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Webster Family Library of Veterinary fvledicine

Cummings School of Veterinary iViedicine at

Tufts U

200 Westboro Road

fourth Grafton, MA 01536

A CONCISE HISTORICAL ACCOUNT

OF THE

2Kaor£jibijpful Compaitg of ^atHiIeist.

DESCRIPTIVE AND HISTORICAL ACCOUNT

OF THE

(Sullb of Sa^Mers

OF THE

CITY OF LONDON.

Written and Compiled by

JOHN W. SHERWELL.

Clerk of the Company.

Printed with the sanction of the Master^ Wardens^ a?id
Court of Assistants of the Company.

For Private Circulation.

Copyright Resei-ved.
1889.

V

i^6

Harrison & Sons,

Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty,

St. Martin's Lane, London.

TO THE

Worebipful Compani? of Sa&Mer0,

THIS WORK

IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, IN GRATEFUL RECOGNITION OF MANY
COURTESIES AND UNIFORM KINDNESS SHEWN BY ITS MEMBERS

TO THE WRITER.

J. w. s.

CONTENTS.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS, p. xi.
PREFACE, pp. xiii to xv.

INTRODUCTION, pp. xvii to xxiv.

CHAPTER L— Antiquity and Early History of the Company.
Fitzstephen's Description of the Guilds. — The " Saddlery of West-
chepe." — The Conventual Church of St. Martin's-le-Grand. —
Ancient Convention between the Saddlers and the Convent. —
Antiquity of the Company. — Their earliest Charter and Liberties. —
The City Letter Books and their Notices of the Company. — Curious
Ordinances of the Saddlers and Joiners. — Dispute between the
Saddlers and the Loriners. — Craft Jealousy. — A Faction Fight. —
Wages of a Saddler fixed by Royal Decree. — The Saddlers and the
Girdlers. — Ordinances of a.d. 1363. — The Company's Contribution
to the French Wars of Edward HI. — Charter from Edward HI. —
Representatives on the Common Council. — A Despotic Mayor,
Nicholas Brembre. — The Company petition the Crown and Parlia-
ment.— Incorporation Charter from Richard II. — Interesting
Dispute between Master and Yeomen Saddlers. — Charters from
Henry VL ; from Edward IV. ; from Henry VII. — The Company
in 1537. — Charter from Henry VIII. — Statute of Chantries Act, i
Edward VI. — Charter from Elizabeth. — The Company's Ordinance
of 1 56 1. — The First English Lottery. — Grant of Arms. — The Com-
pany's Mottoes, pp. 1-58.

CHAPTER II. — Historical Notices of the Company, continued.
Company's Order Books commence. — A Glance at the State of the
Company in the beginning of the XVI Ith Century. — Cheapside in
a.d. 1600. — Its Churches. — The Little Conduit.— The Cross. — The
Standard. — The "Mermaid" Tavern. — The Compters or Counters. —
Ludgate. — The Gunpowder Plot. — King of Denmark visits the
City. — Charter from James I. — Frequent Plagues during XVIIth
Century. — That of 1 607. — Ratification of Company's Ordinances. —
The Cowrie Conspiracy. — "Ayde" Money. -^Colonization of Vir-
ginia.— Interference by Crown in domestic Concerns of Company.—
Company's Scholars at the Universities. — Colonization of Ulster. —
The Palatinate. — Introduction of Coaches. — Opposed by the Com-
pany.— Coronation of Charles I. — " Whifflers." — Plague of 1630. —
The Incident of Dr. Lambe. — Restoration of St. Paul's Cathedral —
St. George's, Southwark. — The Era of the Revolution. — Heavy

vlli Contents.

Exactions from the Companies. — Bury St. Edmunds Plague. — Ship-
money, — Loans to Charles I. and the Parliament. — Plate sold to
raise Money. — Money borrowed by the Company. — Trouble in
Ireland. — More Demands. — "Solemn League and Covenant." —
The Company and the Saddles for the Army. — Gunpowder Stock.
— Battle of Worcester. — "Ye States Armes." — Saddlers' Hall in
1653. — The Restoration. — Straitened Circumstances of the Com-
pany.— Their Contribution to Charles IL — More Exactions. —
Coronation of Charles IL — The Company attend the King in his
Entry into London. — War with Scotland. — The Ship " Loyall
London." — The Great Plague of 1664. — The Great Fire. — The
rebuilding of the Hall. — Lord Mayors' Shows. — Processions by
Water. — Alderman Dash wood's Gift. — The Company's Barge Cloth.
— The Company and the Water Pageant. — " Stands." — The King's
Esquire Saddler. — The Company and the Coachmakers. — Quo
Warranto. — Surrender of the Company's Charter. — New Charter
from Charles IL, 1684. — Tyranny of James IL — His Removal of
Wardens and Assistants. — The same removed from the Livery. —
Their Restoration. — Threatened Invasion by William of Orange
frightens James. — He returns the Company their Surrender. — Offers
a New Charter. — Abdication of James IL, and Succession of
William III. and Mary II. — The Company propose to raise two
Dragoons. — Loans to William HI. repaid. — Sir Richard Blackmore
and Saddlers' Hall.— Saddlers' Hall in the XVIIIth Century,
described by Hatton and Maitland. — Entry of George I. into
London. — "A Good Trumpett and Kettledrum." — The Company
in their Stands. — Frederick, Prince of Wales, visits Saddlers' Hall
in 1736. — Accepts the Freedom of the Company and is elected
Perpetual Master. — Presents the Company with his and the
Princess's Pictures. — Freedom of Company conferred on Members
of his Household. — Birth of George III. — The Company attend
and congratulate Princess Augusta. — A Bonfire in Cheapside "when
the Princess is brought to bed." — The Scotch Rebellion. — Death of
the Prince in 1751. — Voluntary Fund for the Defence of the
Country. — Saddlers' Hall partially destroyed in 1815. — Completely
destroyed in 1821. — Rebuilt in 1822. — Worthless Saddles destroyed
in 1822.— :- Alderman Sir Peter Laurie's Mayoralty Procession by
Water. — Almshouses at Isleworth. — Saddlers Company's Prizes for
Improvements in Military Saddles. — Livery Companies Commission,
pp. 59-148-

CHAPTER III. — Internal Affairs of the Company.

The Constitution of the Company. — The Master and Wardens. —
Origin of their Titles — Renter Warden. — Under Renter. — Cupfillers.
— Election Day. — Election of Wardens. — The Livery. — Quarter-
age.— The Yeomanry. — Translation. — Feasts, Quaint Custocn. —
Yeomanry Dinner or Bartholomew's Feast. — Religious Observances

Contents. ix

of the Company. — Burials. — The Funeral Pall or Burial Cloth. —
Courts or Assemblies. — Fines. — The Company a "Fellowship;"
Members not to rebuke one another — not to sue one another at
Law without License from the Wardens. — Peacemaking ; quaint inci-
dents.— Etiquette at Meetings. — Light-coloured Clothes prohibited
at Meetings. — Apprentices " polled close," pp. 149-178.

CHAPTER IV.— The Company and the Trade.

The Company anciently all of the Craft.— -Freedom by Patrimony.
— Impracticability of restricting the Company to Members of the
Trade. — The Ordinances of the Company in conformity with the Laws
of the Period. — Statute of 5 Eliz., cap. 4. — All Trades to be Learned
by Apprenticeship. — Apprentices to the Saddlery Trade examined by
the Wardens. — Number of Apprentices limited by Ordinances. —
Regulations concerning Apprentices. — Curious Custom upon taking
up Freedom. — Spoons — they accumulate, and are exchanged for other
Plate. — Responsibility of Apprentices. — Company Mediate between
Apprentices and their Masters. — "Opening Shop." — "Proof
Piece." — Ordinances impose Honesty of Dealing. — Saddles to be
made openly. — To be viewed by Company before Sold. —
"Forreyners." — Statute 5 Eliz., cap. 8. — Leadenhall. — Searchers and
Sealers of Leather. — Custom of Search. — Conclusion, pp. 179-204.

List of Ancient Masters and Wardens of the Company, with
some Biographical Notices, pp. 205-219.

SUPPLEMENT. — A Description of Plate and other Articles
OF Interest in the Company's Possession, pp. 220-232.

ADDENDUM. — The Will of William Lincoln, dated 2oth
November, 1392, bequeathing the Guild of Saddlers a
sum of Money for the purpose of building a Common
Hall, p. 233.

INDEX, p. 235.

"1-

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

Ancient Convention ... ... ... ... ... 4

Introduction to Charter of Elizabeth ... ... ... 52

Arms of Company ... ... ... ... ... 58

Cheapside in 1639 ... ... ... ... ... 64

The Wood Street Compter ... ... ... ... 68

Seal of James I. (attached to Company's Charter) ... ... 73

Interior View of Old Saddlers' Hall ... ... ... 127

Exterior ,, ,, ... ... ... 128

Interior View of Present Hall ... ... ... ... 141

The Company's Almshouses at Isleworth .. . ... ... 144

The Company's Funeral Pall ... ... ... ... 178

The Company's Plate ... ... ... ... ... 230

PREFACE.

QUIET and casual perusal of the
early minutes of the Company, snatched
during the intervals of business, re-
vealed so much that was interesting that the
writer was induced to extend his researches,
and to embody the result in a Paper, which, at
the suggestion of the late Master, Colonel
Laurie, C.B., M.P., was communicated to the
Master, Wardens and Court of Assistants on
Friday evening, March 23rd, 1888.^ A proposal
then made to amplify the Paper into something
like what is now submitted met with warm and
unanimous approval. It is possible that, generally
speaking, the chapters which follow may reveal
little that is new to the future compiler of history,
but it is believed that they will shed an interesting
light upon facts already ascertained.

In attempting the task before him, a difficulty
encountered the writer at the outset. It hap-
pens unfortunately that, although there is every

* A very similar suggestion had indeed been made in the
previous year by the then Master, Mr. C. O. Humphreys.

xlv Preface.

reason for believing that the Company, from
a very early period of their existence, kept
a transcript of their proceedings, their Order
Books, or Minute Books, have not been pre-
served from a date earlier than 1605. In the
Company's Inventory of the year 1721 there is
mentioned an Order Book of the year 1416, but
this has also since .been lost.^ Their records have,
however, been preserved without Interruption
from the date named, 1605, and we are so far
fortunate, Inasmuch as the history of the Sad-
dlers' Company, like that of the London Livery
Companies generally, is of the greatest Interest
during the seventeenth century. This circum-
stance, however, compelled recourse to other
sources of Information, but it must be admitted
that the outside source to which the writer Is
most Indebted Is the early Letter Books and
Journals of the Corporation of the City of
London.

To say that the Saddlers' Company Is the most
ancient of existing Livery Companies Is to make
an assertion which can be supported by evidence
of a strong character deduced from ancient docu-
ments still extant, alluded to on pages 3 et seq.

No other Company can point to evidence

^ Probably in either of the two fires in the early part of the
present century, one of which partially, and the other com-
pletely, destroyed the Hall.

Preface. xv

of its own existence at so early a date as the
Saddlers' Company. The remarkable convention
between the Guild of Saddlers and the Canons
of the ancient conventual church of St. Martin's-
le-Grand, described on p. 3 et seq., is authorita-
tively admitted to belong, by its handwriting, to
a period about 11 54 a.d. ; yet in this archaic
document we are referred still further back into
antiquity by an allusion which it contains to
statutes and customs alleged by it to have been
ancient even at that remote period In which
the convention was inscribed. Such circum-
stances as these establish for the Saddlers'
Company an antiquity which no other Company
can claim to equal.

It only remains for the writer to gratefully
acknowledge the encouragement extended to
him by the Court in the prosecution of his in-
quiries, and particularly by the Master, Mr. W.
Spencer Watson, M.B., F.R.C.S. ; the Wardens,
Mr. Serjeant Robinson, Mr. Isaac Wilcox, and
Mr. Daniel Morgan, with Past Masters Alderman
Cotton, Moses Dodd, Charles O. Humphreys,
and Colonel R. P. Laurie, C.B., M.P., who were
appointed by the Court to assist him with their
advice.

INTRODUCTION.

EW subjects have offered a more fertile
theme for conjecture or a more attrac-
tive field for research than the origin
and early history of the Trade Guilds. Mankind
has, from the earliest periods, evinced a propensity
to dwell in communities, although this predilection
is often found to be modified by national charac-
teristics. The lithic monuments, hut circles and
earthworks with which our own island abounds,
testify to its influence in the conditions under
which primeval man dwelt in early Britain ; while
we see it to-day exemplified in the tribal commu-
nities of pastoral nomads in Asia and Africa. In
the early days of pre-historic times this circum-
stance was probably the result of a necessity for
self-protection against common enemies, and, later
on, with the growth of civilization, it just as pro-
bably arose from the social instincts of man.

Among the earliest institutions and corpora-
tions of which we have cognizance and mention
were those communities known in Roman his-
tory by the name of collegia. The term collegia,
however, embraced corporations of various de-
scriptions ; some were of a strictly religious

xvlil Introduction.

character, others legal, while others — and with
these we are most concerned — were purely trade
corporations, resembling our own guilds and
livery companies. It is not quite clear how they
all arose ; the collegia opificmn, however, appear
to have sprung into existence in the early days of
Rome. Plutarch indeed attributes the origin of
these last named to the reign of that more or less
mythical personage, Numa, its second king, of
whose political measures he Informs us that ''that
which is most admired is his division of the
populace according to their trades. For whereas
the city (as has been said) originally consisted of
two races which stood aloof one from the other
and would not combine into one, which led to
endless quarrels and rivalries, Numa, reflecting
that substances which are hard and difficult to
combine togfether can nevertheless be mixed and
formed into one mass If they are broken up Into
small pieces, because then they more easily fit
each other, determined to divide the whole mass
of the people of Rome into many classes, and
thus by creating numerous petty rivalries to
obliterate their original and greatest cause of
variance. His division was accordinof to their
trades, and consisted of the musicians, the gold-
smiths, the builders, dyers, shoemakers, carriers,
coppersmiths, and potters. All the other trades
he united Into one guild. He assigned to each
trade Its special privileges, common to all the
members, and arranged that each should have Its

Introduction. xix

own time of meeting, and worship Its own special
patron god."^

Lamprldlus also ascribes similar measures to
Alexander Severus, of whom he says that he
formed corporations of all vintners, sellers of
pulse, makers of caligae (a kind of military
shoe), and, in general of all the other crafts In
Rome.^

We have frequent mention of these corpora-
tions, moreover, at various periods of Roman
history. The bakers at Rome, the collegmm
pistoru77t, a distinct and important guild, are
frequently mentioned. Nor were the collegia
confined to Rome proper. Their existence is to
be traced in the remotest provinces of the empire.
We have had handed down to us, among the
letters of the younger Pliny, one addressed to the
Emperor Trajan, referring to the establishment
of a guild or corporation of artificers {Fabin.y at
Nicomedia, the ancient capital of Bithynia,
formerly a Roman province on the Asiatic coast
of the Sea of Marmora. There is also an
interesting account In the Proceedings of the
Society of Antiquaries * of the researches of
Mr. A. J. Evans, M.A., F.S.A. at Illyricum, a
Roman province on the east coast of the Adriatic,

^ Numa, cap. xvii,, Bohn's Plutarch.

^ " Corpora omnium constituit vinariorum, lupinariorum,
caligauriorum et omnino omnium artium." Lampridius, cap.
xxxiii. (Alex. Severus).
Epistolse X., 42, 43.
Archseologia, vols. 48 and 49. ^

B

3

XX Introduction.

with an Inscription at Salonae, relating to a guild
of artificers — Collegmm Fabrortnn veneris^ — and
belonging apparently to the fourth century of the
Christian era. Evidences of similar organiza-
tions have been discovered at Lyons, Marseilles,
and other parts of Roman Gaul, in ancient
Helvetia, in Britain itself, and elsewhere where
the Romans had colonies. vSome very interesting
testimony Is furnished by Orelll in his collection
of ancient inscriptions.^

Briefly stated, these collegia were associations
in which the members of each trade were united
together, not only for social intercourse, but for
the regulation of and self-protection in trade.
They possessed a common corporate fund, and
other characteristics ; on the whole, presenting a
striking analogy to the modern English trade
guilds, of which they are by many writers, and
with some amount of reason, considered to *be
the progenitors as they were the prototypes.

Mr. Hallam is of opinion that the mediaeval
Guilds were institutions of independent origin
and had no connection with the collegia of the
Romans, and the present Bishop of Oxford and
Professor Freeman have clearly expressed a

' The term fabri was a generic one applied generally to
workers in hard substances, such as the smiths, y^^r/ aerarii
oxferrari, and the c^x]yQn\.Qr?,^ fabri tig?tarii ; tho. fabri veneris
were craftsmen of a more artistic order.

2 " Inscriptionum Latinarum Selectarum Collectio " (Zurich,
1828), numerous examples.

Introduction. xxi

similar opinion In respect of the early English
Guilds.^ These are weighty authorities, en-
titled to more than ordinary respect ; nevertheless
to many minds the analogy between the collegia
and those later but kindred organizations
which diffused themselves through the social
and commercial life of the various nationalities of
mediaeval Europe Is far too striking to be recon-
ciled by the convenient plea of accident. Pro-
fessor Freeman says that " the gap between the
Roman and English periods Is hidden by the
blackness of darkness which shrouds our settle-
ment in Britain, and which to those who have
eyes teaches much more clearly than any light
could what the nature of that settlement really
was. Had there been any continuity between the
Institutions of the two periods, that blackness of
darkness could hardly have been." ^

Doubtless the authoritative and learned writer
himself Is disposed to acknowledge that the im-
plied total disappearance of these Institutions — j
which existed In England during the Roman
occupation — during the few centuries In which
we unfortunately have no record of their being
in existence, and their sudden re-appearance
Identical in all essential principles under the Anglo-
Saxon Heptarchy, Is a coincidence hardly less
than phenomenal. It must be borne In mind

^ See the Introduction to the " Report of the Livery Com-
panies Commission," p. 8.
- Ibid.

B 2

xxii Introduction.

that the Romans were encamped in Britain for
four centuries. Like the Ottomans in Europe, the
EngHsh in India, they were in the country, but
not of it. Yet in the period of their occupation,
they succeeded in moulding the physical features
of the country into conformity with the advanced
strides of their southern civilization. Their hiph
roads and limitary walls intersect the land in
every direction ; over chains of hills and across
valleys they go, in absolute disregard of anything
Hke natural obstacles or impediments, remaining
to the present day stupendous monuments of
engineering ingenuity. Their bridges which
spanned our rivers, like their aqueducts, were all
scientifically constructed, and their masonry almost
imperishable. Every year the spade and the
plough turn up fresh relics, in the shape of tegulcs,
pottery, coins, votary tablets, and altar pieces, etc.,
vestiges, as a writer in the " Quarterly Review "
has well remarked, of a more uniform type of
civilization than is to be met with between the
same latitudes to-day. Similarly they have left
their impress indelibly upon our language and
literature. Is it therefore unreasonable that some
should profess to discover traces of their institu-
tions in our own of to-day 1 It is not difficult, for
instance, to recognise in the aula publica of the
Romans a close resemblance to our Guildhall, and
Fitzstephen, in his well known description of
London, traces a strong affinity between many
of our present civic institutions and their Latin
parallels.

Introduction. xxiii

Without, however, attempting. In Imitation of
more competent writers, who with more or less
satisfaction to themselves have endeavoured by
various methods of historical evolution to
discover the precise origin of the English Trade
Guilds — a task obviously not strictly within the
legitimate province of this essay — it may suffice
here to say that the term " Guild," as has been
clearly shown by Herbert and other writers, is a
derivation of the Anglo-Saxon '' glldan," to pay,
a word possessing close affinities In other northern
dialects, and signifying a society or association,
supported by individual contribution. The basis
of the early English trade guild was the obser-
vance of a common code of ordinances, regulating
the craft to which it belonged, while other
essential features in the organization were a
common worship, with usually a special patron
saint, a common social feast, and lastly, a
common fund, which not only provided for the
craft purposes but served to relieve the poor
members, and oftentimes to defray their burial
expenses.

The early and rapid growth of London, the
commercial Importance of which was recognized
and testified to by Tacitus, probably did much to
foster and develop these guilds In England. One
of the earliest London trading guilds of which we
have cognizance was the guild of Steelyard mer-
chants,^ amply described by Stow, and, according

Now extinct.

xxlv Introduction.

to Herbert, the founders of the famous Hanseatic
League. They were recognised in a decree of
Ethelred in the year 967, and probably existed
at a much earHer date. Certain it is that
by the fourteenth century the guilds had
become a dominant factor in the social organism
of England.

CHAPTER I.

Antiquity and Early History of the

Company.

Fitzstephen's Description of the Guilds. — The " Saddlery of Westchepe." —
The Conventual Church of St. Martin's-le-Grand. — Ancient Con-
vention betvv^een the Saddlers and the Convent. — Great Antiquity
of the Company. — Their earliest Charters and Liberties. — The
City Letter Books and their notices of the Company. — Curious
Ordinances of the Saddlers and Joiners. — A Dispute between the
Saddlers and the Loriners. — Craft Jealousy. — AFaction Fight. — The
Wages of a Saddler settled by Royal Ordinance. — The Saddlers and
the Girdlers. — Ordinances of a.d. 1363. — The Company contribute
to Edward IIL's French Wars. — Charter from Edward III. — Repre-
sentatives on the Common Council. — A despotic Mayor, Nicholas
Brembre. — The Company petition the Crown and Parliament. —
Incorporation Charter from Richard II. — Interesting Dispute
between Master and Yeomen Saddlers. — Charter from Henry VI.
— Charter from Edward IV. — Charter from Henry VII. — The
Company in 1537. — Charter from Henry VIII. — Statute of Chantries
Act, I Edw. VI. — The Charter of Elizabeth. — The Ordinances of
1 56 1. — The first English Lottery. — Grant of Arms. — The Com-
pany's Mottoes.

ILLIAM FITZSTEPHEN, a monkof

Canterbury, the clerk, remembrancer

and biographer of Thomas Becket,

in his description of London, written in

the latter part of the twelfth century, informs us

that from a very early period the various crafts

, ^ ^ of London had their own separate

The early Trade . . . ••■

Guilds of Lon- district lu the City allotted to them
for the exercise of their several trades.

2 Antiquity and Early

He says, '' the followers of the several trades, the
vendors of the various commodities, and the
labourers of every kind, are daily to be found in
their proper and distinct places according to their
respective trades."^ This statement is, moreover,
supported by the existing nomenclature of many
modern City streets and thoroughfares, the names
of which recall the trades and occupations
anciently plied in the several localities, such as
the Poultry,^ Cordwainer Street,^ etc. Similarly
the Saddlers of London were anciently to be
found at the west end of Cheapside, or, as it was
called, Westchepe, their locality bearing the
distinctive name of the " Saddlery." Among the
ancient wills enrolled in the Court of Husting, at
Guildhall, there is a will of one Isabella Bokrel,

" The Saddierie ^^^^^ 1280, in which mention is
of Westchepe." niade of a tenement in the Saddlery
of Westchepe.

Over against " the Saddlery " stood the famous
conventual and collegiate church of St. Martin's-
le-Grand, founded by Wythred, or Withu,
King of Kent, in the eighth century, and

^ Dr. Pegge's edition : " Singulorum officiorum exercitatores
singularum venditores, singularum operarum suamm locatores
cotidiano mane per se sunt locis distincti omnes ut officiis."
i^De dispositione iirbis.)

^ Described by Stow as the special locale of the London
Poulterers.

^ Shoemakers, so-called from their using the famous leather
of Cordova.

History of the Company.

confirmed in 1058 by the Conqueror with
The collegiate its old Saxon indulgences of sac, soc,

St Mar*thiVie- ^^^' ^*^^' ^^^^^^"^^^ ^^c, but, above all, the

Grand. daugerous privilege of sanctuary

for political and criminal offenders. It occupied

the site of the modern General Post Office

until 1548, when it was destroyed. Foster Lane,

which bounded Saddlers' Hall on the west, skirted

the precincts of St. Martin's on the east, so that

the ancient Hall of the Guild stood immediately

under the walls of the Sanctuary. This proximity

Curious ancient produced an intimate relationship

convention be- between the Guild of Saddlers and

tween the con- , -p>. ^ r^

vent and the the Deau and Canons of the convent,

Saddlers' Guild. , . , . i i •

which IS recorded in an interesting
document, fortunately still extant, which estab-
lishes the singular and unique antiquity of the
Saddlers' Company.

This document is preserved among the archives
of St. Martin's-le-Grand, now in the custody of
the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, and con-
sists of a small piece of stout parchment some
eight or nine inches long, by about six wide, upon
which is inscribed in the handwriting of the
twelfth century a convention between the guild
and the convent. No portion of the seal remains,
and the slip of parchment to which it
originally adhered is likewise gone.
Madox takes notice of this convention in his
'' Firma Burgi," published in 1726, and ascribes
the handwriting to the reigns of either Henry H.
(a.d. 1154-1189), Richard I. (i 189-1199), or

1 1 54 A.D. circa.

4 Antiquity and Early

John (1199-1216), and most plausibly to the first
of these, a view supported by several experts to
whom it has been submitted.^ There is a copy of
the convention in the old Register of St. Martin's-
le-Grand, a beautifully transcribed volume, in a
handwriting of the period about 1400 A.D., and a
second copy in a long roll of Indulgences, which
appears to have escaped previous notice. This
last is in a handwriting of about the reign of
Edward 1 11.^

By the courtesy of the Dean of Westminster
we have been permitted to take a photograph of
the convention, and a facsimile is appended. The
endorsement on the reverse side, " Lra de Ghild,"
etc., it will be noticed, is of a later period than the
handwriting of the text, and belongs probably to
the reign of Edward L ; the other endorsement,

^ In the same bundle of documents — No. 2 of those re-
lating to St. Martin's-le-Grand — there is an Indulgence by
William, Bishop of Norwich, in a precisely similar handwriting
to that of the convention, also without date, but probably
written between 1146 and 11 74, when WiUiam Turbus was
Bishop of Norwich. Moreover, the late Mr. Burtt, who
arranged these archives, has described this parcel as extending
from Henry II. to Henry VIIL, the former date doubtless
referring to the grant to the Saddlers' Company and the
Indulgence by William, Bishop of Norwich.

^ The copy in the Register is headed by the following
rubric : " Nota per hanc literam sequentem quae incipit
Conventus Sancti Martini London quae est litera frater-
nitatis Sellariorum London quod dicta ecclesia erat diu
sedificata et dotata ante adventum Conquestoris in Anglia ut
ibi patet, quae est contra assertiones Johannis Carpenter' et
sequacium suorum."

"■»'

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cu air^o tndtfa^. <fcctAm Bean rnnrnH' niftrabtrift
Set &l^rTx^1t, t tniiluV T^\5?ncC l^rappArtr.7 ni niVn^VC

Front .1 Photograph taUti by AUisrs. Bfi/yrd. Lemere ^ Co.

-m:^

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Fro/H It Photograph i.jf.fit by Mmrs. Bed/nrd, Lewtre ^ Co.

History of the Company. 5

'' Indulgence," is of a still later date, apparently
about the reign of Edward III.

For the following translation of the convention
we are indebted to Dr. Reginald Sharpe, Records
Clerk in the Town Clerk's Office, Guildhall : —

" Convention.

" The Convent of the Church of Saint Martin, London,
to N the Aldermen and N the Chaplain and N the four
echevins and all the Elders of the Guild of Saddlers,
their friends and brethren, [sends] greeting and prayers
in Christ. Be it known to you both present and to come
that it has been ordained of old between our Church
and your congregation, to wit, that you are brethren and
partakers of all benefits which be done in the Church
of Saint Martin, by night and by day in masses, psalms,
prayers, and vigils. And, moreover, know ye that there
have been granted to you by name two masses every
week, to wit, one for the living and the other for the
dead brethren of your congregation. And know ye that
there has been granted to you the ringing of the bells of
the Church and procession, and churchyard fully and
honorably. And know ye that the Canons for the
time being are prepared to give aid and counsel to your
house like brethren and your fellow-helpers. Ye shall,
moreover, as has been before ordained and is now
recorded in your Chapter, attend in person at the
Church of the blessed Martin on the Feast of Saint
Martin with your alms and wax tapers therewith pro-
vided. Moreover we pray you, if you will, remember
the Church of Saint Martin, which as you see is clearly
in much need, with ' Saulesoth,' ^ and bequests and

1 u

Sauiesoth," otherwise " Soulesceat," was a legacy

6 Antiquity and Early

other of your benefits. It was also the custom of old
and now is recorded in your^ Chapter when Sir
yErnaldus was Alderman that for every reception of a
deceased brother and for ringing of the bells the Church
of Saint Martin shall receive eight pence. Farewell ! "

Herbert, alluding to this convention, unhesitat-
ingly remarks that " the mention immediately after
the Conquest of ' ancient Statutes ' then existing
between so remote a Saxon foundation as St. Mar-
tin's-le-Grand College and the Sadlers, together
w^ith the old custom said to be recorded in the lat-
ter's chapter of the time of their Alderman y^rnal-
dus (also a Saxon name) leaves little doubt of the
Sadlers being a veritable Anglo-Saxon Guild,
and consequently the oldest on record of ail the
present Livery Companies."

The allusion to the Alderman ^rnaldus is
explained by the fact that anciently the title of
alderman v^as applied solely to the chiefs of guilds.
Towards the reign of Edward III., the title of
Master superseded that of Alderman, which be-
came exclusively applied, instead, to the heads of
City wards. ^ It seems extremely probable that the
early segregation or grouping of the guilds or
crafts, as mentioned by Fitzstephen, was at the
time the only divisional distribution of the City,

anciently bequeathed at death to the parish priest, instead of
any tithes that might be forgotten.

^ " Nostro " in the copy in the Register.

^ Herbert's Historical Essay, p. 17.

History of the Company. 7

and that It was the origin of its division later on
into wards. ^

The Saddlers' Company claim to have received

their first charter from Edward I. in the first year

_ ,. , of his relp^n, a.d. 1272. This is

and liberties of repeatedly affirmed in their Minute

ompany. g^^j^g . j^ -^ g^jg^ confirmed by Mait-

land, and other historians. Inasmuch, however,
as the earliest records of the Company have been
lost or destroyed, we are unable circumstantially
to corroborate this claim. The charters granted
before the reign of Edward III. (132 7- 1377)
were, moreover, not enrolled. That charters and
grants of liberties were, however, granted by
earlier monarchs than Edward III. Is clear from
the Charter granted to the Weavers' Company by
Henry II., which recites liberties granted to that
guild by Henry I.

Again, the Goldsmiths' Company, who are
recognised as a Company or fraternity in a Statute
of Edward I., did not receive a charter of incor-
poration until the reign of Edward III., while the
Weavers' Charter of Henry II. was not confirmed
until the same reign (Edward III.). Maitland,
alluding to the convention between the Saddlers'
Guild and the Convent of St. Martin's-le-Grand,
which he assumes to belong to the reign of
Richard I., imagines the Company to have been
an adulterine, i.e., unlicensed guild, '' seeing It was

1 This view would seem to be supported by the modern
appellation of Cordwainers' Ward.

8 Antiquity and Early

only incorporated by Letters Patent of Edward I.,
by the appellation of the Wardens or Keepers and
Commonalty of the Mystery or Art of Saddlers,
London." The reason assigned is clearly anything
but a strong one, and falls to support his assertion
or to make that assertion convlnclncr. It Is not
unlikely that the Saddlers' Company, even if they
had no earlier charter than that of Edward IIL,
had a grant of liberties. It Is extremely likely
that they did ; for we find that In the 26th year
of the relgfn of Henry II., a.d. 1180,

A.D. I180. ^ 111

or nearly one hundred years before
the reign of Edward I., that monarch made a
swoop upon the adulterine guilds, or guilds set up
without the king's license, no less than eighteen
guilds in London alone being amerced or fined ;
this eighteen included the Goldsmiths. Now the
Saddlers' Guild Is not mentioned In the list, and
seeing that the guild was, even at that early
period, old-established, and could not, had it been
unlicensed, have escaped similar treatment, there
is every ground for assuming it to have been a
warranted guild. Moreover, such an assumption
is supported by the fact that the Exchequer Roll
of the same year contains a note of the amerce-
ment of a guild of Saddlers of the City of York.^

^ Pipe Roll, 26 Henry IL, membrane, 5 dors,

" Of pleas of the same in the City of York.

"Robert Parsons and Robert Hugges render account of two
marks for customs which they unjustly demanded.

" The same sheriffs render account of twenty shillings from
the Guild of the Saddlers for the same."

History of the Company. 9

The earliest historical incidents connected

with the Saddlers' Company are, for the reason set

forth in the Preface, mostly derived

Ancient Articles from the archives of the Corpora-

of the Saddlers ^Jon. The Citv Archives contain

and J omers. ^ _ J

Arbitration be- an Interesting record in the year

tween the crafts. , ^^ ^ TT\ri

1309 (temp. JKdw. 11.) ot the early
ordinances of the Saddlers and Fusters or Joiners
of London, which, while they give some interest-
ing Information touching the saddlery trade at
that early period, also throw a curious light
upon the relationship of the two crafts. The
ordinances in question recite that much damage
was happening daily unto the great lords and
people of the land by reason of the deceits
employed in the making of saddles. The Saddlers
of London, when charged with the spuriousness
of their goods, were in the habit of transferring
the blame to the Joiners, whose particular and
apparently exclusive function, we learn from the
same source, was the manufacture of the saddle-
bows. Matters reaching a crisis, the two crafts
assembled before the Lord Mayor, Sir John le
Blound (or Blount), and the Aldermen on the
Monday following the octave of St. Michael, and
prayed that the ordinances of the mystery of the
Joiners in use in the time of their ancestors might
be renewed, and that six members of the mystery
should be empowered to search and stamp all
goods belonging to the craft with a hall mark.
The ordinances set forth that naughty apprentices
who had run away from their masters, with other

lo Antiquity and Early

deceitful men, did resort to the woods, which, as
FItzstephen Informs us, were in those days in
close proximity to the City, and did there secretly
patch up saddle-bows in the roughest and most
deceitful manner imaginable ; the parts being
often simply glued together and made of un-
seasoned wood, often perfectly green. Under
the cover of night, these would be smuggled into
the City and disposed of to dishonest Saddlers
and Painters, who after painting them or covering
them with leather, velvet, or cloth, would offer
them in that unfit state for sale. The conse-
quence of all of this was, we are told, that when the
wood became dry the saddle-bow would shrink,
and the saddle itself collapse, an eventuality
which was not unlikely to extend to the rider.

To remedy all this, it was thereupon ordained
that in future no Joiner should make saddle-bows
of less than quarters [si noun de qtcarte7^), which
Mr. Riley, in his interesting comment on these
articles, construes as the quarter of the horizontal
section of the trunk of a tree.^ The wood was to
be dry before it was painted, and each Joiner was
required to have his own mark for marking all
goods of his manufacture ; Painters were forbidden
to paint any saddle-bow made outside the City,
until they had been viewed and approved and
received the official mark of the jurors appointed
to examine them by the mystery. No Joiners
were to be permitted to work in the woods, and

History of the Company. ii

all goods which should be found to be deceitfully
wrong were ordered to be taken to the Guildhall
and condemned, and thence carried to Westchepe
and burned. No Joiner who was not of the mystery
was allowed to take an apprentice, and even then
not unless he were of ability to support him.
Lastly, among other obligations imposed upon
them, the Joiners were forbidden to have any old
saddle-bows, or parts thereof, in their possession.

Eleven years later — namely, in 1320 — we read

A.D. 1320. of a dispute between the Saddlers

SSdtSand the Loriners, or makers of bits

the Loriners, a.nd Other metal work for horse furni-

J oiners and

Painters. ture. The dispute appears to have
arisen out of the ordinances of the Loriners, con-
firmed to that craft by William Fitz Richard, Mayor,
in the forty-fifth year of the reign of tienry IIL
(a.d. 1 261). According to these, the Loriners en-
joyed the prescriptive right of w^hat was virtually
a monopoly of their particular branch of trade.
This privilege, however, was regarded by the
Saddlers as an infringement of their own liberties,
for they appeared to have considered the sale of
everything connected with the furniture and trap-
pings of horses as belonging to their own domain.
Accordingly they instituted a suit against the
Loriners before the then Mayor, Hamo de Chige-
well, and obtained an injunction. More than
this, the obnoxious ordinances of the Loriners
were ordered to be burned in Westchepe. The
result of this suit was in no way calculated to

c

12 Antiquity and Early

reconcile the two crafts ; nor did it. On the con-
trary, their mutual hostility increased to such a
degree of intensity that seven years later, in 1327,
Affrays between ^c read of sauguiuary affrays taking
the Saddlers place in the streets of Cheap and

and the Lormers, ^ . -^

Joiners, and CHpplegate between the Saddlers on
the one side, and the combined forces
of the Loriners, Joiners, and Painters on the
other — affrays which set the whole City by the
ears.^ The account given in the City Letter
Books is quaint and interesting ; it is partly in
Latin and partly in Norman French. The record
purports to be "An agreement made between the
men of the trade of the Saddlers of London of the
one part, and the men of the trades of the Joiners,
Painters, and Loriners in copper and iron of the
same City, of the other part."^

" Be it remembered, that whereas a certain affray
lately took place between the men of the trade of the
Saddlers of the City of London, of the one part, and the
men of the trades of the Joiners, Painters, and Lorimers,

^ Such affrays as that between the Saddlers and the Joiners
were not uncommon between the serving-men of the crafts, who
were not slow to identify themselves as a fraternity with the
quarrels of individual members. Northouck relates a sanguinary
battle in 1226 between the Goldsmiths and the Tailors, in which
many combatants were slain, thirteen of the ringleaders being
executed. Maitland records an affray in 1339 between the
Skinners and Fishmongers, and the old Chronicle of London
mentions one among the men of the different crafts on Black-
heath in 1375.

^ Letter Book E., fol. 176. I have adopted Mr. Riley's
careful translation (" Memorials of London," pp. 156-162).

History of the Company. i

J

as well in copper as in iron, of the same City, of the
other part, by reason of a certain rancour and dissension
which had lately arisen between them — namely, on
Thursday, the Feast of our Lord's Ascension [20 May]
last past ; upon which day certain of them, on either
side, strongly provided with an armed force, exchanged
blows and manfully began to fight, as well in Chepe as
in the street of Cripelgate, and elsewhere in the same
City ; on which occasion certain among them were
wickedly, and against the peace of our Lord the King,
killed, and many others mortally wounded, by reason of
which dissension and exchange of blows, the greater
part of the City was in alarm, to the great disgrace and
scandal of the whole City, and the manifest peril thereof;
and which dissension and exchange of blows became so
serious and so outrageous, as hardly to be appeased
through the intervention of the Mayor, Sheriffs, and
officers of the City ; such contention being, however, at
last, so well as it might be, allayed by the Mayor,
Sheriffs, and other officers of the City, the said Mayor
and Sheriffs appointed a day for the men of the trades
aforesaid to appear before them at the Guildhall,
namely, the Friday following, being the morrow of our
Lord's Ascension, to the end that they might set forth
their reasons on either side.

" Upon the said day, there came accordingly to the
Guildhall the men of the said trades, and, in presence of
the Mayor, Sheriffs, and Aldermen, did set forth their
grievances in writing. Whereupon a certain Petition
was presented to the Mayor by the Joiners, Painters,
and Lorimers ; the tenor of which is as follows : —

" ' To the Mayor, and to the Aldermen, and to
-D ,. . , ,, the crood Commonalty of London, shew

Petition by the ^ ^ ^ ^ \

Joiners, Painters, and make plaint the Joiners, Painters,

and Lorimers. Lorimers in copper, and Lorimers in

iron ; — That whereas they have always been free of

c 2

14 Antiquity and Early

the City, in bearing their charge of tallages and other
contributions, as equals and as commoners, according to
their power ; the Saddlers of the City, against the fran-
chise of the same, by conspiracy and collusion among
themselves, have ordained and established, and there-
unto among themselves, have made oath that no one of
the trades aforesaid shall be so daring as to sell any
manner of merchandize that unto their own trade per-
tains, either to freemen of the City or to other persons,
but only to themselves, in the business of saddlery ; the
which thing is notoriously against all the commonalty of
the said City, and all the realm. And because that the
trades aforesaid would not assent to this thing, against
their oath to the City made, the Saddlers, against the
peace of our Lord the King, maliciously and by force of
arms have assailed the trades aforesaid, as well in their
own houses as in the high streets ; some persons whereof
have been killed, some maimed, and many wounded
and maltreated. They therefore do pray the Mayor
and all the Commonalty, that redress for this thing may
be made to them, in such due and good manner that
they may be enabled to live in peace, and to follow
their trades as they have done heretofore.

'"And further, the trades aforesaid make plaint; —
That whereas after the Saddlers have received from
them certain goods pertaining unto their trades, and
have become possessed of the said goods in their own
houses, if the good folks of the said trades come there
to ask for their payment, they are bandied about among
the said Saddlers with offensive words, and sometimes
beaten, and in other ways maltreated ; by reason whereof
they have not the daring to demand payment of their
debtSj and therefore the said Saddlers now are in their
debt ; that is to say, they owe to the Painters ^loo and
35^., to the Lorimers in copper £84 iSs., and to the
l.orimers in iron ;^ lOO 8i"., and to the Joiners ^10 11^. 4^/.;

History of the Company. 15

the total of wliich amounts to ^^297 9^'. 4^. ; to the
great damage and impoverishment of the said trades,
and as to the which they pray for favour and redress.

" ' And further, whereas the great lords of the realm
do give their old saddles to their palfreymen, these
persons sell them to the said Saddlers, who then try to
harness them afresh, and to sell them for new, to the
loss of all the commonalty of the realm.'
^, e JJ^ 5 " Answer made to the Petition : —

The baddlers

Reply to "' As to the first point in this Petition,

the Petition, ^j^^ Saddlers say that they never did so,
and never will do so. As to the second point, they have
their recovery before the Sheriff, by plea of debt. As
to the third point, they concede that from henceforth
no old saddles shall be harnessed for re-sale as new
ones, and that if any such be found, the same shall be
adjudged upon before the Mayor and Aldermen.

"'And also, the Saddlers aforesaid have conceded for
themselves and for all their trade that among them no
confederacy or alliance shall be made, either against the
City, or against the aforesaid Joiners, Lorimers, and
others of their companionship, at any time to come, on
pain of paying 10 tuns of wine to the Commonalty of
London, whosoever shall be convicted thereof. And
that in the same manner the Joiners, Lorimers in copper
and in iron, and Painters, shall [be answerable] for
themselves and for their trades.'

** And a certain petition was also presented to the
Mayor and Aldermen, the tenor of which is as fol-
lows : —

" ' To the Mayor and to the Commonalty of the City of
London, shew and make plaint the Saddlers of the said
City ; that whereas contumelious words had arisen
between William de Karletone, Saddler, and William de
Stokwelle, Painter, and by reason of such words, six
good folks of the one trade and six of the other, did

1 6 Antiquity and Early

interfere therein, and appoint a day of love^ at St. Paul's
Church, as between the aforesaid WilHam and WiUiam,
namely, Wednesday, the Feast of St Dunstan f the
aforesaid William de Stokwelle, compassing mischief,
did cause all the Painters, Joiners, Lorimers, (and)
Gelders^ to be collected, together with other workmen,
in order to act by force of arms, and in affray of the
said City ; and then took counsel to make the Saddlers
aforesaid concede, by compulsion, that if any man of
the one trade shall have cause of offence, as against any
one of the other trade, then in such case, all the Painters,
together with all the [other] trades, shall no longer be
bound to work, but shall close their selds ; and that if
any offence shall be found to have been committed on
the one side or the other, the parties shall not be recon-
ciled without two of each trade [intervening therein].

" ' And further, the aforesaid copresmethes'^ have made
an ordinance among themselves, out of their own heads,
that if any strange workman of the same trade shall
come to the said City, he shall not be received on any
terms, until he shall have made oath to conceal their
misdeeds.^ And whereas the said Painters and Joiners
do set every point of their trade at a fixed price, at no
time has there been any certainty as to the aforesaid
points in practice established ; by reason whereof, they
are making themselves kings of the land, to the destruc-
tion of all the people of the land, and to the annihilation
of the Saddlers aforesaid. As to the which they pray
for redress.'

^ A day for making terms of reconciliation.
^ The Deposition of St. Dunstan, 19th May, must be
meant.

' Meaning gilders.

' Co]:)persmilhs — the Lorimers in copper.

* Malveiste.

