The household below stairs: Almonry 1660-1837

Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (Revised), Court Officers, 1660-1837. Originally published by University of London, London, 2006.

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'The household below stairs: Almonry 1660-1837', in Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (Revised), Court Officers, 1660-1837, (London, 2006) pp. 418-420. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/office-holders/vol11/pp418-420 [accessed 19 March 2024]

In this section

Almonry 1660–1837

The almonry was under the direction of the lord almoner and sub almoner. Among other duties, this office distributed charity at palace gates. (fn. 1) It was staffed by yeomen, grooms and children, appointed by lord steward's warrant. Two yeomen were appointed in 1660. In 1662 their wages were fixed at £5, one being reduced to supernumerary status. Between 1664 and 1668 both were designated yeomen of the almonry and pitcher house with the same wages and board wages of £30. In 1668 the number of yeomen was reduced to one with wages of £5 and board wages of £12 3s 4d. The board wages were increased to £45 12s 6d in 1674 but fell to £35 in 1680. A salary of £30 was provided in 1685. In 1689 this was replaced by wages of £5 and board wages of £45. The salary was fixed at £50 in 1761 but reduced to £39 in 1812.

Two grooms were appointed in 1661. In 1662 their wages were fixed at £2 13s 4d, one being reduced to supernumerary status. Between 1664 and 1668 both were designated grooms of the almonry and pitcher house with the same wages and board wages of £20. In 1668 the number of grooms was reduced to one with wages of £2 13s 4d and board wages of £12 3s 4d. The board wages were increased to £40 in 1674 but fell to £27 6s 8d in 1680. A salary of £20 was provided in 1685. In 1689 this was replaced by wages of £2 13s 4d and board wages of £27 6s 8d. The salary was fixed at £40 in 1761 but reduced to £31 in 1812. (fn. 2)

Children, varying in number from one to four, were appointed until 1685 (with the exception of 1664–69, when none appear to have been appointed) when their offices were abolished. (fn. 3) These servants received no remuneration on contemporary establishments.

Yeomen 1660–1837

1660 23 Aug. Cragg, J.
1660 23 Aug. Milward, R.
1669 24 Nov. Norris, T.
1694 21 Mar. Bennet, R.
1703 15 Dec. Whitton, D.
1725 26 Apr. Rotheram, J.
1728 24 Aug. Eddows, J.
1765 11 July Dyer, T.
1779 1 Dec. Dyer, W.C.
1828 18 Mar. Hanby, J.

Supernumerary Yeoman 1662–1664

1662 1 Dec. [?]*

Grooms 1661–1837

1661 7 Jan. Norris, F.
1661 6 Mar. Parry, T.
1669 27 Aug. Norris, T.
1669 20 Nov. Rice, W.
1675 8 Feb. Bennet, R.
1694 21 Mar. Whitton, D.
1703 15 Dec. Slatter, W.
1725 20 Feb. Breach, T.
1725 12 May Eddows, J.
1728 24 Aug. Blackmore, W.
1730 15 Dec. Turner, T.
1760 10 Nov. Gibson, R.
1774 31 May Lewis, W.
1811 6 Nov. Jones, J.
1837 20 Jan. Jones, J.

Supernumerary Groom 1662–1664

1662 1 Dec. [?Norris, F.]*

Children 1660–1685

1660 Lloyd, W.
1661 11 Jan. Sowthe, R.
1661 8 July Rein, R.
1662 23 Oct. Baker, N.
1662 23 Oct. Cooke, W.
1669 19 July Wyatt, R.
By 1670 Sowthe, R.
1670 9 June Wood, J.
1675 8 Sept. Smith, W.
By 1676 Barlow, N.
1676 14 July Wancklen, R.

The Establishment of 1 Dec. 1662 lists, but does not name, a supernumerary yeoman and a supernumerary groom of the almonry: LS 13/31, f. 17.

Footnotes

  • 1. PSBC, p. 16.
  • 2. LS 13/31, ff. 13, 17; LS 13/34, ff. 11v, 22; LS 13/35, f. 13; LS 13/36, f. 14v; LS 13/37, f. 12; LS 13/38, f. 11v; LS 13/39, p. 23; LS 13/55; LS 13/69, p. 59.
  • 3. LS 13/38, f. 11v.