The King's Book of Payments, 1509

Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 2, 1515-1518. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1864.

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'The King's Book of Payments, 1509', in Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 2, 1515-1518, (London, 1864) pp. 1441-1444. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/letters-papers-hen8/vol2/pp1441-1444 [accessed 27 April 2024]

The King's Book of Payments, 1509

1509
R. O.		 "The KING'S BOOK OF PAYMENTS." (fn. 1)
1 HEN. VIII.
April.—Sunday, 22nd, King at Richmond. Offering, nil; daily alms for the week, 37s. 11d. Offering on St. George's Day, nil. Heralds at arms, 100s. St. George's Guild, Southwark, 13s. 4d. Lord Treasurer (E. of Surrey), expences in embassy to King of the Romans, 57 days at 40s. a day. Master of the Rolls, do., 13s. 4d. a day. Monthly wages: 9 trumpeters, 18l.; 2 sackbuts, 4l.; crossbow maker, 13s. 4d. Other servants: one, 4s. 4d., one 10s., two 16s., three 20s., three 30s., one 35s. and one 40s. (names given). (fn. 2) Yeomen of the Chamber, 78l. 11s. Total of two weeks, 15,058l. 10s. 8d.
May.—1st, at the Tower of London. 6 messengers with letters to justices of the peace and sheriffs of 28 counties, 9l. Calais pursuivant, with letters to the Emperor, Prince of Spain and Lady Margaret, 6l. 13s. 4d. Windsor to the French King, 10l. Berwick pursuivant, to the King of Scots, 40s. To the King upon signed bill, in gold and groats, 209l. For a tilt at the Tower, 12l. Two books for daily payments and receipts, 3s. and 18d. Preparations at Westminster for coronation, 100l. Blewmantell to French King's Council, at Paris, 53s. 4d.—24th, at Greenwich. Messenger to my Lord of Buckingham, 10s. Warcoppe riding to Calais, 13s. 4d. Expences of Lord Privy Seal (Bp. Fox), Lord Steward (Sir Charles Somerset), Treasurer, and Mr. Marney, at Richmond, (besides 19l. 18s.) 4l. 13s. 10d. Building of Oking, 80l. Lord Hawarde and John Car, 333l. 6s. 8d. John Shurley, cofferer, towards expences of coronation, 1,000l. Offerings, Sunday, 22 April, May Day, other Sundays and Saints' days, 6s. 8d. each. (fn. 3) Total, 1,773l. 14s.
June.—3rd, King at Greenwich. Offering, 13s. 4d. Messenger to Lord Ormond, 4s. For the coronation, 100l. A scrivener in reward, 1l. Lyon, chief herald of King of Scots. "for writing of the obligation of the Spaniards," 10l. Yeomen of the Chamber, 109l. 14s. Yeomen of the Crown, 16l. Messenger to Lady Lucy, Mary Lady Darell and Lady Maltravers, 13s. 4d. Book for the King's and Princess of Castile's jewels and plate, 20d. Book for King's daily payments, 3s.; for receipts, 18d. Offering upon Monday, St. Barnabas' Day, at the King's marriage, 10s.; Queen's offering, 10s. Courier out of Spain, 66s. 8d. Carriage of stuff to Berwick, 8l. Massey, 19 weeks' wages at 4s., 76s. 8d. (sic). Lewis de la Fava, 58l. 10s.; and Guydo Portunary, 53l. 20d. for cloth of gold. Repairs at the Tower, 4l. 8s. 4d. Quarter's wages due at Midsummer, Master Arthur, 6l. 13s. 4d. Piers, barber, 66s. 8d. John Heron, 10l. Melchior, sewer of the Chamber, 57s. Pero, French cook, 66s. 8d. John Porth, 20s. Gardener, 15s. 2d. Five keepers of greyhounds, at 10s. each. Hilton, for watching the daws, 15s. 2d. Sir Ric. Cholmeley, Deputy Lieutenant of the Tower, quarter's fee, 25l. Twelve yeomen of the same, 27l. 12s. 4d. Sir Rob. Curson, half year's fee, 200l. (fn. 4) Four chests, 26s. 8d. each. Wm. Wake, pair of organs for the King, 13l. 6s. 8d. Sir John Pechie, 40l. Sunday, 24th, the King's coronation offering, 24l.; at the offertory of the mass, 16l. Heralds at arms, same day, largess for King and Queen, 40l. Matthew Baker, 10l. Walter Forster, repairs at Greenwich, 44l. 18s. 9d. Sword for the King, 100s. Materials for fortifying Berwick, 100l. John Tries and Ric. Alee, reward, 40s. Calais pursuivant, going to French King, 6l. 13s. 4d. Guysnes pursuivant, to the Prince of Castile and Lady Margaret, 66s. 8d. Charles de Florence silks and cloth of gold, 281l. 6s. 2d. Benedict Morvello, same, 4 parcels, 198l. 2s. 8d. Compton, for jewels, 152l. 11s. 9d. Total, 1,640l. 8s. 1d.