History of the Company. 17

" As to the first point in this Petition, — the Lorimers
and others of their companionship have made answer,
that they never have done so, and they never will do so.
To the second point they have made answer, — that no
strange workman of their trade ought to work among
them if he be not admitted and sworn among them, and
have not done that, in presence of the Mayor and
Aldermen, which unto the franchise of the City pertains.
And as regards that they have set up certain prices in
their trades, — they altogether deny the same.'

** And hereupon, for avoiding still greater peril, and
for making and re-establishing concord and peace
among the men of the said trades, it was ordered and
agreed that six Aldermen should be chosen, to be
present at a certain day and place ; and that the men
of the trade aforesaid should appear before them, for
the purpose of treating of peace and concord among all.
And the following Aldermen were chosen ; — namely,
Nicholas de Farndone, Hamon de Chigwelle, Reynald
de Conduit, Henry de Seccheford, Thomas de Leyre,
and John de Caustone ; who, upon being chosen, named
a day for the men of the trades aforesaid to appear
before them, the same Aldermen, at St. Martin's-le-
Grand, in London, the following Sunday, namely,
there to treat of peace and concord, as before men-
tioned.

''Upon which day there met at the place aforesaid, as
well as the Aldermen before mentioned, as the men of
the said trades, in great multitudes on either side. And
after they had begun to treat of the business aforesaid,
by reason of the multitude of people present, they were
not able to expedite the business, or to bring it to a
conclusion ; whereupon it was ordered by the said
Aldermen, and agreed to by the men of the trades
aforesaid, that certain persons of the trade of the
Saddlers, and in like manner, certain persons of the

1 8 Antiquity and Early

trades of the Painters, Joiners, and Lorimers, should be
chosen to treat in behalf of each such trade, for re-estab-
lishing peace between them.

" And hereupon, there were chosen, by assent of the
whole Commonalty, of the trade of the Saddlers, Ralph
de Blithe, Richard Bukskyn, Alan de Frechebeke,
Gilbert de Balsham, John de Champaigne, and Robert
de Bristolle. And of the trades of Joiners, Lorimers in
copper and in iron, and Painters, there were chosen, by
assent of all such trades, Robert de Suttone, and Walter
le Kew, copresmythes, Ralph le Gilder, and Richard de
Bernham, ironsmythes, Robert de Donemowe, and
Richard le Whyte, Joiners, Henry de Denecombe, and
Geoffrey le Purtreour,^ Painters. Who, being so chosen,
together with the Aldermen aforesaid, they began to
treat of peace, as before stated. But on that day they
could not bring the said matter to an end ; by reason
whereof, they named a future day, that is to say, the
Tuesday following, then to meet again, in order to treat
more at length of peace and concord, as before men-
tioned.

" Upon which day they met, and there they did ordain
and establish final peace and concord ; which, in a
certain schedule delivered to the Mayor and Aldermen,
is more fully set forth ; the tenor of which is as fol-
lows : —

" * Whereas dissensions and strifes have been moved
between the folks who are Saddlers of London, of the
one part, and the folks who are Joiners, Lorimers in iron,
Lorimers in copper, and Painters of the same city, of the
other part ; thereupon^ by ordinance of common friends,
that is to say, of Thomas Rys, Richard Denys, Walter
le Mazerer, Hugh de Brandone, John de Castelacre
Nicholas Crane, and Thomas de Berkyng, the which

^ The portrayer.

History of the Company. 19

have been chosen and thereunto ordained by the Sad-
dlers before-mentioned ;^ and of Henry Moncoy, John
Saleman, Adam Pykeman, Thomas de Havering, John
le Kynge, and John Coterel, the which have been chosen
and thereunto ordained by the Joiners, Lorimers, and
Painters aforesaid ; the which ordainers, with one con-
sent and one will, have made agreement and peace in
this form between the parties aforesaid : [it was agreed],
that is to say : —

" ' That if the Saddlers aforesaid, or any one of them, or

any of their successors, shall, at any time
^ended. ° ^ to come, after this present time, offend

against the Joiners, Lorimers, and Painters
aforesaid, or shall maintain any one of their household,
or any other person whatsoever, in so doing, and shall
thereof, by good and lawful persons, be convicted,
and will not in due form make amends ; then, in such
case, the Saddlers aforesaid do will and do grant, for
themselves and for their successors, that they shall be
bound to pay unto the Joiners, Lorimers, and Painters
aforesaid, ten tuns of good wine, and to render the same
within one month next ensuing after the offence of
which conviction shall have been so made ; and also
other ten tuns of good wine unto the Mayor and the
Commonalty of London, at the same time to be paid
and rendered. And in all the ways in which the
Saddlers aforesaid, for themselves and for their vadlets
and their successors, have bound themselves as towards
the Joiners, Lorimers, and Painters aforesaid, in the same
manner have the ordainers aforesaid ordained that the
Joiners, Lorimers, and Painters before-mentioned, for
themselves, for their vadlets, and for their successors,

^ It would appear that these were a second body of arbi-
trators, appointed probably through the inability or failure of
the first.

20 Antiquity and Early

shall be bound as towards the Saddlers before-men-
tioned.

" 'And further, by the said ordainers it is ordained, that
if the Saddlers aforesaid shall receive or take back, or
any one of them shall receive or take, the persons of their
trade hereinafter named, or any one of them, who have
withdrawn themselves for the offences which they have
committed against the Joiners, Lorimers, and Painters
aforesaid, such names being here specified and set forth,
namely : — Nicholas Bonere, John Bonere, William de
Carletone, Alexander de Oundle, Roger de Wyndesore
John de Houghtone, Roger le Gierke, his vadlet, John
de York, saddler, and John de Coventre, saddler, or
from their goods and chattels in any manner shall
maintain or sustain them, or maintain and sustain any
one of them, before they shall have given satisfaction,
and made peace and agreed with the Joiners, Lorimers,
and Painters aforesaid, and shall, by good and lawful
persons, be convicted of so doing, then, in such case,
they shall be bound to pay twenty tuns of good wine ;
that is to say, ten tuns of wine to the same trades of the
Joiners, Lorimers, and Painters, within the month next
ensuing after they shall have been so convicted ; and
the other ten tuns of wine to the Mayor and to the
Commonalty of the said City. And that these ordi-
nances and grants shall hold good and be valid, as well
against the Saddlers aforesaid, as the Joiners, Lorimers,
and Painters before-mentioned, they shall be enrolled in
the Husting at London, for ever to endure ; and also in
the paper of the chamber of Guildhall aforesaid.'

"And further, the men of the trades of Joiners, Painters,
and Lorimers in copper and in iron, presented to the
Mayor and Aldermen a petition, the tenor of which was
as follows : —

'* ' To the Mayor, to the Aldermen, and to all the Com-
monalty of London, make prayer the Painters, Joiners,

HiSTOEY OF THE CoMPANY.

21

and Lorimers in iron and in copper, dwelling in the City
of London, that no stranger, of whatsoever condition he
may be, shall be admitted to, or suffered to follow, any
of the said trades in the same City, before he shall have
been received at the Husting in presence of the Mayor
and Aldermen, by assent of eight reputable men who
shall be chosen to keep and oversee the same trades ;
and shall have found for the Commonalty sufficient
surety among persons of the same trades as he is bound
to do. And if any person be found to contravene the
ordinance aforesaid, he may be amerced in the sum of
one mark, in manner below stated.

" ' And also they pray that no manner of work be-
longing to the same trades that has once been used,
shall be afterwards repaired for resale thereof ; and if it
shall so happen that any such repaired work shall be
found on resale, that it shall be forfeited to the Mayor
and to the Commonalty.

" ' And, further, they pray that every time that any
freeman shall be found to contravene the points afore-
said, or any one of them, he shall be amerced in the
sum of one mark at the Chamber of the Guildhall,
without having release or pardon thereof " ^

In 1350, the City Letter Books record a re-
monstrance from the Kinpf to the

A.D. 1350. , . ..

Wages of Sad- Mayor and Sheriffs, directed against
Roya^ Ordi-^ the high rate of wages demanded by
nance. Saddlers and other artificers of the
City, in the following words^ : —

" Edward, by the grace of God King of England and

^ The result of this petition is not stated.

^ Letter Book F., fol. 148, b. The original is in Latin.

2 2 Antiquity and Early

France, and Lord of Ireland, to the Mayor and Sheriffs
of London, greeting. Whereas it has been ordained
and agreed, among other ordinances lately made by us,
[our] prelates and nobles assisting us, for avoiding the
dearness of workmen and other servants, that Saddlers,
Skinners, Cordwainers, Cobblers, and all workmen and
artificers soever, shall not take for their labour and
work more than was accustomed to be paid to such in
the 20th year of our reign over England, or in the five
or six common years next preceding, in places where
they happened to be working, under a certain penalty
in the aforesaid ordinance contained, as is more fully in
the same ordinance contained, and we have charged you
that you should cause that ordinance to be publicly pro-
claimed and observed in places within that City and
suburbs of the same. And now, from information of
noblemen as well as others who, by our command as
well as for divers causes, flock both to the same City and
suburbs and there remain, we have learnt that notwith-
standing the ordinance aforesaid having been proclaimed
in the aforesaid places, yet, inasmuch as the penalty
contained in the said ordinance is not enforced against
those who do not observe the same, the said workmen
and artificers not considering the ordinance and pro-
clamation aforesaid, nor fearing the penalty in the same
ordinance contained, sell the work of their labour for
what they will, and take more for their work of this
kind than was wont to be paid to them in the said
years before the ordinance from the same noblemen and
others, to the loss and prejudice of the same noblemen
and others, and contrary to the ordinance and pro-
clamation aforesaid. And because it is in vain that
laws are made unless they be duly executed, we com-
mand you that you cause the aforesaid ordinance to
be observed in the City and suburbs aforesaid, and that
you punish and chastise those who act contrary to it,

History of the Company. 23

as you shall see ought to be done in accordance with
the ordinance aforesaid, lest complaint thereon again
reach us whereby we should have to take strong
naeasures against you as their abettors.

" Witness myself at Westminster, the 7th day of
December, the 23rd year of our reign over England, and
the loth year of our reign over France. And be it
known that that writ, after proclamation thereon made,
was delivered to Walter Turk, Mayor, and remains with
the said Mayor

.. "

Six years afterwards we find the Saddlers'

Company again taking action to prevent an

A D 13^6 infringement of their liberties by

The Saddlers another guild ; this time it is the

te "^ ers. Q-^ji^^g^ jj^ ^j^^ Close Rolls of 3O

Edward III., deposited at the Public Record
Office, there is enrolled an order from the King
in Council, dated 6th October, 1356, which sets
forth that upon the petition of the Girdlers' Com-
pany the King had proposed to grant to that
Company the right of confiscation of all girdles
of inferior workmanship. The Saddlers' Company,
however, protested against this grant to the
Girdlers, on the ground of its interference with
their own liberties and trade, and their representa-
tions seem to have made due impression, for we
read that the King thereupon stayed execution of
his former mandate, issued in favour of the
Girdlers.

The text of the document is in Latin and the
following is a translation : —

24 Antiquity and Early

" For the Saddlers 1 The King to the Mayor and

of the > Sheriffs of London, Greeting.

City of London. J Whereas lately the Girdlers of

our City of London by their
petition exhibited before us and our Council in our
Parliament at Westminster, held after the Feast of the
Purification of the Blessed Mary, in the first year of our
reign of England, showed forth to us that whereas it
had been anciently ordered and used in the City afore-
said, that none of the said Mystery should cause girdles
of silk, wool, leather, or linen thread to be adorned with
baser metal than brass, battery, iron or steel ; and if any
work be found ornamented with baser metal that work
should be burnt. And because the said Mystery in the
City aforesaid then stood greatly damaged and defamed
because certain men of that Mystery, dwelling without
the City aforesaid, have made those girdles of false
work, such as lead, pewter, and tin, and other base
material by which the people of our said City and realm
have been deceived to the damage of the same, and
scandal of the men of the aforesaid Mystery. The said
Girdlers have besought us that we would approve the
ordinance and grant abovesaid, and further grant that
the ordinance and custom aforesaid in the City aforesaid
and elsewhere throughout our whole realm may be for
ever firmly observed. And we, for avoiding such decep-
tions and damages, and for the common good of our
people, willing to incline to the supplication aforesaid,
have by our letters patent accepted and approved the
ordinance and custom aforesaid. Willing and granting
for us and our heirs that the same ordinance and grant
may be observed and maintained in the City aforesaid
and elsewhere, throughout our whole realm, forever ; and
that in the same City and every other city, borough, and
good town of the same realm, where such workmen be,
one or two upright and faithful men of that Mystery

History of the Company. 25

may be chosen by the men of the same Mystery there
dwelhng to observe the premises and to make scrutiny
as often as it shall seem expedient, and if any Girdler's
work should be ornamented with lead, pewter, or tin, or
other base material by the said men so elected, it may
be presented to the scrutiny aforesaid before the Mayor
of the City aforesaid, or before the mayors or Keepers
of other cities, boroughs, and vills of our said Kingdom
in places where the said false work shall be found, and
by consideration of the said Mayor or Keeper the said
false work shall be burnt, and by their discretion the
workmen punished for their false work, and the amercia-
ments coming from such punishments shall remain to
the Mayors and Keepers and the Commonalty of the
places where such work shall happen to be found. And
that the men of the Mystery aforesaid so elected for
making the scrutiny aforesaid in the City aforesaid as
often as they shall come to other cities, boroughs, or
vills of the said Kingdom where the said Mystery is
used, together with other men of the same Mystery for
this elected, may in places where they come, make
scrutiny of such works and defaults of the same work-
men [and] present them to the Mayor and Keepers of
the places aforesaid, as is aforesaid, as in our Letters
Patent thereof made is said more fully to be contained.
And although lately by our writ we commanded you
that in the City aforesaid and its suburbs, and in other
places within your liberty where you should deem it
expedient, you cause those Letters to be publicly pro-
claimed, and our ordinance and grant abovesaid as
much as to you pertains to be firmly upheld and observed
in the same City and Suburbs. Yet nevertheless, after
the issuing of the said writ so to you directed, the
Saddlers of our City aforesaid before us and our
Council have seriously complained that they by pretext of
the ordinance aforesaid are manifoldly disquieted by

26 Antiquity and Early

wrongly asserting that they are able to ornament girdles
with metal not prohibited without offending against
such ordinance, which ought not of right to bind them,
and which manifestly tends to the damage of the people
of our Realm, that the said Girdlers have mis-used their
Mystery aforesaid and by seeking thereupon a remedy
by us to be afforded for the good of the Commonwealth.
We have caused the execution of the said v/rit to be
postponed, as well for such causes as on account of
various doubts which seem here and there to arise in
that business, until the next Parliament, that then the
same business may be fully discussed and determined
with deliberate counsel. And therefore we command
you that you in the meantime wholly refrain from
making the execution of our mandate aforesaid if it has
not already been made, forewarning the parties afore-
said that they be present in Parliament, that is to say,
the aforesaid Girdlers (are) to exhibit their Letters Patent
aforesaid there, and as well they as the said Saddlers,
to put forth their grievances and reasons thereupon and
further to do and receive what upon the premises should
then happen to be ordained in that Parliament if they
should see it to be expedient to themselves. And that
you then have there the names of those by whom you
have caused those parties to be forewarned, and this
writ, wholly returning without delay to him, or them, to
whom it shall belong, whatsoever work of the aforesaid
Saddlers touching girdles has been presented before
you, if any, by colour of the said ordinance by the said
conservators in the said City. Witness the King at
Westminster on the twenty-sixth day of October
[A.D. 1356].

" By the King himself and his Council."^

^ The Parliamentary Rolls do not show the issue.

History of the Company. 27

In 1363 (36 Edward III.) we find In the City

A.D 1363 Books the following ordinances ratified

Ordinances of to the Saddlers' Company, upon their

36 Ed. III. petition, which Is stated at length : ^ —

" To the honourable and just lords, the Mayor and
Aldermen of the City of London, the Saddlers of the
same City humbly make their supplication that the
points and ordinances beneath written, ordained by
the masters of their said mistery, may be allowed for
the common profit of the realm and the honour and
preservation of their mistery.

" First, that no woodwork of a saddle coming from
the joiner be found rotten : And that each Saddler
make the saddle well stretched, with good leather
throughout within and without, with good ligament or
with good canvas, under penalty beneath written.

^ Letter Book G., fol. loi b. ; the original is in Norman
French. These are the earliest ordinances of the Company
which are recorded, and it will be interesting to compare them
with the ordinances of the Saddlers of Paris in the thirteenth
century : —

" None may be a Saddler in Paris nor sell saddles trimmed
with shoe-leather unless he buys his trade

s^iidT^^^ 'fv^^- ^^^^^^ ^^^^ King, and those to whom the King

has given power, according to his pleasure,
sell on the King's behalf for 16 sols;* and of those 16 sols
the King has given 10 sols to his principal Chamberlain and
6 sols to the Constable of France.

" The trade of Saddlers has three ' Viewers ' {Pnid' hommes) ,
appointed by the common assent of all or of the greater number,
who are required to swear upon the Saints before the Viewers

* The sol or sou, the French shilling, equalled the tenth part of our
shilling. This coin, however, varied in value, the " sou de Paris" differing
from that in use in other parts of P'rance.

D

2 8 Antiquity and Early

" Also, that no Saddler cover, nor cause to be covered,
the woodwork of an old saddle to sell again as a new
saddle, unless it be the saddle of another to be repaired
or newly covered, under penalty beneath written.

" Also, that no one make the covering or the seat
of any saddle of sheepskin, and that no pannel of a
saddle be made of sheepskin, black nor red, which is
called ' purs-lether,' under penalty beneath written.

" Also, that no woodwork of a saddle be covered with
* past ' (paint or pastre), unless it be cloth or velvet,
under the penalty.

"Also, that no pannel be lined, except with *velt'

of the trade that they will well and loyally preserve their trade
to their power, and that they will make known the offences of
their trade to the Provost of Paris, or to whosoever shall be in
his place in the Provostship.

" All those who are of the trade of Saddlers at Paris are
bound to come and assemble themselves together, and at the
request of the three trades, or of the two when -they have
need to have their advice, as when they have taken a false
work, to have their advice in judging it. And if they will not
come on their request the Provost of Paris gives them a
Serjeant, who makes them come by the power of the Provost.

" No Saddler or vendor of saddles ought to buy the busi-
ness of the King unless he works in shoe-leather, or the
saddles which he sells are trimmed with shoe-leather ; so long
as the saddles which he makes, or which he sells, are all
trimmed with cowhide or all with basil ; and he cannot trim
them or sell them unless they are trimmed entirely with one.

" None may dye, or cover, or put any manner of covering
on a saddle which is broken above the fastening of the peak,
nor on a saddle which is broken more than in two places above
the peak. And if any such manner of saddles is found by
any one soever, it ought to be burned without (power of) re-
demption and without any delay.

"None may trim a saddle covered with any kind of cover-

History of the Company. 29

(felt), or with other stuff that is good and lawful, under
the same penalty.

"Also, that no harness be made new unless it be
good and sufficient, and not lined with old leather,
under the same penalty.

"Also, that no seat of a saddle be nailed with nails of
tin, but only with nails of iron, under the same penalty.

"Also, that no sewing nor skirts be nailed with nails
of tin nor of pewter, if they be not well and lawfully
rivetted with iron or v/ith latten, under penalty beneath
written.

ing nor dyed with any manner of dye which is not well and
truly curried, that is to say, all the four {cors) of every bow from
one peak to the other, which is called currying by {chantians)^
unless they be varnished saddles made for Templars or persons
in religion, or saddles which {demuereni) varnished fustian; and
whosoever shall otherwise do it (the saddle) shall be burned
when it is found without redemption and without ransom.

" No Saddler may put old curried furniture with new work,
that is to say, that the saddle be new or old, the drapery
new or old, or the covering be new or old, unless he make
it at the request of some person other than one of the trade
who shall have desired and wished that it be made with new
and old seuni together.

" No Saddler may stitch basil with shoe-leather or any
other manner of leather unless it be in a saddle which is called
a bassette (a country saddle).

" No Saddler may stitch basil with cowhide nor with calf
for any furniture of what kind soever. And if any does so
the work should be burned.

" No Saddler may put hair into a saddle trimmed with
shoe-leather, that is to say, (one) of which the seat and lappet
are of shoe-leather, and if he do so the saddle should be
burned.

" No Saddler ought to make a sumpter saddle, or saddle
trimmed with shoe-leather or black basil, unless the currying
thereof is well and sufficiently curried.

D 2

30 Antiquity and Early

"Also, that no saddle nor harness be ornamented with
old cloth instead of new cloth, under the penalty aforesaid.

" Also, that no alien nor foreigner of the said mistery
coming to the said City be suffered to keep house
or shop, but that he be first examined by the four
masters of the said mistery, who are elected and sworn,
whether he be able and sufficient to work in the said
mistery or not. And if he be able and sufficient, that
they cause him to come before you that he may be

"None may paint in gold colour the back of a saddle,
unless it be covered with fine gold, without mixture of silver,
which is called parcel gold (or parcel gilt), but the saddle-bow
in front he may paint with what he pleases ; and if such a
saddle is found it should be burned.

" None may put on a saddle or buckler anything stamped
or laid on or colour-stamped (?) {ieteiche (festain) unless in the
case of one who is obliged of necessity to remove two or three
(?) {escuriaiis)ix<dWi a saddle which one of the Viewers has bought,
and he may make these (?) {escurians) of dyed thread at the
request of the purchaser. And if any make a Saddle con-
trary to this regulation the saddle should be burned.

" Saddlers call a thing stamped or laid on or colour-
stamped when any one works on moulds, whatever kind of
moulds they be, and afterwards attaches the moulded thing
with glue to the saddle-bow, and of such work they say that it
is not good or true, nor ought so to be sold, for all rehef work
ought to be made in pldtre a pencil both on the saddle and
on the buckler.

" No Saddler may have dealings with a Silversmith about
covering his masterpiece, that is to say, saddle, buckler, or
targe, with gold or silver from the Silversmith ; for the Silver-
smith when he has dealings with their gold and silver does not
give such gold or silver as he ought, nor so that there may be
profit or honour to the Saddlers. And if any does so he shall
pay a fine of 5 sols to the King.

" No Saddler may trim any saddle to store or sell unless it
has been first twice curried well and truly, that is to say,

History of the Company. 31

acknowledged as good and sufficient before the com-
monalty according to the requirements of the franchise
of the City, under the same penalty.

" Also, if any such be found not able nor experienced
in the said mistery, be he foreign or alien, let him be
compelled, by the four masters aforesaid, to serve other
masters of the mistery, until he be able and sufficient
for the common weal, and also [become] free of the
City, under the penalty aforesaid.

besides the first time. And if any do otherwise the saddle
should be burned.

" No Saddler ought to make {?){kge) on his sumpter-saddle
or any other, that is to say, that which is put on the end
of the bows of the sumpter which carry the coffers, unless
it be made of horsehide, or pigskin, or cowhide, or some other
suitable leather, and all in one piece, and if it be made in any
other manner the saddle should be burned.

" Saddlers may trim for a man who is not of the trade his
saddle or sumpter-saddle with such trimming as he shall bring
to them, be it old or new, and may put in canvas with hair if
he brings the hair from without.

" None may buy a saddle trimmed with shoe-leather to sell
again in Paris unless he have purchased the trade from the
King, and if he do so, he who sells the business of the Cord-
w^ainers on the King's behalf may take the saddle and do with
it as he will.

" If any Saddler have lost anything belonging to his trade,
such as a (?) {boiidre\ which is what they call the covering of a
saddle for a horse or service-horse, or any other thing whatso-
ever it be, he should inform the Master of the trade, and the
Master should cause it to be given up to him if he knows
where it is.

" If any Saddler is buying anything belonging to his trade
within the City of Paris or without, and any of the trade of
Saddlers has given the earnest penny, or the hand-grasp, or
has made a bargain^ he may have a share and bargain of what-
soever it be belonging to his trade, be>>it painting, trimming of

32 Antiquity and Early

" Also, if any master, or vadlet, or servant disagree,
owing to some dispute between them, let no other
master of the said mistery be so daring as to put or
help the aforesaid vadlet to any work until the master
and the vadlet shall have been brought to a reasonable
agreement by the four masters of the said mistery,
under the same penalty.

" Also, if any vadlet or servant of the said mistery has
served any master in the said mistery for any fixed
term, by covenant between them made, and no default
be found in the vadlet or servant, and the master, from

shoe-leather, or anything else, and if he who demands a share
wishes to take half of it, he shall take as little as he should
pay for and of any manner of thing be pleased for the price
he should pay.

"None of the trade may trim a saddle if it be not sold
before it is trimmed unless they be saddles for store or var-
nished saddles, or white saddles of polished white, or fustian
saddles, nailed on the rings behind with metal nails, without
any gold nails, and if any makes one in any other manner, the
saddle may be given up and sold for nothing, for work which
is trimmed before it is sold is neither good nor sufficient, and
(saddles) are not trimmed before they are sold with any
loyalty. And if he does this in any other manner he shall
pay a fine of lo sols to the King.

" No Saddler may put a saddle in a window either below
or above overlooking the street unless it be on a peg, that is to
say, that the saddle-bow be over the peg, and if any one does
so he shall have a fine of 12 deniers * to pay to the King.

" None may work on Sunday nor on the four feasts of Our
Lady, that is to say, in mid-August, in September, at Candle-
mas, and in March, unless it be in arms for a shield in- case of
need, or to put one (?) {estoiz) and one breast leather to a saddle,
or to attach harness to a sumpter-saddle, that is to say, the

* Penny. The old French penny equalled in value the tenth part of
our English penny.

History of the Company. ^;^

malice or evil disposition, will not pay the said vadlet or
servant his wage for his service, according to the agree-
ment between them made, or that the master wish him
to do service against his will after his agreement has
been well and lawfully fulfilled, that then the master
suffer the same penalty.

" Also, if any vadlet or servant of the same mistery
can be found in any default towards his master, whether
it be by covin or enticement of another, or by his own
malice, let him suffer the same penalty.

" Also, if anything of the said mistery, in manner

crupper and the breast leather, and if he does otherwise he
shall pay a fine of 20 sols, half to the King and the other half
to the brotherhood.

'' No Saddler may have more than two apprentices to his
trade, that is to say, one in painting and one in trimming,
unless it be his child or his wife's child, or some poor person
whom he maintains out of charity and without agreement for
money or service.

" No Saddler may take apprentices other than the persons
above named unless he take them at least for a term of three
years' service, and at least at 8 livres of deniers * and 5 sols to
the brotherhood ; and for more money and longer service he
may take them, but for less money or shorter service he may
not take them.

" The apprentice must not enter on the business until he
has paid his 5 sols, and the master 5 sols for each apprentice,
to the brotherhood.

" The three Masters of the trade, or two, or one (of them)
ought each month, once at least, to go through the houses to
protect the above-named trade of Saddlers, and ought every-
where to take bad work where they find it, show it to the
Viewers, and if it is found and adjudged as bad it should be
burned by the Provost of Paris.

' ' Every Saddler and every one of his varlets ought, and is

* The livre, like the sol, differed in value in different parts of France.

34 Antiquity and Early

before-mentioned, be found defective, secretly or openly,
which can lawfully be found or proved by the four
masters of the said mistery, let the same thing be
destroyed by the decree of the Mayor and discretion of
the said masters and let him in whose possession such
thing be found suffer the same penalty.

" Also, that it be allowed at any time to the four
masters aforesaid of the said mistery, to search house,
shop, and chamber within the franchise of the said City,

bound by oath, to make known to the Masters of the trade if
any one of the trade, be he their master, or their neighbour,
or another, transgresses in any of the things above-named
against the aforesaid trade.

" No Saddler may take a varlet into the service of his
trade for more than one day unless the varlet has sworn on
the true Saints that he will do his trade well and truly, and
observe the above-named regulations, and if he does otherwise
he shall pay a fine of 5 sols to the King ; and if the varlet
has not been willing to work for another at his trade for two
days or more continually, and he can prove it, and if he proves
it he shall be quit of the 5 sols, and he against whom he
shall prove it in his presence shall pay them.

" None may, or ought, to put into his work nails of ivory
or enamel of any kind soever, and if he do so the work
should be burned, for the work is not good nor true.

" No Saddler may put into, his work goods made outside
the City of Paris before the goods shall have been inspected
by the Viewers who protect the trade, that is to say, painting
by the Painters, coverings and thongs and saddles by the
trimmers, and saddle-bows by the Carpenters, and if any put
them into his work he shall forfeit the work, and it shall be
burned, and he shall pay a fine of 10 sols to the King.

" None may work at the trade of Saddlery in Paris, that is
to say, trim shoe-leather, unless he have bought the trade
from the King, or had the work from a man who has bought
the trade fiom the King.

History of the Company. 35

wherever any saddle or harness appertaining thereto
can be found, and lawfully to examine them whether
they be good and suitable in manner aforesaid or not.
And whensoever any prove rebellious against the four,
and are unwilling to allow them to search in manner
aforesaid, then let them take a serjeant of the
Chamber with them to any place where any such can
be found, and let him whosoever rebels suffer the same
penalty.

" No Saddler or any other may deliver a trimmed dyed
saddle before it has been varnished, unless it be a sumpter-
saddle, and if he do so he shall pay a fine of 5 sols to the
King,

" None may nor ought to put (?) icontresangles) nor other
harness, unless it be good and true, that is to say, if it have not
one border of (?) {conane)^ that is to say, of pigskin, or have at
least one border of new leather which is as good, and whoever
does so his work shall be burned.

" None may nor ought to call out to or address a purchaser
who is before another's stall, nor before another's house, if he
do so he shall have a fine of 5 sols to pay to the King and
5 sols to pay to the brotherhood.

" None may nor ought to refuse to allow anything of his
trade to be seen by the Masters, sworn guardians of the trade,
to see of them is anything finable therein. And if he do so
he shall have a fine of 10 sols to pay to the King.

" No Saddler or Painter owes anything in respect of any-
thing which he sells or which he buys belonging to his trade
provided he uses it in his work, save 40 sols de Paris, which
every Saddler of Paris and every Lorimer, for whatsoever he
sends out, ought each year to pay to the King at the fair of
Saint Ladre (Saint Lazare), and thereby is he free to go to
fairs and markets ; and these 40 sols the four Viewers of the
trade assess, more on one, less on another, as it seems good to
them. And these four men, or two of them at least, demand
at the Chatelet one Serjeant to take from each of those who

36 Antiquity and Early

" Also, if any covin or assembly of the Company be
secretly made by the vadlets and servants of the said
mistery, for obtaining from their masters more wages
than they ought (to have) in their mistery, to the pre-
judice of the people, and it can be discovered or proved,
let such suffer the penalty beneath written.

" Also, if any master, vadlet, or servant, alien or
foreign, be discovered, and by the four masters proved
in any default aforesaid, let him pay for his first offence
to the Chamber of the City, 6s. Sd. ; for the second
offence, 1 3 j. ^d. ; for the third offence, 20s. ; and, for the
fourth, let him abjure the mistery within the City of
London, according to the judgment of you and the four
masters aforesaid.

'' The names of those elected before the Mayor and
Aldermen for keeping the aforesaid articles, viz. : —

William Lincolne,-^

John Pountfreit,

Roger Excestre,

Gerard atte Nook, J

are assessed what is assessed on him. And these four men
elect the Master of the trade each year.

" Saddlers who trim with shoe-leather or other leather of
what kind soever, and those who sell saddles trimmed with
any kind of curriery, ought to aid the Cordwainers in paying
the (?) {hueses) to the King, and thereupon they may work in
any kind of curriery they please.

" The Masters who shall be appointed to protect the trade
are quit of all the charges and all the expenses, and of all the
outgoings which they say on their oath they have paid and
disbursed to protect the trade, and they may, and ought to,
assess and collect, from one more, from another less, according
to what seems good to them, saving the taxation due to the
Provost of Paris, if need there be." — Regulations relating to
the Trades of Paris, collected in the Xlllth Century, and
known under the name of the Book of Trades of Stephen

> Saddler sr

History of the Company. 2)1

In the year 1364, we learn from the City Books,

AD 1364. ^^^^ ^^ Saddlers' Company, among

Contribution Others, Contributed the sum of one

towards Edward 1 , i i •n* . i .1

III. 's French hundred shiilmgs towards the support
wars. q£ ^^ King in the prosecution of his
French wars. This is one of the earliest instances
of a general levy upon the Livery Companies for
State purposes, although, as we shall presently see,
the custom was destined to become more frequent
and extended. In return for this patriotic sup-
port of the Companies, but more probably with
a view to encourage their development — for
Edward III. was a thorough protectionist — the
King gratified them by a more liberal distribution
of charters. If the extent of the contributions of
the several Companies enumerated in the manu-
script is any measure of their order of importance
or relative wealth, the Saddlers' Company would
appear, at this time, to have ranked about the
twenty-first.

The same year Edward III. granted the
Saddlers' Company the first charter or license
which is recorded to them on the Rolls.^

Boileau ; published for the first time in its entirety from the
Manuscripts of the King's Library and the Archives of the
Kingdom, by G. B. Depping (Title LXXVIII.).

^ Patant Roll, 37 Edward III., part 2, membrane 7. The
original is in Latin. This, however, must not be misinter-
preted as a Charter of Incorporation, which, it is claimed, was
granted to the Company in 1272,

Carpenter, in the " Liber Albus " (Rolls Series, i., 536),
has the following record of letters patent granted to the

7,8 Antiquity and Early

" For the Saddlers r The King to all to whom, &c.,
of London. \Greeting. The just men, the Saddlers
of our City of London, and of other cities, burghs, and
AD. 1-^64. ^^^^^ ^^ o^^ Kingdom, have besought us,
Charter from by their petition exhibited before us and
Edward III. q^j. (Council, in our last Parliament, that
whereas very many Saddlers dwelling in divers parts of
our said Kingdom, not being content with lawful gain,
do daily make saddles for sale of rotten and ill-seasoned
wood, and of false and weak hides, cloths, and trappings,
causing them to be garnished with nails of lead, tin, and
pewter, and do not desist daily to make divers other
deceits and deceptions in their works, and, nevertheless,
sell those saddles at a great price, to the damage and
deception of us and all our people, and also to the
manifest scandal and disgrace of just and faithful
Saddlers. We wish, for the common good and profit of
the said Kingdom, and for preserving the honour of that
trade, and of the faithful workmen of the same, to ordain
a fit remedy for such faults. We, for such failings and
deceptions, and for avoiding the injuries and grievances
which might happen to us and our people upon this,
Being willing to assent to their prayer in this behalf, of
our special grace have granted for us and our heirs, that
as well in the said City of London as in every other
city, burgh, or vill of the said Kingdom, where the trade
of saddle-making is now exercised, or hereafter may

Saddlers' Company in the thirty-seventh year of this reign :
" Charta Sellariorum in Hustengo de Communibus Placitis
tento die Lunae proximo post festum Sancti Petri in Cathe-
dra anno regni Regis Edwardi Tertii quadragesimo septimo.
(Hist. Roll of Common Pleas, No. 97.)

N.B. — The letters patent are dated ist December, 37
Edward III. but were apparently not enrolled till 47 Edward
III.

History of the Company. 39

happen to be exercised, one or two just and faithful
men of the said trade shall be elected and assigned by
the Saddlers dwelling there to overlook and take
charge of that trade, and to make scrutiny of the
defaults which may happen to be found there in the
work of Saddlers, as often as there shall be occasion,
and present all those defaults to the Mayor and Bailiffs
or Keepers of the vills, places, and markets where those
defaults shall be found [We] being willing that all such
false works so presented may be burnt by the discretion
of the said Mayor, Bailiffs, or Keepers, and that the
Saddlers making them may be punished by heavy amer-
ciaments, which same amerciaments shall remain for
ever with the aforesaid Mayor, Bailiffs, and Keepers and
Commonalty of the places where those defaults shall
happen to be found, and that they who are elected to
make such scrutiny in the City of London may present
in form abovesaid such defaults found in other cities,
burghs, and vills, together with others elected there. In
[witness] whereof, &c.

" Witness the King at Westminster, the first day of
December.

'' By the King himself and Petition of Parlia-
ment."

In the 50th year of the same reign, a.d. 1377,
the Saddlers' Company are recorded
as sending four members to the Com-
mon Council, which at that time was composed of
representatives of the guilds ; only nine of the
Companies sent more members than the Saddlers,
who contributed as many representatives as the
Cloth workers, Ironmongers, and Salters, and
twice the number of the Leathersellers, Brewers,
and other important crafts.

40

Antiquity and Early

In the same and the succeeding years we have
the following record of the election of the Com-
pany's Executive : —

" Election of Masters of Saddlers.

Rumbold Bodd

Walter Yong
John Cole
Simon Byrthorp

Masters of Saddlers sworn to faith-
fully discharge their duty, and such
defects as they shall find in the
same mistery faithfully to present
to the Mayor and Aldermen, and
^ to rule and supervise the same
mistery, to wit Thursday next be-
fore the Feast of S. Peter ad Vin-
cula [i Aug.], the 50th year of the
reign of King Edward the Third
after the Conquest [a.d. 1376]."^

'' Masters of Saddlers sworn.

Richard Stacy
Thomas Soysse
Robert Forster
William Sherewode

<

These are elected Masters of the
Saddlers and presented by good
men of the same mistery, and
sworn the 9th day of July in the
1st year of the reign of King
Richard the Second after the
Conquest [a.D. 1377] to rule well
the said mistery and to faith-
fully present such defects
as they shall find, and faithfully
to perform ail other duties as
appertain to the said office,
&c." '

^ Letter Book H., fol. 43 b.
2 Ibid., fol. 68 b.

History of the Company. 41

In the tenth year of Richard II. we find the
A D 1386. Saddlers' Company championing the
A despotic Lord Hbertles of the City, which were as-
^^^^' sailed by the then Mayor, Sir Nicholas
Brembre. Sir Nicholas Brembre was elected
Lord Mayor in 1377, and re-elected In 1383, and
the two following years. A Chronicle of London^
has the following account of his proceedings : —
''Also In this year (1385-6) Sir NIcholl Brembre
was chosen maire ageyne be the said craftes and
be the men of the contre at Harrowe, and the
contre there aboughte, and not be fre elecclon of
the citee of London as It oweth to be ; and the
oolde halle was stuffed with men of armes overe
even be ordlnaance and assente of S^ NIcholl
Brembre for to chese hym maIre on the morwe ;
and so he was."

A further account of the 111 deeds of this mag-
nate Is furnished in a petition by the Saddlers'
Company to the King and Parliament, which Is still
preserved In the Public Record Office, among the
Rolls of Parliament,'^ although unfortunately it Is
in a very fragmentary condition ; It Is In Norman
French, and the following Is a translation of as
much as can be deciphered : —

" To the most excellent and most powerful Lord our
most dread Lord the King and to the most noble and

^ A Chronicle of London from 108 9- 148 3, written in the
fifteenth century, and printed from MSS. in the British
Museum; Ed. by Sir W. H. Nicolas, 1827. There is a copy
in the Guildhall Library.

^ Parliamentary Petitions, No. 7,484.

42 Antiquity and Early

wise Lords of this present Parliament Their poor
Heges the Saddlers of London most humbly beseech
and complain against Sir Nicholas Brembre, Knight,
that whereas the said Master Nicholas, in his Mayoralty,
in the first year of the reign of our said Lord the King,
demanded of the Wardens of the said Mystery the
Charter granted and confirmed to them by the noble
progenitors of our said Lord the King, in which Charter
were granted divers articles in prohibition of the deceits
practised by divers strangers, as plainly appears by the
copy annexed to this. At which time the Wardens of
the said Mystery answered the said Sir Nicholas, that
they would not deliver their said Charter to him with-
out command of the King or Parliament. The said
Nicholas grievously threatening them that he would
drive them out at the point of the sword and cause the
whole of the said City to rise upon the said Mystery.
For fear of which and for the safety of their lives they
delivered to him their Charter, which he has detained
and still detains to the prejudice of the Crown of our
said Lord the King, and the great damage and injury
of the said Mystery. Wherefore they pray a remedy
and upon that which the law demands for the sake of
God and as an act of charity. Also the said suppliants
complain against the said Sir Nicholas and others his
accomplices of this, that the said Sir Nicholas, with the
assent of others, his confederates aforesaid, usurped to
himself royal power in this, inasmuch as it had been
usual in the said City, time out of mind, and by their
royal charters granted and confirmed, [that] when the
Mayor of London shall be elected his election shall be
by the Commonalty and free men of the said City,
until the aforesaid Sir Nicholas and the others, his
accomplices, by their conspiracy and evil imaginings to
destroy the good men of the said City and oppose the
freedom of the same, caused certain men who were their

History of the Company. 43

confederates to be summoned to the Guildhall of the
said City on the Feast of St. Edward the King in the
seventh year of the reign of our Lord the King who
now is, to elect a Mayor. And the said Sir Nicholas,
by the assent of all the others, proclaimed in divers
parts of the said City and charged every man of the
said City on pain of imprisonment and on pain of . . .

towards the King that none be so daring as

to be at the said election but those who were summoned,
and those who were summoned were summoned by the

consent of the said Sir Nicholas and his

to that election who would be caused to oppose their
Franchise. The said Sir Nicholas and the others, his
confederates, ordained certain men, as well strangers as

others, to the great at the Guildhall aforesaid

to make that election, and to put to death all other men
who wxre not summoned if they came there to the said
election, by which he willed ....... and the most

noble and wise Lords in this present Parliament of this
horrible thing done against the law and the Crown there
may be made a due remedy, for the sake of God and as
an act of charity.

" complain against the said Sir Nicholas

that whereas he, with the consent of others, his accom-
plices, usurped to himself royal power by coming to the
* Chepe ' with a great multitude of men ... (to the)
fear of all the good men of the said City, and there put
to death John Costantyn, Cordwainer, and afterwards
came to the shops of divers Saddlers and threatened

them to have in the same manner by which

each of them should be put out of the said City, and
not allowed to come there for fear of losing their lives.
And afterwards the said Sir Nicholas took certain men

Mystery and put them in prison without

any answer in the law, to the great fear of their lives
and the loss of their goods, so that he and the others,

E

44 Antiquity and Early

his confederates, usurped to themselves royal power

Lord the King that it please our said Lord

the King and the Lords aforesaid, for this deed done
against the Crown and the law of the land, to cause
them accordingly "

The rest of the document is too fragmentary
for a connected translation to be made.^ The
career of this despotic Mayor, however, was
brought to an untimely end the following year,
when he was implicated in a treasonable con-
spiracy and executed.

In the eighteenth year of his reign, 20th March,
A.D. 1395. 1395, Richard IL granted the Com-
incorporation pany a Charter of Incorporation, in
Richard IL the following words : —

" Richard, by the Grace of God King of England
and France, and Lord of Ireland, to all to whom the
present letters may come. Greeting. Our well beloved
liege men of the Mystery of Saddlers of our City of
London have besought us that whereas many men of the
Mystery aforesaid, of venerable estate, and very often
being by old age and feebleness and other infirmities
and misfortunes come to so great poverty and need that
they know not (how) to live, nor fitly to keep themselves,
and our said lieges piously sympathizing with the estate
of such poor, feeble, and infirm old men, as well present
as to come, by means of our license purpose to acquire
lands, tenements, and rents, to the value of twenty
pounds by the year for the sustentation of the said poor,

^ In the same bundle are like petitions from the Mercers,
Founders, Painters, Armourers, Embroiderers, Spurriers^ and
Bladesmiths.

History of the Company. 45

feeble, and infirm old men, and of one Chaplain to cele-
brate divine service, for the healthful estate of us and
for the souls of our progenitors, and for the souls of the
founders and sustainers of the aforesaid alms for ever.
We wish graciously to grant to them our royal license in
this behalf We being favourably inclined towards the
pious intention and laudable purpose of our well
beloved lieges, especially since they manifestly tend not
only towards mercy and inward affection towards one's
neighbour, but also to the increase of divine worship, of
our special grace, and for sixty pounds, which the same
our liege men of the Mystery aforesaid have paid to us,
into our hanaper. We have granted and given license
for us and our heirs to the same men of the Mystery afore-
said, that they, for the good governance of the Mystery
aforesaid may have a Commonalty of themselves for
ever. And that the men of the Mystery and Commonalty
aforesaid may every year elect and make four Keepers
from the men of the Commonalty and Mystery
aforesaid, to supervise, regulate, and duly govern the
Mystery aforesaid, and every member of the same. And
also from time to time for ever, to correct and amend
the faults of the Mystery aforesaid, and that the same
Keepers and Commonalty and their successors may ac-
quire lands, tenements, and rents with appurtenances to
the value of twenty pounds by the year, as well within
our City of London as without, provided that those
which shall be without our said City be not held of us
in chief To have and to hold to the same Keepers and
Commonalty, and their successors, in aid of the susten-
tation of the said poor, feeble, and infirm old men, and
of one Chaplain to celebrate divine service for our
healthful estate while we live, and for our souls when
we shall have migrated from this light, and for the souls
of our progenitors, and for the estate and souls of the
men of the Mystery and Commonalty aforesaid, and

E 2

46 Antiquity and Early

for the souls of all the faithful dead, for ever, according
to the order of the aforesaid Guardians and Commonalty
thereof to be made. In witness whereof we have made
these our letters to be made patent. Witness, Edmund,
Duke of York, Keeper of England, at Westminster, in
the twentieth day of March, in the eighteenth year of

our reign."

