Bookranger c 1717-1870

The office of Bookranger, known at first more generally as that of Assistant to the Chamber Keeper and Messengers, appears to have been created about 1717. (fn. 1) In 1770 the then holder of the office was also appointed Bag Carrier and the two posts remained united thereafter. (fn. 2) At the time of the reorganisation of the Messengers in 1835 they were discontinued. Later in the same year provision was made for one of the Second Class Messengers to carry out the functions formerly undertaken by the Bookranger. (fn. 3) In 1853 the post was revived as a distinct office and given the rank of a First Class Messenger. (fn. 4)

The salary attached to the office in 1717 was £20. It was raised to £40 in 1724 and to £50 in 1780. (fn. 5) From 1770 to 1793 the Bookranger also received the Bag Carrier's salary of £40. The salary for both offices was fixed at £140 in 1793 and reduced to £100 in 1801. (fn. 6) Between 1822 and 1831 the post was held by one of the Messengers with an additional allowance of £30. (fn. 7) From 1853 the Bookranger received the salary of a First Class Messenger. (fn. 8)

LIST OF APPOINTMENTS

Footnotes