youth to
35
14/mr Barham: Isaac Barbara. yeoman, freeman fiom 1614
CANTERBURY 1628-0
be exercising daunceing on the saboth dayes drincking and disordering in
vnseemly manner in his howe dwelling house in wincheap in th(,..)sh and
ward a fore said Contra &c
Drapers' and Tailors" Memoranda Book
f 57 (Receipts)
ccA: U 12/A 1
Item for 51 ordinaries at .8. d. at our feast day.
li. s. d.
1 14 0
l0
(Payments)
Item Laid out at the feast and one the Countye night
at super
Item paid the wakes
.oo
1629-30
City Chamberlains'Accounts ccA: CC/FA 23
f 496* (External expenses)
Inprimis paid to Isaacke Barham at ye Lion for the County
dynner for 14 at xviij d. ordynary for 20 at xiiij d. ordynary
and for xvj at viij d. ordynary
Item for wyne in the mornyng and at dynner that daye
Item for strong beere and fyer then
Item paid to the waites of this Citty for theire seruice and
musicke at ye same dynner
li. s. d. 5
8 1 2
0 5 0
ij li. xv. s.
Xml s.
ij s. v i d.
VS.
20
25
30
f 497v
Item pard to a Company of Plaiers being denyed to play within
this Citty, x s. allowed by Burgmoth
xs./
35
25/Isaacke Barharn: yeoman, j%eman jgora 1614
292
ca'lEptRy 1634-6
Itim paid to the waightes
O0
05 O0
1635-6
City Chamberlains'Accounts cca: CC/FA 24
f 285v" (Ex'ternal expenses)
Item paid the 5 of Nouember 35 to Mr George Bridge at ye Lion at
a meeting there, for a gallon ofsacke iiij s. three gallons and 3 pints
of CIarret vj s. ix d. for Mr Aldaies ordinarie xvj d. for the three
waites ordinaries ij s. strong beere iij s. in all as per bill appeareth
0 I7
10
Lyneall: Citric
Musique
f 286
o.o
Item the 10 of december 35 paid to mr merriam alderman for
ye waits a yard and V2 of Ribbon
Item more for 4 yards and I/2 of Crimson Ribbon
o.o
0 I
0 3
15
Burghmote Court Minutes cc,: CC/AC 4
f 112v (23 February)
.oo
vpon the peticion of ffrancis Lyneall it is ordered that if the peticioner before
Easter next present a newe Company of able Musitions to serue this Citty
the Court will vpon consideracion had of them take such further order as
shalbe meete.
25
Letter jgom Mayor James Nicholson to Archbishop William Laud
pro: SP 16/317
f [ 1 J* (25 March)
30
8/George Bridge: George Br,dge, mntner, jgeeman jgom 1619
16/mr merriam: John Meryam. alderman: mayor 1631-2
May it please your grace
Certeyne Stage playeres came lately to this Citty and in obedience to his
Maiesties CommissiC) with my licence they pleyed heer 8 daies [in which
tyme alt] and although their night playes contynued vntill neere Midnight to
the great disorder of the whole Citty and to the disquiet of many a citizen
whose seruantes without their masters lycence contynued at the playes till
neere midnight whereof dayly complayntes comyng vnto me and especially
CANTERBURY 1635-6
293
nding that those plaies heere prooved a Nursery for drunkennes & disorder
[against the] especially in this tyme ofabstynence & being from many persons
credibly informed that two honest mens daughters at that vnseasonably tyme
of the night were [carnally] made drunk & carnally abused at the play house
to the publick scandall of goverment I did require the playeres to desist from
playing any longer within this Citty wherevp(..) one of them tould me he
would play without my leaue yet neuerthelesse they are gone & intend to
returne hither againe as I am informed & it is given out that they will
compleyne of me for prohibiting them. wherein I humbly beseech your
graces direction it is not my person but the office I beare and the affront to
goverment that makes me present this suite to your grace to whome as the
best friend this Citty hath vnder his Maiestie I am bould & incouraged by
your graces former fauoures to be [and] an humble suitor for redresse which
shall in all duty oblige this Citry and
Canterbury this 25th your graces humble seruant
of Marche. 1635/ (signed) Iames Nicholson maior
Letter jgom the Privy Council to Mayor James Nicholson
I, RO: SP 16/317
single sheet (29 March)
20
After our harty Commendacions, By your lettres ofye 25 th of this Moneth,
[wherewith] sent vnto our very good lord the Lord Archb/shopp of Canterbury
his Grace, wee vnderstand with what respect [& obedi] yow proceeded with