Two years later (20 Rich. II.) we obtain from

A.D. 1397. ^^^ ^^^y Letter Books an interesting
Dispute between account of a disputc between the

1\'T n^l^PT*^ inri

Yeomen Sad- masters and the yeomen or serving-
diers. j^^jj of the Saddlers' trade, which gives
us an excellent insight into the customs of the
guild at that early period. The record, which
is partly in Latin and partly in Norman French,
narrates that : —

" Whereas there had arisen no small dissension and
strife between the masters of the trade of Saddlers of
London, and the serving-men, called yeomen, in that
trade ; because that the serving-men aforesaid, against
the consent, and without leave of their masters, were
wont to array themselves all in a new and like suit once
in the year, and oftentimes held divers meetings, at
Stratford and elsewhere without the liberty of the said
City, as well as in divers places within the City ;
whereby many inconveniences and perils ensured to
the trade aforesaid ; and also, very many losses might
happen thereto in future times, unless some quick and
speedy remedy should by the rulers of the said City be
found for the same ; therefore the masters of the said
trade, on the loth day of the month of July, in the
20th year, &c., made grievous complaint thereon to the

History of the Company. 47

excellent men, William More, Mayor, and the Alder-
men of the City aforesaid, urgently entreating that, for
the reasons before mentioned, they would deign to send
for Gilbert Dustone, William Gylowe, John Clay, John
Hiltone, William Berigge, and Nicholas Mason, the then
governors of the serving-men aforesaid, to appear before
them on the 12th day of July then next ensuing.

"And thereupon, on the same loth day of July
precept was given to John Parker, Serjeant of the
Chamber, to give notice to the said persons to be here
on the said 12th day of July, &c. Which governors of
the serving-men appeared, and, being interrogated as to
the matters aforesaid, they said that time out of mind
the serving-men of the said trade had had a certain
Fraternity among themselves, and had been wont to
array themselves all in like suit once in the year, and
after meeting together at Stratford, on the Feast of the
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary [15 August]
to come from thence to the Church of St. Vedast, in
London, there to hear Mass on the same day, in honour
of the said glorious Virgin.

" But the said masters of the trade asserted to the
contrary of all this, and said that the Fraternity, and
the being so arrayed in like suit, among the serving-
men, dated from only thirteen years back, and even then
had been discontinued of late years ; and that under
a certain feigned colour of sanctity, many of the serving-
men in the trade had influenced the journeymen among
them, and had formed covins thereon, with the object
of raising their wages greatly in excess ; to such an
extent, namely, that whereas a master in the said
trade could before have had a serving-man or journey-
man for 40 shillings or 5 marks yearly, and his board,
now such a man would not agree with his master for
less than 10 or 12 niarks or even 10 pounds yearly ; to
the great deterioration of the trade.

48 Antiquity and Early

"And further that the serving-men aforesaid, accord-
ing to an ordinance made among themselves, would
oftentimes cause the journeymen of the said masters to
be summoned by a bedel, thereunto appointed, to attend
at Vigils of the dead, who were members of the said
Fraternity, and at making offerings for them on the
morrow, under a certain penalty to be levied, whereby
the said masters were very greatly aggrieved, and were
injured through such absenting of themselves by the
journeymen so leaving their labours and duties, against
their wish.

" For amending and allaying the which grievances and
dissensions the Mayor and Aldermen commanded that
six of the said serving-men should attend in the name
of the whole of the alleged Fraternity, and communicate
with six or eight of the master Saddlers aforesaid, etc. ;
both parties to be here, before the said Mayor and
Aldermen, on the 19th day of July then next ensuing,
to make report to the Court as to such agreement
between them as aforesaid. And further, th'e Mayor
and Aldermen strictly forbade the said serving-men in
any manner to hold any meeting thereafter at Stratford
aforesaid, or elsewhere, without the liberty of the said
City, on pain of forfeiture of all that unto our Lord
the King, and to the said City, they might forfeit.

"On which 19th day of July, came here as well the
masters aforesaid as the governors of the serving-men ;
and presented to the Mayor and Aldermen a certain
petition, in these words : —

" ' Gilbert Dustone, William G5dowe, John Clay, John
Hiltone, William Berigge, and Nicholas Mason, do
speak on behalf of all their Fraternity, and do beg of
the Wardens of the Saddlers that they may have and
use all the points which heretofore they have used.'

" Which petition having been read and heard, and divers
reasons by the said masters unto the Mayor and Alder-

History of the Company. 49

men shown, it was determined that the serving-men in
the trade aforesaid should in future be under the
governance and rule of the masters of such trade : the
same as the serving-men in other trades in the same
City are wont and of right are bound, to be ; and that
in future they should have no Fraternity, meetings, or
covins, or other unlawful things, under a penalty, etc.
And that the said masters must properly treat and
govern their serving-men in the trade, in such manner
as the serving-men in like trades in the City have been
wont to be properly treated and governed. And that if
any serving-men should in future wish to make com-
plaint to the Mayor and Aldermen, for the time being,
as to any grievance unduly inflicted upon him by the
masters aforesaid, such Mayor and Aldermen would
give to him his due and speedy meed of justice as to
the same." '

Henry VI., in the third year of his reign

A.D. 1424. (i2th October, 1424), confirmed the

First Charter Charter of Ed Ward HI., v^hich he

from Henry VI. . , i • i i 11 1 •

recites, and to v^hich he adds nothing

of importance in his own.^ In the twenty-fourth

year of his reign (3rd February, 1446) he con-

A.D. 1446. firmed the Charter of Richard II.,

A second Charter which he recites by inspeximus, con-

from Henry VI. it • i i r n • i

eluding With the loUowmg words,
which are all that are added: — "And we the
Letters aforesaid and all and singular in the same
contained have ratified and confirmed by the tenor
of these presents, and for us and our heirs as

^ Letter Book H., fol. 309 (Riley's " Memorials," pp. 542-544).
* Patent Roll, 3 Henry VI., part i, mem. 27.

50 Antiquity and Early

much as in us lies accept, approve, ratify, and
confirm them to our well -beloved Laurence
Braunche, John Sawyer, Richard Danton, and
William Coddesdon, now Keepers of the Mystery
of Saddlers of the City aforesaid, and the Com-
monalty of the same and their successors as the
Letters aforesaid reasonably witness. In (witness)
whereof, &c., witness the King at Westminster,
on the third day of February, a.d. 1446. For
two marks paid into the hanaper." ^

On the 5th of May, 1463, being the third year
AD 146-. o^ his reign, Edward IV. granted a
Charter from Charter to the Company. This is an
inspeximus of that granted by Richard

Edward IV.

II., after reciting which it concludes with the follow-
ing words : — '' But we the Letters aforesaid and all
and singular contained in the same having ratified
and confirmed for us and our heirs as much as in
us lies, do accept, approve, and to our well-
beloved William Bird, Thomas Hertwell, William
Portlouthe, and John Abell, now Wardens of the
Mystery of the Saddlers of the City aforesaid,
and to the Commonalty of the same and their
successors by the tenor of the presents, do ratify
and confirm them as the Letters aforesaid reason-
ably testify. In witness whereof we have caused
these our Letters to be made patent. Witness
ourself at Westminster the fifth day of May, in
the third year of our reign, a.d. 1463.'

>)0.

» Patent Roll, 24 Henry VI., part i, mem. 13.
- Patent Roll, 3 Edward IV., part i, mem. 19.

History of the Company. 51

Henry VH., by Charter granted in the eleventh

A.D. 149-. y^^^ ^^ ^'^^ reign, 28th October, 1495,

Charter from recites and confirms the first of Henry

enry . yj^^ which, as already stated, is an in-

speximus of that of Edward HI. The Charter

of Henry VH. contains no additional words. ^

A Return in the Public Record Office of all
The Company in the Companies' members for the year

A.D. 1537. 1537 places the Saddlers' Company
twenty-sixth in order of precedence, with a mem-
bership of sixty. The last three names men-
tioned in the list of the Company's members are :
** The good wife Pounde, the good wif Coupir,
and the good wif Yong."

Henry VHL, in the thirty-second year of his

A.D. 1540. reign (nth June, 1540), granted a

Charter from Charter which confirms and recites

that of Henry VH., but adds nothing

to it.^

In this year we have the earliest historical
notice of Saddlers' Hall, which was

A.D. 1545. r 1 • 1 r

the scene of one of the trials ot poor
Anne Askew, one of the first English protestant
martyrs, who was burned at Smithfield the follow-
ing year.^

^ Recited in Charter of Elizabeth. Patent Roll, i Eliz.,
part 2, mem. 4.
2 Ibid.
2 Foxe's " Acts and Ordinances."

52 Antiquity and Early

In the first year of Edward VI., 1547, when

^ ^ ,-,^ Enp^land was on the crest of the

Statute of Chan- wave of the Reformation, the Crown,

by the re-enactment of an Act passed

In the last year of the reign of Henry VIII.,

confiscated all chantries, colleges, chapels, and

bequests for superstitious uses, such as masses,

obits, etc. After appropriating the revenues from

this source for two years, the King allowed the

Companies to redeem the charges at twenty years'

purchase. In order to do this the Companies were

obliged to sell other property. The following

particulars of the redemption by the Saddlers'

Company are furnished by Strype : —

£ s. d.
"They purchased of the Kinge in Rente

per ann. . . . . . . .. 32 05 02

They sould tenements to buy the same

per ann. . . . . . . . . 21 14 08

Sum of the yerelie payments out of the Rents

purchased —

Xi S. d.

In pensions to poor decased Brethren 14 00 00
In Exhibitions to Schollers . . . . 05 06 08

To ther Almesmen . . . . . . 21 16 08

Sum of the yerelie payments . . 41 05 04"

The Charter granted by Elizabeth in the first

A.D. 1558. y^^'^ of her reign (9th November,

Charter from 1 558) Is a long and ample one, setting

out the Charters of Edward III. and

Richard II., and their confirmation by Edward IV.

COPY OF ILLUMINATED INTRODUCTION TO CHARTER OF QUEEN ELIZABETH
TO THE SADDLERS' COMPANY.

History of the Company.

53

and subsequent monarchs, together with a long
incorporation Charter by EHzabeth herself. The
Company are therein incorporated by the name
of the Wardens or Keepers and Commonalty of
the Mystery or Art of Saddlers of the City of
London, and are empowered to receive and
possess lands, tenements, and franchises ; to en-
force a quarterage of "^d. upon all freemen of the
Company for the sustenation of the feeble poor
and old men of the Mystery or Art aforesaid, and
for the improvement of the state of the common-
w^ealth of the Wardens, &c. ; to enforce payment
of any sums levied upon the commonalty by the
Wardens, with the assent of eight Assistants ; and
generally to do and manage all the affairs of the
Company. The Charter, moreover, confirmed to
the Company power to exercise supervision,
scrutiny, and correction over all makers of sad-
dles, bridles, bits, reins, stirrups, girdles, and
harness, or other things pertaining to the art of
saddlery, as well aliens as freemen, within the
vills of Southwark and Westminster, and a two-
mile circuit of the City. The Company were
also empowered to deface and destroy all deceitful
wares and to punish their makers, " so that the
correction and punishment of such be not exer-
cised against the law of England or the ordi-
nances and statutes thereof made, or against the
customs and liberties and privileges of the City of
London." ^

^ The original Charter is still in the Company's possession.

54 Antiquity and Early

The powers conferred upon the Company in this
A.D. 1561. Charter were supplemented by the
^rmed^^^EHza ratification, three years afterwards, of
beth. the Company's ordinances.

An Act of PaHiament of the 19 Henry VII.,
25th January, 1503, enacted among other things :
That no Master, Warden, or Fellowship of Crafts
or Mysteries, or any of them, or any Rulers of
Guilds or Fraternities, should take upon them to
make any acts or ordinances, nor to execute any
acts or ordinances by them heretofore made in
'' disheriting or diminishion " of the King's pre-
rogative or any other, or against the common
profit of the King's subjects and liege people,
unless such acts or ordinances were examined and
approved by the Lord Chancellor and Treasurer
of England, the Chief Justice of either Bench, or
three of them, or else before the Justices of Assize
when on circuit in that shire where the ordinances
were made. The confirmation recites that " the
Wardens, cominaltye and fellyshippe of the Mys-
terie of Sadlers enfranchized w'^'in the Citye of
London havinge divers auncient rules ordynnces
and othes heretofore tyme out of mynde, by their
predecessors ordeyned devised and made for their
conservacon, rule, good order and governance of
the same, their Misterie and fellishipp, w'^ War-
dens and Comminaltie not willinge in any wise to
infringe in any thinge the foresaide Acte of Par-
lyament, but myndfull in all things to have the
same observed and kept and being also desirous
to have their foresaide auncient rules ordynnces

History of the Company. 55

and othes to be dulye executed vppon their fore-
sayde fellowshippe and misterie for the good
governannce and maytennance of the good order
of the same, and the abolyshments of the con-
trarye, have thereuppon exibited and p'nted vnto
vs their peticion withe a booke contaynynge the
same new Rules Ordinannces and othes instantlye
desiring vs that we all and everye the said Rules
Ordinannces and othes wolde oversee pervse and
examyne and the same correcte reforme and
amende and also to allow^ ratifie and approve after
due manner and forme as by the foresaide Acte of
Parliamint is required."

The ordinances, confirmed a.d. 1561, are
twenty-seven in number. They set forth the
rules for the guidance and government of the
Company, and appoint the oaths to be taken by
the Wardens, Assistants, and freemen.

The year 1567 was remarkable for the first

A.D. 1567. Lottery which took place in England.

The first English It was introduced bv Queen Eliza-

°"^^^* beth, who is stated to have borrowed

this expedient for publicly raising money from

the practice of continental governments. The

Lord Mayor, in obedience to Royal commands,

issued a precept to the Companies, requiring them

to participate in the venture. The Saddlers'

Company's Audit Book for the year 1568 bears

the following entry in reference to the incident : —

" Item we fynde disborsed into the Lottarie of

thouse stocke, xv^."

56 Antiquity and Early

The allusion to " the house stock " indicates
that the contribution was made from the Trea-
sury chest of the Company, and that It was not,
as was usually the case, levied by " the pole " upon
the members of the fellowship. In the per-
emptory demands which Elizabeth was In the
habit of making upon the Companies, she con-
siderately commanded that the money to be lent
(sic) to her should be raised In this manner. This
degree of consideration, however, does not appear
to have mollified the Companies, who were In-
variably the poorer by the amount they furnished
her, If not in their Individual, certainly in their
corporate, capacity. The stipulation afforded in
Itself a trustworthy prospect of the chances of
repayment.^

^ According to Stow, the drawing for this Lottery was
commenced at the west door of St. Paul's Cathedral on the
nth January, and continued uninterruptedly by day and by
night until the 6th of May following. As an assuring feature
it was stated that the Lottery was to consist of all prizes, but
the amounts drawn were ridiculously trivial. Mr. Alfred
Kempe gives an interesting account of this Lottery, derived
from the Loseley MSS., and instances a number of the mottoes
used by the City Companies and others, some of which are
very quaint and amusing.

" We Brewers God sende us
A good lot to mende us.
Per John Bankes, of the parish of St. Gyles, s. d.
(No.) 47,699 ... ... ... ... I 3

God make all sure for the Armorers.
Per Thomas Tindal, London, (No.) 182,833 i 2

History of the Company. 57

In the Company's Audit for the year 1584-1585,
we find an allusion to one of those royal progresses
which Oueen Elizabeth was so fond of making:
from time to time through various parts of the
country. The incident of the Queen's return on
the occasion is described by Stow, who, in his
annals, informs us that on —

" The 1 2th November the Oueene's maiesty (returning
after her progresse) came to her Manor of St. James,
where the citizens of London, to the number of 200
— the gravest sorts in coats of velvet and chaines of
gold, on horsebacke — and 1,000 of the companies
on foote (having with them 1,000 men with torches,
ready there to give light on every side, for that the
night drew on) received and welcomed her."

The Company's record of the event is as

follows : —

We Cookes of London, which work eariy and late,
If anything be left God send us part. s. d.

Per Rich. Tomson, Lond., (No.) 268,094 ... i 2
For the Haberdashers.
Our sum put in
Is in hope to win. ... 3 4

I am a pore maiden and faine would marry,
And the lacke of goods is the cause that I tarry.
Per Sibbel Cleyon, (No.) 51,832 2 i

We putt in one lotte, poer maydens we be ten,
We pray God send us a good lotte that we all may
say amen.
Per Dorothie Hawes, of Cheapside,

(No.) 44,963 ••• I 2."

Lotteries were suppressed by an Act 10 William III., c.
23, which declared them nuisances, but they were revived in
subsequent reigns.

58 Early History of the Company.

" Item, we the saide auditors have receavid and
brought in for certayne of our yeomandrie, w^^ were
assigned to holde certayne torche lights at hir Ma*^^
comyng by the Parke Corner to St. James, w'^^ they
p'digally and laciviously burned homeward, being whole
and vnoccupied viij' iiij*^ (Fine)."

The Company received their first grant of

arms, with supporters, on the 20th

A.D. 1585. October, i^Ss- The oriQ^Inal Qfrant

Grant of Arms. ' o u & t>

has unfortunately not been preserved.
The arms are: — Azttre : a chevron between three
manage saddles complete, 07\ Crest: on a wreath
a horse passant, argent, crined, bridled, saddled,
and trappings, or ; on his head a plume of three
feathers, argent. Stippoi4ers : two horses argent,
maned, hoofed, and bridled, or ; on each head a
plume of three feathers, aigent.

Two mottoes were recorded to the Company
in the original grant : " Hold fast, Sit sure " over
the crest, and '' Our trust is in God " under the
arms. Both mottoes are recorded to the Com-
pany at the Visitation of London in 1633. The
first motto has subsequently been dropped, but
the reason cannot be ascertained. In a collection
of the arms of the City Companies in the Library
at Guildhall, entitled " London's Armoury," and
engraved in 1677, the first motto only is recorded.
But in MS. No. 6,860, of the Harleian Collec-
tion, which appears by the handwriting to belong
to a somewhat earlier period, the second motto
only occurs, and this Is likewise the case in the
Had. MS. No. 472.

History of the Company. 59

1 i

CHAPTER H.

iSTORiCAL Notices Continued.

Company's Order Books Commence.— A Glance at the State of the
Company in the beginning of the XVIIth Century, internally and
in Relation to the Craft. — Cheapside in 1600 a.d. — Its Churches. —
The Little Conduit, Cross, and Standard. — The "Mermaid." — The
Compters. — Ludgate. Historical Notices Continued : Gun-
powder Plot. — King of Denmark Visits the City. — ^James I. grants
the Company a Charter. — Frequent Occurrence of Plagues during
this Century ; that of 1607. — Company's Ordinances Ratified. —
Gowrie Conspiracy. — *' Ayde Money." — Colonization of Virginia. —
Interference by the Crown in Company's Domestic Concerns. —
Company's Scholars at the Universities. — The Colonization of
Ulster. — The Palatinate. — Introduction of Coaches ; opposed
by the Company. — Coronation of Charles I. — Whifflers. — The
Plague of 1630. — The Incident of Dr. Lambe. — The Restoration of
St. Paul's Cathedral. — St. George's, Southwark. — The Era of the
Revolution.— Heavy Exactions from the Companies. — Bury St.
Edmund's, Plague at. — Ship-money. — Loans to Charles I. and the
Parliament. — Plate sold to raise Money, and Money borrowed by
the Company. — Trouble in Ireland. — Further Demands upon the
Company. — The " Solemn League and Covenant." — The Company
and the Supply of Saddles to the Army. — Gunpowder Stock. —
Battle of Worcester. — "Ye States Armes." — Saddlers' Hall in
1653. — The Restoration. — Straitened Circumstances of the Com-
pany.— Their Contribution to Charles II. — More Exactions. —
Coronation of Charles II. — War with Holland ; enforced Contri-
butions.— The Ship " Loyall London." — The Great Plague of 1664.
— The Great Fire. — Arrangements for the Re-building of the Hall.
— Lord Mayors' Shows ; Processions by Water. — Alderman Dash-
wood ; his Gift. — The Company's Barge Cloth. — Attractions of the
Water Pageant for the Company. — The Custom Discontinued. —
"Stands," — The King's Esquire Saddler.- — The Company and the
Coachmakers. — Quo Warranto. — The Company Surrender their
Charter.— New Charter Granted by Charles II., 1684. — Tyranny of
James II. — His Removal of the Wardens and Assistants. — The same
removed from the Livery of the Company. — Their Restoration. —
The threatened Invasion by William of Orange frightens James —

F

6o History of the Company.

He returns the former Deed of Svirrender, and offers to grant the
Company a New Charter. — Abdication of James II. and Succession
of William III. and Mary II. — The Company propose to raise two
Dragoons. — Loans to William III. Repaid. ^ — Sir Richard Blackmore
and Saddlers' Hall.- — Saddlers' Hall in the Eighteenth Century ; De-
scription of, by Hatton and Maitland. — Entry of George I. into
London. — "A Good Trumpett and Kettledrum." — The Company
in iheir " Stands." — Frederick, Prince of Wales, visits Saddlers'
Hall, 1736. — Accepts the Freedom of the Company, and is elected
Perpetual Master. — Presents his and the Princess's Pictures. — The
Freedom of the Company conferred on Members of his Household.
— Birth of George III. — The Company attend and congratulate
Princess Augusta. — -A Bonfire in Cheapside, " when the Princess is
brought to Bed." — -The Scotch Rebellion ; Devotion of the Com-
pany.— Death of the Prince in 1751. — Voluntary Fund for the
Defence of the Country. — Saddlers' Hall partially destroyed in
1815 ; completely destroyed in 182 1 ; re-built in 1822. — Worthless
Saddles destroyed in 1822. — Aldf-rman Sir Peter Laurie's Mayor-
alty.— -Processions by Water. — Almshouses at Isleworth. — Saddlers'
Company Prizes for improvements in Military Saddles. — Livery
Companies' Commission, 1880.

E have now arrived at a period when the
earliest extant minutes of the Company
commence, and when, in consequence,
we cease to be dependent upon the
records of the Corporation and upon the informa-
tion derivable from other sources. The condition
The Company in of the Company in the beginning of
\he^e5emeenth^^^^ Seventeenth century, as it Is ex-
century, hiblted to us In the light of their own
records, presents a peculiarly Interesting picture.
The Company then represented practically the
whole saddlery craft of London, and the powers
vested In them by their Charter from Elizabeth,
and by their ordinances, constituted them a very
impermni in iniperio for all purposes touching the
problems and customs of the trade. They fixed

History of the Company. 6r

the term of apprenticeship, protected the ap-
prentice from the tyranny of the master, and
supported the master in exacting due obedience
from the apprentice. They settled the differences
of wages and other questions between journey-
men and the Saddlers who employed them ; de-
cided the eligibility or otherwise of a journeyman
to set up in trade for himself, and examined his
wares from time to time to see that they were
honestly wrought. These prerogatives, however,
were only in conformity with existing statutes of
the realm, in the framing of which, when they
related to the trades carried on in the capital, the
City took an active part, either by petitioning the
Crown and Parliament, or by other methods
of representation ; but the powers vested in
the City were commonly extended to the other
cities and corporate boroughs of the country,
many of which had their own separate craft
guilds, with similar powers of trade supervision,
search, &c., as we gather from the Charter granted
to the Saddlers' Company by Edward 1 11.^

The insiofht afforded into the internal condition
of the Company, its corporate customs, and the
relationship existing between its members, is no
less interesting. The Wardens, with eight or
more of the Assistants, constituted an authority in
all cases of trade as well as internal disputes, and
against their dicta there was no appeal ; at least,
few or none cared to appeal if the privilege were

1 See p. 37 et seq.

F 2

62 History of the Company.

open to them. The repeated employment of the
word ''fellowship " in the early minutes, under cir-
cumstances where, In modern times, the word Com-
pany Is usual, furnishes us with a key to the whole
principle which, as It were, underlay and pervaded
the corporate fabric — the principle of mutual pro-
tection and support. But this bond was never,
for one moment, allowed to Interfere with the
punishment of any member of the guild for an
offence committed In trade, when the punishment
would, under similar circumstances and for a similar
offence, be visited upon those not free of the guild.
Indeed, It happens singularly and curiously enough,
that the heaviest punishments recorded in the Com-
pany's books are those imposed upon members of
the Company.

On certain occasions in the year, the Company
In their several ranks, Wardens and Assistants,
cloathing and yeomanry, dined together, and the
loving cup — still a familiar institution in the
entertainments of to-day — Is a vestige of the
earliest and remotest of those fraternal gatherings,
although the precise antiquity of the custom Is
unknown. A common " house " fund was raised
by contributions, quarterage, and fines, supple-
mented by occasional legacies and bequests.
From this fund doles were distributed by the
Wardens at the Hall door, after every assembly
of the Company, and the poor were sustained, In
old age and decay, by quarterly allowances or
pensions. When a member died, his remains
received a last tribute of respect by the attend-

History of the Comtany. 6

ance of the whole Company at the funeral, and, if
the circumstances of the widow and orphans were
destitute, they were relieved from the common
" stock " or " house " fund.

It has not been thought expedient to Interrupt
the thread of historical narrative by more than a
passing allusion to the internal affairs of the Com-
pany at this stage ; a more ample account of their
ordinances and of the curious and interesting
incidents arising out of their application, will be
found In a separate and subsequent chapter.

It Is pleasant to conjure up In our minds,

.J . however, an approximate picture of

the seventeenth Cheapsldo as It appears at this period,

century. ■■ . , . , . ,

and we are assisted m this mental
effort by the frequent mention In the Company's
Order Books of places once famous landmarks, but
now, alas, known to us only In name. Cheapside,
or Westchepe, as It was more commonly called,
was undoubtedly the most historically Important
thoroughfare In Old London, the probable con-
sequence of Its being the high road from the
City to the west — from the Tower to Whitehall
and Westminster — the favourite route of State
pageants and processions. Its two rows of shops
were at once the richest and handsomest In Old
London, the south side being mostly occupied by
wealthy goldsmiths. Great has been the change
In the commercial life of the citizens since then.
Then, each tradesman or merchant worked at his
craft, or " set forth his wares to the she we " in

64

History of the Company.

an open chamber, or seld, which projected from
the general front outhne of the house into the
street to the heio-ht of the first floor. The same
four walls that contained his stock In trade con-
tained his lares and penates ; the same roof
sheltered his family and his apprentices.

Cheapslde was famous for Its churches ; the
number of which to be met with In the City
before the Great Fire seems to us marvellously
out of proportion to the population. Three
churches formerly stood In Cheapslde ; all were
destroyed In the Fire, but two disappeared en-
tirely from the scene and were not rebuilt. These
were the parish churches of St. MIchael-le-Querne
and of St. Peter Cheap. ^ The former stood at the
western extremity of the street, on a spot now
occupied by Peel's Monument ; the latter at the
west corner of Wood Street. Happily, the church
of St. Mary-le-Bow% which was rebuilt after the
Fire, still remains to recall much that Is dear to
Londoners In the legendary past of their historic
City. From the spire and arches of Its tower
were hung lanterns at night as beacons to the
few solitary travellers that frequented the streets
of the City after nightfall ;^ while from the belfry
of the same church curfew rang out at nine
o'clock each night for centuries, after Henry I.

^ The parishes of St. Michael-le-Querne and St. Peter
Cheap are now joined with that of St. Vedast, with which the
Company are still associated.

^ These are shown in the View of London, 1643, in the
Sutherland Collection.

\

CHEAPSIDE N A.D. 1639.

THE EARLIEST AUTHENTIC VIEW OF CHEAPSIDE. WITH THE CROSS AND STANDARD, ILl-"SATlNa-rHE PROCESSION OF MARY DE MEDICI, MOTHER OF THE CONSORT OF CHARLES

AND SHOWING THE LIVERY ^O""*^ _ ,,,. ^," " STANDS. A NORTH-EAST VIEW.

History of the Company. 65

had withdrawn the despotic Injunction imposed by
the Conqueror upon the citizens. Nearly opposite
Foster Lane stood the Little Conduit/ a famous
meeting place for the city housewives and others
who gossiped over their buckets and pitchers ;
and a rendezvous for City apprentices after their
day's work was over. Nearly opposite Wood
Street stood the famous Cheapside Cross, one of
a number erected by Edward L to perpetuate the
memory of his beloved Queen Eleanor.^ Close
to It, and nearly opposite Honey Lane, stood the
Standard, with its executions, and Its readings of
royal edicts and State decrees. Every house
or shop was known by Its distinctive sign, which
projected over the footway to the road to such
an extent, moreover, as sometimes to require its
temporary removal to make way for public pro-
cessions passing through the street. The houses
belonging to the Company, and let out by them,
are generally spoken of in the Order Books by
the signs by which they were known. Thus, for

^ So called in contradistinction to the Great Conduit at the
east end of Chepe, between Bucklersbury and the Poultry,
which brought the first supply of sweet water from Paddington
to London.

2 There were twelve in all, viz., at Lincoln, Grantham,
Stamford, Stoney Stratford, Woburn, Dunstable, St. Albans,
^Vestcheap, Charing, Geddington, Northampton, and Waltham
— the several stages at which the body of the Queen rested
during the journey from Hardeby, near Lincoln, where the
Queen died, and Westminster. Cheapside Cross was erected
in 1293, rebuilt in 1441, defaced in 1581, and demolished in

1643-

66 History of the Company.

instance, we have mentioned the *' Adam and Eve
without Temple Bar," the " Crown at Holborn
Conduit," the " Blue Boar at Holborn Conduit,"
the ''Talbot" or ''White Talbot" in Wood
Street, the " Golden Bull in Chepe " the " Goat in
Chepe," the "Dolphin in Westchepe," the "White
Lion in Cheap," and lastly, and most famous of
all, the " Mearmayd Taverne in Westchepe."

Very little interest attaches to any of these, ex-
The"Mermayd ceptiug the " Mermaid," which stood

Tavern." q^i the Same side of the street as,
and close to Saddlers' Hall, on a spot w^hich may
be identified with a fair amount of ease, between
Gutter Lane and Foster Lane. The earliest
mention of it in the Company's books is on the
14th February, 1614: —

" This dale likewise Richard Harrison is fyned in ten
shillings for fetching of wyne the last q'ter daie-at the
Mearemayd, in West Chepe, being formerly inty-
mated to fetch it elsewhere by reason of an offence
committed by the new Tennt vpon the Lord Mayor's
daie last."

Again, on the 27th May, 1628 : —

"At this Court Thomas Clowes desired to have his
Lease of the Mearemayd Tavern, made equal with the
terme he hath in the house some tyme graunted to
Mr. Fleet out of w''^' hee hath taken three roomes to
add vnto the Taverne. The w^^' his request it is referred
to the view of Mr. Warden Houghton Mr. Warden
Symson John Laney and Nathaniel Bush."

This tavern was destroyed in the Great Fire,

History of the Company. 67

but the Company's tenant at the time refused to
rebuild it, notwithstanding that they offered him
an extended lease. The stones remaininir in the
ruins of the Hall after the Great Fire of London
were ordered to be collected and secured in the
vaults of the " Mermaid."

How far the '' Mermaid Tavern " is identical
with the ''Mermaid" of Jonson, Beaumont and
Fletcher, and contemporary wits, is a question
which, notwithstanding its attractiveness, w^e
refrain from entering upon. All the property
owned by the Saddlers' Company in Cheapside
was situated on the north side of the street
between Foster Lane and Gutter Lane, and has
been retained by them to the present day. It
may be mentioned that the position of this '* IMer-
maid " is clearly discernible in La Serre's print
attached, which represents it as situated some
fifteen houses westward of St. Peter, at the corner
of Wood Street, a distance which, if any one will
take the trouble to inspect that part of Cheapside,
allocates it with a fair amount of precision to the
position claimed for It, namely, midway between
Gutter Lane and Foster Lane.

In the immediate vicinity of Cheapside or West-
chepe stood two famous institutions repeatedly
mentioned in the Order Books of the Company.
These were the Compters or Counters. They
were prisons for debt and minor offences, and
were under the control of the Sheriff One stood
in the Poultry, upon the site of the present Grocers'
Alley, the other on the east side of Wood Street.

6S History of the Company.

The Wood Street Counter, however, from Its
proximity to the Hall, occurs the more frequently
in the Company's records. To this prison were
committed offending and recalcitrant members of
the Company, and all contumacious makers of
bad saddles. The rapacity and extortion practised
by the gaolers In these Counters were notorious,
and whenever a mild remonstrance from the
Company failed to Induce conformity with its
laws, a short lodging therein was usually sufficient
to produce the desired effect, and the quondam
offender would quit the Counter a sadder, per-
haps a wiser, but certainly a poorer man.

1622. Apri/ 30///.

" To be given to Will™ Boyton a poore brother in the
Counter in the Poultrie for to free him out of prison at
the discreacon of o"" M*" soe as it exceed not thirtie or
fortie shillings."

1 6 10. March \2th.

*' Item given to Edmond Reynolds for his releasement
out of the prison of the Counter three pounds."

1 6 1 9. Novembei' 1 1 th.

" This dale Roger Lloyd was committed to the
Counter for that he refused to laye down his fynes for
not appearing three several tymes (to attend the Lord
Maior) vpon suiTions given him by the Beadle, and
afterwards vpon his submission his ymprisonemcnt was
remitted and hce payed ij' vj*' w*^^'' was given to the
officer."

THE OLD WOOD STREET, COMPTER.

History of the Company. 69

1620. October yd,

" The same dale Robert Dowgill was questioned for
his vnseemely behauio"" in o"" hall on that daic the
wardens of the yeomandric were chosen. And also
for abusing his late m"" Mr. Robert Labourne and
Mr. Daniel Holdenbie in unseemely speeches as also
for carrying himself in unseemely manner towards this
Court ffor w'^'' misdemeanors he was ordered to laye
downe sevcrall fines and submitt himself to this Court
^ych j^g refused to doe ffor w^'' his contempt he was
comiitted to the Compter from whence vpon his submis-
sion and laying downe his fines vz. xx' hee was released
w'^^' was given him back the next Court daie upon his
late m/ his request whom he had offended except
iiij^ vj"^ w*"'' the officers had."

1622. September lytk.

" The same daie Thomas Smythsby complayned of
Robt. Dowgill ffor that he had disgraced him to S""
Anthony Ashley concerning the making and allowance
of velvet of a sadle for his Ladie vpon hearing (of w'^''
complainte) the p'ties on both sides. It is thought
mete and soe ordered that the said Dowgill shall layc
downe his fine according to o"" orders and submit him-
self to the table w''^' he refused to doe. Wherevpon it
is thought mete and soe ordered that the said Dowgill
be comited to the Counter (vpon the Lord Maior his
command) wherevpon (the officer being p'sent) the said
Dowgill being called againe before his going to the
Counter to knowe his resolucon submitted himself and
laid downe his fine accordingly being xl^ whereof hee
had given him xx' and paid xx' w'^'' was delivered to
Warden Pilchard. Given to the officer that came to
carry him to the Counter ij' vj'^ paid by the Renter."

70 History of the Company.

Fennor, an actor, describing In 1617 the Wood
Street Counter, alludes to the frequent occupation
of this prison by members of the Saddlers' craft.
He says: "As In a citty there Is all kinds of
trades, so Is there heere, for heere you shall see a
cobler sitting mending olde shooes, and singing as
merrily as If hee were under a stall abroad ; not
farre from him you shall see a taylor sit crossed-
legged (like a witch) on his cushion threatning
the rulne of our fellow prisoner, the ^Egyptian
vermlne ; In another place you may behold a
Sadler empannelling all his wits together how to
patch this Scotch padde handsomely or mend the
old gentleman's crooper that was almost burst In
pieces. ^

Frequent mention occurs of another famous
prison. Old Ludgate : This was anciently a free
debtors' prison, and, according to Strype, Its
tenants were chiefly merchants and tradesmen
who had been driven to want by losses at sea. Its
mention In the Company's books Is mostly In
connection with the relief of poor members of
the Company, who found themselves Involuntary
inmates.

1607. April 18///.

" It was then ordered and agreed that John Atkinson,
being a prisoner in Ludgate, shulde have of the howse
charge to kepe him to werke a hide of Icthcr and a cople
of calves skyns w^'* cost xxiiij^"

^ ''The Compter's Commonwealth, or a voiage made to an
infernall Island," by William Fennor, a.d. 1617. In the
Library of the B. M.

History of the Company. 71

16 10. July i-jth.

" Item given to James Mathewc for his rcleascmcnt
out of the pryson of Ludgat xlvijV

On a later occasion the Company's Beadle was
incarcerated, and the Court, perforce for the credit
of the Company, were fain to bail him out for
Twenty Pounds ; notwithstanding which, when, on
another occasion the Beadle's son-in-law found
himself In the same situation, the Company
entertained Jiis application with less grace and
placability,

Less frequently, but under similar circum-
stances, we find mention of the old Marshalsea
Prison, which stood In High Street, Southwark.

The year 1605 was memorable for the Gun-
powder Plot, to return thanks for the
Gunpotder frustration of which the Company
^^°^- attended at St. Paul's, and the occa-
sion Is alluded to In the following minute :—

1605. November \2tJL

"This Court Day there was given to a woman at
Pole's Crosse for setting out a forme for the Companye
xviijd."

The following year the King of Denmark,
brother to the consort of James I.,

1600. • J u

The King of vislted England, and was received by

Denmark. ^^^ citlzeus of Loudou wIth cvery sign

of rejoicing. As was usual on such occasions, the

72 History of the Company.

Companies all turned out In their Liveries. The
Incident Is fully described by the Chronicler
Howes,^ but Is only casually alluded to In the
Company's records In the following minute : —

^ The description given by Howes is very picturesque, and
affords an excellent idea of the character of these early
pageants and spectacles : —

" They were received by the Lord Maior at the east end
of Tower Streete, in a robe of crimson veluet, bearing a
golden sceptre in his hand before the Kings vntill he came to
Temple Barre; as these greate Potentates with their sumptuous
trayne passed along the streetes, the King of Denmark
seriously observed the huge multitudes of common people
thronging in every corner, and the unimaginable number of
gallant ladies, beauteous virgins, and other delicate dames,
filling the windowes of euery house with kinde aspect, saluting
their worthinesse with health and hearty welcome wheresoever
they past. Vpon the great fountain in Cheapeside was erected
the bower of the Muses, with pleasant musicke. At the west
end of Cheapeside, by the Goldsmith's Row, neere vnto the
pageant, sate the great Elders of the Citie in scarlet robes,
where the Recorder, after he had made a solemne oration in
Latine on the behalfe of the Citie, presented the King of
Denmark with a faire cup of gold, who, with as great kind-
nesse accepted it ; then the pageant, after it had ceased her
melodious harmony, began to express the purpose thereof, viz.,
Diuine concord, as sent from Heauen, descended in a cloud
from the top vnto the middle stage, and with a loude voyce,
spake an excellent speech in Latine, purporting their hearty
welcome, with the heavenly happines of peace and unity
amongst Christian Princes, &c., but through the distemperature
of the vnruly multitude, the Kings could not well heare it
although they enclined their eares very seriously thereunto
At the faire Fountaine in Fleet Streete was a pleasant pastorall
device, with songs wherewith the Kings were much delighted ;
this Fountaine, and divers others ranne cleare wine."

SEAL OF JAMES I.

ATTACHED TO HIS CHARTER TO THE

SADDLERS' COMPANY.

OBVERSE.

SEAL OF JAMES I.

ATTACHED TO HIS CHARTER TO THE

SADDLERS' COMPANY,

REVERSE.

History of the Company. 7

1

1606. November 18//^.

" This Courte Daye Will*^ Bedford promysed the
Company to bringe in his fyne imposed upon him the
next Court Day for y^ he attended not vpon y^ Com-
pany at the two kinges rideing throwe the Cytie and
other absence and misdemeanors."

On the 20th March in the following year, being
the fourth year of his reign, James I. granted the
Company a Charter, which is an inspeximus and
confirmation of that of Oueen EHzabeth. It
confers no new powders, and concludes with the
following words, which are all that are added : —
" And we the Charters, letters patent, and all the
grants and confirmations aforesaid, and all and
singular in the same contained, having ratified and
confirmed them for us, our heirs and successors,

Charter from ^^ much as In US llos, do accopt and
James I. approvo, and to our well - beloved
Nicholas Holbeame, John Byngham, Thomas
Solomon, and John Hall, now Wardens or
Keepers of the Mystery or art of Saddlers of the
City of London aforesaid, and the Commonalty
of the same Mystery or art and their successors
by the tenor of the presents do ratify and confirm
(them) as the Charter, letters, grants, and confir-
mations aforesaid In themselves reasonably testify.
In witness whereof, &c., witness the King at
Westminster the twentieth day of March. By six
pounds thirteen shillings and four pence paid Into
the hanaper."^

^ This Charter is still in the Company's possession.

74 History of the Company.

The seventeenth century was memorable among
other things for a series of fatal epidemics which
visited England at various intervals, and were
particularly felt in the capital. The
first occurred in 1603-4, and destroyed
over 30,000 lives in London alone. The second
broke out in the summer of 1607, and is alluded
to in the following minutes : —

1607. Jidy 2%tJi.

"John Williams o^ Tenn* in Dayes Alley hath
graunted to avoide his Cellar of the Costermonger
(for fear of infection) betwixt this Courte Day and
Christmas next and soner if he can.

" Goodwif Fourche is warned to avoide the Costerd
monger out of hir house at Christmas next or afore if
she can possible."

On the 17th April, 1608, the Company obtained
an amendment and ratification of their ordinances.
The powers therein conferred were but little

A.u. 1608. modified from the ordinances ratified
Ordinances rati- j^ the previous reign; the order for

the search was enlarged and the necessary quali-
fications for a householder — i.e., a shopkeeper —
defined, and the remedies and penalties against
any violation of the rules made for the good
government of the Company were increased.^

^ The ordinances of James I. are signed by the Earl of
Dorset and Chief Justices Fleming and Edward Coke.

History of the Company. 75

In August of the same year, the anniversary
A.D. 1608. of the King's deHvery from the Gowrie

The Gowrie /-> • • i, ^ • i . i

Conspiracy. Conspiracy eight years previous/ the
Company again attended at Paul's Cross to return
thanks, a custom which they annually observed
until 1616.

In June of the following year the Court of the

Company were specially convened to

A.D. 1609. j-alse " ayde money," a tax levied

" Ayde money. " i i i • i i

throughout the kingdom, on the occa-
sion of the knighting of Prince Henry. The
following May the Prince was created Prince of
Wales, and the Company, in common with the
other Companies, took part in the processional
ceremony ; on this occasion It Is recorded that a
Liveryman of the Company, for absenting him-
self from the ceremony, was committed to prison.

In the year 1609 mention occurs of the scheme
for colonizing Virginia. That country
had been taken possession of by
Raleigh in the previous reign, and unsuccessful
attempts had been made to colonize it. James
was very desirous of accomplishing this, and in
1606 and 1 6 10 granted patents for the formation
of two expeditions. In 1609 the Lord Mayor

^ This was a conspiracy to dethrone James VI. of Scotland.
James was decoyed into the Earl of Cowrie's house at Perth,
5th August, 1600 ; the plot, however, was frustrated, and
the Earl and his brother slain.

"](> History of the Company.

issued a precept to the Companies, to induce them
to join in an adventure. The Saddlers' Company
joined in the undertaking, but the amount sub-
scribed by them is not stated ; it was levied upon
the cloathing and subsequently repaid.

The following minute furnishes an example of
the custom of interference by the King in the
affairs of the Companies, when favourites were
concerned.