July.—1st, at Westminster. John van Utrike, goldsmith, for gold and setting stones, 142l. 7s. 6d. Offering, St. Peter's Eve, 20s.; at Our Lady of Pewe, 6s. 8d. Messenger to Sir Ric. Ap Thomas, Dr. Chas. Both, Sir Wm. Uvedale, 20s. Making certain things in the garden at Greenwich, 100l. Pages of the Hall. making the King's bonfire on Midsummer Even, 10s. Norroy herald, going to the King of Scots, 10l. Works at Westminster for the coronation, 100l. Lord Fitzwater, service at King's table on the coronation, 20l. Sir Th. Knyvet, same, 6l. 13s. 4d. Lady Katharine, reward, 40l. Lord Latimer, Edm. Bray and Wm. Gascoigne, 10l. To the Queen, 200l. Yeomen of the Chamber for June, 118l. 7s. 2d. (fn. 5) Yeomen of the Crown, 60l. Wm. Pawne, fortifying Berwick, 100l. Total of the week, 952l. 15s. 8d.—8 July, at Greenwich. Wm. Halys, King's priest, singing before Our Lady at Walsingham, half year's wages, 100s. Same for the King's candle there, 46s. 8d. For 3 1/8 oz. of fine gold for the King's little chain, 6l. 6s. 8d.; making the same, 6s. 8d. And. Wyndesore, expences of coronation, 3,000l. A casemaker, 15s. 7d. Lewis de la Fava, cloth of gold of damask, 8½ yards, at 60s. Crimson cloth of gold, 4 3/8 yards at 7l., 30l. 12s. 6d. Sir Th. Tyrell, palfrey for the Queen, 10l. Total of two weeks, 3,111l. 11s. 5d.—22 July, at Greenwich. Building at Oking, 100l. Saunche, keeper of the Queen's wardrobe at London, 12 weeks, 24s. The Spaniards' wages, 860l. 11s. 4d. John Mondy, 7l. 18½d. Lewis de la Fava, 3 1/8 yards of crimson cloth of gold, 21l. 17s. 6d. Lady Williams, for board, &c. of Dame Margaret Pole, 26l. 13s. 4d. Rob. Knolles, gentleman usher, 40s. Total of week, 1,060l. 9s. 0½d.—29 July, at Greenwich. Messenger to Woodstock and towns thereabout, 6s. 8d. Hen. Worley, goldsmith, garnishing of knives, 43s. Hen. Smythe, clerk of works, repair of manors and castles, 100l. Ric. Denows, minstrel, month's wages, 40s. Th. Peirson, apothecary, 13l. 6s. 8d. Carriage of a hart from Sonnynghill to Greenwich to the Princess of Castile, 5s. Steph. de la Land, fee 22s. Lord Chamberlain, for servant of Prince of Castile at the King's leaving Greenwich, 66s. 8d. Prince of Castile's taberet, 20 crowns =4l.; his fool, Master John, 30 crowns=6l. Lord Sempe, his ambassador, 100l. Under-treasurer for the Queen's debts, 1,000l. Provost of Cassey, and Mons. Bonet, amb. of the Prince, 50l. each. Tosandor king of heralds of the Prince, 20l. Lusshingbourne, his pursuivant, 100s. Sarcenet to put these parcels of money in, 10d.