the players that lately came to [your] that Citty, [with his Ma] in regarde of his
Maiesties Commission which they carryed, & [alsoe] wee likewise take notice
^mot only 1 of the[it] disorders [there vnseasonable] occasioned by their
[vnseasonable] playing art soe vnseasonable a tyme in ye night, but alsoe of
their insolent behaviour to your self, for which they deserve punishement &
[will] shall smart [smart if] ^rwhenl they rshalbe 1 [maybe] mett withall, to
which purpose wee pray yow to advertise the names of some of ye Cheefest
of their ^rCompanyl that further inquiry may be here made after them: ^ralso
as wee cannot but Comend the great Care yow [expresse] haue ^r[in that
particlar] expressed in the good & orderly gouernment of the Citry soe wee
must let yow know ^rfor your encouragement that [that] ^this Ma/estie being
[represented to know] [wee have represented] rby his Grace made 1 acquainted
[his Mestie therewith] with your [per] Carriage in this particular [he is pl]
hath commanded vs to giue yow notice of his gracyous acceptaunce thereof;
and [if(..)] for the future [when] ^rifl any ^rstagel players [come] shall come
to play in your Citty [att rthe soe vnseasonable] rin ye tyme of lent, yow
are not to giue way vnto it without the speciall [privyty] privity [of our very
3! vnseasonab|y: r vnse'asonable
296 CANTERBURY 16B7-8
Scut,ons for
Musitias
musick the consideracion thereof is also referred vnto the former comittees
for Matheres & otheres made ye last Court of Burgmott and out of both
companyes the said Comittees are desired to appoint one Company who
shalbe the wakes for the publick seruice of this Citty and what orderes they
shall make shalbe confirmed by this Court
f136v (26June)
ooo
vpon the peticion of william Matheres and Sampson wright on the behalf of
them selues & ye rest of the Cittie musique It is ordered that the Escutchions
of this Citty shalbe deliuered vnto them vpon good security to return them
to master Chamberleyn in as good case as they nowe are vpon demand
f 137"
l0
vpon seuerall peticions this day receyued besides many other at former Courtes
by such as desired to be the Musick of this Cittie the matter of all the said
former peticions was referred vnto the consideracion of Master Alderman z0
Warmer master Alderman Sabyn master Alderman ffurser and to mr Thomas
Branker and Mr Ioseph Bulkly of the Comon Councell of this Cittie to
heer the parties & report vnto this Court [what] rwhomel they thought fitt
personnes to make vp the company of waites And accordinglie the said
referres did this day bring in their report dated the 15 th of this present lune in 2s
theis wordes following
Towching the waytes it is thought fitt by vs whose names are subscribed that
theis personnes herevnder named shalbe the waytes videlicet William Matheres
to be the chef soe longe as he shall behaue himself well and give noe iust cause
to the contrary 30
Sampson Wright the second soo longe as he shall well behaue himself and giue
noe iust cause to the contrary
Francis Lyneall the third vpon the same condicion
Ricard Mountier the fowerth vpon the same condicion
Edward Berry the rift vpon the same Condicion. Theis five are enough for 35
waytes by their owne confession with one boy skilfull in Musique which boy
shalbe allowed a share and that share shalbe paid to the two first personnes of
the waites and he that kepes the boy shall haue two third partes of the Share
and the other wayte to haue the other third parte which report ^rnowe 1 read
& considered is ordered & decreed from henceforth to be duly obserued 40
without any [further] alteracion vpon the further peticion of any of the said
flue parties or of any otheres in that behalf
1640- ! 301
Musick
dischardged
f 158v* (2 February)
It is ordered that in respect of the misdemenor of this Citty musick the
Escutchons of the Citty shalbe called in by master Chamberleyn & if they
refiase to deliuer the same then to be sued for them by master Chamberlyn
& the said Citty musick & company are hereby absolutely dischardged &
dissolued.
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