1610. November 6th,

" At this Courte Mr. Richard Lucy o"" Tennt in Cheape
bein a Suter to o'" Company for a newe lease of his house,
and to obtayne the same he brought the King's high-
nesse's hon'able letters w'^^ were w^^' due Revrence and
in all humblenesse receaved. At which tyme in respect
of the said letters the said Mr. Lucy was offered (that
if he wolde depart from the same howse at the ende of
his terme of yeres that he hath yet to come therein)
the some of ffyftie pownds in lawfuU money gratis
w^'' money he the said Mr. Lucy refused."

The records of other Companies, notably the
Grocers, Ironmongers, Merchant Tailors, and
others, afford similar instances throughout the
reigns of Elizabeth, James L, and Charles L, of
attempts by the Crown to influence them in
matters of purely domestic concern.^

Vide Herbert's " Hist. Essay."

History of the Company. "]"]

The Company appear from a very early date
Company's to have Supported a number of poor
tl'erskie^.' Scholars at the Universities of Oxford
and Cambridge.

1613. July 2'jtk.

" It was this day ordered that Giles Rankin the sonne
of John Rankin being now a Scholler in St. John
Baptist's colledge in Oxford was graunted to have fortie
shillings a yeare paied hym towards his maintenance of
his studie in good literature in Oxford the first payment
to be made him at the feast of St. Michael the Arch-
anngell next ensewing."

162 1. October gth.

" This daie a peticon from Thomas Akers was read in
Co""* (being one of o'' Schollers) whereby hee desired to
have his exhibicon of xP p. ann. encreased w'^^ was
raysed to fower marks p. ann. {£2 13^". 4^.)."

Frequent gifts were also made to other poor
Scholars to buy books. Each of the Company's
Scholars at Oxford or Cambridge " going out "
B.A. received from the Company a gift of 5
marks (^3 6s. Sd.), which was doubled upon his
passing M.A.^

In 1 6 14 St. Vedast Church was repaired and

St. Vedast's enlarged, and the Company contributed

Church. ^]^Q s^j-Q Qf ^^^ pounds towards the

1 The Company's Scholarships are now awarded to boys of
the City of London School.

G 2

7^ History of the Company.

cost thereof. Strype tells us that at the same
time " to this Church at the Chancell end, the
breadth being 20 yards and above, was added 20
feet of ground, which ground so to lengthen the
Church was given unto the Parish out of a faire
Court then belonging to the Saddlers' Hall."
This may have been so, as the Company owned a
small court, leading from a lane which anciently
connected Foster Lane^ with Gutter Lane. The
lane itself appears to have belonged to the Com-
pany.

The gift of land, however, although mentioned
by Strype, is not recorded in the Company's
books.

An entry in the Company's books for this year
Colonization of uiakes meutiou for the first time of a
^^^^* matter which exercised an important
influence in the affairs of the Livery Co'mpanies
of London, viz., the colonization and settlement
of Ulster. In the early part of the reign of
James L a considerable part of the province of

1 Foster Lane is of very great antiquity : under the name
of St. Vedast Lane it is mentioned in the Letter Books of the
Corporation as early as 1281, and in 1305 there is mention of
the lease of a house therein to Sir John de Leek, who was
Clerk to Prince Edward, son of Edward L (Riley's
" Memorials.") Both the lane and the church are frequently
mentioned by the old chroniclers and historians, by some
they are called St. Foster, and by others St. Vedast. The
correct name was probably a compound of the two — St. Vedast
Foster, under which designation the church is known to this
day.

L.

History of the Company. 79

Ulster, including the six counties of Armagh,
Tyrone, Coleraine, Donegal, Fermanagh, and
Cavan was vested in the Crown by an act of
attainder of certain Roman Catholics of distinc-
tion who had rebelled against the Crown in the
reign of Elizabeth. James proposed to the City
to undertake the settlement of these forfeited
estates and the formation of a Protestant colony
An agreement was arrived at between the Privy
Council and the Corporation, one article of which
was that ^20,000 should be levied, ^15,000 of
which was to be expended upon the plantation,
and ^5,000 towards clearing away private
interests. A Committee was appointed by the
Common Council, consisting of a Governor,
a Deputy-Governor, and 24 Assistants, known as
the Irish Society, and they were put in possession
of their estates, a Charter being granted to them
on the 29th March, 161 3. Arrangements were
next made in the City for raising and collecting the
sum agreed to. This was at length determined
The Company to be done by the twelve principal
compelled to Companies, and the Lord Mayor

purchase Irish ^ ■•• «'

lands. issued a precept for that purpose.
The sum originally agreed upon was, however,
found insufficient, and other assessments were
made from time to time, which eventually ex-
ceeded the sum of ^60,000. At a meeting of
the Court of Common Council, on December 1 7,
161 3, the newly acquired lands were allotted in
twelve portions to the twelve chief Companies.
The money actually disbursed upon the planta-

8o

History of the Company.

tlon at the time of the allotment amounting to
^40,000, was divided into twelve shares of
;^3,333 6^. 8^., payable by each of the said twelve
Companies, who were required to associate with
themsejves certain of the minor Companies.
This was arranged in such a manner that the
whole of the Companies participated in the under-
taking— four or five of the smaller Companies
being associated with each of the principal ones.
The Saddlers' Company were associated with the
Salters' Company in chief, with whom were also
grouped the Dyers, Cutlers, Joiners, and Wool-
men. The following were the amounts of their
several contributions

JllLilUaLlUllt) .

£

Salters

" 1,954

Dyers

580

Saddlers

390

Cutlers

225

Joiners

164

Woolmen . .

20

^3,333

In November, 1620, Frederick V., Elector
AD 1620 Palatine, and son-in-law of James,
Palatinate. ^^\lQ h^d accepted the Crown of
Bohemia, and shortly afterwards been driven
from his possessions, appealed to the Lord Mayor
for pecuniary aid, and a contribution of ^5,000
was levied upon the Companies.^ The Saddlers'

1 n

Remembrancia," p. 414.

History of the Company. 8i

Company were called upon for their quota of ^50,
which was levied upon the cloathing, as we read in
the following minute : —

1620. December I'^th.

*' It is this daie ordered that the L;^ w^^ o"" Companie
is topaie by p'ceptinto the Chanib of London p^'sently
toward the release of the Pallatinate shalbe Jevyed on
the cloathing of this fellowship by the pole each man
paying xx^ a peece."

This sum was repaid to the cloathing by the
Court in the following July.

The introduction of coaches ^ into England was

A D 1620 ^ distasteful innovation to the Com-

Coaches intro- pany, presumably as being calculated

"^^ ' to interfere with the custom of riding,

and consequently to injure their trade. On the

1 6th July, 1620, the minutes relate that : —

1 Coaches were almost unknown in England during the
middle ages. The knights were proud of their horsemanship,
and disdained any such means of conveyance. The few
" chares " in use in early times were the object of perpetual
ridicule. As represented in ancient manuscripts they were
rude, cumbrous, and inconvenient contrivances on four wheels.
Taylor, the Water Poet, pubUshed in 1623 a curious satire on
coaches under the title of " The world runnes on Wheeles, or
Oddes betwixt Carts and Coaches." He tells us facetiously
that "in the year 1564, one William Boonen, a Dutchman,
brought first the use of coaches hither, and the said Boonen
was Queene Elisabeth's coachman ; for indeede a coach was
a strange monster in those dayes, and the sight of them put
both horse and man into amazement. Some said it was a

82 History of the Company.

" This day upon request made unto the Wardens and
Assistants both by the Clothing and Coaltie of this
Fellowship and also by divers Country Sadlers that they
would be pleased to p'fer a Bill in P'liament to re-
dresse the multitude of coaches interlopers and hawkers
It is ordered by this Court that there shall be a Bill
drawne and p'ferred in P'liament for redresse of the
same inconveniences and there is appoynted for the
following of the same business Mr. Robt. Labourne
Tho. Porter Tho. Mills John Lawney Nathaniell Burt
and Cyprian Morse. At the same assemblie Henry
Gardiner of Maidstone and Solomon Bishop of Cran-
brook in the Countie of Kent, Sadlers, undertooke to
send unto o'" M"" betweene this and this dale fortnight
the some of X* towards the said charge."

great crab shell brought out of China, and some imaginde it
to be one of the pagan temples in which the cannibals adored
the devill ; but at last all these dowbts were cleared, and
coachmaking became a substantiall trade. . . . The cart
is an open transparent engine that any man may perceive the
plain honesty of it, there is no part of it within or without
but it is in the continual view of all men. On the contrary,
the coach is a close hipocrite, for it hath a cover for any
knavery, and curtaines to raile or shadow any wickedness.
Moreover, it makes people immitate sea-crabs in being drawne
side-wayes, as they are when they sit on the boote of the
coach ; and it is a dangerouse kinde of carriage for the
commonwealth if it be rightly considered, for when a man
shall be a Justice of the Peace, a Serjeant, or a Counsellour at
Law, what hope is it that all or many of them should use
upright dealing, that have beene so often in their youth and
daily in their maturer or riper age drawne aside continually in
a coach, some to the right hand and some to the left, for use
makes perfectnesse, and often going aside willingly makes
men forget to goe upright naturally."

History of the Company. St,

On several occasions steps were taken to
restrict the use of coaches. In the supplementary
calendar of the Records in the House of Lords
there is a Draft Bill, dated 5th November, 1601,
which it is not unlikely the Company were instru-
mental in promoting. It is entitled "an Act to
restrain the Excessive and Superfluous use of
Coaches within the realm of England." It sets
forth that in consequence of the great increase in
the use of coaches, the Saddlers' trade is likely to
be ruined ; and not only so, but evil disposed
persons who dare not show themselves openly for
fear of correction, shadow and securely convey
themselves in coaches and cannot be discerned
from persons of honour, besides which the roads
are cloyed and festered and horses lamed. In
future, no one under the degree of a Knight or
a Privy Councillor, Queen's Counsel, &c., or
paying /^^o to the subsidy assessment, shall ride
or travel in coaches under penalty of ^5 for every
offence, and no person shall let coach or coach-
horses to any but those hereby authorised to use
them upon pain of forfeiting the same. It was
read for the first time on November 5, but on
the second reading two days later it was rejected,
and, as a compromise, a Bill touching the breed
and maintenance of horses was ordered to be
brought in by Mr. Attorney-General.^ In 1635
they had become so numerous as to be con-
sidered a nuisance by the Court, and had to be

84 History of the Company.

limited by the Star Chamber. Pepys, writing on
the 7th November, 1660, says, ''notwithstanding
this was the first day of the King's (Charles II.)
proclamation against hackney coaches coming
into the streets to stand to be hired, yet I got
one to carry me home."

The introduction of stage coaches was similarly
resented by the Company, and In 1670 a Bill was
ordered by them to be drawn up and preferred In
Parliament against the obnoxious vehicles. The
Company also resolved to reward any person who
should be Instrumental In procuring the enact-
ment of the Bill. The Clerk's services in this
direction were recognised by a gift of one
hundred pounds, but the steps taken were without
any material effect, as events have shown.

In 1624-5, the City was visited by a " pesti-
lence in which 35,403 persons perished,
pia ue ^^ each occasion of these plagues the
Lord Mayor prohibited all public
feasts and assemblies, and the following minute is
probably In reference to this interdict : —

1626. August lot/i.

" At this Court it is ordered that there shall be a
Masters' dynner kept in private manner w^houte any
solemnitie as hath byn accustomed."

Charles I. succeeded to the throne In 1625,
and on the 3rd of May In that year, we read that —

History of the Company. 85

"At this Court were appointed to be Whiflcrs at the
..1TT1 -^ 55 Kinq-'s Coronacon, viz., Abell Caine, Daniell

"Whiflers. ^ ' ' ' .

Haldenby, Thomas Carter, Michael
Helmsley, Edward Hill, Edmund Sheppard, Richard
Cervices, and John Burgess (members of the Livery)."

The precise derivation of the term '' Whifler" has
exercised the minds of many v^rlters. It seems
tolerably clear, however, that " Whiflers " were so
called from their custom of carrying long wands,
which they brandished about to clear the way
for the pageant, thereby making a whifling noise.
The word Is of frequent occurrence in the
Company's books, as every year the Company
appointed a number of the junior members of the
Company to act as Whiflers In the Lord Mayor's
procession. Other Companies did the same.

A plague broke out again in 1630, resembling

a spotted fever, and was particularly

'^* ^ ^°' fatal, destrovins^ life within four or five

rlague. i t

days. All public assemblies were
suppressed by an order of the Lords of the
Council, and a precept was Issued by the Lord
Mayor to the Companies accordingly. The
Company's records refer to it as follows : —

1630 May 25///.

" At this Court the Lord Mayor's letter sent vnto the
Companie being read whereby it was desired that
meetings at o'" Hall be forborne during the tyme of the
visitacon It is ordered accordingly that all extraordinary

86

History of the Company.

meetings be forborne except Midsomer daie for the
elecon of officers at the Guyldhall and on q^®'' daies."

On the same day we read that —

"At this Court their was given to Captayne Whistler
our old Armor and 14 Calervers compleate The Armor
when hee sawe them refused it and toke onely the
Calervers."

In 1628 a noteworthy incident took place In
the City. On the i8th June, Dr.

A.D. 1628. T u • J ^ r

Dr Lamb Lamb, a conjuror, and a creature 01
the unpopular Duke of Buckingham,
was mobbed by a crowd In Cheapside, and so
severely handled that he died the same day In the
Poultry Compter, where he had been taken for
attention to his Injuries. Tidings of the Incident
reached the ears of the King, who was so incensed
thereat, that he Imposed a fine of ^6,000 upon
the City, and threatened to withdraw Its Charter.
The fine was subsequently reduced to 1,500 marks,
the burden, as usual, falling heavily upon the
Companies. The Saddlers' Company's proportion
was £10 and Is thus alluded to : —

1633. January 30/'//.

" This Court beinge called by p'cept from the Lord
Maior and Court of Aldermen for the Levyinge of x^ by
the pole accordinge to the p'cept for the death of Doctor
Lambe was leavyed the same daie accordingly."

On the 25th May, 1630, we learn that —

History of the Company. 87

" At this Court upon a petlcon exhibited vnto this

Court by the inhabitants of the p'ish of St.

A.D. 1630. George in Southwarke for reHefe towards

St. George's, \-\^q re-edifvinge of their p'ish Church and

Southwark. t • i ^ ^ i - r^ ,

bteeple It is ordered by this Court that
there shalbe given them towards it Fortie ShilHngs to
be paid by the Renter Warden."

In 1 63 1, Bishop Laud, who three years before
^ ^ ,^^, had been raised to the see of London,
St. Paul's took in hand a project for the res-
Cathedrai. ^^j-^tion of St. Paul's Cathedral, then
imperfect and in decay. In April of the same
year he obtained a commission for that purpose
from Charles I., who was strongly interested in
the undertaking, not only from his attachment to
Laud, but by reason of his own personal in-
clinations and tastes — being a great lover of the
aits. The work, consisting chiefly of a new west
portico, was entrusted to Inigo Jones, but the
undertaking, although liberally subscribed to by
the City, by Laud, and the King himself, was not
popular, and gave great offence to the Puritans.
The work got on but slowly. The Lord Mayor
received an exhortation from the King, to assist
in raising the funds for the purpose, and the Com-
panies were, as usual, called upon to contribute.
The following are the Company's records : —

163 1. February l6th.

" At this Court the Bishop of London's Ire was read
for repairinge of Paule's Church To give an answere
the next Court daie."

88 History of the Company.

1632. May loth.

" At this Court the repalringe of Paule's Church was
considered of and it is ordered that there shalbe given
towards it the sum of fifteen pounds to bee paid by
X.^ a yeare if the worke goe on, if not to cease The
first to be paid p'sently."

Ten years afterwards, a sum of nearly ^17,000
remaining in hand of the restoration fund for the
still unfinished works, was appropriated by the
Parliament. The edifice Itself was turned Into a
barracks for Cromwell's Iconoclasts, and Its sacred
precincts Into a ninepin court for his profane and
brawling troopers. Archbishop Laud was be-
headed In 1644.

We now enter upon the era of the Revolution,
,, the period from which to the- Res-

The period of the \ , i i • i i

Revolution and toration IS memorable m the annals

the Restoration. r .^ r^ i r ^i.

01 the Company, by reason 01 the
prolonged strain upon Its resources consequent
upon the rapacity of Charles I., and the exigencies
of the State during the subsequent Internecine
struggles of the country.

The first demand of Charles I. upon the City
for money which affected the Saddlers' Company-
appears In their minutes on the 20th December,
1627, which record a precept received from the
Lord Mayor for the loan of ^600, and the money
Is ordered to be borrowed at Interest upon the
Company's seal. The reason for the precept Is
not stated, but, according to the City records, it

History of the Company. 89

was in pursuance of an act of Common Council,
passed the same month, agreeing to furnish the
King with a loan of ^120,000/ From the same
source we learn that the Wardens of the Saddlers'
and of the Founders' and Glaziers' Companies
were committed to Newgate for not having used
their best endeavours to carry out the Lord
Mayor's precept, although, curiously enough, the
incident is nowhere recorded in the Company's
books.^

The town of Bury St. Edmunds suffered
terribly from a plague in 1636-7, and the distress
of the inhabitants evoked the sympathy of the
Company. We read that on the 7th November,

1637—

" At this Courte there was given to the Town of St.
Edmunds Bury being visited w'' the plague 11^ paid
by y"" Renter."

The attempt of Charles to levy ship-money

A.D. 1640. was not more palatable to the Sad-

Ship Money, dlers' Company than to the City at

large. On the 27th June, 1640, a Special Court

was convened to consider the precept from the

Lord Mayor for ship-money. It is recorded that —

" At this Co""'^ the cause for ship-money was debated
accordinge to the direcon of y*" R. Honble. the Lord

" Reraembrancia," p. 196.
Ibid., footnote.

90 History of the Company.

Maior, w'' the Courte doth not conceave they ought to
pay."

The sequel to this odious Impost forms a
famihar incident in EngHsh history.

In August of the same year, when the great
civil struggle was plainly impending, and the dis-
contented Scottish Covenanters were about to
cross the English border against the King's
troops, the Lord Mayor issued a precept to the
City Companies for the provision of ammunition.
Accordingly, at a meeting of the Court of the
Company, on the 2 7th of that month —

" Itt was ordered that there shalbe 3 barrels of gun-
powder provided according to a p'cept
from the Lord Maior, and also maches
and Bulletts."

The following month, Charles, in his dilemma,
created by the successes of the Scots, who, un-
flushed with their victories, had opened negotia-
tions with him, summoned a council of the peers
to York, to meet him on the 24th September.
The peers met in Council and sent a deputation
of six of their number to London, and obtained
from the City a loan of ^200,000, the

Enforced Loans. . - r i • i ^ r ^-

burden 01 which, as usual, tell upon
the Companies. The Saddlers' Company were
called upon for ^600, and their record Is as
follows : —

"A Co"""-' Day kept on Wednesday, the 7th day of
October, by direcon of the Lord Maior, for the Loane

History of the Company. 91

of 600°^ to ye King's Ma*^^, all the Wardens and Assist-
ants being p'scnt. Att this Co'"*" a Ire from y° ryhte
jvjqIiic yc Lq Maior, directed to o'' M"" and Wardens, was
read, wherein was enclosed a Ire to y*^ Lo Maior from
y^ King, and a Ire from y"" Lords from Yorke, w"^'' were
all read, whereupon it is ordered that the said money
shalbe taken up att interest."

In June, 1642, the Court were again specially
A.D. 1642. summoned to consider a precept from
Compulsory the Lord Mayor, demanding the loan

Loan of ;^i,ooo. r r r i t* i* r

01 ^ 1,000 tor the rarliament tor one
year, which was ordered to be complied with.
In order, however, to raise the money, the Com-
pany were reduced to selling ^100 worth of plate,
and to borrowing the other ;^900 at interest.

The following is a list of plate sold on the
occasion : —

The ounce.

oz. dwts. s.

d.

£ s. d.

Eleaven dozen of spoones.

p'cell guilt, weighing ...

24 12 @ V.

J-

62 03 0

Four flat guilt bowles . . .

98 10 „ V.

• • •

nj.

25 1/ 3

Three flat p'cell guilt

Dowles ...

46 15 „ V.

• • •

nj.

12 05 3

One guilt bowle w*" a cover

20 10 „ V.

• • ■

iij.

5 vij. viij.

One guilt bowle and cover

15 10 „ 5

3

4 02 6

cix^

xv^ viij*^.

In the following August, a further demand from
Parliament for ^200 was read, but the Company
" in regard of the greate somes of mony they
have alreadie borrowed, were unwillinge to lend
any more ;" and, immediately ensuing, an order
is made discontinuing all feasts and dinners.

H

92 History of the Company.

The next month, on the 3rd September, a
Court was hastily summoned " upon a

Loan of Arms. i i i r->

request made by the Committee, to
borrowe the Companie's armes to helpe to furnish
the Lord Generall. It was ordered that there
shalbe lent sixteene swords and Belts D'^ by
appoynt"^* to Mr. Swayne, the keep'' of the Guyld-
hall. This Companle Is p'mlsed to have such
warrant for the receipt of them back agalne as
other Companies of the CIttle haue."

The same month (13th September) the Com-
Loan of ;^2oo. pany agreed to lend the supplemen-
tary ^200 to the Parliament.

These continual demands told heavily upon

Impoverishment the Company. Their meetings were
of the Company. Qj-jgi-g^j ^' ■^q ]jq sparingly and not to

exceed at any Court dale above thirtle shillings."
The whole of the Company's plate was, about
this time, ordered to be taken out of the Treasury
and sold, a decision which appears to have cost
the Court an effort, for we find the Court resolv-
ing " that when the Company Is out of debt there
shalbe new plate bought In the room of that
plate which was given under the last will and
testament of any of the Company, and of as good
value." The step, moreover, was held to be one
of such unusual moment and importance, that the
whole of the Livery and Yeomanry were assem-
bled to consider It, but they adjourned without
giving their adherence to the proposal, although at
a subsequent meeting they did so.

Demand followed demand, until the Company

History of the Company. 9

o

had scarcely a penny In their exchequer, and were
moreover largely in debt. So exhausted had
their condition become that they were even com-
pelled to sell their old Corselet in the Hall.

Whilst civil war was raging in England troubles

1641 were brewing in Ireland. The native

Afifairs in Ire- IHsh had Hscn upon the English and

Compulsory Scotch colonlsts In Ulster, perpetrating

contribution. ^^^^^^ ^f vlolence unsurpassed by those

of more recent times. The distress caused to the
Protestant colonists in Ireland was sufficient excuse
for a fresh demand upon the City Companies, and
on the 4th July, 1643, " the Wardens Assistants
Liverie and Commonaltle being assembled there
was a Ire read being sent from the right honour-
able the Lord Maior according to direcons from
the Lords and Cofnons in Parliament thereby
desiring the Companle to collect what sums of
money they could for the relief of the Protestants
in Ireland whereupon the greater p* p'sent rated
themselves accordingly."

In August of the same year the threatened
1643. approach of the Royal troops upon the
Loan of ^^500. capital Induced the City authorities to
pass an Act for obtaining a loan of ^50,000 from
the Companies upon the City Seal for defensive
preparations, and a precept was issued to the
Saddlers' Company for ^600. The Company,
however, expressed themselves " unwilling to
borrow this sum in regard of the great sums they
owe already ;" but they were willing there should

H 2

94 History of the Company.

be *' borrowed ^500, according to the Company's
old proportion of 100 quarters of wheat."

The reference here to the Company's propor-
tion of 100 quarters of wheat deserves a passing
explanation. The City of London had from an
early period adopted the custom of

Corn Custom. ... r i r

mamtammg a store 01 wheat lor pro-
viding food for the inhabitants and preventing
extortion and " corners " in times of scarcity.
The origin of the custom is unknown, but in the
early part of the sixteenth century the Companies
appear to have been rated for a contribution to
enable the City to purchase a store. In 1578,
however, the Companies determined to keep their
own stores, and the City allotted them granaries
at Bridge House for the purpose, but as their
control of these granaries was subject to inter-
ference, they, in course of time, removed their
several stocks to their own Halls.^ The allusion to
the custom in the Company's books is rare, and, as
in the previous minute, only indirect. The Com-
pany's quota here stated as 100 quarters of wheat
is in the City books stated to have been 90
quarters. Rye and meal were subsequently
added : — .

1630. March 2^th.

" The p'cept for 3 quarters of meale to be delivered to
the Alorcs deputies of Lyme Street and Cordwayners'
Wards was read whereupon it is ordered that there

1

Herbert's "Hist. Essay," p. 130 et seq.

History of the Company. 95

shalbe given to Mr. Rayment towards the serveing of
the said three quarters of Meale ij^ ij-^ weekly during
the Companyes pleasure."

163 1. Jitiie 2/^th,

"At this Court the p'cept for Rye was read. It is
ordered that the Wardens shall give such order as they
thinke."

1636. August i^th.

" At this Court Warden Newton having one hundred
Pounds of the Companies on his hand towards the
furnishing of the Granarie at the Bridge house allowed
the Companie for o'' corne wh"^'' he had undertaken for
three yeares w''^ expired at Midsomer last w""^' was d*^ to
our M^"

Directly after the Fire of London the Company
directed the Wardens to inspect their granary,
and after this no reference to it whatever occurs
in their books.

In the following September (1644) the Parlia-
ment adopted the famous Solemn

A.D. 1644. ^

Solemn League League and Covenant, which was a
and Covenant. Declaration to preserve the Reformed
Church in Scotland, to promote the reformation of
religion in England, and to "abolish all popery,
prelacy, and schism." The adoption of the
Covenant was enforced in Scotland, and many
of all ranks were compelled to subscribe to it in
England, including the Saddlers' Company, as we
gather from the following minute : —

96 History of the Company,

1644. March 20th.

At this Court It is ordered that the Wardens Assts.
and clothinc^e, and the new liverie that is to bee taken
in, shall bringe in their Certificate that they have taken
the last Covenhte/

On the 17th April, 1645, the following minute
1645. occurs : —

"At this Court it is ordered that the peticon now read
shalbe ingrossed and delivered in the name of the
Company unto the Comittee that p'vide sadles for the
armie."

We may safely construe the object of this
petition as being to obtain a contract for the
manufacture and supply of saddles for the army.
The Calendars of State Papers about this period
contain numerous records relating to the part
taken by the Company and its members in
furnishing the army, as will be seen from the
following excerpts : —

1639. January \/\th.

" Order of the Committee of the Council of War.
That some of the principal saddlers of London attend
the Earl of Essex, who is to treat with them touching
the furnishing a proportion of good saddles, with bits,
straps, and other appurtenances according to a pattern

1 The Solemn League and Covenant was a modification of
the National Covenant, drawn up at Edinburgh five years
previously, as a protest against the attempt of Charles to
enforce Episcopacy upon the Scotch.

History of the Company. 97

brought out of the Low Countries, which was sent to
the Earl by his Comptroller, and to know at what prices
they will furnish the same, and how many a month,
whereof the Earl is to make certificate." ^

1640. January 2\th.

'* Order of the Committee of the Council of War.
The Earl of Newport, as Master of the Ordnance, to
certify what number of serviceable saddles are in each
of his Majesty's store houses here, or in the north, and
what number of saddles the Company of Saddlers will
undertake to deliver monthly." ^

Also warrants by the Council of State for the
payment of money^ —

165 1. June '^rd.

" From the Treasurer of War to William Pease, Daniel
Holdenby, Thomas Webb, Joshua Shepheard, Nathaniel
Walters, Henry Ward, William Hussey, and William
Chevall, Saddlers, for 1,000 saddles delivered into the
stores, the sum of ^^850 ;" also

165 1. Jime i6th.

" From the same to Nathaniel Walters, Humphry
Gaywood, and William Storer, Saddlers, for 100 pack
saddles with their furniture for the army in Scotland,

£7S''

165 1. July ()th.

'' From Major-General Harrison to Nathaniel Walters
William Stoarer, and Humphry Gaywood for 200 pack
saddles for the army in Scotland, ;^I50."

^ "State Papers, Domestic," Charles I., vol. ccccix.. No. 78,
' Ibid, vol. ccccxlii.
' Ibid

98 History of the Company.

A minute of the Company's proceedings in
July, 1652, records that the above-mentioned
Nathaniel Walters was fined 30^'. by the Com-
pany '' for makeing defective saddles for y^ State's
service."

Among the numerous other obligations imposed
upon the City Companies, was a re-
quirement to keep a store of gun-
powder for the defence of the City; the Saddlers'
Company appear to have had their " gunpowder
house " in the garden of a house belonging to
them at London Wall. On the 22nd January,
1649, we read that —

" At this Court our master receaved nyneteene pounds
tenn shillings for the gunpowder he sold of the Com-
panies."

On the 3rd September, 165 1, Cromwell

Battle of defeated the Royalist troops at Wor-

Worcester. cester, and his army entered and

plundered the City, and on the 19th December

ensuing, the following minute occurs : —

" Att this Corte upon y° peticon of Anthony Norris
of Worcester a member of this fellowship being
plundered there at the comeing in of the army. It
is ordered that y'' Renter Warden shall deliver forty
shillings to Mr. William Freeman to bee sent to him as
the guifte of this Company."

On the 17th October, 165 1, it was ordered
that —

History of the Company. 99

" There shalbe a Banner made an ell square against
y" next Lord Maior's day with the States armes upon
it."

About this time an order was Issued from the
The King's Councll of State, commanding the
Arms. removal of the arms and pictures of
the late King from all churches, common halls of
the Companies, and other public places, and
accordingly we find the following minute Im-
mediately ensuing upon the one just quoted : —

" Att this Corte it is ordered that y*" late King his
armes shalbee pulled downe and destroyed, and white
glasse put in y^ place."

During the latter part of the period of civil war
The Fine of ^^^ Halls of the City Companies were
Marlborough, nearly all occupied by various Depart-
ments of the State for the transaction of public
business. The Guildhall was used as a Parlia-
ment House. Weavers' Hall was the office of the
Exchequer, Goldsmiths' Hall the national bank,
and so on. Saddlers' Hall In 1653 was occupied
by the Commissioners for collecting funds for the
relief of the City of Marlborough, which In the
April of that year was almost totally destroyed by
fire. Curiously enough, the circumstance of this
occupation of their Hall Is nowhere alluded to In
the Company's books, although mention occurs of
a subscription towards the relief of the Inhabitants.
In the archives of the City of Chester, however,
there are preserved letters from the Commis-

loo History of the Company.

sloners for managing and ordering collections for
the distressed inhabitants of Marlborough dated
9th June, 1653, from Saddlers' Hall, accompany-
ing orders of the Council of State for the same
purpose.^

The Restoration took place eleven years after
the execution of Charles I., and on the

The Restoration ^^^^ February, 1660, occurs the first
indication of the return of the Com-
pany's loyalty to the throne.

'' Ordered y* y° Master and Wardens doe forthwith
agree with some able workmen to sett up the King's
Armes in painted glasse in the hall-window where it
formerly stood."

The occasion of the public entry of Charles H.
into London on the 29th May, 1660, was made
one of surpassing splendour. Evelyn pictu-
resquely describes the rejoicing occasioned by the
event.

*' This day his majestie, Charles II., came to London
after a sad and long exile and calamitous suffering, both
of the King and Church, being 17 yeares. This was
also his birthday, and with a triumph of above 20,000
horse and foote brandishing their swords and shouting
with inexpressible joy ; the waycs strewed with flowers,
the bells ringing, the streets hung with tapestry, foun-
taines running with wine, the Maior, Aldermen, and all

^ Reports of the Hist. MSS. Commission, Appendix viii.,
p. 386.

History of the Company. ioi

the Companies in their Liveries, chaines of gold and
banners."

To such straitened circumstances had the
Saddlers' Company been reduced by the late
excessive exactions and enforced loans, that we
find them compelled to order that '' no allowance
should be made to any member who rode to
bring in the King's ma'''' and the two Dukes
but y^ every man beare his owne charges."

The City, however, exemplified its joy in

Contribution to ^ ^^'^^^ moTQ Substantial manner, by
Charles II. voting in Common Council the sum of
;^i 2,000 to the Royal Purse. The following is
a record of the Company's contribution : —

1660. May 2W1.

" P*^ into the Chamber of London according to an act
of Common Councell of the 2*^ of May, 1660, 144^
being soe much assessed upon the Company to be
p'sented to his Maiestie and the two Dukes."

In September following the Company were
again called upon to contribute, this time pur-
suant to an Act of Parliament, " for y^ speedy p'vi-
sion of money for y^ disbanding the forces of this
kingdome both by land and sea."

On the 25th of that month it was —

" Ordered y* Hanley y^ Beadle doe warne in all the
Assistants and Liverie to appeare upon Saturday next,
being Michaelmas day, to bring in their pole money, and
Mr. Beighton and Mr. Thos. Pease (are) appointed \.o
receive y^ same."

102 History of the Company.

The coronation of Charles II. in the following
A.D. 1661. spring gave occasion for more re-
Coronation of joicing, and afforded another oppor-
tunlty for extorting money from the
impoverished Companies. The Saddlers' Com-
pany appear to have been called upon for two
contributions towards the cost of the civic pre-
parations ; the amount of the first sum is not
however stated. The followinof record ogives
some idea of the financial destitution to which the
Company had been brought : —

1 66 1. May gth.

" Borrowed of Mr. Edward Smith for the use of the
Company, Aprill 15, 1661, 36.^, w'^^' he is to be allowed
interest from that time.

" P'^ the same tyme the sayd sume of ^6£ into the
Chamber of London, being a second p'portion assessed
upon y° Company by an act of Common Council dated
(f Aprill instant, towards the finishing of y° triumphall
arches erected against his ma*^^^ intended passage
through the Citye as by S'' Thomas Slayer his acquit-
tance doth appeare."

On the 27th November, 1662, the City Com-
panies turned out to receive the

A.D. 1662. T. . A 1 1 1

Russian Amt)assador, and at a meet-
ing of the Court of the Company on the following
month it was ordered '' y^ those gent' who ridd to
bring in y^ ambassador should be allowed their
charges." The expense individually involved on
this occasion, however, was apparently less than
that incurred on the occasion of the incoming of

History of the Company. 103

the King, when the members were compelled to
bear their own charges, for Pepys informs us that
" their black velvet coats and gold chains remained
of their gallantry at the King's coming in."

On the 29th September, 1663, the Company
assembled to receive a precept from
the Lord Mayor, '' signifying the
King's Royal intention of passing through this
Citye at his return from his progresse with his
royal consort, and to p'vide xiiij of y® grauest and
best of the Company to be on horsebacke appar-
relled with velvet coats and Gold Chaines. To be
in a readynesse to attend y* service this Court did
then appointe those persons hereunder named to
ride, viz., the Foure Wardens, Mr. Clowes, Mr.
Mason, Mr. Freeman, Mr. Holdenby, Mr. Dash-
wood, Mr. Smith, Mr. Pease, Mr. Tanner, Mr.
Milson, and Mr. Sheppard."

In 1664 the City again came to the assistance
1664. of the State, and granted the King a
Dutch wars. Iq^h of ^100,000 towards the support
of the war with Holland. Recourse was had as
usual to the Companies, and the contribution of
the Saddlers' Company was assessed at as much
as £700. Their exchequer being empty, the
Company were compelled to borrow the whole
sum at interest, as the following minute shows : —

1664. November $th.

" Upon reading of a letter from the right hon^^^ S"^
John Lawrence, Knight, Lord Maior of the Citye of

I04

History of the Company.

London, thereby signifyeing y^ the Citye had under-
taken to serue his Ma^^*" with the Loan of 100,000^ upon
speciall occasion, and thereby did desyre for the repu-
tation of the Company that the Company should
advance ^700 towards the same upon such security as
the Citye had taken of his Ma^^S and y* the Company
would certifye y*' Court of Aldermen upon Tuesday
next the tyme when they would pay in the same, where-
upon it was ordered y* y^ Warden should forthwith take
upp 700;^ upon the Company's security, and pay in the
same with as much speede as might be, whereupon Mr.
Edward Smith p'mised to prude them CCC^ from the
parrish of Lambeth at 5^^ p. cent. p. ann. and CCC^
more he would lend them at y^ same rate, and Mr. Milson
promised C;^ at y^ same rate, whereupon y* was ordered
yt ye Wardcns should give the Company's security for
y^ same."

The next contribution the Company was called
Ship " Loyaii ^P^n to make v^as In 1665. One would
London." think that the enforced loans which had
so Impoverished the Companies would have left
little Inclination on their part for spontaneous con-
tribution. This time, however, their patriotism
was stirred, the occasion being the war with the
Dutch, which had again broken out. The City
resolved to present the King with a war-ship, and
to call It the " Loyall London,"^ partly doubtless
to Identify It with the City, and partly to replace

^ Evelyn has the following entry in his diary, 8th June,
1666: "I saw the London Frigate launched, a most stately
ship, built by the City to supply that which was burnt by
accident some time since. The King, Lord Maior, and
Sheriffs being there with a greate banquet."

History of the Company. 105

the old ship, the " London," one of the navy of
the Commonwealth, which had been destroyed.
The cost was ^^ 10,000, and the proportion paid
by the Saddlers' Company was ^124.

Dryden has the following lines upon the inci-
dent : —

"The goodly London in her gallant trim,

The phoenix-daughter of the vanished old,
Like a rich bride does to the ocean swim,
And on her shadow rides in floating gold.

Her flag aloft, spread ruffling to the wind,

And sanguine streamers seem the flood to fire ;

The weaver, charmed with what his loom designed.
Goes on to sea and knows not to retire.

With roomy decks, her guns of mighty strength,
Whose low-laid mouths each mounting billow
laves.

Deep in her draught, and warlike in her length,
She seems a sea-wasp flying on the waves.

This martial present piously designed,
The loyal city give their best-loved King,

And, with a bounty ample as the wind,

Built, fitted, and maintained to aid him bring."

The Great Plague of London first appeared in
AD 166"; 1664. hicreasing in malignity, and
The Great Spreading with fearful rapidity, it
^^"^' carried off in its ravages, it is said,
nearly 100,000 persons. No meetings of the Com-
pany took place between July, 1665, and January,
1666, and the annual election of Master and War-
dens, which should have taken place, according
to custom, in the August of 1665, was postponed

io6 History of the Company.

until the January following, the cause being
ascribed in the minute to " y'" late contagion."
The Company appears to have suffered heavily
from the pestilence, as in July, 1666, only four
members were assembled at a meeting of the
Court, which could not, in consequence, be held.
This deduction is likewise supported by the
numerous appointments which were shortly after-
wards made to the Court and Livery.

The desolation produced by the Plague was
consummated by the Great Fire,

A.D. 1666. ^ . . T 1 T^l

The Great Fire which immediately supervened. This
of London, fga^j-f^l conflagration, which within four

days destroyed 13,200 houses and 89 churches,
including St. Paul's, and laid waste 400 streets,
gave the finishing blow to the material possessions
of the Company. Nearly all the Companies'
Halls were destroyed, the exceptions being the
very few outside the area of conflagration, and of
these the principal were the Leathersellers' and
the Carpenters'. Saddlers' Hall perished with
the others, but the Company fortunately rescued
their plate — what little mercifully remained to
them — the burial cloth or pall, and a few of their
books, such as appear to have been in use at the
time, and thus easily accessible. The system of
insurance of houses and furniture was not intro-
duced until the following year, consequently this
final catastrophe, coming upon the Company in
their already impoverished condition, completely
prostrated them. Moreover, with the loss of

History of the Company. 107

their property, which nearly all lay within the
area of the Fire, they were temporarily deprived
of their immediate source of income. The Fire
raged from the 2nd to the 6th September, and on
the 25th of that month the Court met at Christ's
Hospital, and, after viewing the ruins of the Hall,
ordered —

"That Mr. Braithwaite forthwith employ some
labourers or workmen to digg up the bricks, and take
up all such lead and iron as belongeth to the Hall, and
to secure them in the vaulte lately belonging to the
Mermayde Tavern, and make up the same w"' bricks to
preserve the same."

At the same meeting it was ordered —

" That the Wardens shall sell all the Companye's
plate (except the two cupps given by Alderman Dash-
wood and Mr. Fisher), and convert it into money, to
helpe to pay the Companye's debtes."

Two Assistants were ordered to " go downe
into Kent " to try and dispose of the Company's
estates near Maidstone. The Wardens were like-
wise ordered to " make sale of all the iron, pewter,
lead, and linnen that shalbe found in the mines of
the late fire." Indeed, so hard were the Com-
pany now pressed, that they were compelled to
dispense with the services of their under-beadle,
and porter, and even to discharge a number
of their pensioners. The next assembly of the
Court was held at the house of an Assistant,
Mr. Pease, at Bishopsgate. On the 30th October
we have the following record : —

io8 History of the Company.

'' Sould by the Wardens, by order of Court, two
hundred eighty-two ounces and a hahe of guilt plate,
at 5' 6'^ p. ounce, and four hundred twenty-seaven ounces
and a halfe of white plate w''^ came to one hundred
eighty-fower pounds twelve shillings and nine pence,
w"^^ was left w*^ the Wardens.

"There is now remayneing in the Wardens hands by
order of Court one guilt bowle w*^ a cover of Mr.
Alderman Dashwood's guift, weight sixty-two ounces
and a halfe, one silver and guilte bowle w*^ cover, weight
sixty-two ounces, of the guift of Mr. Fisher, one nutt-
megg cupp^ slipped with silver and guilt, seaven browne
dishes with silver tippes, and one scale in a box."

And Immediately ensuing is a record of tv^o
hundred pounds and interest paid with this sum
for debts owing by the Company.

A small Committee was now appointed " to
supervise the worke and workemen for the re-
building of the Hall," although nearly two years
slipped by without any start being made. How-
ever, the following minutes occur in 1668 : —

'' Ordered that Mr, Thos. Davis shalbe ymployed on
the rebuilding of the Hall, and that he be allowed xv*^
a yard for sifting and carrying away the rubbish at
fifty-five shillings a rodd for workmanshipp and lyme
to the first floor."

October Zth.

" Ordered that Mr. Braithwaite shalbe the bricklayer
for the rebuilding of the Hall at Zl 6s iid a rodd, for

^ This evidently refers to the cocoa-nut cup still preserved
by the Company.

History of the Company. 109

all worke that shalbe done between this and the first of
April next."

November ^iOth.

"■ It is ordered that Mr. Davis, Bricklayer, shalbe
workman to the Company for the rebuilding of the
Hall and the other concernes of the Company, and that
he shal be allowed Yn]£ a rodd, he being to rubb, gage,
and sett all the brickwork there to be done,

" It is ordered that Mr. Hodgkin be carpenter for
the erecting of the Hall at five pounds tenn shillings
per square (? nothing stated), without flooreing, the
sunners to be xviij inches every way, the girders xiij
inches every way, and the joysts 9 inches by 3."

In the following August also occurs an order
for the wainscotting of the Hall at 10 shillings per
yard. The cost of rebuilding the Hall v^as in a
measure provided for by the summoning of sixty-
three persons to take up the Livery, the fee
for v^hich had recently been increased to £10.
Apart, hov^ever, from the expediency of replenish-
ing the Company's treasury, such a step had
indeed become almost a necessity by reason of the
attenuation of the Company caused by the recent
Plague. A few of the members so summoned
pleaded poverty caused by their losses in the Fire,
and were excused from serving for a time, for
which many of them gratified the Company by a
gift of money towards the rebuilding of the Hall.
During the two years ensuing, numerous pay-
ments made to the workmen occur from time to
time, amounting in the aggregate to ^1,708 i6s.

I 2

no History of the Company.

In addition to this sum there is an entry of £2 i6i-.
paid to an ironmonger for '' Bandeleers and
Musketts," and on the 15th August, 1670, it was —

" Ordered that the Master shall provide one dozen
and a halfe of Turkey worke chayres for the use of the
Company, and two dozen of cushions."

During the rebuilding of the Hall the Company
usually assembled at Christ's Hospital, but on one
occasion it was recorded that they met at the
Cooks' Hall, for which accommodation they paid
10 shillings. The Hall appears to have been
completed by the end of 1670, having taken two
years to rebuild, and immediately ensuing we find
an order letting It to the Distillers' Company for
their Court meetings, for which they paid ^10
per annum rent.

On the 15th August, 1692, it was ordered —

" That the Hall or any rooms below Stayers now
layd thereunto shall not be lett to any conventicle or
Dancing Master, or such like concerne, But the same
may and shall be let for Companyes or Pattentees to
meete in, and every one of this Company are desired to
use their endeavours to engage such and as many Com-
panyes or Pattentees as possible they can to take the
same to meete in."

In 1694 the Hall was let for eight months for
the drawing of a public Lottery for ;^6i,ooo.
The same year the Company granted a lease for
21 years of " the greate roome, or Court Parlor,
toofether with two other rooms to the Governor
and Company for smelting downe Leade with

History of the Company. hi

Pitt Coale and Sea Coale," at the yearly rent of
Thirty Pounds.