1st July, at Greenwich. By John Heron, upon warrants signed by the executors of Hen. VII., for funeral expences, 8,474l. 4s. 6d. To John Sharp, 100l.; Wm. Tyler, 100l., by warrant comprised in the King's will. To Friars Observants, ditto, 333l. 6s. 8d. Sum total from 1st Oct. 21 Hen. VIII., 367,706l. 17s. 5d. Remaining in hand, 90l. 13s. 10½d. (fn. 6)
Payments made upon _ assigned to the King's executors, for performance of his last will:—by King's warrant to Sir John Cutte, undertreasurer, for payment of the Queen's debts, 1,000l. To Philip du Karuges, for the Friars Observants, 333l. 6s. 8d.†
August.—4th, at Oking. Charles de Florence, 18 yards of cloth of gold tissue, 117l. Walter Forster, comptroller of works at Greenwich, 100l. Dr. Hobbis, upon warrant signed by W. Vertu in full payment of 100l. for vaulting chancel of Windsor College, 50l. Earl of Shrewsbury, loan to be repaid by two obligations, 1,000l. John Shurley, cofferer, loan upon three assignments of the Duchy of Lancaster, 2,303l. 13½d. Offering at St. Edward's shrine day after coronation, 6s. 8d. Hen. Smyth, repairs at Greenwich, Oking, &c., 100l. Friars Observants, 333l. 6s. 8d. Smyth, repairs at Hamworth in the days of Hen. VII., 28l. 2s. 7d. An abbot, ambassador from French King, 66l. 13s. 4d. A goldsmith stranger, 114l. 16s. 7d.—19th and 26th, at Oking. And. Wyndesore, expences at coronation, 2,332l. Bp. of Murray, amb. of King of Scots, 100l. Lyon herald of Scotland, 20l.
September.—2nd, at More. Sir Rob. Drewrey, Sir Marmaduke Constable and Dr. Batmanson, commissioners to Marches of Scotland, 100l. Berwick pursuivant with them forty days, 40s. Lewis de la Fava, 188l. 19s. 9d.; ditto, 607l. 10s. Sir and. Wyndesore, for disguisings before the ambrs. of Flanders, 60l. 17s. 11d. Ant. de la Sale, half year's annuity, 60s. Total of five weeks, 9,136l. 11s. 5½d.—9th, at Wanstead. Notaries of Scotland for instrument of the King's oath, 20s. Messengers, from the Council to Lincoln and Bishop of Canterbury. 20s.; to John Hampden and to Boston, 26s. 8d.; twice from More to London and Bp. of Canterbury, 6s. 8d.; with a letter to Sir John Peche, 20d. Lewis de la Fava, money paid to John Style in Spain, 100l. Carriage of an hart from Hanworth to London for Scotch ambrs. and the Pope's collector, 12d. Lady Anne Percye, in full payment of 100 marks upon a warrant delivered by Edm. Dudley, 26l. 13s. 4d. Matthew Baker, 6l. 16s. 8d., in full payment of 16l. 16s. 8d. A Frenchman, for two horses for the King, 40l. Messenger to Mr. Palmes' place, 42 miles; thence to Mr. Elyott's place, 28 miles; to Bromsellam, 35 miles; to Richmond, 90 miles, 13s. 4d.—30th, at Richmond. A Greek, in reward, 40s. Walter Forster, works at Greenwich, 100l. Half-year's wages due at mich.: Mistress Reding, 10l. Mistress Oxenbrige, 50s. Barnard Flowre, 12l. Mr. John, the King's surgeon, 6l. 13s. 4d. Wm. Croughton, King's hosier, 40s. Stephen, keeper of the lions, 20s. (fn. 7) Messenger to Bp. of Canterbury and Sir Wm. Scott, 6s. 8d. Quarter's wages, 121l. 7s. 6d. Total of four weeks, 596l. 14s. 6d.