Again, on the 12th February, 1718, it is
recorded —

" That the Clerk have Hberty to lett the Hall and
Court Parlour for Funerals and sales of goods during
pleasure of y'' Court, he making good all damages
arising thereby."

In the rebuilding of the Hall the Company
appears to have infringed the right of light
belonging to St. Vedast Church adjoining, and on
the 20th July, 1669, the Company subscribed £60
towards rebuilding St. Vedast, or St. Foster, as it
is called in the minutes, on condition that they
should be exempt from all claims by the Church
in respect of the said infringement, and from all
liability of taxes for the rebuilding. Shortly
afterwards we find the Company refusing effec-
tually to pay a rate levied on the parish for
pewing the Church. In 1698 the Court appointed
a Committee of their number to wait upon Sir
Christopher Wren, the architect of St. Vedast,
and to request him to take steps to put sufficient
bars to the Church windows to prevent all possi-
bility of access from the Church to the Company's
premises.

The Company's Order Books contain frequent

Lord Mayors' ^llusion to the great civic pageant of the

Shows. year, the Lord Mayor's Show. The

I 12

History of the Company.

ancient custom of the Livery Companies in attend-
ing the Lord Mayor in State by water, in a stately
procession of canopied barges rowed by liveried
oarsmen with gay music, ''drummes and ffifes," and
banners and streamers flying, must have furnished a
very picturesque spectacle. Every year the Com-
pany engaged a barge or '* ffoyste " decorated wuth
an awning or '* barge cloth " and a score or two of
silk pennants and banneroles ; and the following
minute is one of a number of similar records
occurring regularly every year : —

1609. July nth.

" Xxofer^ Topping was this Quarter Day admytted o""
Waterman to fynde vs a barge to holde xl nrien on the
least."

By the year 1662, however, the Company
Company's would appear to have followed the
State Barge, example of Other Companies, and to
have obtained a barge of their own.

1662. September 26tlL

" Ordered y* y*" M^'and Wardens with the advice of Mr.
Smith shall take caretop'vide a house for y'' Company's
bardge against y*" Lorde Mayor's day next."

1 68 1. October 6th.

" Ordered the Comp'^ attend by water on the Lord
Mayor's day and that Mr. Frith Master of the Windsor
Barge seruc with his said Barge and Two Wherry es and

^ Christopher.

History of the Company. 113

haue ffive pounds and tenn shillings for the same and his
mens Breakfasts and Dinners and they to fetch and
bring back the Comp'' Banners and Streamer."

In 1 67 1 Mr. Alderman Francis Dashwood, an
enthusiastic member of the Company, presented
them with ^100, a considerable sum in those
days, to purchase bunting for their State Barge.
This sum we read was invested in the following
manner :—

" Two Streamers each of them sixteen feet long, the
whole breadth of the Taffety.

" Three Banners each to be six feet square.

"Two dozen Pendants an ell of Taffety to make
four of them."

The banners and streamers were to cost ten
pounds a piece, and the pennants twenty shillings
each. The balance of the sum was laid out in a
handsome canopy, or barge cloth, of the character
of which we shall get some notion from the
following minute : — ^

1672. Febi'uary 26th.

" At this Cort severall persons being Imbroiderers by
Trade appeared about undertaking the Imbroiderery of
the Companye's Barge Cloth and each of them did
severally and apart propose the rates and prices they
would doe the same for and this Court finding that Mr.

^ In an inventory of the Company's effects, as late as 1736,
we find mention of wooden pegs round the top of the Hall
" to hang the Bargecloth on."

114 History of the Company.

Henry Steevens had proposed and offered to doe it at the
lowest and most reasonable termes, did then agree with
the said Mr. Steevens and the said Mr. Steevens did
undertake to doe and complete in workmanlike manner
the Grand Coate with Helmet Crest and Mantle to con-
tain an ell in breadth and a yard in depth each of them
for three pounds a peice. The Horse for nyne shillings
a peice the Escution with Compartlem* at eight shillings
p. piece the Bordering tenn inches or thereabouts in
breadth according to the patterne that shall please the
Master and Wardens at fower shillings and sixpence p.
yard and for such crimson worsted as he shall use to be
in Grayne, and all Cruel to be fine and to doe the Grand
Coate Horse and Escutions according to the patternes to
be delivered and forthwith to goe on to the doeing and
compleateing of the said workes."

These processions were apparently attended with
considerable expense, for on the 17th December,
1674, it is recorded that —

" This Court takeing notice of the greate charge they
are at by goeing by water on the Lord Mayor's Day and
that severall Companyes doe ease themselves of such
charge doe order that on the next Lord Mayor's Day and
soe afterwards this Compa"" shall not attend by water
but that the same charge be saved."

fc>'

The attractions of the custom, however, still
lingered, and in the following September the
decision was rescinded ; the reasons that im-
pelled the Court to this step are thus recorded : —

1675. September 2p-d.

" This Court tookc into Consideracon an order made at
a Court the xviij December last that this Company

History of the Company. 115

should not attend by water on the Lord Mayor's Day
and alsoe the late guift of Francis Dashwood Esq. for
banners and streamers for their better accommodacon
on that day and that this Company is as well able to
defray the charge thereof as formerly Doe think fitt to
repeale and make void the said recited order and Doe
order that this Company shall attend this yeare by
water on the Lord Mayor's Day as formerly they have
done and for that purpose it is referred to the M"" and
Wardens to hyer a Barge and provide Trumpetts for
the same day."

After the lapse of a few years, however, the
Company adhered to their first resolution, and
contented themselves with their railed stands, a
custom which they maintained until the early
part of the present century. In 1784 occurs an
order prohibiting the drinking of v/ine and the
use of tobacco, and in 1797 the Livery petitioned
the Court to abolish the stand and the beef
breakfasts, and in place thereof to permit their
ladies to dine in the evening, a request which it
is stated the Court '' agreed to for that year."

The Calendars of State Papers contain frequent
*' King's Esquire reference to an official known as the

Saddler." King's Esquire Saddler. Such mention
occurs as early as 1444. This functionary w^as
invariably a member of the Company. When, how-
ever, in 1680, a coachmaker was appointed to this
distinction, the Company were so much concerned
at the new departure that they appointed a
deputation from the Assistants to make repre-
sentations to the King. The Company's records

ii6 History of the Company.

inform us that " His Majesty took well the care
the Company had that he should be well served "
and the coachmaker was dismissed from the office,
and a freeman of the Company appointed in his
place.

In 1684 Charles H., who had long been vexed
1684. and incensed at the spirit of opposi-

fn^fluence on^hr ^^^^ showu by the citizens to his papis-
Court party, tical tendencies, and with the ill-con-
Quo Warranto. ^q^\^^ intention of rendering the City
more amenable to his wishes and to the influence
of the Court party, proceeded against the Corpora-
tion by a writ of " Quo Warranto," and obtained
the arbitrary forfeiture of the City Charter.
Similar processes were issued against several of
the City Companies with the object of placing
their government in the hands of men well dis-
posed to the Court. There remained to the
Saddlers' Company no help for it but to pacify
the King by a surrender of their Charter, and by
a confession of implicit reliance upon his good-
will; and on the loth April, 1684, we find it
recorded in the Company's Minutes that —

1684. Ap'i/ lOt/i.

" This Court taking notice that several ' Scire Facias '
c 1 f*i, or Quo Warrantos have of late beene

Surrender of the ^

Company's brought io his Ma^"^^ name by the At-

Charter. torney-Generall against seuerall of the

Companyes of this Citty and being informed that his

Ma^^'^^ pleasure hath beene signified to some of them

that he will only allow their Charters soe as to putt the

History of the Company. 117

governing- part therof into the hands of such persons as
may be most Loyall and Serviceable to his Ma^^'^ and
this Comp'' being readely willing to submitt their
Charter to his Ma^'*^ pleasure thereon doe think fitt and
order And it is hereby ordered that the M' and
Wardens of this Company Mr. Alderman Rich, Mr.
Kempe, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Wareing and Mr. Fisher or
any five or more of them, doe forthw*^' attend Mr.
Attorney-Generall and pray that noe Scire Facias or
Quo Warranto issue out ag* this Comp"- for that this
Comp'' doe and will offer and lay their Charter before
his Ma^^^ whenever his Ma*^^ shall require the same. And
the said p'sons are hereby appointed a Cofhittee to
draw up and prepare a peticon fitt for this Comp'' to
present to his Ma^^^ if Mr. Attorney-Generall shall
approve thereof And the said Cofhittee are to present
to this Court such peticon as they shall soe draw up.
And it is further ordered that all other the Assistants
of this Comp^ may if they thinke fitt be present at all
the meetings of the said Comittee and to act w*^ them
therein."

The Livery v^ere thereupon called into Court,
and the foregoing order read to them, and their
assent obtained thereto. The Company having
waited upon the Attorney-General and communi-
cated their resolution, were directed by him " to
peticion his Ma^^^ and make such surrender as
other Company es did." The following petition
and surrender were thereupon drawn up and duly
sealed for presentation to the King by Mr. Alder-
man Rich and others : —

" To the King's Most Excellent Ma^^*^—

" The humble peticon of the Wardens or Keepers and

ii8 History of the Company.

Comonalty of the Mistery or Art of Sadlers of the City
of London.

*' Humbly sheweth

" That y® pet'"' are by Seuerall Auncient Grants and
Charters under the Create Seale made to them by y*"
Ma^^*^^ Royal 1 progenitors, Kings and Queenes of Eng-
land, Incorporated by the name aforesaid By w^^
divers Franchises, priviledges and imunityes were
granted to them.

''That y*' pet'' takeing notice that Quo Warrantoes
have beene lately brought by y'' Ma^^^ against some of
the Comp*"' of this City

" Doe before any Quo Warranto yssue out against y"""
pef'.

" Most humbly submit themselves to y"" Ma^"^^ good
will and pleasure.

" And y° pet"' earnestly begg y° Ma*^^ wilbe gratiously
please to continue their former Charters with such regu-
lations for the governm* of the said Company and the
weale thereof as y'" sacred Ma*^^ shall think fitt And
that Richard Banner their Clerke may be continued.

" And y'" pef' as in duty bound shall pray, etc ."

The Surrender to His Mtie.

" To all to whome theis p'sents shall come. The War-
dens or Keepers and Comonaltye of the Mistery or Art
of Sadlers of the City of London send greeteing. Knowe
yee that wee considering how much it importes the
governm* of our Company to have men of knowne
Loyalty and approved integrity to beare offices of magis-
tracy and places of trust. The said Wardens or Keepers
by and with the advice and consent of the majority of
the Assistants of the said Company haue granted, sur-
rendered, and yielded up And by their presents do
grant surrender and yield up unto his most gracious

History of the Company. 119

Ma^^^ Charles the Second By the Grace of God King of
England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, and his heyres
and successors, all and singular the powers Franchises,
Libertyes, priviledges, and authorityes whatsoever and
howsover granted, or to be used or exercised By
the said Wardens and Assistants By vcrtue of any
right, tytle or interest vested in them by any Charters,
Letters patents, Custome or prescription in force of
or concerneing the electing, nominating, constituting,
being or appointing of any person or persons into or
for the seuerall and respective offices of Wardens or
Keepers and Assistants, and doe hereby humbly beseech
his Ma^^'^ to accept of this Surrender and doe with all
submission to his Ma*^*^" good pleasure implore his grace
and favour to regrant to the said Wardens or Keepers
and Assistants the nameing and chooseing of the said
officers And the said Libertyes and Franchises or soe
many of them and in such manner as his Ma^'*^ in his
greate wisdome shall iudge most conduceing for the
governm* of the said Company and with and under
such reservations, restrictions, and quallifications as his
Ma^'^ shall be pleased to appoint In witnes whereof the
said Wardens or Keepers haue hereunto affixed their
Comon Seale, etc."

At a Court held in August, the Committee
reported that they had presented the petition and
surrender to the King, " and his Ma*^^ well recieved
the same aiid w^as gratiously enclined to grant the
matter thereof, and had referred the said peticion
to Mr. Attorney Gen'all." Whereupon pov^er
v^as given to the Committee ''to manage and
procure the confirmation of the Company's
Charter w^'' such further priviledges as can be
gained."

I20 History of the Company.

The new Charter was granted to the Saddlers'
AD 1684 Company on the 24th December
Charter of followIng, and read at the Quarter
Charles II. (3q^j-|- j^ January, when the Wardens,

Assistants, and Clerk took the oath and subscribed
the declaration. Charles II. died during the next
month (6th February, 1685), and was succeeded by
his brother, James II., and in the month of May,
in view of the approaching election of Parliament,
the Company were reconstituted a Livery, and
were called upon by the Lord Mayor, pursuant to
an injunction from James, to return a list, for
ratification by the Court of Aldermen, of such
Liverymen who were of the "best, more dis-
creete, and sufficient members of y^' Company
being perso7is of appi^wed and icnquestionable
Loyalty!' an obvious indication of the King's
intention to influence the selection of Voters.
The affairs of the Company appear to have gone
on pretty smoothly during the next two years,
despite the increasing dissatisfaction of the City
and country against the ill-advised King, who
had let loose the reins of monarchical despotism
and tyranny, and arrogated to himself the pre-
rogative of ruling the national will and conscience
without the aid even of a Parliament ; for, to
obviate the inconvenience of their want of com-
pliancy, he had dispensed with that assembly
altogether.

The Charter of the late King, Charles II.,
to the Saddlers and other Companies, pro-
vided for the right of the King to remove any

History of the Company. 121

Warden, Assistant, or Clerk at the royal will,
or by an Order in Privy Council, and further
imposed upon the Companies subjection and
obedience to the Mayor and Aldermen. In
September, 1687, James exercised this power in
an arbitrary and unequivocal manner
by suspending, or rather discharging
from ofhce, a large number of the Wardens and
Assistants of the Companies. On the 12th
October, the Saddlers' Company were assembled
to receive the following communication from the
Lord Mayor and Order in Council : —

' Peake Major.

" Martis the iiij° Octob'" 1687 Ano R. Jacob!
Secundi Anglia, tertio.

" Whereas his Ma^^*^ by order of Councell (now sent
down to this Court) hath ben pleased to Remoue
seuerall Masters and Wardens and Assistants of seuerall
Companyes of this Citty, and comanded this Court to
Signifye his Ma^^^^ pleasure therein to the said Com-
panyes. It is Ordered that a coppy of the said Order
of Councell (for soe much as concerns each Company)
be made by Mr. Towne Clerke and delivered to the
Clerks of the said respective Companyes to be by them
entered in their Companyes Bookes.

" At the Court at Windsor the xxv"' of
Septemb"^ 1687/'

" By the King's most Excellent Ma*'*^ and the Lords
of His Ma}''' Most Honb^° Privy Councell.

''Whereas By the Late Charters granted to the
seuerall Companies of London, It is provided that his
Ma^^% his heyres and Successors, may by Order in
Councell from tyme to tyme displace or remoue the

122 History of the Company.

Master Wardens and Assistants of the said seuerall
Companies or any of them, and thereupon the place or
places of such person or persons soe remoued should
be voyd ; And whereas his Ma^^^ in Councell is pleased
to order, And it is hereby ordered accordingly, That
Thomas Fisher, Edward Fisher, Wardens, S"" Peter
Rich, Edward Benskin, Robert Wareing, Francis Bulsell,
W"" Morgan, John Sawyer, John Webb, Robert Johnson,
Robert Stoakes, Henry Fetter, Thomas Chew, John
Hall, Cadogan Thomas, and Elias Rich, Esq'', Assistants
of the Company of the Saddlers, be and they are hereby
remoued and displaced from being any longer Wardens
or Assistants of the said Company.

'* And His Ma^^ is further pleased to order that the
Lord Major and Court of Aldermen doe forthwith
signifye his Ma^'^^ pleasure herein to the said Company.

"Wm. Bridgeman.

" A True Coppy of the Order of
Councell.

''Wagstaffe."

Then follows this terse minute : —

"Vpon readeing of w^^' said Orders this Court was
broake up."

The displacement of these Assistants was Im-
mediately followed by an order of the Court of
Aldermen, removing them from the Livery.

The vacancies thus created in the Court were,
for the most part, filled by the election of other
Assistants to take their places. But the disorder
already occasioned was complicated by the refusal
of some resolute members thus elected to serve,
and of others to take the oath of allegiance pre-
scribed by the Charter.

History of the Company. 12^

o

The Intelligence of the preparations of the
Prince of Orange forced James In dismay to
restore the City Charter and the privileges of
which the Liverymen had been deprived, but the
concession came too late to give him any favour
with the citizens.

On the loth October, 1688, the Company re-
ceived an order from the Lord Mayor restoring
the displaced members, consisting of all those
already enumerated, and one or two others re-
moved at a subsequent period. The same were
accordingly restored to their former places and
privileges and were re-admitted Assistants.

On the 4th December following, the Master
and Wardens of the Company received a sum-
mons from the Lord Chancellor to attend him at
Whitehall, which they obeyed, when his Lordship
informed them —

" That by his Ma^^*^^ order he had delivered back to
the seuerall Companyes of this Citty the seuerall Deeds
of Surrender by them made upon their taking new
Charters. And that the surrender made by this Com-
pany to his late Ma^^*^, bearing date the xijth Aprill, 1684,
was lately come to his Lordshipp's hands, and he now
delivered it back to the said Wardens to cancell, and his
Lordshipp declared the said surrender was not enrolled
and for want thereof it did not amount unto any sur-
render of the Companye's old Franchises or Libertyes
menconed in such surrender. And that it was his Ma^^^^
pleasure to leave them in the same state and condicon
they were in at the tyme of the makeing of the said
surrender, and that his Ma^^^ would give the Comp*^ any
new Grant or Charter. But his Lordshipp declared the

K

124 History of the Company.

delivery back of the said surrender was sufficient, and
that the Comp'' neede not putt themselves to the charge
of any new Charter."

At the Court following this Interview the re-
stored surrender was cancelled.

The abdication of James II. and the succession

of William III. and Mary restored

Succession of tranquillity to the City, and Initiated a

^^^M^"^ ^^^ period of comparative repose so far as

. the Companies were concerned.

In June, 1690, James having, with the assist-
ance of France, Invaded Ireland with a small
army, the Company received a pre-
cept from the Lord Mayor, directing
them to raise " suche number of Horse and
Dragoons, or make a subscrlpcon of money out
of the Comp''' Stock as they shalbe willing to
doe for their Ma^'^^ service on the present occasion
of the feare of the French their Invadeing this
Kingdom," whereupon the Court agreed to raise
and equip two Dragoons. At their next meeting,
however, the Court discharged the obligation by
paying ^50 Instead. The Company followed up
their subscription by proposing to the authorities
that they should be entrusted with the making of
the saddles and furniture for the Dragoons to be
so raised, adding that they would furnish the
same at moderate rates, and distribute them
amongst their members, " that soe the same may

History of the Company. 125

be done with care and speede." The result of
the proposal is, however, not recorded.

The same month, the Company being informed

jg g^ that the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and

Loan to William Common Council had agreed to ad-

and Mary. yance a Considerable loan to the
King and Queen, upon the security of the
hereditary revenue to be settled on their Majes-
ties by Act of Parliament, at the rate of six per
cent, interest, decided to advance ^100. In
order, however, to furnish this sum they were
reduced to borrowing it of one of their members,
which they did at five per cent. This was
followed by another loan of ^100 to the Crown
six years later, which was raised in a similar
manner. Both loans, however, were duly re-
paid with interest.

About this period Saddlers' Hall becomes
^. ^. , , associated with the name of Sir

hir Richard

Biackmore and Richard Blackmore, the epic poet.

Saddlers' Hall. ^ i ^^ i . . ttt-i

one 01 the Court physicians to Wil-
liam HI. and Oueen Anne. Blackmore was
formerly a schoolmaster, but he exchanged his
profession for that of medicine, and supplemented
this again by indulging his taste for poetry. His
poems, which are ponderous and voluminous,
earned him favour at the Court, but although
Addison considered his '' Creation " one '' of the
most useful and noble productions of our English
verse,'" the merits of his works has not been
sufficient to earn a similar judgment by posterity.

K 2

126 History of the Company.

His poems are characterised by a high rehglous
tone, and his denunciation of the ImmoraHty of
the time brought upon him the wrath and ridicule
of Dryden, Garth, and Pope, as well as of Tom
Brown and other minor wits. His residence at
Saddlers' Hall earned for him the titles of " the
City Bard," "the Cheapslde Knight," and a score
of others very similar. He was not a member
of the Saddlers' Company, but there Is a slight
flavour of the atmosphere of his surroundings at
the Hall in his defence of his first great work,
"Prince Arthur." He says, "I am not free of
the Poets' Company, having never kissed the
Governor's hands," alluding to which Dr. Johnson
says, "He had lived In the City till he had learned
its note." When Blackmore published his " Satire
upon Wit," Garth replied with a pungent epistle
in rhyme, addressed —

"To THE Merry Poetaster at Saddlers' Hall

IN Cheapside.

Unwieldy pedant, let thy awkward muse

With censures praise, with flatteries abuse

To lash, and not be felt, in thee's an art

Thou ne'er mad'st any, but thy school boys, smart.

If B — I's immortal wit thou would'st descry

Pretend 'tis he that writ thy poetry.

Thy feeble satire ne'er can do him wrong,

Thy poems and thy patients live not long."

Tom Brown addresses him as " Richard Black-
more on the two wooden horses before Saddlers'

History of the Company. 127

Hall," and alludes to the Saddlers* Company in
the following distich : —

"'Twas kindly done of the good-natured cits
To place before thy door a brace of tits."

proceeding —

"For Pegasus would ne'er endorse the weight
Of such a quibbling, scribbling, dribbling knight."

Blackmore was knighted by William HI. upon
the publication of " King Arthur."

Very little can be gathered concerning the old
Hall, i.e., the one built after the Fire of London.
From a minute on the i8th May, 1714, we learn
that it had a cupola, or '' Lanthorn," and in
another place there is an order for the flooring of
the room over the Hall. In 1668 the Company,
upon completion of the building, contracted with
the New River Company for a supply of water,
taking a lease for eleven years at 45^-. fine, and
45^-. per annum rent. The occasional mention of
a Pump in the Company's Kitchen, and of another
Pump in Day's Court close by, gives us an idea
of the Company's alternative supply. The Hall
did not abut on Cheapside directly, but was
approached from the main road by a small passage
known as Saddlers' Hall Court, in which was the
Clerk's House. Hatton, in his " New View of
London," published in 1708, describes Saddlers'
Hall as "adorned with fretwork and wainscot."
Maidand in 1774, gives the following account of

128 History of the Company.

it : — " Saddlers' Hall Is situate near the end of
Foster Lane, in Cheapside, at the upper end of
an handsome alley, at the entrance of which is an
ornamental doorcase, and an iron gate, and is a
very compleat Building for the use of such a
Company. It is adorned with Fretwork and
Wainscot, and the Companie's arms carved in
Stone over the Gate next the Street."

In September, 1714, George I. made his public
j^ entry into London, and to celebrate

George I. the event the Company decided "to
have new Standards, or Trophies, and this Court
left the management thereof to the M7 and
Wardens, Mr. John Heylen, and Mr. Thomas
East, he being a Mercer, and this Court also
ordered four Sir Loins of Beef, Eight Leggs of
Pork, and Turnyps, and one dozen and a half
of Rabitts frigusseed, and six Buttered Aple
Pyes, to be for the Company's Dinner that day."

In the following January, on the occasion of the
King and Court attending a thanksgiving service
at St. Paul's, the Company ordered a " double
stand" to be put up, and further, that ''James
Humphreys, a member of this Company, attend
them w*^' a good Trumpett and Kettledrum as
musick for that day."

On special State occasions it was the custom,
as will be gathered from incidents

Processions. r i • i i •

The Companies referred to m the precedmg pages,
in their stands. ^^^ ^^^ Companies to stand along the

EXTERIOR VIEW OF SADDLERS' HALL, 1811.

Taketty by kind permission, from a Water Colour Draaving by Shepherd^ in the possession of

John E. Gardner, Esq.

History of the Company. 129

route of procession In railed stands (as we see
them in La Serre's print Illustrating the entrance
of Mary de Medlcis, mother of the Consort of
Charles I.). The arrangement and marshalling of
the Companies was done by the direction of the
City authorities, each Company being allotted a
specified extent of rails and position, according to
Its importance and precedence. The City Books
contain a list showing the amount of space
allotted to the several Companies on the occasion
of the coronation of Henry VHI. and Katherine
of Arragon. The Saddlers' Company, on that
occasion, ranked as the 20th, and were allotted 14
yards of rails. These rails were kept In the
Company's cellar, and brought out as occasion
required. Their Stand appears to have been in
Cheapslde, in front of their Hall, and on one
occasion they resisted an attempt to oust them
from their old position.

1 7 1 4. September 2 5 th.

" Sir Sam^^ Stainer the Lord Mayor for this year haveing
been pleased to order that this Company in case of any
publick shews in Cheapside shall maintain their standing
in the front of their Hall adjoining to their own ground,
and where they have stood time out of mind till of late
years, upon a representacon p'sented to him for that
purpose of the first of September Inst, this Court there-
upon ordered the s*^ representacon to be entered in their
books and the same is as follows : —

" To the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor.

"The Humble Representacon of the Mar, and
Wardens of the Company of Sadlers, London.

130 History of the Company.

" That the Livery men of the s"^ Company are 70.

"That the said Company is very ancient and gav Livery
in the reyne of Edward the First, and being seized of the
inheritance of a large piece of ground between Gutter
Lane and Foster Lane in Cheapside they have had
their standing on their own ground before their Hall
and their other houses belonging to them there on all
solemn shows time out of mind till very lately. That
in respect the said Company don't claim any prece-
dency before other Companys but stand rather below
their degree only for the sake of their own ground, and
therefore they hope they shall be allowed their ancient
stand according to custom without p'judice to their right
of p'cedency on any other occasion."

Hov^es, In his account of the procession of
James L from the Tov^er to Westminster, on the
occasion of his coronation, thus describes the mode
in which these stands were used ; —

*' The Companies of the Citie martialled according to
their degrees were placed the first beginning at the vpper
end of Marsh Lane and the last reaching to the Conduict
in Fleet Street or thereabout, their seats being double-
railed, vpon the vpper part whereof they leaned ; the
streamers, ensignes and banners of each particular
Company decently fixed."

On the 24th October, 172 1, the Court ordered —

"That if any member shall not come to the Hall on
Lord Mayor's Day before the Ma"" goes to the stand such
person shall forfeit half a crown or not be admitted at
the dinner, and notice thereof in writing is ordered to be
added to the tickets."

After the pageant on Lord Mayor's Day was

History of the Company. 131

over, the Company returned to their Hall, and
dined together. Towards the middle of the
eighteenth century music was introduced at this
feast, and on the 25th July, 1757, we have the
following minute, the pastoral allusion in which is
interesting : —

" Ord*^ that four guineas be allowed Mr. Goodwin for
the musick to be provided on Lord Mayor's Day next
exclusive of the Pipe and Tabor."

It was one of these occasions that led to the
introduction of Prince Frederick of Wales to
the Company in 1736, the circumstances being as
follow : —

On the 29th October, 1736, being Lord Mayor's

Day, Frederick, Prince of Wales, son

The Price of of George H., with his Consort,

Wales joins the the PHncess Augusta, who had a

Company. . .^

taste tor witnessing this historic civic
pageant, honoured the Saddlers' Company by a
visit to their Hall, in order, as the minute records
it, '*to see their method, manner, and behaviour
on that publick day," and having been saluted
by the Court of Assistants, they were graciously
pleased to drink prosperity to the Company.
The Master and Clerk of the Company were
subsequently deputed to wait upon the Prince
to request permission to place the pictures of
their Royal Highnesses in the Company's Hall,
and to solicit his acceptance of the Freedom of
the Company — a permission which the Prince,

132 History of the Company.

having received the Company's deputation in
person, readily accorded. On the i8th of Novem-
ber, the Court of Assistants, according to previous
appointment, waited upon the Prince In a body at
St. James's, and the Incident is fully narrated In
the following minute : —

" Their Clerk in a short speech returned him their
thanks for y"" honour conferred on them by his Royall
Highnesses presence at their hall, and requested y®
favour of him to accept of y"" Freedom of their Company,
and that he would permit them to have his picture in
order to transmit to posterity so great an Honour. His
Royall Highness thereupon gratiously condescended to
accept of y° Freedom and to permit them to have his
picture and y^ Master presented him with the copy of
his Freedom in a gold box, together with y"" account of
y^ antiquity of y'' Company. And afterwards his Royall
Highness did y'' Court of Assistants y'^ Honour to intro-
duce them to y*" Princess of Wales, when y^ Clerk in y^
name of y^ Company in like manner returned hir y^
Company's thanks for y^ honour done them by Her
Royall Highnesses presence and requested y^ favour of
her to permitt them to have her Picture, w^^' Her Royall
Highness also gratiously condescended to grant, and all
y® Court of Assistants and their Clerk had y*" honour of
kissing their Royall Highnesses hands and his Royall
Highness was pleased to order 50 guineas to be given
to y^ Master to distribute amongst the Servants of y^
Company at y^ discretion of y^ Court.

" And they were afterw"^' by his Royall Highnesses
order, refreshed with wine."

At a Court held on the 26th of the same month.
Lord Baltimore having written to Inquire " the
length and breadth of y® canvas on which the

History of the Company. 133

Prince and Princesses Pictures should be drawn,"
the Clerk was ordered to " waite upon his Lord-
ship with the length and breadth of y^ Canvas of
y^ pictures of King Charles and King James the
Second which are in y^ Court Room."^

The Court on the same day resolved to present
the Freedom of the Company to the Lords and
Grooms of His Royal Highness's Bedchamber, to
his Treasurer and Secretary, and to Her Royal
Highness's Chamberlain, and copies of the Free-
dom in silver boxes having the Arms of the
Company engraved and gilt were accordingly
delivered by the Clerk to the following : —

Gentlemeit of the Bedchamber to His Royal High-
ness^ Frederick^ Prince of Wales.
" The Right Honourable Henry Bridges, Marquiss of
Caenarvon.

The Right Honourable Charles Calvert, Lord Balti-
more.

The Right Hon^^^^ Francis, Lord North.
The Right Hon^^^ William Villiers, Earl of Jersey.
CJianibeidain to the Prijtcess of Wales.
. Sir William Irby, Baronet,

Grooms of the Bedchamber to Her Royal Highness
Princess of Wales.
The Hon^''« Col. John Lumley.
The Hon^^^ Col. William Townsend.
The Hon^^*^ Col. John Schutz.
John Evelin, Esq."

^ The picture of the Princess was destroyed in one of the
fires in the beginning of this century, together with those of
Charles II. and James II. That of the Prince still hangs in
the Company's Hall.

134 History of the Company.

The Company made no attempt to conceal
their satisfaction at the distinction conferred upon
them by the Prince, and the expression of their
loyalty took various forms. The January Quarter
Court was transferred from the 25th to the 20th,
being the Prince's birthday, while the Audit Day
was altered to the 19th of November, being the
birthday of the Princess.

In July of the following year the Prince, having
previously given his consent, was
^^^^' elected Perpetual Master of the Com-
pany, and the title of Prime Warden was adopted
by the Acting Master. At the same time, a
Banner was ordered to be made for the Company
with the Prince's arms.

On 4th June, 1738, the Princess having given
birth to a Prince (George William
^ ^ ' Frederick, afterwards George III.),
the opportunity suggested Itself, both to the City
and to the Company, as a fitting occasion to pay
their respects. At a Court on the 24th June, the
Company were informed by Sir William Irby,
Chamberlain to the Princess, that the Prince had
appointed " Monday, the 27th Inst., to receive the
compliments of ye City, and Wednesday, the
28th, for the Company's." Accordingly, on the
day named, the Court assembled at 10 a.m., and
proceeded to Norfolk House to congratulate their
Royal Highnesses, ''when the Clerk, In the name
of the Company, addressed them in the words
following : —

History of the Company. 135

'* May it please your Royal Highnesses —

" The Company of Saddlers esteem themselves greatly
honoured by your Royal Highnesses' permission to con-
gratulate you on this happy occasion.

" The Increase of your Royal Highnesses' family
presents us with a pleasing Prospect, and spreads uni-
versal Joy over the whole nation.

" And this Company, by Inclination as well as Duty,
most humbly begg leave to assure your Royal Highness
that none more ardently wish a long continuance of
Prosperity to your Royal House.

" And, in process of time, they doubt not but this
young Prince will become a Blessing to Posterity by
your Exam.ples."

To v^hlch His Royal Highness made ansvi^er
to the follov^ing effect, viz. : —

" That he returned the Company thanks for their
dutiful Address to him and the Princess, and that he
should take all opportunities to shew his Regard to the
Company."

And afterwards the Company were regaled with

wine.

On the 4th May, 1739, the Court passed the
j^ following order : —

" That when the Princess of Wales shall be brought
to Bed of a Prince or Princess, for the future, the Clerk
of the Company for the time being is empowered to
order a Bonfire to be made before the Hall. But
if there is a sufficient time to acquaint the Master
thereof the Clerk is to do it."

We likewise learn that a similar form of

136 History of the Company.

procedure was in vogue on the anniversaries of
the birth of their Royal Highnesses.

In 1742, however, this custom was ordered to
be discontinued, for reasons explained in the fol-
lowing minute : —

November igth.

" Whereas several of the Company's Tennants adjoin-
ing to the Hall, and other persons in the neighbour-
hood, this day petitioned this Court to discontinue the
Illuminations without doors which have been usually
made on the Birthdays of the Prince and Princess of
Wales, by reason of the great mobbs assembling
together and the Injurys they generally receive thereby,
the same was taken into consideration by the Court,
and it appearing to this Court that great Inconvenience
and Damage have been done to the Petitioners by such
Illuminations, the Court therefore ordered that the
same be discontinued this night and for the future, and
that an advertisement be putt into the Papers specifying
the reasons why the same were discontinued."

On the 1 6th December, 1743, the Court again

waited upon the Prince and Princess
1743. .

at Leicester House, to congratulate

them on the birth of Prince William Henry.

The next and last occasion was on the birth of
Prince Henry Frederick, two years afterwards, in
1745, a year memorable for the Scotch Rebellion.
On that occasion the Court presented the Prince
and Princess with the following interesting ad-
dress : —

" May it please your Royal Highnesses —

" The Company of Sadicrs most humbly beg leave to

History of the Company. 137

approach your Royal Highnesses to congratulate you
on the birth of another Prince, and on the happy re-
covery of the Princess. The increase of your Royal
Family at this time is an event which must greatly
rejoice the heart of every true Briton, as it adds strength
to our happy constitution now attackt by lawless rebells
in favour of an abjured Popish Pretender.

" Permit us (S"") to take this opportunity of expressing
our utter abhorence to the detestable Rebellion raised
against the government of your august Father joined
with some of his deluded and ungrateful! subjects
senseless of the invaluable blessings they have enjoyed
under his most just and mild administration, an ad-
ministration by which their religion their laws their
liberties and properties have been most inviolately
preserved.

" Surely nothing less than madness can excite these
wretches to attempt to change such blessings into
curses.

" But as the wages of sin is death we hope the day of
payment is not far off.

" Animated (S') with these sentiments wee crave leave
most humbly to assure your Royall Highness of our
firm attachment to His Majesty's Royal Person and
government. And that we will heartilly join his loyal
subjects and with them cheerfully contribute all in our
power to quell the factious spirits of all the restless
enemys to your Royal House whether foreign or
domestick.

" Wee presume S"" to add our fervent prayers that the
Almighty would bless your Royal Highnesses with
Happiness and Prosperity And that your Royal
descendants may transmit to latest posterity the virtues
of their illustrious Parents as the means effectually to
destroy the vain hopes of all future Pretenders to
disturb the peace and government of these kingdoms."

I ^8 History of the Company.

o

To which His Royal Highness was pleased to
answer to the following effect :—

't5

" Gentlemen — Your dutifull expressions of loyalty to
my Father are very agreeable to me, and I give you
mine and the Princess's Thanks for this repeated
instance of your great respect to us and my Familly
and I shall take all opportunitys of shewing my regard
to the Company."

''And they all had the honour to kiss their Royal
Highnesses' hands, and were afterwards by his
Royal Highnesses Command regaled with wine."

The loyalty of the Company during the period
of the Rebellion was not confined to
words, as on the 12th December,
1745, we find the Court resolved that —

" In commiseration of the particular hardships and
inconveniencys which must be suffered by such soldiers
as are employed in his Majesties Service during the
winter season towards the suppression of the present
unnatural Rebellion to subscribe the sum of one hundred
pounds to be applied towards their Relief, Support and
Encouragement pursuant to a scheme lately published
commonly called the Veteran Scheme, and for that
purpose it is ordered that the Renter Warden do
forthwith pay the said sume into the Chamber of
London."

The Prince of Wales died In 1751/ at the age

of forty-four, and In the following

^^^^' year the title of Prime Warden of

^ The event produced the following ribald but familiar
Jacobite epitaph : —

History of the Company. 139

the Company was exchanged for the old title of
Master.

Henceforward the records of the Company
contain little of general public interest. The
increase of stability to the throne gave the Com-
pany an opportunity of turning their attention to
Internal affairs, and their participation In public
events Is in but few cases of more than civic
Importance.

In the year 1798 occurs a record of ^200
subscribed by the Company to the '' Voluntary
Fund for the Defence of the Country," recalling to
our minds the sacrifice which the country was
called upon to make at a period when,
having barely recovered from the strain
of the American War, England was forced into a
long and bitter struggle with France. The Com-
pany had not the required sum In their exchequer

" Here lies poor Fred,
Who was alive and is dead ;
Had it been his father »

I had much rather ;
Had it been his brother
Still better than another ;
Had it been his sister
No one would have missed her ;
Had it been the whole generation.
Still better for the nation ;
But since 'tis only Fred,
Who was alive and is dead.
There's no more to be said:"

140 History of the Company.

at the time they voted it, but a member of the
Court quickly and spontaneously advanced it.
For some time past the Company had voluntarily
relinquished all dinners, although one would have
thought that the glorious battle of the Nile, and
other brilliant successes of their countrymen,
would have afforded them many reasonable occa-
sions for rejoicing.

In 18 1 5 the Company's Hall, which from time
to time had undergone extensive repairs and
p.j.g^j.g^^^jgj.g. alterations, suffered by a fire which
Hall. completely destroyed the Clerk's
House.^ The Royal Exchange Insurance Com-
pany reimbursed the Company the sum of
^600 for the house in the passage, and the
Hand in Hand Office paid them ^589- ^s. in
respect of the damage to the Hall. Both of
these sums were invested in ;^2,ooo Reduced
Annuities, purchased for ^1,145.^ Nothing was
apparently done in the way of repairing the

^ In 1863, the entrance to Saddlers' Hall, then an open
passage or gateway, was moved some 30 feet eastwards, from
No. 143 to 141, Cheapside, the old entrance being built over.
In 1884, Half-moon Passage, a parallel court leading from
140, Cheapside, into a yard at the side of the Hall, and
belonging to the Company, was covered in by new buildings.

^ During the twenty-three years from 17 93-1 8 15, the period
of the great French war, the National Debt w^as increased by
upwards of ;£6oo,ooo,ooo, money being borrowed in the most
reckless manner. In 181 5 a loan of ;£3 6,000,000 was raised,
each subscriber of ^100 receiving ;£" 1 74 — three per cent. —
and ^10, four per cent, stock.

INTERIOR VIEW OF SADDLERS' HALL.

History of the Company. 141

Hall, the damage to which does not appear to
have been very great, and the Courts of the
Company were occasionally held at the New-
London Tavern close by. In 181 7, however,
the Court seriously entertained the question of
letting the Hall and adapting the premises of the
London Tavern, which appear to have adjoined,
and the lease of which had nearly fallen in. The
following year, 1 8 1 8, the necessary repairs to the
Hall were stated as involving an expenditure of
^3,000. The Court, however, were indisposed
to half measures, and appear to have contemplated
the entire rebuilding of the Hall. Nothing, how-
ever, was done until March, 1821, when their
course was unexpectedly shaped for them by the
jg2j entire destruction of the Hall in a
The Hall Conflagration which broke out in a
es roye . ]-^Q^gg belonging to the Company in

Foster Lane, and tenanted by Messrs. Butler and
Sons, manufacturing chemists. There was now
no help for it but to rebuild. The unexpired term
of Messrs. Butler's house was purchased by the
Company, and part of the site of their house,
together with the Clerk's House, was thrown into
the new Hall. The furniture, wine, and plate,
were removed without loss, and the painted glass
windows escaped, and were carefully taken down
and apparently reset in the new building. The
furniture and the materials saved from the fire
were ordered to be sold by public auction, and
realised ^500. The present building was erected
from designs by the Company's surveyor, Mr.

L 2

142 History of the Company.

Jesse Gibson, and the first stone was laid on

Thursday, 7th March, 1822. The wine cellar had

been added to the Hall in i8os, being:

Rebuilt 1822. , - , . . ^, ^

taken out 01 the ground m what was
called " the front yard " of the Hall and
inaugurated by a pipe of Port. Previous to this
date we learn that the wine consumed by the
Company was procured from the caterer who
supplied the dinners. In the same year the
Court decided to supply the Stewards' and Lord
Mayors' Feasts from the Hall Kitchen. These
feasts had hitherto been supplied from outside,
very probably from the adjacent London Tavern.

One of the instances recorded of the Company

A.D. 1822. exercising their full prerogative of

Worthless sad- search was as late as 1822. The-Com-

dles destroyed. i • i • r i i

pany having been iniormed by various
London Saddlers that a certain Mr. Deykin, of
Holborn, was in the habit of having a great
quantity of worthless saddles made and disposing
of them by auction, made a rigorous search
throughout the City to find the whereabouts of
the maker. Succeeding in the discovery, they
appropriated sixteen of the said worthless sad-
dles, being made of old trees covered with new
leather, and appointed a jury of London Saddlers
to view them, by whom they were at once con-
demned. Mr. Deykin being summoned to appear
before the Company, and to show cause why
the saddles should not be destroyed, denied the
Company's prerogative ; but of this they endea-

-f

History of the Company. 143

voured to convince him by straightway ordering
the trees and webbs to be broken, and the
saddles returned to him to use the leather.
Mr. Deykin's counsel being present during the
incident, the Company refused to hear him, and
no more protest was made.

The last occasion but one in which the Com-
pany took a prominent part in a public pageant
was in 1832, in the mayoralty of their distin-
guished member. Alderman Sir Peter Laurie.
The Order Books relate how in that year they
attended Sir Peter to be sworn in as Lord Mayor ;
how, after having breakfasted with the Lord Mayor
elect, they joined the civic procession
Mayoralty of at Guildhall, embarked at the Tower
Sir Peter Laurie. ^^ ^ State barge, accompanied by a

band, and were rowed by 24 oarsmen to West-
minster, where, after the ceremony of swearing-
in, they re-embarked and landed at Blackfriars.
The Company considered the occasion a fitting
one to purchase new silk banners and the Royal
standard, the Union flag and banners, with the
City arms. Company's arms, and the arms of
H.R.H. Prince Frederick of Wales, Past Master,
then purchased, still remain in the Company's
possession. Sir Peter Laurie at the same time
presented the Company with a banner of his
arms and a long silk streamer, which are similarly
preserved.

This w^as apparently the last occasion in which
the Company took part in a pageant or State pro-

144 History of the Company.

cession by water.^ The mayoralty of Mr. Alderman

Cotton, then Master of the Company, in 1875,

^ was the next and last occasion in

Mayoralty of

Mr. Alderman which the Company took a prominent
part, but the ceremonial had by this
time become modified into the form with which
we are more familiar.

In 1859 the Company built their Almshouses
at Spring Grove, Isle worth, known as Honnor's
Home. In 1769 Young George Honnor, a
member of the Company, bequeathed to the
Company the residue of his estate, amounting to
/2,828 10^. 5^., the Interest on

Honnor's Home "^ .. - . -

Almshouses at whicli was directed to be devoted to
the relief of any Master, Warden,
or Assistant that might come to decay. • This
provision not being applied for, the Interest
accumulated, and was added to the capital until. In
1855, the amount had increased to ^t 7,995 4-s. 4.^.
In that year the Company applied to the Court of
Chancery for an extension of the application of
the benefits to poor members of the Company,
and a scheme was sanctioned giving them power
to erect almshouses out of part of the accu-
mulations, and to maintain therein eight poor
Freemen, Freewomen, or widows of Freemen of
the Company. The Company contributed ^1,000
towards the buildings from their own private

* The last procession of the Lord Mayor's Show to West-
minster by water was on Monday, November loth, 1856.

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History of the Company. 145

funds, and the pensions are largely increased by
supplementary grants from the Company. The
first stone of the Home was laid on the 30th
August, 1859, by the Master of the Company,
Peter Northall Laurie, and the building was
erected from designs by the Company's Surveyor,
Mr. Fred. W. Porter, F.R.I. B. A. It was com-
pleted in September, i860.

In 1873 the Company, with a view to promoting
the art with which they are associated, offered a
series of premiums ranging from ten to fifty
guineas for improvements in military saddles.
Three judges were appointed by the Horse
Guards, together with two members of the Court,
Saddlers by trade. Previous to entering upon

the competition, the Company received

Saddlery Com- ^ scHes of sup'gestions from the Horse

petition, 1873. ^1 .u •

Guards, as to the pnme requisites
in a military saddle, one of which was that it
should be as light as possible, but sufficiently
strong to carry a Dragoon, his arms, and
ammunition, equipments and accoutrements, and
to be able to stand rough usage and exposure
on service in the field. Another was that, as the
horses in a cavalry regiment are constantly
changing, the saddle must be made so that it could
be altered by slight shifting, or other method
easily effected on service, to fit horses differing in
shape on the back and withers. It was also to be
made in three sizes so that it could be changed, in
case of necessity, according to the size of the

146 History of the Company.

horses. Again, the saddle was to be made in
such a way that the trees or panels could be easily
altered or repaired ; the intention being to reduce
the weight on the horse's back, the present
British regulation saddle, according to the authori-
ties at the Horse Guards, being too heavy, and
the hind fork, which is made to carry a heavy
tightly packed valise, being higher than neces-
sary. It was also stated that there was an
intention that the total weight to be usually
carried in marching order should be reduced to
i6st. 10 lb., but the saddle was to be sufficiently
strong to carry extra weight. In awarding the
premiums the following points were considered —
lightness, strength, durability ; general fitting
for broad, ordinary, and narrow backs ; venti-
lation for the horse's back ; simplicity; dimen-
sions of the rider's seat ; cheapness, and easy
fitting to the horse's back.

For the guidance of competitors, military
saddles from Germany, France, Belgium, and
America were exhibited, but the competition was
not productive of any improvement in the present
English military saddle. The saddles were tested
by the Military Authorities, but no award was
made.

In the following year, however, the Company

Second Saddler ^g^^ii^ offered a pHze of 50 guineas,
Competition which was Supplemented by one of
100 guineas, offered by Mr. Deputy
Harris, the Master of the Company. The con-
ditions were much the same as in the previous

History of the Company. 147

year, and a jury was appointed upon the joint
nomination of the Horse Guards and the Saddlers'
Company. The saddles sent In were publicly ex-
hibited for some days in the Company's Hall, and
the Exhibition was honoured by an official visit by
H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge, who was accom-
panied by General Sir Richard Alrey, G.C.B.,
Adjutant - General of the F'orces ; Lieutenant-
General Sir Charles Elllce, K.C.B., Quartermaster-
General to the Forces ; Major-General Sir
Thomas M 'Mahon, C. B., Commanding the Cavalry
Brigade, Aldershot, Inspector-General of Cavalry;
Colonel Middleton, C.B., Deputy Adjutant-
General Royal Artillery ; Colonel Clifford, V.C,
C.B., Assistant Adjutant-General ; Colonel
Oakes, C.B. ; Colonel Fraser, V.C, C.B. ; Cap-
tain Fenn, Inspector of Saddlery, Royal Arsenal,
Woolwich, and other distinguished Officers.

With the exception of these few incidents
^, ^. little of consequence remains to

ine Lrivery ^ ■*•

Companies' Com- be chronlclecl. The Municipal

mission in 1880. r^ .,-,..„

Corporations Inquiry in 1834, to
which the Company gave full information,
possibly foreshadowed the Livery Companies'
Commission in 1880. Here similarly the Com-
pany, although formally refusing to admit
the legality of the Commission, furnished full
returns.

In connection with this Inquiry the Company
feel great satisfaction in remembering that their
honoured Past Master, Mr. Alderman Cottun,

148 History of the Company.

then Senior Member of the City, and a member
of the Royal Commission, signed the Minority
Report, and presented an independent protest to
the Crown, and thereby in all probability assisted
materially in preventing the Commission from
overstepping the Hmits and original, intentions of
the Inquiry.

Internal Affairs of the Company. 149

CHAPTER III.
Internal Affairs of tfie Company.

The Constitution of the Company. — The Master and Wardens, Origin
of their Titles. — Renter Warden. — Under-Renter. — *' Cuplillers." —
Election Day. — Election of Wardens. — The Livery. — Quarterage.
— The Yeomanry. — Translation. — Feasts, Quaint Custom. — The
Yeomanry's Dinner, or Bartholomew Feast. — Religious Observances
of the Company. — Burials, the Funeral Pall, or "Burial Cloth," —
Courts or Assemblies. — Fines. — The Company a " Fellowship. " —
Members not to rebuke one another ; not to sue one another at
law without license. — Peacemaking, Quaint Incidents. — Etiquette
at Meetings. — Light-coloured Clothes prohibited at Meetings. —
Apprentices "polled close."

HE Company appears, from Its earliest
record, to have been governed by four
Wardens and about twenty Assistants.
The earliest titles of the Wardens
recorded in the Company's books are (i) Master;
(2) Upper Warden ; (^) Second

The Wardens. ' \vJ/

Warden ; (4) Renter Warden. The
title of Upper Warden was, however, in August,
1663, adopted as an alternative or supplementary
title to that of Master, the Wardens then ranking
as Master or Upper Warden, Second Warden,
Third Warden, Renter Warden. In the year
1737, upon the election of Frederick Prince of
Wales as perpetual Master of the Company, the
de facto or Acting Master assumed the title of
Prime Warden, which, however, was relinquished

150 Internal Afpairs of the Company.

shortly after the death of the Prince In 1751, and
the old title of Master resumed.

The title of Key Warden (Second Warden)
is, in connection with the Saddlers' Company at
least, quite modern, and only occurs for the first
time as recently as 1859, no cause being assigned
for its assumption. The title of Quarter Warden
appears to have been adopted by the Third Warden
in 1 704 ; the intention of the change in the
title was probably connected with the receipt of
quarterage — a function previously performed by
the Renter Warden, but now discharged by the
Third Warden. This, however, is not absolutely
clear, inasmuch as we find occasional mention
subsequent to this date of the payment of quarter-
age to the Renter Warden. There never appears
to have been any attempt to interfere with the
title of Renter Warden. In the year 1609, how-
ever, we find mention of the office

Under-Renter. ^ _. , . ^

01 U nder-Kenter : —

1609. September nth.

" This Court Day George Cooke was chosen o"" Vnder-
Renter to execute his office as heretofore hath byn
accustomed for this yere insuying. At w^'' tyme it was
fully agreed by all the Wardens and Assistants that the
Vnder-Renter that hereafter shalbe shall be chosen by
the box or Cadctt (?)^ in Suche manner as the Wardeins
be and hav been chosen."

The Under-Renter is not mentioned again, but

1 Probably the old ballot box which still remains in use-

Internal Affairs of the Company. 151

in place of him we find mention the following
year of the election of two"Cupfillers,"

Cupfillers. , , - 1 r

who appear to have been members 01
the Livery, Their office is probably defined in
the name, although another function is recorded
to them in 1634 : —

1634. March \<^th.

" At this Court it is ordered that the cupfiller shall
take charge of o'' naperie and deliver it to washings
and receive it back again and not suffer it to be lent
out to any."

Upon the Renter devolved the custody of the
keys of the " Treasurie," or Plate and Money
Chest, a charge which must occasionally have
been a little irksome, albeit honourable, as we
read on one occasion that he was fined ^y^
shillings for coming to Court without his keys, and
on numerous other occasions in smaller amounts
for being late.

The ordinances of the Company, ratified in
Election of ^^ reign of Elizabeth, set forth that
Wardens, q^ the day fixed for the election
of Wardens — the 14th August — the Assistants,
Livery, and the householders of the mystery, i.e.,
those who kept shop, should assemble at the Hall
before the hours of nine o'clock in the morning,
under a penalty of twelve pence — the same to be
employed in the relief of poor members. Upon
assembling, the Company proceeded by couples

^5^

Internal Affairs of the Company.

to church to hear Divine Service ; the Wardens
walking first, then the Livery, the '' householders"
next, and lastly, the freemen. After returning to
the Hall, the Company proceeded to the election
of Wardens for the year ensuing, or for two years
if it was thought convenient, and any Warden
refusing office forfeited the sum of forty shillings,
to be levied upon his goods and chattels. The
ordinances ratified 6 James I. increased the fine
for absence from the election from twelvepence
to three shillings and fourpence, and made no
mention of the necessity for the attendance of
the Livery and Commonalty, whose participation
in the election would appear from the following
minute to have been discontinued by these latter
ordinances : —

1646. August 14///.

'* At this Co'"* the Liverie appeared without sumons,
and by appoyntment sent into the Court twoe of them,
viz*., Thomas Jones and Will'" Deacon, to make knowne
to the Court their desire v/''' was that they desired to
ioyne with them in the eleccon of Wardens w'^^ the
Court denyed."

The ordinances ratified 21 Charles IL make it
clear that the privilege and power of the election
of Wardens is restricted to the old Wardens and
Assistants, and set forth that after hearing Divine
Service subsequent to the election, the Assistants
and Livery shall dine together, and that at such
dinner the old Wardens '' shall solemnly make an
open presentation and confirmation of the said

Internal Affairs of the Company. 153

election in the said Hall In the presence of all
such of the said Livery and others then and there
assembled." These ordinances also increase the
penalty for refusing to serve the office of Warden
to ten Pounds, and there are instances where the
penalty has been increased to twenty.

The Company's books do not inform us the
colour of the Livery, but on one

Livery. . , ,

occasion, when seventeen members
v^^ere chosen on to the Livery, i6th April, 1664,
instructions were given to the Clerk "to repaire
to all ye seuerall persons aforesaid and deliver
unto them their patterns of their cloath for their
gowns and hoods." The ceremony of clothing or
conferring the Livery consisted in the putting on
of the hoods of the newly-elected members, which
was performed in open hall by the Master — a
custom which is still performed in a modified
form.

The ordinances of Elizabeth empowered the
Wardens and Assistants as often as they chose to
elect so many of the younger men of the mystery
into the Livery and clothing ''as shall seem unto
them meet and convenient for the worship of the
City and the honesty of the fellowship," and a fine
of 35. 4^. was imposed upon each person taking up
the Livery. Any member " of his obstinacy and
forwardness " refusing to take upon him the
clothing was ordered to pay a penalty of 40
shillings. Instances are on record as late as 1783
of members prosecuted by the Company for
refusing to take up the Livery. The ordinances

154 Internal Affairs of the Company.

of 21 Charles II. Increased the fine on joining to
ten pounds, to which are added lo shillings to the
Clerk, and 35. 4<^. to the Beadle ; while the
penalty for refusing the clothing is Increased to
twenty pounds. The number of the Livery is
not restricted either by the ordinances or Charters.

Quarterage, i.e., a quarterly subscription or
contribution, paid by every freeman

Quarterage. r i ^ • r • i •

01 the Company, is tirst mentioned in
the Charter of Elizabeth, and is therein fixed at
3^. This was increased to 6^. by the ordinances
of 1669, which also direct it to be paid by every
unmarried sister of the fellowship, although the
Charter of Charles II., 1684, only requires it to
be paid by every Yx^(tman " for the support of
the Infirm poor and old men of the mistery or art
aforesaid, and for the amending of the state of
the commonwealth of the Wardens," &c.

The frequent mention of the word '' yeomanry "
in the Company's books is a little

Yeomanry. - . ^_^,

perplexing, i he yeomanry appear to
have been a distinct class from, and subordinate to,
the Livery. The term is also met with In connec-
tion with other Companies, and apparently corres-
ponds to the '' bachelerie " of certain of them. In
the dispute between the serving-men and masters
of the Saddlers' trade in the reign of Richard II.,
related on p. 46 e^ seq., the serving-men are also
called *' yeomen." Moreover, in that account
the serving-men are charged with corrupting the

Internal Affairs of the Company. 155

journeymen, inferentially a distinct and different
body. Viewed in that light it is possible that the
apprentices were intended — in this particular inci-
dent it is extremely likely. Again, on numerous
occasions we find in the Company's books records
of apprentices bound for terms of seven and eight
years, the apprentice being described in scores of
instances as *' yeoman," and the ordinary impracti-
cability of holding a man apprentice after he
had attained his majority would suggest that these
yeomen were decidedly very young men. We
are inclined to think, however, that wherever
the word yeomanry occurs as referring to a class,
the body intended to be understood is the shop-
keepers— '' householders," as they were called.
In the ordinances of 21 Charles II., it is stated
that the members of the Livery shall be taken into
the clothing from the yeomanry ; the ordinances
of 6 James I., moreover, contain an enlargement
of the liberty of the yeomanry for keeping appren-
tices, from all of which it is pretty clear that
whatever may have been the original signification
of the term, the term yeomanry referred to the
working members of the trade and Company next
below the Livery, in contradistinction to those
members of the Company who pursued other
trades and occupations. The yeomanry are men-
tioned as attending the quarter Courts.

The ordinances of the Company prohibited any

Translation from "lember from translating himself out

the Company, of the Company to any other Mystery,

M

156 Internal Affairs of the Company.

fellowship, or occupation without the express con-
sent of the Wardens and Assistants of the
Saddlers' Company in writing under their common
seal, upon a penalty of twenty pounds, half of
which penalty was to be paid to the Crown and
the other to the Company.

1663. December 22nd.

" Ordered y* Edward Fisher, Carpinter and member
of this Company at his earnest request and his p'mise
to giue unto this Company a peece of plate shall be
translated to y*" Comp^ of Carpinters."

A somewhat similar law seems to have been
adopted by other Companies, as on the 22nd
December, 1653, we read that —

" At this Court Robert Waring whoe on the 29 Sep-
tember last was translated by cosent of six of the
members of y® Society of Goldsmiths to this Society
(the Saddlers) was made free of this Society and gave
20s. to the use of the poore of this fellowshipp. D"^ to
Warden Milsonne xxV

On the 13th October, 1663, three members of
the Company having assumed the trade of Inn-
holders and been proceeded against by the Inn-
holders' Company, were defended by the Saddlers'
Company, although the cause and the result is
not stated. That the Company, however, did
not always resist the translation of its members is
clear from the followin^r : —

o

Internal Affairs of the Company. 157

1666. Jamiary 2yd.

" This day John Gase a member of this Company
appeared and desired leaue of this Court that he may
be translated over from this Company to the Company
of Bakers in regard hee hath left of the profession of a
Sadler and hath betaken himselfe wholly to the traide of
a Baker. It was therefore ord^'ed y' y® say*^ John Gase
shall have leaue to be translated to the Bakers accord-
ing to his desyre he first paying to the Wardens for the
use of the (fellowship) the sume of Tenn Pounds."

And afterwards at the same Court : —

" It is ordered y* John Gase a member of this Com-
pany and now exercise y® traide of a Baker shall from
henceforth serue y® Company with breade upon all
occasions."

Concerning the feasts of the Company the most
important v^as what was called the

Feasts.

Master's Feast, which was held after
the election of Wardens on the 14th August.
What little we know about the other feasts is
gathered from a minute on the 27th November,
1645, which fixes the expenditure on those occa-
sions. For instance, the expense for victuals,
wine, and all other charges of the —

s.

" 4 quarter search dinners (was) not to exceed . 30

4 usual quarter days . . . . . . . . 40

Michaelmas (Lord Mayor's feast)

5 November

Midsummer Day with half of livery

Audit Day

View Day in September

Special Meetings of the Wardens

45
30

45
40

\2d. a head."
M 2

158 Internal Affairs of the Company.

If any money were spent In excess of these
sums it was ordained that the Wardens should
pay such excess themselves. The Entertainments
of the Company, however, appear from time to
time to have been regulated by their finances, the
condition of which not Infrequently— especially
during the epoch of civil war In the seventeenth
century — prevented any festivity. Similar minutes
to the following occur over and over again : —

161 8. December ^ist.

"It is this daie ordered that whereas the ancient
custom hath byn to kepe one qter dynner yearely in
the month of Januarie that this yeare the said dynner
shall not be kept in respect of the manie suits the
Companie now have."

1696. July 2nd.

" It being moved that by reason of the

scarcity of money and badness of Trade the same
ffeast may not be kept this year the same is ordered
accordingly."

That the Company were not to be trifled with
In the matter of their diet is clear from the fol-
lowing record : —

1 6 14. Febrtiaiy \AftJi.

" This daie Warden Boyden is fyned in twentie
shillings for that at our last gen'all quarter day hee
p'vided not such dyet to the Companie's good liking as
heretofore hath bin accustomed."

Internal Affairs of the Company. 159

A curious custom, and one which also obtained
with other Companies, was In vogue with the
Saddlers' Company. This was for the junior
members of the Livery to wait upon their seniors
at all feasts and dinners, a custom which, doubt-
less, had Its origin In the early Christian Church.
The following excerpts from the minutes are
adduced In Illustration : —

1 61 7. August yth.

" At this Court it was fully concluded that there
should be a Masters Dynner kept att our Hall on
Tuesdaie the xix"' daie of this p'sent month. There
were appoynted to be wayters at the same dynner
Thomas Hall, Will"^ Collins, Robert Dowgill, and Will'"
AUat."

1 6 19. October yth}

" This daie Robert Dowgill, Nathaniel Forman,
Thomas Goodale, and Henry Eleoch were appointed
Whiflers to waite on the Companie on the Lord Maiors
daie next."

1 63 1. September i/^th.

"At this Court upon the request of Mr. Warden
Burt his sonne Nathaniell Burt is to be taken into the

^ The records of the Vintners' Company show that the practice
with that and other Companies was " for the youngest of the
Liverye at the chief feasts and solempnities at the Coen Hall
to have caryed the dyett to all the tables, and afterwards sett
themselves according to their places." See paper read by the
late Mr. W. Overall before the London and Middlesex
Archseological Association, entitled "Some Account of the
Vintry, and of the Vintners' Company."

i6o Internal Affairs of the Company.

Clothinge of this fellowship and likewise it is ordered
that Daniell Potter, Michael Helmsley, and Thomas
Starkey shalbe also taken into the Clothinge to serve
on the Lord Maiors daie."

1632. December 20th.

" At this Court William Grantham was fined in ij' vj'^
for not wayting on Michaelmas Daie whereof he paid
xij*^ w^' was delivered to Mr. Warden Pease."

It was customary for a yeomanry's dinner to be
held annually on or near St. Bartholomew's Day
(24th August) ; this was the origin of the present
Stewards' Festival. Two members of the Livery
were annually and in turn appointed by the title
of '' Wardens of the Yeomanry and Stew^ards ot
the Lord Mayor's Feast." From a minute in
September, 1607, and again in July, 161 4, we
learn that the Wardens of the yeomanry were
elected publicly in the Hall at a general assembly,
and that after their election they made a banquet
to the Assistants and Livery, who accompanied
them home for the purpose. Subsequently the
newly elected Wardens of the yeomanry were
required to feast the yeomanry in the Hall, on or
about St. Bartholomew's Day, usually a few days
later, to which feast we find by a minute on the
14th August, 1 7 13, the members were allowed to
bring their apprentices and boys; the obligations of
the Wardens of the yeomanry ceased upon giving a
dinner to the Assistants and Livery on Michaelmas
Day, known as the Lord Mayor's Feast. Failure
to keep these feasts involved a fine of ^20, which

Internal Affairs of the Company. i6i

was paid to the Renter Warden, who was required
to hold the feast himself therewith, and the Court
usually allowed the Wardens of the yeomanry,
or Stewards, £/\. towards the cost, which was
not Infrequently supplemented by a buck. As
time went on the Court appear to have Introduced
their ladies to these feasts, as we gather from a
minute of 8th August, 1677 : —

" This day Mr. Robert Johnson and Mr. John Randall,
late chosen Stewards for the Bartholomew feast, appeared
and declared as formerly they would hold the Feast but
not treate the women. The Court ordered them better
to consider of it."

The Court appear to have ''better considered
of It " shortly afterwards, for we find that in March
of the following year they agreed to allow the
Stewards ^15 towards their charge. This
liberality appears to have been discounted by a
resolution at the same time, requiring the Stewards
to provide music and wine and victuals, according
to a mmu appointed by the Court. ^

1 From a MS. by the late Mr. W. C. Humphreys, Master of
the Company in 1863, which has been placed in our hands, it
appears that it was formerly the custom at the Stewards' Feast
for the newly elected Stewards, wearing crowns of laurel and
tinsel, to parade the Hall, accorapanied by two members of
the Livery next in rotation to serve the office, and preceded
by the Beadle and Under Beadle in gowns, with their maces
and by a band of music. The procession would halt at the
chair of the Master, who would drink to the Stewards' health,
and address them in felicitous terms. The custom is in the

1 62 Internal Affairs of the Company.

The following curious minutes are selected
from a large number relating to this feast.

1 605. November 1 2th.
"At this Courte Nicholas Mathew and Anthony
Clowse being this yere Wardeynes of our yeomandry
and also Stuards of the Lord Maior's feaste were granted
by the M"" Wardens and their Assistants towards their
charge for keeping those dynners fowre pounds to be
paid to them by the Wardene Rent"

-r »

1 607. Sept em her 1 7 th.
"It was fully ordered at this Courte that George
Potter and Rowlande Hodges shall at their charge make
a dynner for ye Wardens Assistants and Lyvery on
Michelmas Daye next after this Courte Daye to such as
come to choosing of the Lord Mayor in respect that the
Company did not charg them at their owne houses after
their election to beare the charge of the yeomandrye's
dynner."

1608. February,
" George Potter and W"". Pilcharde late Stewards of
the Lord Mayor's Feast shalbe paide towards their
charge fower pounds and more for baking of venyson
1 3^". which the Gierke p*^."

1 6 14. July igtk.
" Whereas Olliver Houghton and Nathaniel Burte

, were warned to appear this first daie of
Houghton and
Burte fined by September before our Mr Wardens and

reason of a p'cept Assistants and by them were made ac-

p nibiting leasts •', , . , ^^

by the Lord quayutcd Concerning their cleccon to be
Mayor. Wardens of the yeomandry this next yeare

memory of members still living, and was discontinued about
1855. There is little doubt that it remained from very remote
times.

Internal Affairs of the Company. 163

ensuing w'' eleccon hath bin accustomed to bee made
publickly in o'" Hall at a generall assembly. And after
the saide eleccon soe made the said new elected Wardens
were to make a banquett to those that accompanyed
them to theire houses. It is this day ordered that the
said Olliver Houghton and Nathaniell Burte shall insted
thereof make a dynner upon the fifte of November
next fo'' our M"" Wardens and the rest of the Assistants
and Livery at there owne charge at such place as they
shall be appointed whereof they both gave their
consent."

1625. July igtk.

" It is this dale ordered that Toby Harvest and
Thomas Hough (by and w^^ their assente and consente)
shall pay or cause to bee paid to this fellowship in lieu of
the charge they should have borne at the yeomandries'
dynner and the Lord Maior's dale The some of xx^ a
peece if either of them shalbe livinge^ the Tuesdaie
next after Bartholomew daie next coming viz., ffifteene
pounds a peece and the other ffive pounds a peece is
to be paid by them on the Lord Maior's daie next
ensuing."

1625. MarcJi 2nd.

" At this Court Toby Harvest brought in his ffine of
twenty pounds w^' was delivered to the Wardens.

" It was likewise ordered that upon the delivering
of a good sweete and fatt buck of seazon there
shalbe given unto the said Toby Harvest the some of
ffower pounds."

^ This saving clause refers to the plague than devastating
London, in which over 35,000 persons perished.

164 Internal Affairs of the Company.

1627. December 6th.

" At this Court it is ordered that the Wardens of the
yeomandrie shall have given them the some of ffive
pounds and a noble ande xxvj^ viij*^ is allowed for a
messe of meate on the Lord Mayor's daie."

1 63 1. November lytJi.

" At this Court it is ordered that there shall be paid
to Wardens of the yeomandrie for two messe of meate
w^^' they p'vided on the Lord Maior's daie in the Parlor
V;^. And it is further ordered that the Renter Warden
shall paie them towards their charge the sum of fower
pounds."

1 640. A iigtist 6th.

" At this Co*"**^ itt is ordered that Thomas Jones and
Josuah Sheppard shall keepe their yeomandries dynner
att the accustomed tymes of St. Bartholomew and the
Lord Maior's Day."

In 1624 it was ordained that " the custom of
bringing home the Wardens of the yeomanry
having been long ago broken off by reason of
some disorder to the discredit of the fellowship,
the said custom of ' bringing home ' and the
charge arising therefrom should be wholly re-
mitted, but that the yeomanry's dinner, or Bartho-
lomew's Feast, as well as the Lord Mayor's
dinner, should be continued."

The Company ensured a fair supply of venison
by requiring the annual gift of a buck from
their tenants, or a monetary equivalent. The
practice was by no means an uncommon one at
the time : —

Internal Affairs of the Company. 165

161 1. May lOtJi.

" It was ordered at this Courte that M'' John Hall
shall have a Lease of his newe Dwelling house in West-
chepe knowen by the signe of the Broode Hen and black
beare for the terme of one and thirtye yeres to begyn at
Mids'" next for the yearly rent of eight pounds and a
bucke of season being a fallowe Deere or iij^ in money
for not delyvering the same. The first paym* to begyn
on August next and to resyne his olde lease."

Another quaint custom in connection with the
granting of the Company's leases was the pre-
sentation by the tenant of gloves to the Assistants
when the lease was sealed.

The ordinances, ratified 21 Charles II., appoint
twelve Courts to be held during each year, i.e.^
four quarter days, and two other Courts in each
quarter at convenient times. Every member of
the fellowship, without a reasonable excuse, failing
to attend a meeting of the Company at the hour
for which he was duly summoned, usually 9 o'clock
in the morning, was liable by the ordinances of
Elizabeth to a penalty of five shillings, and if he
absented himself altogether, to a penalty of forty
shillings. Any more serious offence committed
either against the State or the fellowship was
punishable by any fine the Wardens might choose
to inflict, in addition to imprisonment at the dis-
cretion of the same body : —

On 7th February, 16 10, we read that —

" Robert Christie (a member of the Court) for disobe-
dience against the whole Company was this Court day
committed to the Counter in Wood Street."

1 66 Internal Affairs of the Company.

1609. September nth.

" Yt was ordered at this Courte by a whole consent
that Roger Tvrner shuld (for great missdemenours or
speeches agaynst the whole Company of Wardeins and
Assistents) be sent to the Counter w'^*' was p'sently effected
to answere the same."

16 14. October nth.

" It is this day ordered vpon the humble peticon of
Christopher Harwood that the said Xtopher (being
prisoner in Ludgate) being detayned for his fees w*^''
amount vnto xxx^ shalbe discharged out of the said
prison soe as hee bee by payment thereof discharged of
his sayd ymprisonment"

The ordinances of James increased the penal-
ties. Those ratified by 21 Charles II. imposed a
special fine of 6^. 8^. upon the Wardens for
absence from the Court meetings, although this
was subsequently increased. Records similar to
the following occur frequently in the minutes : —

1633. July izth.

" At this Court Mr. John Laney, Will™ Abbott, and
Thos. Harrisonne were fined in vj'^ a peece for cominge
late w^^ was delivered to M'' Warden Lee."

"At an assemblie the 27th dale of March, being the
King's Coronacon daie, there were fined in xij'^ a piece
for late cominge Tho' Mason, W™ Freeman, John Cox,
Edmond Hillyard, Daniell Holdenbie, Thos. Tanner,
Will"^ Grantham. D^^ to M"" Warden Lee, vij^"

1634. July lyth.

" At this Court Willm. Freeman, Robt. Bollingc, An-
drew Gowland, Ellis Parrie, were fined in twoe shillings

Internal Affairs of the Company. 167

six pence a peece for cominge late, w*"^ was D'^ to M""
Warden Lee, x^''

1644. October it^tk

"At this Court it is ordered that there shalbe a Court
on Wednesdaie come se'night. And it is further ordered
that he w^^ shalbe wantinge at nine of the Clock, at
w^'' time the Court is to sitt, is to paie for a fine ij^ vj*^
for his or their late cominge."

1654. August \\tJi.

** At this Court Edward Smith (a warden) paid thirty
shillings for a fine for his absence on Quarter Day. D*^
Ward" Melsonne xxxV

The Company's ordinances were devised and
calculated to remind members that they belonged
not only to a Company but to 2. fellowship. Mem-
bers were expressly forbidden "to revile, rebuke
or reproue," or otherwise to '' behaue unseemly "
to one another upon a pain of five shillings, in-
creased by the ordinances of 1669 to ten shillings.
The act of striking or assaulting another member
was punishable by a fine of twenty shillings.

The incident recorded in the following minute
is curious and interesting : —

1 64 1. November I'^th.

" At this Court Warden Cox complayned on Robt.
Dowgill for that he had abused (him), and at the same
tyme he was likewise complayned of by diverse others
of the Assistants. After w^^' he beinge asked whether he
would submit himself to the Table he answered he knew

1 68 Internal Affairs of the Company.

their malice, and beinge called to goe into the Hall he
flung out of the Court sayinge I see y'''' malice is against
me. And being called in againe he answered You can
doe mee noe hurt and I will doe you noe good. And
soe goeing out of the Court and throwing off his gowne
sayinge Farewell, you are willing to be rid of mee and
I am as willing to be rid of you. Vpon w""^ his misde-
meanour contempt and scornefull carrynge It is ordered
that he shall not be warned to doe the Companie any
service."

At a subsequent Court we are informed that
the delinquent presented himself and asked to be
heard in defence and to be received, but upon the
imposition of a fine and the question being put
to him whether he would '' frame himself that
they might hereafter live brotherly together," he
replied " that he feared If hee should come
amongest them he should break out again, w^^
modest answere satisfied the Court for the p'sent,"
and It was ordered that when he desired to be
readmitted he should pay his fine and submit
himself to the Table.

So rigorous was the regulation Imposing a
respectful demeanour between members enforced,
that on one occasion when a member of the
Livery had been removed from the Court for
disobedience, one of the Assistants, for calling him
a '' base fellow," was promptly reprimanded and
fined.

1 6 10. Febntary i6tk.
Robert Christie " Robert Cristie for disobedience agenst
yne o v . ^^j^^j^ Company was this Court Day
comytted to the Counter in Wood Street."

Internal Affairs of the Company. 169

" Mr. Holbeame for saying that Robert Christie was
but a base fellowe, being so disobedient as
^af^e^ofv"^^ the said Cristie showed himself at this
Courte, a fyne of v'."

1703. October 20th.

" At this Court the said Mr. John Shelton and John
Wynd were ord*^ to withdraw and then the question was
put what fhne should be laid upon the said John Wynd for
reviling the said Mr. Shelton with opprobrious lan-
guage for charging him with having made saddles of
sheepskin leather in open Court held the 20th Oct. last
and at other times and places, and thereupon the said
John Wynd was fined 10' for his said offence, and after-
wards the said John Wynd being called into the Court
and acquainted with his ffine, he affronted and abused
the Court very much, reviling them with bad language
and saying that some men could sin without any regrett
or remorse, and made a sort of May game of the Court,
and afterwards the question was put what fine should be
laid upon him for abusing and affronting the Court, and
thereupon he was fined 40^ for the said offence."

No member was allowed to sue another at
law without the permission of the Wardens first
had and obtained. In the event of a grievance
or dispute between them, the member so aggrieved
was required to make complaint and " shew his
cause of grief" unto the Wardens, who, upon
hearing both parties, gave '' an order for an
unity, peace, and concord to be had between
them according to right, equity and conscience."
When the dispute was of a serious nature it was
customary for the parties to be summoned and
asked whether they would submit themselves to

170 Internal Affairs of the Company.

the Table of the Court. If one refused, per
mission was given for an appeal to the law.
Remarkably enough, there is no instance in the
Company's Order Books of an appeal to the law
after a judgment or award had been made by the
Wardens.

1608. October \oth.

" This quarter dale Robert Labourne for arresting of
Thomas Newbury w%ut leave demanded of his Wardens
and Assistants was fyned according to the orders of o'
house to paye fortie shillings and paide but five shillings
for y* was scene the said Labourne had good cause of
action."

1609. Septe77iber iith.

" It is ordered that Richard Chambers shall have
license to take the lawe of John Downes for want he
came not in upon warning."

1647. Nor ember 5///.

''At this Court John Cox (an Assistant) was fined in
ten shillings for misdemeanour against Warden Perkins
in the p'sence of our M' and for arresting him without
asking leave of the Company."

The Company's method of settling differences
between its members deserves a passing illustra-
tion.

1606. Noveiizber 20th.

"This daie Nicholas Newton and Roger Lloyd were
fyned in 5^ apiece for misdemeanours committed by
them both one against the other the last quarter day

Internal Affairs of the CoMrANY. 171

whereof was given them back againe to drink in wyne
xij*^. And at the same tyme they promised love each to
th'other."

1639. Deceniber lyth.

" The difference between Thos. Harrison and Robert
Dowgill this day being heard by this Court. Itt is this
day ordered that they shall be loveing friends and all
differences shall bee ended. And y^ Robt. Dowgill
shall drinke to Thos. Harrison first and shall say if I
have overshot myself in words I am sorry and the said
Thos. Harrison shall pledge him and they both shall
shake hands."

In one Instance we read that the Court were
called upon to settle a quarrel between two Assis-
tants and their respective wives. As may be
anticipated, in a case where contending ladies
were parties the Court was unsuccessful, and the
opponents and their better halves were allowed
to invoke the supreme arbitrament of the law.

The etiquette of the Company was quite de
rigiieur. Quitting a Court before the assembly
was over, or conversing during the Court, was
promptly punished by a fine. Members were
forbidden to attend the Courts In light-coloured
suits, and more than one member paid the penalty
of his Bohemianism. In fact, this offence being
repeatedly brought under the attention of the
Court, It became, in 1644, the subject of a special
prohibition.

N

172 Internal Affairs of the Company.

1644. July gth,

"At this Court it is ordered that none of the Assistants
or Clothinge of this Fellowship shall come to the Hall
either on q'ter daie or at any Generall Meetings when
the Assistants and Clothinge meete in a light-coloured
suite upon paine to forfeit for every tyme soe comeinge
twoe shillings and sixpence."

On one occasion we read of two members fined
for attending the Court in lawyers' gowns. Under
a regime so absolute the opportunities of adding
to the Company's exchequer were numerous
enough. The proceeds, however, derived from
these penalties were put into the Poor Box, from
which the Company's poor were relieved by the
Wardens at the Hall door after every Court.

In the matter of the personal appearance of
their journeymen and apprentices the Company
appear to have exercised aesthetic discriminations,
although not of the modern type, as we gather
from the following curious minute : —

1607. May i^tli.

"At this Court the late apprentice of Roland Newton
named Wm. Dennard, and the apprentices of Bywell
and Browne named Henry Cavill and Anthony Scale
wearing long hair were polled closse and Thomas
Solomon the younger his man was polled also."

The Company's faculty of ratiocination seems
to have been quaint and original, judged from the
following incident : — In the year 1719a Livery-

Internal Affairs of the Company. 173

man, who had challenged the Master to a duel,
was ordered to be prosecuted. In order, as the
minute naively remarks, ''to bring him into a
Christian temper."

The religious observances of the Company
„ ,. . , deserve more than a passing^ notice.

Religious obser- . ^ ^-^

varices of the Going back as far as Anglo-Saxon

Company. . i r i

times, we learn Irom the convention
between the Saddlers and the Canons of St.
Martin's-le-Grand, which throws a curious light
upon the religious customs of the Guild, that, in
those early days, the Company, among other
spiritual observances, were in the habit of attend-
ing the Chapel of the Convent on the Feast of
St. Martin. The present practice of attend-
ing St. Vedast's on Election Day is of great
antiquity.-^ The City archives inform us that in
the fourteenth century the serving-men of the
Saddlers' trade were in the habit of attending
Divine Service in that church on the Feast of the
Assumption, properly the 15th August, in imita-
tion, it appears, of their masters, who, it is
probable, continued their attendance at St.
Martin's-le-Grand until the demolition of the
Sanctuary in 1548, when they transferred their

^ Within recent years it was the custom for each member of
the Company and the Chaplain to be presented by the Renter
Warden with a bouquet, which was carried to the Church, a
practice now discontinued.

N 2

174 Internal Affairs of the Company.

spiritual connection to St. Vedast/ The custom
of having a Chaplain, whose office it now is to
preach the Election Sermon before the Com-
pany, dates at least as far back as a.d. 1398,
when Richard II. granted to the Company in
his Charter to have " one Chaplain to celebrate
divine service for our healthfull estate while we
live, and for our souls when we shall have
migrated from this light, and for the estate and
souls of the men of the mystery and commonalty
aforesaid, and for the souls of all the faithful
dead for ever."

The frequent allusion to burials recalls a

custom of some interest. Upon the death of

a brother or sister of the fraternity, the body

was taken into the Common Hall and there

^, ^ , covered with the Company.s State

1 he Company s ^ -^

Pall or Burial Pall or Herse-Cloth. In ancient

Cloth. . 1 r 1

times, we learn irom the convention
already referred to that the interment took
place in the cemetery of the Convent of St.
Martin's ; subsequently the precincts of St.
Vedast afforded a resting-place for the remains
of departed members. The whole Company
appear to have been summoned to
the funeral ; the ordinances of Eliza-
beth imposed a fine of sixpence for late attend-
ance at, and of twelve pence for total absence
from a burial; the ordinances of 1608 increased

^ St. Vedast, which adjoins Saddlers' Hall, abuts on the site
of the old Sanctuary of St. Martin's.

i

Internal Affairs of the Company. 175

these penalties to two shillings and sixpence and
three shillings and fourpence respectively. Mis-
demeanour at burials were similarly punished.

1609. October i6th.

'' The same daye rec. of Alexander Corser, for wearing
of a hatt at John Hall's buryall vj*^^."

1633. May i/[th.

"At this Court Daniell Potter was fined ij' vj'' for
coming in a fallinge bande to the buryall of Mr.
Freeman, whereof hee paid vj*^ w^^' was D'^ to Mr.
Warden Pease."

1633. June I'^th.

" At this Court Edmund Sheppard was fined in ij' vj*^
for not coming to the buryall of Mr. Thomas Freeman,
whereof hee paid xij*^ w'^^ was delivered to Mr. Warden
Pease."

The funeral was generally followed by a feast or
repast, towards the charge of which the departed
member customarily bequeathed a sum of money.
When this did not happen, the Company appear
to have borne the expense. In November, 1645,
however, the Court ordered that no more should
be spent in burial feasts than was bequeathed for
the purpose.

The following minute refers to the burial of
an Assistant, who apparently died in straightened
circumstances : —

1/6 Internal Affairs of the Company.

1655. February ^t/i.

" At this Court it is ordered that Warden Sheppard
shall lay out ;^5 in wine and Naples biskett for Mr.
Christy his Buriall and deliver to Mrs. Christy 5;^ in
money as the guift of this fellowship."

In certain bye-laws of the Company, laid
down in 1624, it was " ordeyned that ever here-
after at the buriall of any other brother or sister,
there shall be no service of cornfitts, bread, nor
wyne given to the Liverie in the streets, but
whatsoever shall be given shall be paied in readie
money to be laied out in a dinner or supper for the
said fellowship."

The Hall was occasionally let for burial cere-
monials and feasts on the occasion of the death
of persons not members of the Company, and the
letting of the Hall for funerals was at one time a
privilege permitted to the Clerk. In April, 1721,
however, this privilege was withdrawm, the Clerk
being allowed only 13.9. /[d. on each funeral, the
rates for which are thus defined : —

" When the Hall and all the avenues are hung with
mourning and an alcove made, fiue guineas.

" When hung with mourning without an alcove, at
three guineas.

" When made use of without mourning, two guineas.

"And the undertakers to make good all damages."

From a minute about the same time we also
learn that prior to this it was the custom for the

Internal Affairs of the Company. 177

Wardens on these occasions to receive the gift of
rings as their doitceitr.

The funerals very frequently took place at
night. Machyn, In his diary, gives an Interesting
account of one In 1552.

" The XV day of Juin was bered Baptyst Borrow the
melener without Crepull-gate in Saint Gylle's parryche
with a penon a cote armur and a harold and with xxiij
stayffes-torches and so xxiij pore men here them and
many morners in blake and the Company of the Clarkes
wher ther and ys plase was hangyd with blake and
armes vj dozen."

Mr. Thomas Adderley, a member of the Com-
pany and an antiquary of some note, writing to
the ''Gentleman's Magazine," in 181 3, states that
the Saddlers' Company still had in use at that
time the old funeral sconces remaining from the
custom of burying corpses by torchlight — a cus-
tom which, he adds, was still fresh in his memory.^

The Company still possess their old funeral
pall, or "burial cloth." It consists of a rect-
angular panel of rich crimson brocaded velvet
Interwoven with gold thread, 6 feet \\ Inches in
length and 22 inches In breadth, the pattern
consisting of two rows of seven medallions
of a conventional foliate design. Attached to
each of the four sides, and of the same length as

' These are no longer preserved ; they were probably des-
troyed in one of the two subsequent conflagrations from which
the Hall suffered.

178 Internal Affairs of the Company.

the side to which it is attached, is a flap of crim-
son velvet. Each of the two longest flaps con-
tains three embroidered panels, divided from each
other by spirally fluted columns ; the centre
panel contains an elliptical shield, gules, sur-
rounded by a glory, or, and bearing the sacred
initials I H S in plain Italian letters of gold
thread. The shield is supported by five angels.
On either side of the centre panel is another panel
containing on a shield (which is in the form of a
banneret ornamented with a top and bottom
border of six trefoils, and is suspended by a hand,
or) the arms of the Company, viz., az2C7^e,-3i chevron,
or, betw^een three sumpter saddles of the same.
On one of the longest flaps is embroidered in gold
thread and in old English characters the words —

*' h\ te Bne spcrabi no/^

and on the other —

"^ (iTofuntrer iw tXtxmy ^

The two shorter flaps at the ends of the pall
simply contain each three panels similar to those
already described. The four flaps are skirted by
a broad gold fringe, the full dimensions of the pall
being 9 feet by 4 feet 7 inches.^

^ The last verse of the Te deum, properly — In te Domine
speravi. Non confund^r in eternum.

- The Funeral Pall is still brought out and placed upon the
table at each Quarter Court immediately ensuing upon the
death of an Assistant.

'7A//;-, * Gc^um,,,,, ,y llu lb'- Calfunj-

', ;.;:,/-sC.'.'H. :'!'■;/::,' I,, i

it ... I„»,

■^L „vHt.M*('''.M,'4ii..^(*^/l

'»P«hO«lSO«i LtTH.»:N»KI.«u,P«(,.*c

Cr»

C ^F re/irrsmfaQon of Lhc ancicnC T'unmiCifialT of lUii:
i\drsJii/i/iil' Comfaiy^ of^ SadlCa-rs.

The Company and the Trade. 179

CHAPTER IV.

The Company and the Trade.

The Company anciently all of the Craft, — Impracticability of restricting
it to Members of the Trade. — The Ordinances of the Company in
harmony v/ith the Laws of the Period. — Statute of 5 Eliz. c. 4. —
All Trades to be learned by Apprenticeship. — Apprentices to the
Saddlery Trade examined by the Wardens. — Number of Appren-
tices limited by Ordinance. — Regulations concerning Apprentices. —
Curious Custom upon taking up Freedom. — Spoons. — Accumulate
and are exchanged for other Plate. — Responsibility of Apprentices.
The Company Mediate between the Apprentices and their Masters. —
Saddlers only allowed to Open Shop conditionally. — " Proof-piece."
— Ordinances impose Honesty of Dealing. — Saddles to be made
Openly. — To be Viewed by Company before Sold. — " Forreyners."
— Statute 5 Eliz. c. 8. — The Leather Market at Leadenhall. —
Searchers and Sealers of Leather. — Custom of Search.