October.—7th and 14th, at Richmond. John Heron, Surplusage of last accounts, 2 last books of Hen. VII., 90l. 13s. 10½d. Half-year's wages of four women, 100s. each; one, 66s. 8d.; two, 50s. Sir John Digby going to Calais to take musters, 20 days, 13l. 6s. 8d. Queen's lavender, 30s. Messenger from Havering at Bower to Oram, two days, 2s. 8d. Carriage of an hart from Wanstead to Eltham, 16d.; and from Richmond to Manhood to the King's attorney, six days, 6s. 8d. Jacques, jeweller of Paris, 257l. 16s. 8d. Costs of Sir Ric. Empson and horse hire from the tower to Northampton and back, 17l. 16s. To a knight with a cross that came from Spain, 13l. 6s. 8d.—21st, at Croydon. Frenchmen, for jewels, 223l. 6d. John Mondy, goldsmith, 133l. 12s. 6d. Guydo Portunary, Peter Corsy and Chas. de Florence, cloth of gold, 584l. 11s. 8d. Messenger to Rob. Brigandyn to Porchester, 6s. 8d. Total, three weeks, 1,529l. 22½d.—28th, at Greenwich. Building at Oking, 66l. 13s. 4d. Conveyance of guard jackets from the Tower to Greenwich, 16d. Offering at All Hallow Day, 13s. 4d. Heralds at arms, 100s. (fn. 8) Children of the chapel, 20s.
November.—4th, King at Greenwich. To a man with a tame buck from Lord Arundel, 6s. 8d. Building stables for the King's coursers at Greenwich, 100l. Windsor herald, sent to the French King at Easter, 10l.; and at this time, 10l. Ant. Vyvalde, 3 pieces of black velvet, 72¾ yards, 11s. the yard; and 70½ yards of tawny, black, and russet satin, 9s. the yard. John Stylewyfe, by John Harforth of Fowey, 6l. 13s. 4d. Goldsmiths of London, for advancement of the King's New Year's gifts, 333l. 6s. 8d. Th. Pereson, apothecary with Princess of Castile, wages 63 days, 40s. 2½d. John Wilson and Davy Trollop, bringing up Sir Th. Tynyng, 6l. 13s. 4d. Ric. Coffen for Gerard Faulconer, 17l. 17s. 4d. Th. Spyny (Spinelly), the King's servant, coming from the Duchess of Savoy, 40l. Works in the garden at Greenwich, 100l. Sir John Cutte, under-treasurer, for metals, 1,000l. Total of four weeks, 1,989l. 6s. 7½d.
December.—2nd and 9th, at Greenwich. "St. Nicholas Bishop," reward, 100s. Earl of Surrey, Bp. of Winchester, Lovell and Cutte, executors of Henry VII., part payment of testament, 20,000l. Sherley, cofferer, provision of household, 7,000l. Hen. Smith, clerk of the works, 100l. Elm timber for stocking of guns and repairs at Calais, 66l. 13s. 4d. Offering at Lord Hastings' marriage, 6s. 8d. To one that brought a prisoner from Bristol, 20s.; and back again, 33s. 4d. Scotch priest, reward, 66s. 8d. Peche, 16l. 13s. 4d. Wm. Compton in new gretes for the King, 33l. 6s. 8d. Wynnesbery, 100s.—16th, at Wanstead. Lord Darcy, for posts betwixt the King and Berwick, 13l. 6s. 8d. Stone for Calais, 80l., and timber, 84l. 6s. 8d.—23rd. at Richmond. Christmas Day offering, 13s. 4d. Heralds at arms, 100s. Children of the chapel, for singing Gloria in Excelsis, 40s.—30th, at Richmond. To players in the hall, Thursday and Sunday nights, 20s. For guns, 66l. 13s. 4d. Risebank pursuivant, for going to the Emperor, 100s. Cutt, for iron and lead, 165l. 4s. 9½d.

Footnotes

  • 1. There is a duplicate of this account in the B.M. (Add. MS. 21,481), as far as March 1518. It has the King's signature at end of each month, and consists of 576 pages. The R.O. MS. commences on the 1st May 1509. The entries preceding that date are from the book of payments of Henry VII. in the R.O.
  • 2. A similar account of wages is given at the end of every month.
  • 3. These offerings occur regularly on Sundays and Saints' days; only the more important, therefore, will be noticed.
  • 4. A similar list of wages is given at the end of every quarter; and, amongst the miscellaneous items, notices of payments of wages to individuals continually occur.
  • 5. This item is repeated every month.
  • 6. These entries are at the end of Henry VII.'s Pook of Payments.
  • 7. An account of half-year's wages is given every Michaelmas and Lady Day.
  • 8. A largess of 100s. was regularly given to the heralds at Christmas, Easter, Whitsun tide, St. George's Day and All Hallowtide. They had 6l. on New Year's Day.
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