HERE is every reason to believe that
originally the Saddlers' Company was
exclusively composed of members of
that craft. In course of time, how-
ever, the inheritance of the right to the freedom
of the Company by patrimony, coupled with the
disinclination of sons to follow the trade of their
father, led to the introduction into the Company
of members who followed other trades and pur-
suits. In the beginning of the seventeenth cen-
tury the Company's Order Books clearly show us
that the Court was not composed entirely of
members of the Saddlers' craft, although the
trade was represented thereon, and this has con-

i8o The Company and the Trade.

tinued down to the present day. The Company
made repeated attempts to compel persons prac-
tising the business of a Saddler to join the
Company, and in 1695 endeavoured to procure
an Act of Common Council for that purpose.
Notwithstanding, however, that under a recent
Act of Parliament they succeeded, in 1703, in
compelling "foreign " Saddlers to pay quarterage
and to fine for "opening shop," they appear to
have shortly afterwards relinquished a systematic
exaction of the obligation. This is not inex-
plicable when we recollect that the Company
represented the leading interests of the trade,
while " foreign " Saddlers were probably for the
most part men who had not properly qualified
themselves to exercise the craft by serving the
prescribed course of apprenticeship and in other
ways, and who also not only in relation to the
circumstances of their trade, but in respect of the
privileges of citizenship, were at an immense dis-
advantage as compared with free Saddlers. Never
was a City Company more intimately connected
with its craft, never were its ordinances directed
more assuredly with a view to the promotion of
that particular trade which it was designed to
foster and protect.

The Company's ordinances were of necessity
in strict conformity with the laws of the period,
which it must be stated were very stringent and
arbitrary so far as they afTected trade and artificers.
One of the most important statutes to which
reference is frequently made in the Company's

The Company and the Trade. i8i

Statute 5 Eiiz. books is that of the 5th Ehzabeth, c. 4,
c- 4- entitled "An Acte touching dyvers

orders for artificers Laborers servantes of Hus-
bandrye and Apprentices," many of the enact-
ments of which sound curious in times hke the
present. This statute enacted inter alia that no
artificers (in which category Saddlers are expressly
included) should take any workman to work with
him for a less time than one year. It also enacted
that the rates of wages of artificers, husbandmen,
labourers, and workmen should be ascertained
yearly by Justices, &c., in Sessions, certified into
Chancery, approved by the Privy Council, and
proclaimed by the Sheriffs. The most important
enactment of this statute, however, so far as it
^ ^ ^ concerned the Company, was Section

Trades to be ^ ^ .

learned by ap- xxiv., which ordaiued that "it shall

prenticeship. , ^ ^1,

not be lauiull to any pson or psons,
other than suche as nowe doo laufully use or
exercise any Arte Misterye or Manuell Occu-
pacon, to sette uppe occupie use or exercise anye
Crafte Misterye or Occupacon nowe used or occu-
pied within the realms of Englande or Wales
Excepte he shall have been brought uppe therein
seaven yeares at the least as Apprentice in maner
and fourme abovesald, nor to sete anye person on
woorck in suche Misterye Arte or Occupacon being
not a workman at this Day Except he shall have
bene Apprentice as ys aforesaid orels having
served as an apprentice as ys aforesaid shall or
will become a Journeyman or be hyred by the
yere ; upon payne that every p'son willingly

1 82 The Company and the Trade.

offend Ing or doing the contrary shall forfeite and
lose for every defaulte fourtye shllHngs for every
monethe."

Similarly the Company's ordinances forbade any
member to teach the art of Saddlery to any
person (except his own son) unless and until that
^ , . person had been bound apprentice

Regulations con- ^ ■'••'■

cerning to him for the purpose. Every
ppren ices. M^s^er was bound to present his
apprentice to the Wardens at the next assembly
in the Common Hall of the Company after the
binding, in order that the Wardens might examine
him, and, as the ordinance expresses it, see
" whether hee bee a Freeborn subject of the
King of England or not, and to see whether hee
bee cleane and whole lymed " (limbed), etc.
Upon the apprentice being duly admitted to
serve, his master paid unto the Wardens 2^-. 6</.,
increased in 1669 to 6s.

1605. November 12///.

" It was further ordered at this Courte that Thomas
Potter for keeping of Goodalc, his apprentice, two yeres
together and not in all that tyme presented him, was
fyned for that fault for breaking the orders of o"" house
twenty shillings w^' he paid to Warden Penyale."

1609. December ^tJi.

" At this Courte Oliver Houghton was appoynted to
bringe in his fyne for keepinge a prentyse unpresented
at the next quarter day."

The Company and the Trade. 183

1627. Jamiary lyth.

" At this Court Robert Barthrop complayned of
William Standysh for teaching a stranger his trade,
being not bound, and for haveing of twoe apprentizes
w*^^ he ought not to haue, ffor w^^ his offence hee is fined
in fforty shillings, w^^ hee is to bring in the next Court
daie."

By the ordinances ratified 3rd Elizabeth, no
member of the Company was permitted to take
any apprentice or other person to work for him
in the art of Saddlery until that member had
been licensed to do so, as well as to keep a shop
to his own use by the Wardens and Assistants of
the Company. The number of apprentices to be
kept, moreover, was strictly limited. The War-
dens of the Company were not allowed to keep
more than three apprentices at any one time.
Members of the Clothing or Livery were re-
stricted to two ; and Freemen who were not of
the Livery were not allowed to take a second
apprentice until the first had entered upon his last
year of servitude.- In 1608, however, the liberty
of the yeomanry to take a second apprentice was
extended to a year earlier, that is to say, when the
first had entered upon his last year but one of ser-
vice.^ Minutes similar to the following occur over
and over again : —

^ Ordinances, 3rd Eliz., 1560-1.
^ Ordinances, 5th James I.

184 The Company and the Trade.

1606. November iStk.

" This Courte Daye Henry Yate brought in his fyne
of xx' for sondry consideracons he was released of the
same fyne for and vpon the payment of five shilHngs
w^'' he paide for keepeing of three Apprentices contrary
to o'' order."

If It happened that the master died before the
apprentice was out of his term, the Wardens of
the Company were empowered to remove the
apprentice after compensating the widow, and to
set him over to finish his term with another
member. If, however, the widow of the deceased
member remained single and carried on her
husband's craft, or If she married another member
of the Company, she was at liberty to retain the
apprentice. In the latter contingency, however,
It was expressly stipulated that the number
of apprentices to be kept jointly by the former
widow and her second husband should not exceed
the number permitted to any ordinary member.

Every master, after his apprentice had served
his time, was required to present him to the
Wardens of the Company, and to make a decla-
ration that he had duly fulfilled his term. The
apprentice was thereupon sworn to be obedient to
the rules of the Company, and after paying 2s. 2d}
was presented by the Wardens to the Chamber-
lain of the City and admitted to the freedom of
the Company.

1 Ordinances, 3rd Eliz. ; increased to 6s. by the Ordinances
of Charles II.

The Company and the Trade. 185

Failure to fulfil this ordinance was, as In all
other cases, punished by a fine

1626. October iZth.

"At this Court Will'" Cam complained of Edward
Hill for that hee would not make him free his terme
being expired the said Hill being twice warned in ap-
peared not to shew cause wherefore hee would not make
him free. It is ordered that he shall attend o'" M"" to-
morrow in the forenoone w''^' if hee refuse to doe then
hee is to bee comitted to the prisonne of the Comter for
his contempt."

In 1624 It was ordered ^' that all such as shall
Curious custom be made free hereafter do either gratl-

upon taking up r -i r^ • i m

Freedom, iie the Company with a silver spoone
"Spoons." weighing twoo ounces at the leaste
according to a patterne w''^ shall be shewed them
or ells to continue the ancient custome {i.e,^ a
fine) and to be made free at the fower vsuall
quarter dales kept for the said Societie."

The first mention of the gift of a spoon upon
taking up the freedom, however, occurs previous
to this order, viz.. In 1619, and alludes to another
old and curious custom common on such occa-
sions.

1 6 19. February 22iid.

" This daie Pattrick Barrell gaue to the Companie a
little silver spoone in regard he made the Wardens and
Assistants noe dynner when he was made free."

Singularly enough, the custom of making a

1 86 The Company and the Trade.

dinner upon the occasion of taking up the free-
dom is nowhere else alluded to throughout the
Company's books. The improbability, not to say
impossibility, of an ordinary apprentice being able
to contribute such a sum as would be involved in
a dinner to about 20 persons inclines us to believe
that this custom could only apply to persons
taking up the freedom by redemption and not by
servitude. This explanation, however, is purely
speculative. If it be correct, a minute in 1626
acquaints us with the fact that by that time the
gift of a silver spoon had become general on all
occasions of the bestowal of the freedom, whether
by patrimony, servitude, or redemption.

1626. December Jth.

"At this Court Thomas Addisonne, the sonne of
Thomas Addisonne, being made free by patrimony,
Will"' Cam, late appren. to John Greenwaie, Thomas
Bassett, late apprentice to William Pease, and John
Lidget, made free by redempcon, foure silver spoones.
the said Lidget's spoone being afterwards delivered him
backe vpon the bringing in of a litle silver bowle."

In one instance a spoon is recorded as weighing
6\ ounces ; occasionally the spoon is described as
being engraved with the donor's name, and on
numerous occasions the spoons were ''guilt."

As many as twelve spoons are recorded as
c beinof presented at a sinMe Court,

bpoons ...

exchanged for sio^uifyinpf as many freemen enrolled.

other plate. ^ •' P . ■' .

rrom time to tmie, as these spoons
accumulated, they were taken out of the Com-

The Company and the Trade. 187

pany's treasury and sold, or exchanged for other
plate.

Minutes similar to the followino^ occur now and
again : —

1654. October lytk

'' At this Court it is ordered that our M' and Wardens
with two antient M'' shall buy foure table-cloaths and
12 doz. of napkins of diaper and cupboard cloatlxs and
towelles and to change the spoones for plate reserving 8
doz. for the vse of the Hall."

And again in the following month we read : —

" Att this Court the Auditors delivered out of the
Treasury a C^ to Warden Jones and to our M*" and
Wardens six dozen and eight Siluer Spoones whereof
26 guilt all which were sould for 33;^ 05^ 10^ and at the
same tyme there was bought foure standing siluer Salts
Cellars two trencher Salts and fowre beere boules
weighing 127°^ 9'^ wth at 5' 6^ p. oz. 35>^ : oj' : 00*^ paid
2' &^ for marking them which makes 35^ 3' G^. There
was bought at the same tyme fowre diap table clothes
containing 34 yards and 6 dozen of napkins containing
yS yards and a Court Cupboard Cloth containing 3 yards
all which cost 18;^ 13^ 10^."

Towards the end of the seventeenth century,
however, the Company appear to have reverted
to the old practice of a pecuniary payment, and
several entries occur from time to time of " x*
paid for a spoone."

The ordinances of the Company imposed a fine
upon any master presenting his apprentice for the

o

1 88 The Company and the Trade.

freedom before he had served his full term, even
when the apprentice had served seven years.
Apprentices were frequently bound for eight years,
and Instances even occur In the Company's
records of bindings for as long as eleven years.
Seeing that the minds of many have been and

Responsibility ^^^ sometlmes exerclsed with regard
of Apprentices, ^q ^]^q questlon of the responsibility of

a minor in fulfilling his articles of apprenticeship,
as well as with the allied question of the liability
of an apprentice who attains his majority before
he has fulfilled his obligations, It may not
generally be known that the statute already
alluded to, viz., 5 Elizabeth, c. 4, section xxxv.,
takes cognizance of the difficulty and disposes of
It In the following words: "And because ther
hath bene and ys some question and scruple
moved whether any pson being w^^'In thage of one
and twentye yeres and bounden to serve as an
apprentice in any other place than the said CItie of
London shoulde bee bounden accepted and taken
as an apprentyce. For the Resolucbn of the said
Scruple and Doubte be yt enacted by aucthorlte
of this pnte Pliam* That all and every suche
pson or psons that at any time or times from
hensforthe shalbe bounden by indentures to serve
as an apprentice In any Arte Science Occupacon
or Labour according to the tenor of this Statute
and in maner and fourme abovesald albeit the same
apprentice or any of them shalbe within the age
of one and twentye yeres at the tyme of making
of their severall Indentures shalbe bounden to

The Company and the Trade. 189

serve for the yeres on their severall Indentures
contelned as amply and lardgly to every extent as
yf the same apprentice were of full age at the time
of making of suche indenture any Lawe Usage
or Custome to the contrary notwithstanding."

Clause xix. of the same Statute seems to throw
some light upon the difficulty suggested by the
allusion on numerous occasions in the Com-
pany's Books of bindings for as much as eleven
years already mentioned. It gives liberty to
householders In any city or corporate town,
provided they be at least 24 years of age, to take
an apprentice '' to serve and bee bounde as an
apprentice after the custome and order of the
CItle of London for seven yeres at the least so as
the tearme and yeares of suche apprentice doe not
expyre or determyne afore such apprentice shall
bee of thage of foure and twentye yeres at the
least. "^

We learn from the Company's ordinances,
however, that it was occasionally permissible for
an apprentice to be remitted of an unexpired term
of years If '' the residue of his terme shalbe for-
given him by speciall legacye of his M^'' conteyned
in his laste will and testament."

As has been already stated, apprentices could
appeal to the Company against arbitrary exactions
of or improper treatment by their masters, and
masters could invoke the intervention of the

^ This Statute was not repealed until the early part of the
present century.

O 2

iQO The Company and the Trade.

Company In the case of contumacious or rebellious
apprentices.

1619. January iSth.

" This daie M'' Chamblaine sent his letter (to the
Companie) on the behalfe of Will™ Ratcliff the apprentiz
of Thomas Whitney, shewing thereby the want of such
necessaries as were fitt for him to haue. The w^^' compit
being examined and found true It is ordered that the
said apprentize shalbe taken from his said M'" and to
serue the remainder of his terme w*^' such a M"" as his
friends can p'vide for him. His M'' is to deliver vp his
Indentures and his apprent to be saved from him."

1607. October 20th.

" At an assembly of the said Wardeins and Assistents
on the first quarter daye being the 20 Day of October
1607, William Lazenbye made a complaynt of James
Harwigg his apprentice for many evilles and misde-
meanours agenst his M"" cofhytted Was thretned to be
whipped and the beadell sent for and he made great
signes of amendment w^^' weeping and Lamenting asked
his Master's forgivenesse, was at his request and other of
o'' assistents the said apprentice was discharged of his
ponyshm* vpon amendment."

Every apprentice, upon completing his term of
apprenticeship, was required to make

" Proof piece." • 1 1 n 1 • c 1

a trial saddle, or other piece 01 work
pertaining to the Saddlers' craft, with "his own
hands, cunning, and knowledge," at the Hall.
This " proof piece," as it was called, was viewed
by the Wardens, and if they were satisfied with
the workmanship the maker, after satisfying one
or two other conditions, had license given to him

The Company and the Trade. 191

to open shop, or If he were not able to set up
a shop, they deternnned the scale of his wages
as a journeyman. The motive of the latter act
is stated to be In order that "he should not only
learn his occupation more perfectly, but also
following their good example of living and order
of their household, should be better able dis-
creetly and politicly to keep and order a shop to
his own use and benefit, civilly and orderly to rule
and govern his household and family, and to train
them up in virtue and godly exercise to the honour
of God, the worship of the said mystery, and to
the profit of the commonwealth."

No member of the Company was allowed to
open shop until he had been examined by the
Wardens and Assistants as to his "honest con-
versation, cunning, and knowledge of the art, and
of the substance of goods." The ordinances of
3 Elizabeth recite the necessity for the avoidance
of inconveniences likely to ensue from persons
setting up shop before they are of ability to pay
ready money for such wares as they require In the
trade, and prohibits any journeymen or appren-
tice opening shop unless he be worth " of his
own proper goods twenty marks (^13 6s. Sd.),''
and the ordinances of 21 Charles II. Increased
this amount to ^20, in order. It is stated, that he
may be able " to keep and use the room of an
honest householder and save his credit." If the
candidate satisfied these conditions he paid the
Company 35-. 4^., and was forthwith allowed to
set up in business.

192 The Company and the Trade.

1609. December ^th.

" Rec. of William Lynton who made his Saddell in
o"* hall the xxviij Daye of Novemb'" w^'' was viewed and
liked of and he was admytted to open shoppe and paid
to the Companyes vse iij' iiij*^."

1606. October 28///.

" It was ordered at this Assembly that Symon Smeathe
shall make his M"" piece Saddell before the last daye of
October next after this Assembly. And for that the
saide Symon had often tymes warnying to make his
saddell and Did it not and that he opened his shope
w^^'out license contrarye to the orders of o"" house kept
fforens was fy ned to pay xl'' w'^'^ he promysed to bryng
in afore the next Court daye."

1609. December ^th.

"Calvert Chamberlen late apprentice to Tho. Addison
made his Saddell in the hall by the Wardenes appoyntm*
w*^^ was viewed and scene the xxvj"' of October 1609."

Members were forbidden to entice away the
servant of another member, and journeymen and
other servants were forbidden to serve for any
less period than a year, or to quit service under a
quarter's warning on pain of forfeiting 405-.

The ordinances of 5 Elizabeth likewise set forth
that any member attempting to allure away the
customer of another member, or uttering words
to the detraction of another member, or of his
wares, should forfeit 'h^^ pounds. The punish-
ment for this offence was reduced to 40 shillings
in the subsequent ordinances of 1608 and 1669,

The Company and the Trade. 193

although happily no Instance of this offence
occurs In the Company's records.

The ordinances prohibited any persons from

making Saddlery wares otherwise than in open

shop, common fair, or market, and expressly

Saddles to be ^o^bad any member of the Company

made openly, buying or usIng any wares made

covertly or privately. The regulations against

foreigners, i.e., non-freemen, were stringent, and

strictly enforced. No member was allowed to

buy or sell any saddlery wares made by a

foreigner, or by any person who had not served

an apprenticeship of seven years to the trade,

To be viewed '^^^^^ s\iQ}ci warcs had been viewed

by the Wardens, and approved by the Wardens. No

freeman was permitted to employ a foreigner

without the consent of the Wardens

first had and obtained, and then onlv

In urgent cases and for short periods. Nor was

a freeman allowed to work for a non-freeman

outside the City of London without a similar

license. The employment of a foreigner Involved

in the reign of Elizabeth a fine of 2s. 6d. a week

during the offence, and In the following reign this

penalty was increased to 2s. 6d. per day.^

1606. December gth.

" Richarde Harrison being one of o'" Lyverie came
this Courte and desired to have a forrcn Sj'dler to worke
w*'^ him."

194 The Company and the Trade.

1626. August 31^/.

" This daie Michaell Harman was fined in five shil-
lings for setting forreyners on worke, whereof hee paid

A Statute, 5 Elizabeth, c. 8, entitled '' An

Act touching Tanners Courriours Shoemakers

and other artificers occupyeing the cutting of

Leather," established Leadenhall as

Leadenhall. , , , • ^ /-^' r ^

the only market m the City for the
sale of tanned leather, and enacted that none
should buy such leather except those who in-
tended to work it into wares, Monday being the
only day upon which it could be purchased.
Further, all tanned hides or skins before they
were sold were required to be examined and
sealed by authorities appointed by the City. The
bartering of leather at any other place was pro-
hibited under a heavy penalty ; an exception,
however, was made in favour of the '' Sadlers
and Gyrdlers," who we read '' maye selle theyr
Neckes and Shreddes of tanned leather redd
w^Mut incurring any Payne or Forfeyture for the
same." The of^ce of searching and sealing was
to be performed by four or more expert persons
appointed annually by the Mayor and Aldermen
of the City. This Act was repealed i James I.,
c. 25, but an Act which had been previously
passed in the same year, i James I., c. 22,
re-enacted its principal provisions with some

little modification. Sections 30 and
Sealers of 3 1 require the Mayor and Aldermen

to elect eight searchers from one or

The Company and the Trade. 195

more of the following Companies, viz., Cord-
wainers. Curriers, Saddlers, and Girdlers. The
following are the Clauses in question : —

" Section 30. — Provided always that none of the several
Masters and Wardens of the several Companyes of
Cordwainers, Curriers, Girdlers, or Sadlers, shall search
any person or persons but such as use and exercise the
mistery or occupacon of the said Master and Wardens,
and that the Coachmakers dwelling within the said City
of London, or three miles from the same, shall be under
the Survey and Search of the Master and Wardens of
the Company of the Saddlers of London.

" Section 31. — And be it further enacted that the said
Mayor of the City of London and the Aldermen for the
time being, upon like pain of forty pounds likewise to
be levyed and employed, shall likewise yearly appoint
eight of the most substantiall, honest, and expert persons,
being Freemen of some of the Companyes of Cord-
wayners, Curriers, Saddlers, or Girdlers within the City of
London, whereof one shall be a Sealer and keep a Seal
for the sealing of Leather, to be prepared, who shall be
sworn before the said Mayor and Aldermen for the time
being to do their office truely. Which said Searchers
and Sealers shall view and search all and every tanned
hide, skin, or leather which shall be brought as well to
the market of Leaden Hall as to any other lawful Fair
or Market therefore usually appointed within three
miles of the said Citye, whether the same be sufficiently
and throughly tanned and throughly dryed, according to
the true purport and meaning of this Statute or no. And
finding it sufficiently and throughly tanned and throughly
dryed in such manner and form abys this Statute is ap-
pointed, shall seal the same with the said Seal."^

^ This Statute contains many curious enactments ; among
others, that calves shall not be killed under five weeks old ;

196 The Company and the Trade.

And we accordingly read that every year the
Company elected two searchers and presented
them to the Court of Aldermen for approval.

1607. May 12 th.

"Marke Branche at this Courtewas granted the good-
will of the Company to be a Sutor to y^ lorde Maio'" for
to be one of the Searchers and Sealers of Lether, and
that they wolde assist him therein as much as they
maye."

1663. July 13///.

''Richard Benskyn,"! appointed Searchers
William Caine, j of Leather."

One of the most important prerogatives vested
in the Company by their Charter from Edward
III., and confirmed to them In subsequent char-
ters and ordinances, was the power

" Search "

to search the shops and houses of all
persons using the Saddlers' trade, and of con-
demning all Ill-made wares that they found. No
Saddler, freeman or non-freeman, was permitted
to send any saddle out of London, either to the
country fairs or for exportation abroad, until It
had been viewed by the Wardens, or other

that Butchers shall not be Tanners, and that all Tanners
shall be apprenticed ; that with a view to the preservation of
bark for tanning, oaks shall only be felled in barking time, i.e.y
in the months of April, May, and June ; it also prohibits
Shoemakers selling shoes on Sunday before morning service is
over.

The Company and the Trade. 197

properly constituted authorities of the Company.^
Ill-made saddles were generally attended by the
imposition of a fine and a precept for amendment.
The fine Imposed by the ordinance of Elizabeth
was not to exceed 2s. 6d. each offence, with a
penalty for obstructing or resisting the Company
in their search of 205. The ordinances of 5
James I. Increased these penalties to ^s. and ^5
respectively, and these penalties were confirmed
by the ordinances of 21 Charles 11. (1669) ; these
last ordinances give the Company jurisdiction over
" all manner of works, wares, and stuffs whatso-
ever, belonging to the furniture of horses." The
Charter of Charles II. (1684) distinctly specifies
'' Saddles, chains, buttons, stirrups, girdles, and
horsecloths, as of other thing whatsoever apper
taining or belonging to the art or mystery of
Saddlers aforesaid." Instances, however, are
repeatedly recorded of even portmanteaus and
other wares being condemned, from which it
would appear that the Company exercised juris-
diction over all Saddler-made wares.

The Act of 5 Elizabeth, c. 8, already alluded
to, not only Imposed the obligation of search
upon the Wardens of the Company, but imposed
a fine of ^5 upon them for every instance of
defective wares which they allowed to escape their
attention.

Section xxi. — " Or yf any Shoemaker Sadler or other
Artificer using cutting or workeing of Leather doe make

^ Ordinances, 5 James I.

198 The Company and the Trade.

any wares of any tanned leather insufficiently tanned
and of tanned or curryed leather being not sufficiently
tanned and curried as ys aforesaid, or doe not make
their wares belonging to their severall Occupatyons
sufficiently and substantially, that then the Wardens of
Every of the said Companie of Sadlers Curriours Shoe-
makers and other artificers using and exercising cutting
of tanned leather for the tyme being shall forfaite and
lose for every such Defaulte and offence to bee comitted
or done by any pson or psons under their Order Surveye
or Searche Fyve Poundes."

Section xxii. — '' Provided alwaye and be yt enacted
That all and every Artificer dwelling or inhabiting or
w*"^ hereafter shall dwell or inhaby^e w^^'in the Citie of
London or three myles compas of the same using or
exercising any Manuell Occupacon of cutting or worck-
ing of Leather into made wares shall contribute paye
and bee under the Survey and Search of the Wardens
of suche Companies of the said Citie of London as
Thartificer comonly using the like Occupacon being
Free men of the same Citie of London and of the same
Companye bee touching and concerning onely their
wares and stuff made of or w**" Leather, in like manner
fourme as other Freemen of the same Companye dothe
to the Wardens of their Companye w"'in the said
Citie."

The search visits of the Company appear to
have been made regularly on the four quarter
Court days, as v^ell as at Intervening times not
specifically stated. If the defect either of material
or workmanship were very bad, the saddles or
other articles were promptly defaced. Sometimes
they were publicly burned at the door of the
maker, at other times they were taken to Cheap-

r

The Company and the Trade. 199

side and there burned, while at others, again, they
were taken to Smithfield and there destroyed by
the same process. Occasionally the defect lay in
the saddle-tree — the wooden body of the saddle —
which was sometimes an old tree re-employed and
sometimes made of unseasoned wood ; when this
was so the leather would be taken off and returned
to the maker to be re-used, and the saddle-tree
broken and destroyed.

The following are a few excerpts in illustration
of the custom, taken from some hundreds of
similar cases which the Company's Minute Books
record : —

1605. November i6th.

" James Ramsey a forren"" for making of pillions ol
olde stuff and twill had them defaced and cutt to peces
because the Kinges publicke shulde not be deceaved w^^'
them and was pardoned of his imprisonment and notw^''-
standing warned he was to mende his workmanship
upon a greate payne.

" At this Courte Rowland Hodges for having in his
howse and shoppe in the tyme of search made by the
Wardens xv male pillions bought of a forren"" made of
evill and naughtie stuffe was fyned for that fault five
shillings w^^^' was paide to Symon Penyale."

1606. March 12th.

"The same xvth daye of Aprill, 1607, being a third
Quarter Day as aforesaid the Company being assembled
at their hall they were requested by the Wardeins and
Assistants to viewe a nomber of Sadies covered with
sheep's leather w*'^ were taken in sundry searches made

r

200 The Company and the Trade.

by the said Wardeins and Assistants synce the last
quarter daye being seaven great Horse Sadies and two
padds garded and trymmed w^^' Spanish lether shep's
lether and turkey Lether and tenne Scottish Sadies
covered w^ white sheep's lether. All w^ by a full con-
sent of the gen^'altie of the workmen of this Company
are adiudged unlawfull and deceiptfull ware^ and not
fitt to be uttered nor sold but to be burned."

1607. May \2th.

" After this Court Daye (viz.) the xv*^ daye of Maye,
1607, the evill Sadies and unlawfull wares taken from
dyverse of the Company in their searches being ordered
to be burned were burned accordingly in West Smyth-
feld the same xv"' of Maye by the Wardeins in the
presence of diverse of the Assistants."

1608. September i^tJi.

" George Marr was this Courte Daye fined for a Side
Sadie very faulty beside evill workmanshipp and paid
\f w'f and the same Sadie was sensured to be burned at
his doore."

161 2. July 2ist.

" Yt was ordered the day and yere last abovesaid that
John Lawney was fyned to pay ten shillings for making
of Roles stuffed w^^' hay in his side Saddels rownd
about the seat and for that he wolde not pay the said
fyne he was sent to the Counter."

1634. January 21st.

"At this Court Will'" Freeman, Edmond Sheppard, and
Wil'" Ketle beinge complayned of for carrying awaie of
wares to Sturbridge ffaire w%ut searching by the

The Company and the Trade. 201

Wardens and others accordinge to o'' orders. They all
submitted themselves to the Court w^'' p'mise not to
offend in the like kinde hereafter Will'" Freeman offering
to cleere himself upon othe for what was layd to his
charge. Their offenc' p'doned."

1648. October ^ist.

" At this Court Richard Bei^rhton was fined for two
naiightie strapps vj'

;d "

Occasionally a Saddler objected to the search ;
when this was the case, however, the objection
was simply the result of a consciousness of offence
in trade, and a foreboding of the inevitable seizure
of his goods constituting that offence. Neverthe-
less, the Company's prerogative was not to be
disputed. The recalcitrant Saddler was sum-
moned before the Wardens and Assistants of the
Company, and if he refused to conform to the
fine or other punishment imposed, a warrant was
promptly obtained from the Lord Mayor or
Recorder, and the offender summarily committed
to prison.

1609. August i^tk.

"The daye and yeres aforesaide Thomas Moore a
Journeyman and s'vant vnto one Robert Dycars a
CoUermaker of the p'ishe of St. Giles in the Field for
mysusing the Wardeins aforenamed in their search by
resisting them and slandering them was sent for by a
warrant graunted out under the hande of the WorshipfuU
Recorder of London and being brought before the saide
Company of the Sadlers he the said Thomas Moore

202 The Company and the Trade.

for his offence so done and comytted, in humble manner
upon his knees acknowledged his faulte and cravid
pardon and for that fower or fyve of the neighbours
of good sort dwelling in the saide p'ishe have bound
themselves by their words that he the saide Thomas
Moore shulde henceforth be of good behavio'" the Com-
pany grannted his releasement."

1635. April i^th.

*' At this Court Thomas Capp app^'ntice to Tho.
Gardner and Mathias Younge apprenticed to (?) Black-
Smith appeared at this Court according to an order
made by the R. Ho^^" the Lord Maior the 17th daie
of March last past To make their publique submission
upon theire knees for resistinge the Wardens in theire
search at the said Gardners Shop. The w'^'' submission
they both did accordingly in the hall at a full Court
upon their knees acknowledging their fault."

1673. Jjme iit/i.

" M'' George Borrett haveng refused the Search made
by M"" Warden Blount and others and being taken by a
Constable upon the Companyes Warrant for the five
pounds by him forfeited for soe doeing but at his request
discharged upon his promise to appeare at this Court
and to abide by the judgement of the same and now
appeareing and submitting himself accordingly this
Court doe think fitt to fine him for such his offence and
for defective ware Twentie shillings the w'^'' he willingly
paid the Wardens."

1 70 1. July 2nd.

" Upon the complaint of M"" Warden Chandler M""
Shelton and others that M"" Walter Coates did deny the

The Company and the Trade. 203

search and threatened to strike them with a hammer
and giveing very abusive words It is ordered he be
ffined ffive pounds for soe doing and that he be sum-
moned to appeare at the next Court to answer the same."

The search was exercised with the utmost im-
partiality, no atom of favour being shown to a
member of the Company if an ill-made saddle
were in question. Instances occur of Wardens
and Assistants being similarly fined. In illustra-
tion of this, an incident which took place in 1 703
may be here cited : —

1703. October 20th.

" This Court being informed by Mr. Gunton, Mr.
Shelton, and Mr. Carter, that certaine Sadlers having
undertaken to furnish a great number of Sadies for the
use of his Portugall Majesty, they have been to search
and saw the same and found the seats to be made of the
worst of sheepskin and the panells stuffed with hay.
Did thereupon now order a Remonstrance to be drawn
up and presented to the Envoy of his Portugall Ma^^^ to
represent the same as a manifest Cheat and tending to
the great dishonour and disgrace of her Majesty's
Government and the City of London and in particular
of this Corporacon."

A remonstrance was accordingly drawn up and
presented. A large number of saddles destined
for the expedition to Portugal were condemned,
and two members of the Company, who were
implicated in their manufacture, were fined the
then large sum of ^20 each.

p

204 The Company and the Trade.

The old custom of search, in ensuring a high
standard of excellence for English manufactures,
engendered in Englishmen a firm patriotic faith
in the superiority of English goods, and in the
skill and honesty of English workmanship.
Moreover, the fact remains, as an interesting
corollary, that, at the present day, English
saddles and harness are in high demand all over
the world ; and this branch of English industry,
curiously enough, appears in little danger from
foreign rivalry.

205

A LIST OF SOME ANCIENT MASTERS

AND

WARDENS OF THE COMPANY.

Anglo Saxon times

A.D.

1377

'378

1446

1463

1558

1562

^rnaldus

'^William Lincolne^
John Pountfreit
Roger Excestre
Gerard atte Nook

rRumbold Bodd
I Walter Yong
] John Cole
^Simon Byrthorp

r Richard Stacy
I Thomas Soysse
"^ Robert Forster
WiUiam Sherewode

{Laurence Braunche
John Sawyer
Richard Danton
William Coddesden

r William Bird
I Thonias Hertwell
I William Portlonthe
t John Abell

r Robert Smyth
J Henry Crowder
William Storer
David ap Thomas

r William Wytt
J Peter Robynson
] John Webbe
John Philpott

1

Alderman.
Wardens.

Wardens.

1
1

Wardens.

> Wardens.

1

Wardens.

> Wardens.

1

Wardens.

* See Addendum, p. 233.

P 2

2o6

Ancient Masters

A.D.

1582

rWilliam Newton
I James Howford
] John Marshall
^John Cox^

■ Wardens.

Masters.

1605 Nicholas Holbeame.

1606 Roger Allanson.

1607 Richard Sawter.

1608 John Byngham.

1609 Ditto. 1

Second time. J

1 6 10 Thomas Salomon.

161 1 Ditto. 1

Second time. J

161 2 Richard Sawter. ~1

Second time, J

1 613 Gregory Francklin.

1614 James Howson.

161 5 Robert Labourne.

16 1 6 George Cooke.

161 7 Ditto. I

Second tifne. j
t6i8 Ditto. ]^

T/iird time. J

1619 Ditto. 1

Fourth time. /

1620 Anthony Clowes.

1621 Ditto. I

Second time. \

1622
1623

1624
1625
1626
1627
1628
1629
1630
1631
1632

1634

1635
1636

1637

1638

1639

1640

1641
1642

Thomas Potter.

Ditto. I

Second time. J
Phillip Boydon.
William Pilchard.
George Potter.
George Walker.
John Houghton.
Henry Symson.
John Laney.
Samuel Clarke.
Nathaniel Burt.
Robert Cristie.

Ditto. '

Second time
William Pease.
Luke Lee.
Thomas Sallomon.
Nicholas Newton.
Thomas Clowes.

Ditto. "I

Second time, j
Benjamin Potter.
William Phelipps.

}

1 Founded a Trust, which is administered by the Company
under a scheme approved by the Charity Commissioners, for
the relief of poor members of the Company, and of the
Saddlers' trade.

' Founded a charity of which the Company are trustees, and
bequeathed to the Company a silver-mounted cocoa-nut cup.

AND Wardens.

207

1643

Thomas Harrison.

1656

William Pease.

}

1644

Toby Harvest.

Second time

1645

William Freeman.

1657

William Milsome.

1646

Ditto. 1
Second time. J

1658

William Jones.

1659

/oshua Sheppard.

1647

Thomas Smithsby.

1660

Kenelme Collins.

1648

Daniel Haldenby.

1661

John Cooke.

1649

John Cooke.

1662

Thomas Mason.

1650

Edward Perkins.

1663

Thomas Pease.

I65I

Thomas Webb.

1664

Edward Benskyn.*

1652

Thomas Starkey.

1665

Ditto.

}

1653

Francis Dashwood.^

Second time.

1654

Edward Smith.^

1666

Francis Pattricke.

1655

WiUiam Pease. '^

1667

John Tanner.

^ A rich Turkey merchant, Alderman of the City of London,
but did not serve the office of Lord Mayor. Elected Master
in 1653, he presented the Company in the same year with a
handsome silver gilt standing cup and cover weighing sixty-two
ounces and a half, which are still preserved. His gift of a
barge cloth and banners has already been noticed. Upon his
death, in 1683, he bequeathed the sum of ;/^3o to be dis-
tributed amongst the poor of the Company, and a smaller sum
to the Company for a supper at his funeral. According to
Burke he married a daughter of Mr. Alderman Sleigh, and
was grandfather of Lord de Spencer, an ancestor of the
present Sir Edwin Abercromby Dashwood, Bart., and Sir John
Gage Saunders Sebright, Bart. His son. Sir Samuel Dashwood,
was Alderman of the Ward of Aldgate, and served the
office of Lord Mayor in 1702, whose daughter married the
fifth Lord Brooke, an ancestor of the present Earl of Warwick.

"' Alderman of the City of London, but did not serve the
office of Lord Mayor.

^ Founded a charity, which is at present administered by
the Company under a scheme sanctioned by the Charity Com-
missioners, for the relief of poor decayed Saddlers and their
widows, preferentially those free of the Company.

* Presented the Company with a silver salt.

2o8 Ancient Masters

1668 John Tanner. "i 1675 Edmond Lee."^

Second twie. ] 1676 John Anderson.

1669 John Barwell. 1677 Edmond Lee.

1670 John Gaine. Second time

1671 John Mason. 1678 Peter Rich.^

1672 Richard Pemble. . f Samuel Tomh'ns.

1673 Edward Kempe. I Francis Patricke.

1674 Wilham Chevall. Second time

.}
.}

1 Presented the Company with a silver tankard.

2 The name of Sir Peter Rich figures prominently in City
history during the latter part of the seventeenth century as
the nominee of the Court party for civic honours. The
Company's minutes record that on the 8th October, 1675,

'This Court considers that Peter Rich, Esq., one of the
livery of this Company, is one of his Ma^^*^^ Justices of the
Peace, one of the Leuetenncy, hath beene in nominacon for
one of the sheriffs of this Citty, and hath had sev'rall other offices
of honor and trust conferred on him Doe thinke fitt to make
choyce of the said Peter Rich to be one of the Assistants of
this Company, and hereby order the Clerke to acquaint him
therewith and desire his acceptance of the same."

At a Court held the following January, the Livery demurred
to Rich's selection to be an Assistant, but upon the order of
the Court being read to them we are informed that "the Livery
departed well satisfied." In August, 1678, Rich having, as the
Order Books inform us, been chosen Sheriff, was discharged of
the offices of Renter Warden, second Warden, and Upper
Warden, and elected Master. In 1680, the then Master dying.
Rich was again elected to the chair for the remainder of the year.
His election as Sheriff in 1678 was not confirmed, the party
spirit in the City being exceedingly strong between the Court
and the popular parties. In 1682, however, he was again
elected and sworn into the office of Sheriff, and, according to a
minute on the 25th September of that year, he desired " that
sixteene of the Livery of this Company would attend him
habited in their Livery Gownes to Guildhall on Thursday next
and on Saturday after to Westminster in a barge, being what

AND Wardens. 209

1680 Peter Rich. ") 1682 Robert Waring "1

Second time. J Second time. J

1681 Robert Wareing. 1683 Samuel Shenton.

customarily (is) done by all Companyes to their members that
happen to come to such office. In 1683 he was chosen Alder-
man for the ward of Aldersgate, and in 1684, Luttrell, in his diary,
informs us, " Sir Peter Aylworth Chamberlain of London being
dead, his Majestic hath constituted Peter Rich, Esq., in his stead."
According to a MS. account of the Chamberlains of London,
in the Library of the Corporation, he represented London in
1685, and was knighted by James IL the same year. The
following year, however, we learn from Luttrell that Sir P. Rich
was turned out of the office of Chamberlain, and a Mr. Hy.
Loades, the candidate of the popular party, elected in his stead ;
but in 1688 Rich was re-elected to that office. The factious
opposition, however, which grew keener and keener every year,
was again too strong for Rich, and in 1689 he was displaced
from the office of Chamberlain, and Mr. Leonard Robinson,
the candidate of the popular party, elected. In 1690, Rich
was again defeated by Robinson. But in 1691 he instituted
an action in the King's Bench against Sir Thos. Pilkington, the
Lord Mayor, " for a false return not to be duly chosen
Chamberlain of London," and the jury gave him ^130
damages. Having again put up for Chamberlain, he was once
more defeated by Robinson, by 2155 to 1882 votes. In
August, 1692, he died and was buried at Lambeth. There is
no doubt that Rich was throughout the instrument of the Court
party. A tract in the Guildhall Library, entitled " A new
yeare's gift for the Tories," accuses Sir John More, Mayor in
1682, of "with force of arms and in a hostile manner" con-
stituting Dudley North and Peter Rich, Sheriffs, although not
returned by the Common Hall. It also alleges that Sir Peter
Rich, when Alderman in 1690, did illegally dissolve a Ward-
mote, and that he was accused by a Mr. Bellamy in the same
year of the murder of Lord Russell. Rich brought an action
against Bellamy for libel, and according to this authority he
only received 6^-. 8^. damages, but Luttrell states it to have
been four nobles {j[^\ 6s. Sd.). Sir Peter Rich appears to

2IO

Ancient Masters

1684 Edward Kempe. 1698

1685 Thomas Fizer.^ 1699

1686 Ditto. 1 1700

Second time. J 1 7 o i

1687 Laurence Evans. 1702

1688 Charles Nevill. 1703

1689 Edward Fisher.- 1704

1690 Walter Furnace.

1 69 1 John Sawyer.^ 1705

1692 John Webb. 1706

1693 William Broman.

1694 Thomas Shireman. 1707

1695 Henry Chandler. 1708

1696 Richard Gunton.* 1709

1697 Robert Johnson.

John Pack.^
Robert Stoakes.
Henry Fetter.
John Osborne.
John Shelton.
Elias Rich.
John Sawyer.

Second time
Joseph Lewis.
John Shelton.

Second time
Michael Hinman.
John Wynde.
Michael Hinman. "l

Second time. J

}

have been a man of good parts. He was Colonel of the
Southwark or Blue Regiment of Militia, and he is credited
with having, in 1691, "invented a way that every horseman
shall carry behind him 1501b. weight of hay, made up into a
trusse in form of a portmanteau, which shall last a horse three
weeks, and 'tis well approved of." (Luttrell.) In 1681 he
presented the Company with a handsome silver cup and cover,
which is still preserved by them, and on his decease his widow,
Lady Anne Rich, presented the Company with a further
souvenir, consisting of a pair of large silver candlesticks,
weighing 67 ounces 5 dwts., likewise preserved.

^ Presented the Company with a silver salt.

- Presented the Company with a silver gilt cup and cover.

" Presented the Company with a handsome silver tankard.

^ Bequeathed two Trusts, which are administered by the
Company under schemes sanctioned by the Charity Commis-
sioners, one for the relief of poor members ©f the Company
or trade, the other for providing premiums for the apprenticing
of poor boys.

* Presented the Company with a handsome silver punch
bowl.

AND Wardens.

211

1710
1711
1712

1714

1715
1716

1717

1718
1719

1720

1721
1722
1723

1724

1725
1726

1727

1728

1729

1730

1731

1732

1733
1734
1735

1736

John Heylin.^
John Hutchinson.
Edwin Salusbury.
Ditto.

Second time.
Charles Hamond.
Thomas Shireman.
William Wilcox.
Ditto.

Second time.
Michael Tesmpnd."
Ditto.

Second time.
John Heylin.

Second time.
Edward Parratt.
Thomas Sherman.
John Sculthorpe.
John Hutchinson.
William East.
Joseph Tomlins.
Charles Eady.
William Poole.
Thomas Harris.
George Holgate.
Edward Parratt.
John Tomkins.
Robert Lathwell.
Edward Halsey.
Thomas Sherman.

Second time
John Holme.

/

}

}
}

1737

1738

1739

1740

1741

1742

1743
1744
1745

1746 I

1747
1748

1749

1750
1751

1752
1753

00

(L)

CM

,}

H.R.H. Prince

Frederick of Wales.
John Holme. \

Henry Heylyn.
Joseph Tomlins.
William More.
William Poole.
Thomas Burden
Thomas Colebrook
James Tickner.
John Nash.
Thomas Warren. )
Thomas Thompson.
George Holgate.

Matthew Kitchiner.

John Brown.

George Scullard.

Edward Pennyman

John Barker.

Nehemiah Brooks. )

WiUiam Moore.

Second time,

John Smith.

John Pritchell.

John Harford.

Richard Snow.

Richard Beale.

Thomas Taylor.

William Huthwaite.

Henry Riesenbeck.

Matthew Kitchiner.
Seco?id time.

]

]

^ Presented the Company with a large silver gilt mace for
the Upper Beadle.

^ Presented the Company with a handsome silver punch
bowl.

r

2T2

Ancient Masters

762

William Exell.

1787

Arthur Tawke.

763

John Brown.

}

1788

Robert Precious.^

Second time.

1789

Thomas Pickford.

764

George Blaksley.

1790

Joseph Bradney.

765

Young George Honnor.^

1791

William Earlom.

766

James Knight.

1792

John Reed.

767

William Box.

1793

Edward Heylyn.

\

768

Thos. Woolhead.

Second time

769

David Humphreys.

1794

Mathias Peter Dupont

f Henry Tooker.
770 < ^

L Alexander Pepper.

1795

William Hanscombe.
Second time

771

Richard Pepys.

1796

Benjamin Moore.

772

William Bishop.

1797

Henry Edmonds.

773

Thomas Christie.

1798

Thomas Slade.

774

Richard Heaviside.

1799

Joshua Knowles.

775

Thomas Newton.

1800

Noah Hester.

776

Edward Pennyman.

}

1801

James Philipson.

Second time.

1802

Thomas Griffith.

777

James Christmas

1803

John Sabb.

}

Arthur Humphreys.

Second time.

778

Robert Withers.

1804

John Perkins.

779

Edward Heylyn.

1805

John Yew Griffith.

780

William Hanscombe

.

1806

Stephen Ardesoif.

781

William Langley.

1807

^Richard Burton.

782

Henry Page.

1808

Joseph Seward.

783

Edward Jeffs.

1809

William Smart.

784

James Benwell.

1810

James Benwell.

785

John Sabb.

1811

John Reed.

}

786

Joseph Davidson.

Second time.

^ Founded a Trust for the relief of decayed members of
the Company, from a portion of the funds of which the
Company's Almshouses at Isleworth were built, and are main-
tained according to a scheme sanctioned by the Court of
Chancery. {^See p. 144.)

Presented the Company with a silver candelabra, coffee pot,
and various other articles of plate.

AND Wardens.

213

1812
1813
1814
1815
1816
1817

1818

1819

1S20
1821
1822
1823
1824
1825
1826
1827
1828

1829

}

,}

{

John Sabb.
Thomas Adderley.^
Hayter Reed.
Richard Earlom.^
Charles Griffith.
Thomas Slade

Second time.
Joshua Knowles. 1

Seco7id time, j
James PhiHpson.

Second time.
George Raye.
Daniel Quare.
George Bishop.
Thomas Milroy.
William Williams.
John Dell Poynter.
William Prosser.
John Fulbrook.
James Kitson.
Henry Heylyn.
Hayter Reed.

Second time

}

1830 George Raye. ")

Second time. /

1 83 1 Thomas Bishop.

1832 Joshua Peacock.

1833 Sir Peter Laurie.^

1834 Thomas Pickford.

1835 George Denham.

1836 James Palmer.

1837 George Dinsdale.

1838 Thomas Cradock.'*

1839 Henry Edmonds.

1840 John Mitchell.

1 84 1 Edward Withers.

1842 Charles Cradock.^

1843 Henry Douthwaite.

1844 Andrew Haigh Milroy.

1845 James Kitson. 1

Second time. /

1846 Benjamin Bacon

Williams.'^

1847 John Laurie.^

1848 Henry Heylyn. "1

Second time. \

1 An antiquary of some note.

2 A mezzotint engraver of considerable repute.

•^ Was Sheriff of London in 1825, Lord Mayor in 1832,
and Alderman of the Ward of Aldersgate. He was President
of Bethlem Hospital, and Chairman of the Union Bank of
London.

4 Founded a Trust for the benefit of poor members of the
Company, administered by the Company.

^ Founded a Trust for the benefit of the Company's poor,
administered by the Company.

6 Ditto, ditto.

' Sheriff of the City of London in 1845, and formerly M.P.
for Newport.

214

Ancient Masters

1849 Isaac Neal.^

1850 Joseph Peacock.^ 1

Second ti/ne.)

1851 John Thwaites.

1852 Jeffery Smith.

1853 Hay ter Thornton Reed.

1854 Henry Townes.
rWilHam Mihoy.

1855 < Charles Cradock. ")

L Second iiine.)

1856 Charles Griffith.

1857 Nathaniel Nicholls.

1858 Peter Northall Laurie.

1859 James Peachey.

{Thomas Cradock. )
Second time )
Andrew Haigh Milroy.]
Second time. J

1 86 1 Wihiam Hugh Powell

Prosser.

1862 Thomas Porteen

Smith.

1863

1863

1864
1865
1866
1867
1868
1869

1870

1871

1872

1873
1874

1875

William Corne

Humphreys.
Benjamin B.Williams.)

Second time. )
Captain William Slark.
Hayter Thornton Reed.
Archibald McDougall.
William Vezey Bishop.
Joseph Edward Fisher.
Henry Heylyn.
Edward Griffiths.
Charles Griffiths. ]

Second time.]
' Charles Wills.
Peter Northall Laurie.]

Second time.)
Thomas Huggins.
Henry Harris.
Archibald McDougall. ")

Second time.)
William Janies Rich-
mond Cotton."^

^ Presented the Company with a silver rose-water dish.

2 His portrait hangs in the Wardens' room.

2 In 1875 he presented the Company with two handsome
standing loving cups with covers.

* Formerly Alderman of Lime Street Ward, but now repre-
sents the Ward of Bridge Without. Was Sheriff of London
and Middlesex in 1868, and Lord Mayor in 1875, and repre-
sented the City of London in Parliament from 1870 to 1879.
Took an active part in the inquiries of the Livery Companies'
Commission, of which he was a member, and rendered con-
siderable service to the Livery Companies. He is Chairman
of the associated Guilds, and was first (provisional) Chairman
of the London School Board, of which he was a Member from
1870 to 1879. He is a J. P. for London, Hampshire, and
Middlesex. His portrait, by Mr. Cyrus Johnson, painted by
order of the Com.pany, hangs in the Hall.

AND Wardens. 215

1876 Andrew Row McTag- 1881 Alfred Ridsdale.

gart Milroy, 1882 Hayter Marsh Reed.

1877 Moses Dodd. 1883 William George

1878 RichardJamesNicholls. Peachey.

1879 William James Nutting. 1884 Archibald McDougall,
r Frederick Field. junior.

1 880 <^ William Jas. Rich- | r Moses Dodd.i "1

L mond Cotton. V ^ \ Second time. /

Second time. ^

1 In August, 1885, Lord Halsbury, then Lord High Chan-
cellor of Great Britain, would, in the ordinary course, as Key
Warden, have been elected to the office of Master, but owing
to exigencies of State his Lordship was compelled to decline
the office, and Past-Master Dodd was elected thereto a second
time. Upon the resignation, however, of the Conservative
Ministry in the following February, Mr. Dodd invited Lord
Halsbury to serve the office of Master for the remainder of
the year, which invitation his Lordship having accepted, Mr.
Dodd resigned the Chair, and Lord Halsbury was elected
Master accordingly.

"At a Court of the Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the Worshipful
Company of Saddlers, holden at their Hall in Cheapside, in the City of
London, on Thursday, the nth day of March, 1886 : —

" It was resolved unanimously, — That this Court, having this day
accepted the resignation of Past-Master Dodd, second time Master of this
Company, in favour of the Right Honourable Lord Halsbury, who on last
Election Day requested that he might not be put in nomination for election
to fill the office of Master of this Company, in consequence of having
previously accepted the appointment of Lord High Chancellor of Great
Britain, and who on his retirement therefrom having intimated, on the
invitation of Past-Master Dodd, his willingness to accept the Mastership
of this Company if elected, and his Lordship having just been unani-
mously elected as Master of this Company for the remainder of the current
year, this Court hereby tenders to Past-Master Dodd their cordial thanks
for the very efficient manner in which he has at all times attended to the
duties and interests of this Company, and the great courtesy which he
has on all occasions shown to its members.

" It was further resolved unanimously, — That Past-Master Dodd be
invited to co-operate with the present Wardens during the remainder of the
current year, and be, and he is hereby elected, a member of the Wardens'
Committee accordingly.

2i6 Ancient Masters and Wardens.

1885 The Right Hon. Lord 1887 Col. Robert Peter

Halsbury.i Laurie, C.B., M.P.s

1886 Cliaries Octavius 1888 Wilham Spencer

Humphrey S.2 Watson, M.B.,

F.R.C.S.

" It was further resolved unanimously, — That Past-Master Dodd be re-
quested to take the chair of the Company at all its meetings when present
during the temporary absence of the Master.

" It was further resolved unanimously, — That this, together with the three

foregoing resolutions, be engrossed on vellum, signed by the Master, and

forthwith forwarded with an official letter by the Clerk of this Company

to Past-Master Dodd.

"Halsbury,

"Master."

1 The Right Hon. Hardinge Stanley Giffard, Baron
Halsbury of Halsbury, co. Devon, Lord High Chancellor
of England, M.A., was called to the Bar at the Inner
Temple, 1850, became Q.C. 1865, was Solicitor-General
from 1875 to 1880, and was appointed Lord High Chancellor
1885. He resigned February, 1886, and was re-appointed
in the following July. He represented Launceston from
1877 to June, 1885, when he was created Baron Halsbury.
His Lordship's portrait, by Mr. Cyrus Johnson, hangs in the
Hall.

2 Was Clerk of the Company from 1862 to 1868, and
Solicitor from 1862 to 1878, when he resigned the retainer of
the Company to take his seat on the Court.

2 Robert Peter Laurie was one of the earliest members of
the Volunteer Force, having joined it in August, 1859. Since
April, 1867, he has been Lieut.-Colonel Commandant of the
3rd London Volunteers. He was elected member for Canter-
bury in 1879 at a bye election. At the General Election in
1880 he was again returned for that city, but with the Hon.
A. E. Gathorne Hardy was unseated on petition. In 1885 he
contested the representation of Bath, and was only defeated
by nineteen votes. In 1886, however, he was returned for
that city by a large majority. In June, 1887, the Companion-
ship of the Bath was conferred upon him in recognition of
his services to .the Volunteer Force. He is a J. P. for Kent.

217

THE COMPANY IN 1889.

The Master, Wardens, and Court of

Assistants.

Admitted

on

Livery.

Master.

William. Spencer Watson, M.B. Lond.,
F.R.C.S. Eng....

Wardens.

Benjamin Coulson Robinson, Serjeant-at-

X-idW ••• ••• ••• ••• •••

Isaac Wilcox
Daniel Morgan

Assistants.

Thomas Porteen Smith* ...

Henry Heylyn*

Charles Wills*

William James Richmond Cotton, ^Alderman

Andrew Row McTaggait Milroy*...

Moses Dodd*

Richard James NichoUs* ...

William James Nutting* ...

Alfred Ridsdale* ...

Hayter Marsh Reed*

Archibald McDougall*

The Right Hon. Lord Halsbury*...

Charles Octavius Humphreys*

Colonel Robert Peter Laurie, C.B., M.P."^

Theophilus Goodwin

Lieut.-Gen. John Wimburn Laurie

William Sturdy

Isaac Dan McDougall

Frederick William Porter, F.R.I.B.A.

John Terry ...

1857

Admitted
Assistants.

1881

I86I

1882

1859

1882

1800

1883

I83I

1855

1842

1861

1843

1861

1870

1870

1847

1866

1848

1867

1852

1868

1853

1872

1853

1872

1856

1873

1857

1876

i860

1876

1850

1878

1857

1880

1845

1863

1856

1883

1859

1888

ib6i

1888

1861

1888

1862

1889

Have passed the Chair.

2l8

The Company in 1889.

Livery.

Admitted

William Pickford

• •• ••• •!

. 1850

John Buchanan NichoUs

• • • • • • . «

. 1856

Charles Griffith, M.A.

• • • • • • • <

. 1857

John Ring

• • • • » ' • <

. 1858

John Knowlton Preedy

• •• ••• ••

. i860

Charles Goldsworthy Smi

thers

. 1862

William James Prosser

• •• ••• ,4

. 1863

Thomas Horsey

• • • • • • •

• 1863

Thomas Porteen Smith, j

un. ...

. 1864

Frederick William Mart

• • • • • • *

. 1864

Peter George Laurie ...

• » • • • • «

. 1864

John Prosser ...

• • • • • • •

. 1866

Colonel Julius D. Dyson-

Laurie

. 1866

Philip Lawdeshayne ...

... ...

. 1866

Charles Horsey

• • • • • • •

. 1866

Walter McDougall

• • • • • • •

. 1867

Alfred St. George McAdam Laurie

. . 1869

Walter Alfred Satchell, :

F.R.C.P. Edinburgl

M.R.C.S. England

• • • • • • >

. 1869

C. Lang Huggins

«9* ••• •<

. 1870

Peter Paget

... ...

. 1870

George Henry Hogan...

... • • •

.. 1870

Henry Frederick Griffin

• •• • • • •

. 1870

Joseph Lewis ...

• • • • • •

., 1870

Isaac Harris Wrentmore

• • . • • • •

. 1870

Frederick McDougall...

4 • • • • • •

.. 1871

Walter Lawley...

• • • • • • •

.. 1872

Henry Augustus De Ros

Hyde

. 1873

John Welch ...

• . • « • • •

• 1873

William Henry Cotton

... c • • •

.. J874

Charles Walters Dodd

• • . ... •

.. 1875

Henry Savory Way

• • • . . r a

.. 1875

Joseph Snowden, C.C.

• • • • . • •

.. 1875

Sir John Braddick Monckton, Town Clerk .

• 1875

William Hardinge Humphreys

. 1876

The Company in 1889.

219

Reginald Peter Northall-Laurie, J. P.

... 1873

Frederick Henry Reed, M.I.B.A.

1877

Francis John Hames ...

1877

Arthur Byrne Hudson, C.C, F.S.I.

... 1878

Arthur Booty ...

1861

John Howard Maynard

1874

Edmund Thomas Bruff

1877

Frederick Horsey

1878

Henry W. Prosser

1878

WiUiam John Gilks ...

1879

Robert Hughes Humphreys ...

1880

Charles Frederick Crawford ...

1880

Henry Edward Kaye ...

1880

Raymond Louis Roumieu

1880

Nowell Stanhope Stott

1880

Captain George Bering Remington ^

^Villiams 1883

Horatio Porter

1883

James Francis Kershaw

1883

Frank Tayler, C.C, F.S.A., F.R.G.S

... 1883

Francis William Way ...

1884

Lieutenant John Halliburton Laurie.

1886

OFFICERS.

Chaplain — The Rev. Edward Rudge, LL.B.
Clerk — John William Sherwell.
Solicitor — William Hardinge Humphreys.
Surveyor — William Hudson.

Clerk- Assistant 1 Ph- 1 Wll' F

Beadle and Hallkeeper J

Q

220

SUPPLEMENT.

A Description of some Plate and other
Articles of Interest in the Company's
possession.

The ''Cocoa-nut" Cup. — Bequeathed in 1627
by Robert Labourne, Master of the Company in
1 6 1 5. This is a covered Cup, enclosed by three ver-
tical bands and supported by a baluster stem ; the
mountings are of silver gilt, richly chased. The
sides of the cocoa-nut are beautifully carved in
three tableaux, representing the Annunciation, the
Adoration of the Magi, and the Nativity. Prob-
ably belonging to the latter part of the fifteenth, or
the early part of the sixteenth century, -a period
which was rich in such specimens. Height 12
inches. Plate I.

The ''Rich" Cup. — This is a very elegant, two-
handled, covered porringer-shaped Cup, presented
to the Company in 1681, by Alderman Sir Peter
Rich (Master of the Company in 1678 and 1680).
Height, 8| inches ; diameter, 7I inches ; original
weight, 35 oz. 5 dwts. It is inscribed " The gift
of Peter Rich Esquire^' and is beautifully decorated
in repousse work with acanthus leaves round the
Cup and on the cover, the handle to which is
formed by eight acanthus leaves erect. Hall
mark, 1681. Plate HI., fig. 4.

Supplement. 221

The "Dashwood" Cup. — This is a handsome
silver gilt standing Cup, or " Loving Cup, " 20
inches high and 7^ inches in diameter. On the
sides of the Cup, which are plain and frosted, are
three panels, containing the arms of the Company,
the arms of the donor, Alderman Sir Francis
Dashwood, Master in 1653, and the inscription,
'' The gift of Sir Francif Dajhwood to the Wor-
fhipftdl Company of Saddlers, Londoiz, May,
16^4!' The cover is cone-shaped and surmounted
by a horse, saddled and bridled (the Company's
crest). Original weight, 62 oz. 15 dwts. Hall
mark, 1651. Plate II., fig. 8.

The " Fisher " Cup. — This is a tall standing
or '' Loving Cup" and cover, silver gilt. Height,
21 inches; diameter, 7 inches. It is richly chased,
and bears the arms of the Company and of the
donor, with the figures of two horses, saddled.
The intervening spaces are filled in by the acan-
thus form of decoration, so common at the period.
The cover is cone-shaped like that of the " Dash-
wood " Cup, and is also surmounted by a horse,
saddled and bridled ; under the rim of the cover
is inscribed, ^^ Ex dono Guilielmi Fisher genero si
in me^noriam patris sui, Edwardi Fisher olim
huJMs Societatis membri, Anno D^^^- 1662''
Hall mark, 1661. Original weight, 61 oz. 15 dwts.
Plate II., fig. I.

The '' Lee " Tankard. — A massive Tan-
kard, presented in 1676 by Edmund Lee, Master

Q 2

22 2 Supplement.

of the Company 1675 and 1677. Height, 8
inches ; diameter at base, 7^ Inches. It is richly
chased round the sides, on which is represented a
hunting scene, In which the quarry, a stag, is
being pistolled. The large handle and the rim of
the cover are treated In acanthus work, which is
also adopted, round the base ; the centre of the
cover contains the armorial bearings of the donor.
Original weight, 62 oz. Hall mark, 1676.
Plate H., fig. 5.

The ''Sawyer" Tankard. — This was pre-
sented in 1695, by John Sawyer (Master of the
Company in 169 1). It is a large Tankard with
overhanging hinged lid and purchase, and large
bow handle. It is quite plain, and bears the arms,
crest, and motto of the Company on the front,
and underneath, the inscription, '' The ^ift of Mr.
John Sawyer, late Master of the Company, anno
i6g^r Height, 8 inches ; diameter at base, 6^
inches, tapering to 5^ inches. Hall mark, 1686.
Plate IV., fig. 6.

A similar Tankard, but somewhat smaller, is
one purchased by the Company in 1677 with the
proceeds of a sale of spoons. It is 6f inches in
height, and 6 inches in diameter at the base,
tapering to 5^ Inches. The arms, crest, and
motto of the Company are engraved on the front.
Original weight, 2>o ^^- ^5 dwts. Hall mark
1676, Plate IV., f\g. 3.

• UPPLEMENT. 223

A Silver Ewer and Bason. — Alderman
Smith's bequest. The Ewer is 9^ inches in
height and 5^ inches In diameter, and bears the
arms of the Company and of the donor (Alder-
man Edward Smith, Master In 1654) engraved.
Hall mark, 1691. Plate IV., fig. 8.

The Bason, or Rosewater Dish, Is 22 inches in
diameter. Is richly decorated in repousse with a
wreath of fruit and flowers, the terminals enclosing
the arms of the donor. The centre rises In a
boss which is bordered by another floral wreath
enclosing the Company's arms, crest, and motto.
Circa, 1680. Plate II., fig. 4.

This Bason and Ewer were purchased with a
bequest of ^30, but cost £/\\ \6s. 6d. Original
weight, 126 oz.

The '' Pack" Monteith. — This Is a handsome
Punch Bowl, presented by John Pack (Master
1699). Height, 8^ inches ; diameter, 13 Inches.
The top is scalloped in eight, and the sides are
ornamented by as many heart-shaped panels
outlined e^z rouleau. Two swinging handles
depend from lions' faces on opposite sides. The
arms of the Company and the donor are on
separate panels, a third contains the donor's
monogram, and a fourth the inscription, '' Ex
doiio Jo/iannis Packe armigeri et Dignitifsimce
Societatis Ephipiariorum prcesidisr Hall mark,
1698. Original weight, 59 oz. 12 dwts. Plate V,,
fig. I.

2 24 Supplement.

The " Tesmond " Monteith.— Presented by
Michael Tesmond (Master 1720). The rim Is
scalloped In eight, the Indentations differ some-
what from those of the " Pack "Bowl, resembling
battlements. On the sides, which are with-
out chasing and otherwise quite plain, are two
shields bearing the arms of the Company and of
the donor, together with this inscription, " Michael
Tesmond vetustifsimcE EpJiippiariorum Societatis
per Biennhmt Presses hoc Dono dedit Sep. 24,
1720." Two swinging handles also depend from
lions' faces on the side. Height, 8^ inches ;
diameter, 13 inches ; original weight, ']6 oz. 10
dwts. Hall mark, 1720. Plate V., fig. 6.

The " Fizer " Salt. — This Is a plain
octagonal Salt, In shape resembling an hour-glass
with four arms or horns extended vertically from
the top, and which, according to Mr. Cripps,
supported the napkin which covered the salt, the
latter being placed in a circular depression or
cavity on the top. It was presented to the Com-
pany In 1687 by Edward Fizer (Master 1685 and
1686), is engraved with the Company's arms,
and bears the Inscription, " The gift of Thos.
Fizer ^ Master of tJie Working Saddler Company^
1686-1687." Height to salt, 6f inches, the horns
extend an inch higher; original weight, ^^ oz.
10 dwts. Hall mark, 1686. Plate V., fig. 5,

Two Octagonal Salts. — Dumb-bell or hour-

Supplement. 225

glass shaped, purchased in 1677 with the pro-
ceeds of sale of spoons. Each has four arms or
rests, a circular depression for the salt, and is
engraved with the Company's arms. Their respec-
tive dimensions are : —

Height, extreme, 6^ inches ; diameter at base,
7|- inches ; original weight 32^ oz. Hall mark,
1676.

Height, extreme, 6 inches ; width at base,
7 inches ; original weight, 27 oz. 12 dwts. Hall
mark, 1676.

Circular Salt (hour-glass shape). — The gift,
in 1690, of Edward Benskyn, Master 1664 and
1665. It has three arms and a circular depression
for the salt, and contains the inscription, '' The
Gift of Edward Benfkin, Member of this Com-
pany. The 18 Septemb®'', 1690." Extreme
height, 6^ inches ; diameter at base, 8 inches.
Hall mark, 1661. Plate V,, fig. 2.

The "Rich" Candlesticks. — A pair presented,
in 1692, by Lady Rich and Elias Rich, the widow
and son of Sir Peter Rich. They have fluted Doric
columns and octagonal bases. Height, 13 inches ;
width at base, 8^ inches ; original weight, 67 oz.
14 dwts. Hall mark, 1692. Plate H., fig, 3.

The ''Banner" Candlesticks. — Richard Ban-
ner, formerly Clerk of the Company, bequeathed in
1720 the sum of ^20, with which were purchased,

2 26 Supplement.

pursuant to the bequest, a pair of Candlesticks,
weighing 64 ounces. They have fluted Doric
columns and octagonal bases, and are engraved
with the arms of the donor. Height, 13 inches ;
width at base, y^ inches. No Hall mark. Plate
n., flg. 2.

The "Precious" Candlestick. — Bequeathed
in 1 8 10 by Robert Precious, Master 1788. En-
graved with the Company's arms, crest, motto,
and supporters. Height, 16 inches ; to top of
branches, 28 inches ; width of branches, 24 inches.
Hall mark, 1787. Plate IV., fig. 5.

The " Adderley " Testimonial. — This con-
sists of a pair of silver Claret Jugs of very chaste
design, presented by the Court to the Company
in 1847, '' ^s ^ tribute of respect to the memory of
the late Thomas Adderley^ Esq., a member of the
Court during 38 years ^ and in testimony of his
high character and private worths Height, 14
inches ; ornamentation, vine leaves and grapes,
engraved and intaglio. Hall mark, 1847. Plate
HI., fig. 2.

Rosewater Dish. — The gift of Isaac Neal,
Master 1850. Fruit and flowers in repousse.
Diameter, 22 inches. No Hall mark. Plate HI.,

fig- 3-

"Williams" Cup. — A large two-handled covered

Supplement. 227

Cup. Height 17 Inches; extreme width, 15
inches ; Inscription, " Given to Toosey Williams,
Scots Gj^eys, on the * Flying Dutchman ' win^iing
the St. Leger, September 12th, 1849, by A. Mas-
singberd, 13//^ Light Dragoons T Bequeathed to
the Company by Benjamin Bacon WIlHams,
Master 1846 and 1863. Subject : Boys with
Grapes and Wheat. It bears the DubHn assay
mark corresponding to the year 1753. Plate V.,
fig. 4.

The " McDouGALL " Cups. —A pair of Loving
Cups, presented by the late Mr. Archibald
McDougall, Master 1866 and 1874; a pair of
silver gilt standing cups of tapering shape, and
covers, with baluster stem. On the sides of each
cup are the arms of the Company and of the
donor ; the mantling is carried round the cup and
forms the prevailing feature of the decoration.
Immediately above the base are four horses' heads,
crested and bridled. The covers are 8 inches In
diameter and each Is surmounted by a horse
saddled, crested, and bridled. Height, 21 Inches.
Hall mark, 1875. Plate II., fig. i.

Top of Under-Beadle's Mace (12 inches
high). — A horse saddled and bridled, supporting
In front a shield with the Company's arms. It
bears the following figures inscribed, ''11 8 ^," the
meaning of which is not clear. The trappings of
the horse, and the character of the shield, suggest
the sixteenth century, to which period it probably

2 28 Supplement.

belongs. There is no Hall mark Plate IV.,

%• 7.

Top of Beadle's Mace. — A horse, silver gilt,
crested, bridled, and saddled, supporting in front
a shield with the Company's arms. The gift, in
1711, of John Heylyn, Master 1710. No Hall
mark. Plate IV., fig. 9.

Silver Waiter on feet; length, 19 Inches;
width, 14 Inches. Presented in 1797 by Edward
Heylyn, Master 1779 and 1793. Hallmark, 1796.
Plate IV., fig. 4.

Two Silver Punch Ladles, with gilt bowls,
each 14^ inches long, and engraved on the handles
with the arms, crest, and motto of the Company.
One of these was presented by Mr. Richard
Burton, in 18 11, and bears the H[all mark of the
same year. It contains, in the bowl, a fine large
gold coin of Queen Elizabeth, on one side of
which is a crowned figure of the Queen in profile,
with sceptre and orb, and around it the motto
" posvi : DEUM : adivtorem : mevm ; " while on the
reverse are the royal arms of France and England
quarterly, together with the inscription ''Elizabeth:

D.G. ANGL : era : ET : HIBER I REGINA." The Other

Ladle was presented by Mr. Wm. Smart In 181 7,
and bears the Hall mark of that year. In the
bowl is a fine large gold coin of Queen Anne,
dated 1 708, of which the reverse is seen on the
underside of the bowl.

Supplement. 229

Coffee Cup. — Hall Mark, 1730. Presented
in 1789 by Robert Precious. Plate IV., fig. i.

Six Taper or Pipelight Candlesticks. —
Baluster stem and bases hexagonal. Height, 5^
inches. Hall mark, 1720. Purchased by the
Company. Plate V., fig. 3.

A PAIR OF Silver Candlesticks of very graceful
pattern designed, after the style of Flaxman, from
the antique. An elegant stem or pedestal,
decorated at the shoulders with rams' heads
upon a festooned base, supports an amphora-
shaped vase or urn (but without arms), which
holds the sconce. Height, 12 inches. Hall mark,
1738. Plate IV., fig. 2.

Another pair exactly similar but of later date,
and bearing the Sheffield assay mark ; the date
mark is, however, not legible.

A SILVER-MOUNTED Ram's-head Mull, presented
by Thomas Porteen Smith, Master in 1869. The
lid of the box is mounted with a fine yellow cairn-
gorm, which again is surmounted by the figure of
a horse, saddled and bridled. The head is a very
handsome one, and the horns are tipped with two
other cairngorms of a darker colour. The mull
bears the Edinburgh assay mark, the date of
which corresponds to the year 1853.

The remainder of the Company's plate is

230 Supplement.

mostly modern, and possess few features of more
than ordinary interest.

An interesting relic consists of an ancient
Ballot Box. It is of wood, painted, resembling
in shape a Chinese pagoda. It bears date 161 9,
and has been in regular use ever since for the
annual election of Wardens.

There Is also preserved an Ancient Book bound
in leather, with large brass hasps, containing illu-
minated portions of the four Holy Gospels, with
which are bound copies of ancient ordinances,
wills, and covenants, in handwriting extending
over a period from the fifteenth to the seven-
teenth centuries. The Wardens, Assistants,
Livery, and Freemen are severally sworn upon
this venerable book, which bears on the front
cover the following inscription engraved, In brass
frame :-

OTI)o

: so

: on

ivis

St

0

a

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• •

«*

*^

S

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W

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riate 1.

THE COCOANUT CUP. HEIGHT 12 INCHES.

I

Plate

Plate III.

Plate IV.

Supplement. 231

PICTURES.

In the Hall.

A full-length portrait of H.R.H. Frederick
Prince of Wales, said to be by Fyshe.

A portrait of the Right Hon. Baron Halsbury,
Lord Chancellor, Past-Master, by Mr. Cyrus
Johnson.

A portrait of Queen Anne, by Clostermans.

A portrait of Pitt, by Romney.

A portrait of Mr. Alderman Cotton, by Mr.
Cyrus Johnson.

A portrait of Alderman Sir Peter Laurie.
Painter unknown.

A portrait of Mr. Bishop, Common Crier.
Painter unknown.

In the Court Room.

" The Triumph of David," after Poussin, by
Mr. J. E. Fisher, Master in 1868.

" Venus instructing Cupid," by Carlo Moratti.

In the Committee Room.
"Dutch Boers Carousing," by Van Ostade.

232 Supplement.

In the Wardens' Room.

Portrait of Mr. Joseph Peacock, Master 1832
and 1850.

In the Entrance Passage.

Full-length portrait of Mr. Sheriff John Laurie,
M.P. for Barnstaple, and Master in 1847.

O '> -I

^30

ADDENDUM.

The Will of William de Lincolne, Saddler,
dated 20th November, 1392, proved November,
1393, and enrolled in the Court of Hustings,
Guildhall, contains the following bequest : " Item,
to the wise men of the mistery of ' Sadellers ' of
London, I leave ten marks on condition that they
make a common Hall (itnmn aidant coni7nuneni) to
the use of the said mistery within three years
next after my decease, and if they make not the
Hall aforesaid within the said three years, I then
leave the said ten marks to be distributed by my
executors among the poor of the said mistery of
' Sadellers ' of London."

^35

INDEX.

Act of 5 Eliz., c. 4, i8i.
5 Eliz., c. 8, 194.
Adderley, on funeral sconces in
Hall, 177.
,, Testimonial Plate, 226.
Alluring of servants and customers

forbidden, 192.
Almshouses at Isleworth, 144.
Ammunition, supply of, 90.
Ancient Testament, 230.
Apprentices, number limited, 183.
,, turnover of, 184.

,, to be presented to the

Wardens, 184.
,, bound for eleven years,

188.
,, disputes between mas-

ters and, 189.
Apprenticeship, compulsory, 181.
,, Statute respecting,

181.
Arms, Company's, lent to State, 92.

,, Grant of Heraldic, 58.
Askew, Anne, tried at Saddlers'

Hall, 51.
Assistants removed, 121.
Audit, A. D. 1568, 55; A. D. 1584,57.
" Ayde money," 75.

"Bachelerie," 154.

Ballot Box, 150, 230.

Banner, Candlesticks presented by

Mr., 225.
Banners, Silk, bought by Company,

143-
,, presented by Sir P. Laurie,

143-

Barge, Company's State, 112.

Bartholomew Feast, 164.

Beadle imprisoned, 71.

Blackmore, Sir Richard, 125.

" Bringing home," 164.

Burials, 174.

Burton, Richard, Plate presented

by, 22S.
Bury St. Edmunds, Plague at, 89.

" Cadett," 150.

Cambridge, Duke of, visits Saddlers'

Hall, 147.
Chaplain, 174.
Charters — i Edward I., 7.

37 Edward HI. , 38.

18 Richard H., 44.

3 Henry VI., 49.

24 Henry VI., 49.

3 Edward IV,, 50.
II Henry VII., 51.
32 Henry VIIL, 51.
I Elizabeth, 52.

4 James I., 73.

,, surrendered to

Charles II., 118.
24 Charles II., 120.
Charles I. borrows money, 88, 90,
91.
,, his arms removed from

Saddlers' Plall, 99.
Charles 11. enters London, 100.

,, Saddlers' Company vote

him ;[^I44, loi.
,, Coronation of, 102.

,, visits the City. 103.

„ quo wariJinlo, 116.

R

236

Index.

Charles II. dies, 120.

Cheapside in seventeenth century,

63.
,, Cross, 65.

,, Standard, 65.

Christ's Hospital, Company meet at,

107.
Clerk to let Hall, iii.
Cloathing, ceremony of, 153.
,, Election of, 153.
,, penalty for refusing, 153.
Cloth of Livery, 153.
Clothes, light-coloured, forbidden,

171.
Coaches, introduction of, 81.
Coachmaker appointed " King's

Esquire Saddler," 115,
Cocoa-nut Cup, loS, 220.
Collegia Roman, Introduction, xvii.

et seq.
Colonization of Virginia, 75 ; Ulster,

Compters. See Counters.
Convention between Saddlers' Guild
and St. Martin's, 3 et
seq.
,, translation of, 5.

Cotton, Mr. Alderman, Mayoralty
of, 144.
,, and Livery Companies

Commission, 147.
,, biographical notice,

214.
Counters, Wood Street and Poultry,

67, 200.
Cox's Charity, 206.
Cradock, Chas., Bequest, 213.
Cradock, Thos. Bequest, 213.
Crown, interference by, 76.
Cupfillers, 1 5 1.

Dashwood, Alderman, presents
barge cloth, l\:c. , 113;
biographical notice,
207.

Cup, 108, 221.

Deykin, ill-made saddles, 142.

Disputes, 170.

Distillers' Company use Saddlers'

Hall, no.
Dodd, P. M. Moses, resigns Chair,

215.
Dragoons to be raised by Saddlers'

Company, 124.
Duel threatened between Members,

172.
Duke of Cambridge and Saddlers'

Exhibition, 147.
Dutch Wars, 103, 104.

Early Minute Bookslost,/'r^f(?, xiv.
Edward I., Charter, 7.

„ III., „ 38.

,, ,, Ordinances, 27.
,, IV., Charter, 50.
Election Day, 151.
Elizabeth, Charter of, 52.
,, Ordinances, 54.
,, introduces Lotteries, 55.
,, processions ef, 57.
English Guilds, Antiquity of. See

Introduction.
Epitaph, Jacobite, on Frederick,

Prince of Wales, 139.
Esquire Saddler, 115.
Etiquette of Company, 171.
Exhibition of Saddles, 145, 146.

Feasts, 157.

Fellowship, The Company a, 167

Fines, 165 et seq.

Fire, Great, of London, 106.

Fisher Cup, 108, 221.

Fizer Salt, 224.

Fitzstephen's description of London

crafts, I.
Foster Lane, Antiquity of, ']%.
Frederick, Prince of Wales, visits
Saddlers' Hall, 131,
,, accepts Freedom of

Company, 132.

Index.

'^Zl

Frederick, Prince of Wales, elected
Perpetual Master,

134.
,, dies, 1 38.

Freedom, Custom on taking up,

185.
Funerals, 174.
Funeral Pall, 177.

,, Sconces in Hall, 177.

George I. enters London, 128.
Girdlers, Ordinances of, 23.
Goldsmiths, earliest Charter of, 7.
Gibson, Jesse, architect of present

Hall, 142.
Gloves, Gift of, 165.
Gowrie Conspiracy, 75.
Granaries, City, 94.
Great Plague, 105.
Great Fire, 106.
Gunpowder Plot, 71.

,, Store of, 98.

Gunton's Charities, 210.

Hair, long, forbidden, 172.

Hall, Saddlers'. See letter S.

Halsbury, Lord, 215, 216.

Harris, Mr., offers prizes for Sad-
dles, 146.

Henry VI., Charter 49.
„ VH., „ 51.
„ VHL, „ 51.

Herbert, on the antiquity of Sad-
dlers' Guild, 6.

Herse Cloth, 174.

Heylin, John, presents Beadle's
mace, 228.

Heylyn, Edward, presents silver
waiter, 228.

Hides to be viewed, 194.

Holland, war with, 103, 104.

Honnor's Charity, 212.

,, Home at Isleworth, 144.

Humphreys, Mr. C. O., 216.

Illustrations, List of, xi.

James I., Charter, 73.

,, Ordinances ratified by, 74.
James II. discharges Wardens and
Assistants, 121.
,, abdicates, 124.
Joiners and Saddlers, Early Ordi-
nances of, 9.
,, ,, Disputes be-

tween, II.
Journeymen Saddlers to serve a
year, 192.

Kent, Estates in, 107.

Key Warden, 150.

King of Denmark visits City, 71.

King's Esquire Saddler, 115.

Labourne Cup, 108, 220.
Labourne's Charity, 206.
Lambe, Dr., mobbed, 86.
Laurie, Colonel R. P., biographical

notice, 216.
Laurie, Sir Peter, Mayoralty of, 143.
,, presents banners,

143-
Leadenhall, Leather Market at, 194.

Leases, quaint custom, 165.
Leather, Statute concerning sale of,
194.
,, Market at Leadenhall, 194.
Lee Tankard, 221.
Lieht -coloured clothes forbidden,

171, 172.
Livery. See also Cloathing.

,, Summoned, re Sale of Plate,
92 ; re Surrender of Char-
ter, 117.
,, Junior, act as Waiters, 159..
,, Companies' Commission, 147.
Loans to King and Parliament, 88,

90, 91, 93. 125.
London Tavern, 141.
Loriners' Ordinances burnt, ii.
Lord Mayor's Feast, 160.
,, Show, III.

Lottery, First English, 55.

238

Index.

" Loyall London," The ship, 104.
Ludgate Prison, 70.

Machyn's description of funerals,

177.
Marshalsea Prison, 71.
Marlborough, Fire at, 99.
Master, Title of, 149.
Master's Feast, 157.
Masters and Wardens, List of

Ancient, 205.
McDougall Cups, 227.
Meetings, 165 ; diminished, 92.
Members, Rules for Governance of,

166 et seq.
Mermaid Tavern, Cheapside, 67.
Mottoes of Company, 58.
Municipal Corporations' Inquiiy,

147.

Neal Rosewater Dish, 226.
New London Tavern, 141.
Numa and the crafts of Rome, In-
troduction^ xviii.

Officers, 219.

Opening Shop, 191.

Order Books lost, Preface, xiv.

Ordinances, Edward IIL, 27.

Elizabeth, 54, 151,153,

165, 183, 192.
James I., 74? 166.
Charles IL, 152, 154,
165, 166, 191.

>>

5>

JJ

Pack, Monteith, 223.

Painters and the Saddlery Trade,

10.
Painters and Saddlers, Dispute

between, 11.
Pall, Funeral, 174.
Paris, Articles of Saddlers of, 27.
Paul's Cross, 75.
Peacemaking, 170.
Pease's Charity, 207.
Plague, 84, 85 ; "The Great," 105.

Pictures in Hall, 231.

Plate sold, 91, 92.

Plate, Description of Company's,
220.

Porter, F. W., Architect of Alms-
houses, 145.

Precious, Robt., Plate presented by,
226 and 229.

Prime Warden, title introduced,
134; discontinued, 138.

Prince of Orange, 124.

Processions by water, ill, 143.

" Proof Piece," 190.

Quarterage, 154.
Quarter Warden, 1 50.
Quo Warranto, 116.

Rebuking, 167.

Religious Observances, 173.

Renter Warden, 149.

Restoration, The, 100.

Revolution, The, 88.

Rich, Sir Peter, 208.

„ Cup given by, 220.

,, Candlesticks given

by, 225.

Richard IL, Charter of, 44.

Rings, Gift of, to Wardens, 177.

Roman Guilds and Crafts, Intro-
duction.

Russian Ambassador received by
City, 102.

"Saddlery of Westchepe," The, 2.
Saddlers' wages fixed by Royal

Ordinance, 21.
Saddlers of York fined by Henry

n., 8.

Saddlers of Paris, Articles of, 27.
Saddlers' Guild —

Antiquity of. See Preface ; also
p. 6.

and Joiners, Articles of, 9.

Index.

239

Saddlers' Guild —

and Loriners, Joiners, and
Painters, Disputes between, 11.
and the Girdlers, 23.
and Edward Ill's French wars,

31-
Representatives on Common

Council, 39.
Masters of, Sworn, 40.
Petition against Nicholas Brem-

bre, Mayor, 41.
Dispute between Masters and

Yeomen, 46.
in A.D. 1537, 51.
■ Redemption of Charitable Estates

by, 52.
and Colonization of Virginia, 75 ;

of Ulster, 78.
and introduction of Coaches, 81.
and supply of Saddles to Army,

96.
and the Restoration, loi.
contribute to Charles II, loi.
and fund for disbanding forces,

lOI.

and Coronation of Charles II,

102.
subscribe to Dutch Wars, 103.
decimated by Plague, 105.
their Barge, 112.
and Water Processions, 112.
subscribe to "Voluntary Fund,"

139.

their Almshouses, 144.
Prizes for Saddles, 145, 146.
Internal Affairs of, 149.
and the Trade, 179.
in 1889, 217.
Saddlers' Hall-
Anne Askew tried at, $i.
used by Commissioners for relief

of City of Marlborough, 99,
destroyed by Great Fire, 106.
rebuilt, 108.
let, no, III, 176.
description of old, 127.
partially burnt, 140.

Saddlers' Hail-
completely burnt, 141.
rebuilt, 141.

Saddlers' .trade to be learnt by
apprenticeship, 181, 182.

Saddlery wares not to be made
covertly, 193.

Saddles ill-made, burnt, 142.

,, ,, punishment for,

1975 199 ^^ seq.
„ Exhibition of, 145, 146.

Salts, Silver, 224, 225.

St. Martin's-le-(jrand, 2, 3.

St. Mary-le-Bow, 64.

St. Michael-le-Querne, 64.

St. Paul's Cathedral, Repair of, 87.

St. Paul's Cross, 75.

St. Peter Cheap, 64.

St. Vedast, 77, in.

Sawyer Tankard, the, 222.

Scholars, Company's, at the Univer-
sities, 77.

Sconces, Funeral, in Hall, 177.

Scotch Rebellion, 136.

Search, prerogative of, 196.

,, punishment for resisting,

201.
,, impartiality of, 203.
,, useful results of, 204.

Searchers and Sealers of Leather,
194.

Severus, A. , and the crafts of Rome,
Introduction, xix.

Second Warden, 149.

Ship "Loyall London," 104.

Ship money, 89.

Shopkeeping, to be licensed by War-
dens, 183.
,, opening, 191.

Smart, Wm., presents Silver Ladle,
228.

Smith's bequest, Alderman, 223.

Smithfield, Saddles burnt at, 199.

Solemn League and Covenant, 95.

Spoons, Gift of, 185 ; Sold, 186.

Stage Coaches introduced, 84.

Standard, Cheapside, 65.

240

Index.

Stands, 115, 129.

State Barge, Company's, 112.

Statute concerning Apprenticeship,

181 ; Leather Trades, 194.
Statute of Chantries' Act, 52.
Steelyard Merchants, Guild of, In-

troduction.
Stewards, 160.

Tenants to give Venison, 164.
Tesmond Monteith, The, 224.
Third Warden, 149.
Trades to be learnt by Apprentice-
ship, 181.
Translations, 155.
"Treasurie," 151.
Trees, Saddle-, broken, 199.
"Trial Saddle," 190.

Ulster, Colonization of, 78 ; Rebel-
lion in, 93.
" Under Renter," Title of, 150.
Upper Warden, 149.

Venison, Tenants to give, 164.
Virginia, Colonization of, 75.

Voluntary Fund, 139,

Wages of Artificers limited by

Statute, 21.
" Wayters," 159.
Wardens adjudicate in disputes, 169.

,, and Assistants removed,
121.

,, Titles of, 149.

,, Election of, 152.

„ fined for absence, 166.

,, of the Yeomanry, 160.
Water Pageants, in, 143.
Weaver's Company, Charter of, 7.
Wheat, Company's proportion of,

94.
" Whiflers," 85.
" Williams " Cup, the, 227.
William III. and Mary, 124.
Wine Cellar, 142,
Worcester, Battle of, 98.
Wren, Sir Christopher, in.

Yeomanry, 154.
Yeomanry's Dinner, 160.
Yeomen Saddlers, Dispute between
Masters and, 46.

Harrison & Sons, Printers, St. Martin's Lane, London.

I

Webster Family Library of Veterinaiy Medicine
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at

200 We^thnrn Road

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