The Chapel Royal: Gentlemen | British History Online

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

'The Chapel Royal: Gentlemen', in Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (Revised), Court Officers, 1660-1837, (London, 2006) pp. 279-287. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/office-holders/vol11/pp279-287 [accessed 19 April 2024]

Gentlemen 1660–1837

The gentlemen of the chapel royal were appointed by the dean of the chapel via warrant to the sub dean. In the Later-Stuart period there were 32 gentlemen of the chapel royal, twelve of whom were priests and twenty plain gentlemen or lay clerks. (fn. 1) There was much fluctuation at the end of the seventeenth century, but the official establishment was reduced to ten priests and sixteen lay clerks at the accession of George II in 1727. (fn. 2) By that time thirteen gentlemen waited every month, divided into five priests and eight lay clerks. The senior gentleman or father of the chapel was excused from attendance. (fn. 3)

At the beginning of the period the gentlemen of the chapel royal received the same salary as they had under the early Stuarts: £40 per annum. This was raised to £70 in 1662. After 1689, their pay was settled at £11 8s 2d in wages, £61 11s 10d in or a total of £73. In addition, they received £2 per annum apiece in New Years gifts and riding wages. (fn. 4)

According to Chamberlayne, the confessor to the household `is to Read Prayers every Morning to the Family, to visit the Sick, to examine Communicants, to inform such as desire advice in any Case of Conscience or Point of Religion, &c.' (fn. 5) In the mid-eighteenth century he came to be referred to as the household chaplain and this became his official title from 1833. (fn. 6) He received an additional £10 in wages plus £26 10s in `for himself and to provide Surplices and Washing at 2s. p Day'. (fn. 7)

The clerk of the cheque was elected by the gentlemen of the chapel from among their number until 1720. Thereafter he was always the sergeant of the vestry and was, therefore, chosen by the dean. This officer was responsible for keeping the chapel cheque books, marking attendance and collecting fines from absentees. He received an additional 2d in the pound from each salaried gentleman from 1663. (fn. 8)

Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal 1660–1837



1660		Amner, R.
1660		Cooke, G.
1660		Courteville, R.
1660		Howes, W.
1660		Lawes, H.
1660		Peers, T.
1660		Blagrave, T.
[1660]		Cave, J.
1660		Colman, E.
1660		Cobb, J.
1660		Cooke, H.
1660		Goodgroome, J.
1660		Nightengale, R.
1660		Purcell, T.
1660	Aug.	Braddock, E.
By 1661		Bettenham, G.
By 1661		Frost, H.
By 1661		Harding, J.
By 1661		Hazard, T.
By 1661		Hunt, D.
By 1661		Low, G.
By 1661		Marsh, A., sen.
By 1661		Peniall, M.
By 1661		Purcell, H., sen.
By 1661		Sayer, J.
By 1661		Tinker, P.
By 1661		Thorndale, G.
By 1661		Watkin, N.
1661	16 Feb.	Tucker, W.
1661	c.25 Nov.	Hill, R.
1662	7 June	Yardley, G.
1662	22 Oct.	Wilson, J.
1662	14 Nov.	Jackson, W.
1664	12 Mar.	Low, G.
1664	14 Mar.	Husbands, C.
1664	14 Mar.	White, B.
1664	c.11 Aug.	Richardson, T.
1664	25 Oct.	Hopwood, W.
1666	1 Sept.	Carter, A.
1667	c.12 Jan.	Smith, H.
1667	24 Jan.	Humfrey, P.
1669	c.18 Oct.	Slauter, E.
1669	11 Oct.	Turner, W.
1670	7 Nov.	Hart, J.
1671	26 Apr.	Hart, R.
1671	5 Oct.	Trebeck, A.
1672	11 Sept.	Howes, B.
1673	13 May	Crispian, S.
1674	16 Mar.	Gadbury, R.
1674	24 July	Powell, W.
1676	6 Jan.	Wise, M.
1676	12 Feb.	La Marr, J. B.
1676	25 Apr.	Marsh, A., jun.
1678	29 Mar.	Heywood, T.
1679	28 Feb.	Gostling, J.
1680	10 Jan.	Abell, J.
1680	20 Feb.	Harris, M.
1681	10 Apr.	Woodesen, L.
By 1682		White, B.
1682	6 Aug.	Boucher, J.
1683	23 July	Vestment, N.
1684	10 Nov.	Bentham, S.
1688	8 Nov.	Gaches, J. J.
1692	8 Apr.	Snow, M.
1694	Jan.	Lenton, J.
1695	10 Dec.	Damascene, A.
1695	10 Dec.	Howell, J.
1696	c. 1 June	Barnes, C.
1696	20 June	Hart, G.
1697	1 Apr.	Williams, D.
1697	1 Aug.	Church, J.
1700	2 Mar.	Edwards, T.
1700	2 Mar.	Jennings, T.
1700	2 Mar.	Linacre, T.
1702	8 May	Crispian, S.
1702	2 Aug.	Elford, R.
1702	5 Sept.	Freeman, J. (joint)
1702	5 Sept.	Griffith, H. (joint)
1702	9 Nov.	Ratcliffe, J.
1702	9 Nov.	Washbourn, W.
1702	23 Dec.	Freeman, J.
1702	23 Dec.	Griffith, H.
1708	c. 12 June	Mason, J.
1708	15 July	Gates, B.
1708	18 Oct.	Hughs, F.
1711	c. 2 Jan.	Battle, W.
1712	1 Jan.	Aspinwall, E.
1712	2 Oct.	Laÿe, G.
1714	29 Oct.	Wheely, S.
1715	8 Aug.	Baker, T.
1715	8 Aug.	Carleton, G.
1715	8 Aug.	Chittle, S.
1715	8 Aug.	Morley, W.
1715	4 Dec.	Flintoff, L.
1716	9 Nov.	Gething, T.
1717	27 June	Randall, P.
1718	12 June	Chelsum, J.
1719	8 Aug.	Younge, T.
1719	12 Sept.	Blennerhassett, T.
1720	14 Mar.	Bell, T.
1721	1 Nov.	Perry, W.
1725	8 May	Sharp, A.
1728	1 Jan.	Pordage, B.
1728	1 Oct.	Black, L.
1730	1 Apr.	Abbott, J.
1730	1 Oct.	Hughs, F.
1731	1 Dec.	Cheriton, D.
1732	3 Sept.	Howe, R.
1733	28 July	Powell, R.
1733	21 Sept.	Lloyd, E.
1734	13 Dec.	Pottell, W.
1736	8 Dec.	Higgate, J.
1736	15 Dec.	Rowe, F.
1739	30 Mar.	Smith, J.
1740	4 Apr.	Gregory, P.
1740	16 Dec.	Pinkney, W.
1741	29 Jan.	Bayly, A.
1743	10 May	Richardson, W.
1743	15 Aug.	Ladd, N.
1743	12 Nov.	Vandernan, T.
1744	13 Mar.	Wass, R.
1744	13 Mar.	Evans, H.
1744	14 Apr.	Mence, B.
1744	14 Apr.	Savage, W.
1745	24 May	Baker, T.
1746	31 Mar.	Barrow, T.
1746	26 Dec.	Fitzherbert, W.
1747	16 Oct.	Denham, R.
1751	2 Dec.	Allen, F.
1752	3 Aug.	Baildon, T.
1753	8 Jan.	Wight, M.
1754	26 Feb.	Buswell, J.
1755	29 Apr.	Cox, H.
1755	16 Dec.	Pearce, B.
1755	24 Dec.	Coster, W.
1758	12 Jan.	Cowper, R.
1758	4 Mar.	Hudson, R.
1761	17 Sept.	Morgan, D. W.
1762	20 Nov.	Mence, S.
1764	5 Jan.	Ayrton, E.
1764	5 Jan.	Reynolds, J.
1764	28 Apr.	Gibbons, J.
1764	3 May	Soaper, J.
1765	19 Sept.	Clarke, W.
1767	30 Nov.	Hayes, P.
1771	9 Jan.	Waring, H.
1771	27 Mar.	Clarke, W., [sen.]
1771	28 Mar.	Bellamy, R.
1772	1 Feb.	Dyne, J.
1774	6 Jan.	Medley, G.
1774	24 Jan.	Hayes, W.
1774	8 Apr.	Wood, D.
1777	9 Dec.	Friend, J.
1779	24 Jan.	Guise, R.
1779	2 Feb.	Short, J. H.
1779	29 May	Horner, J.
1783	21 Feb.	Corfe, J.
1783	12 July	Sale, J.
1783	11 Aug.	Pearce, T.
1784	16 Dec.	Smith, J. S.
1786	4 Mar.	Luther, J. C.
1786	6 Nov.	Knyvett, C.
1788	8 Nov.	Gore, I.
1789	30 May	Heather, S.
1789	30 Nov.	Champness, S.
1789	30 Nov.	Salmon, J.
1790	13 Nov.	Fly, H.
1792	29 Feb.	Pearce, T.
1792	5 Mar.	Moore, J.
1793	27 Nov.	Clarke, W., jun.
1794	26 June	Neild, J.
1795	23 Feb.	Holmes, W.
1795	19 Mar.	Pridden, J.
1796	22 Apr.	Cannon, E.
1797	12 Apr.	Knyvett, W.
1797	30 Dec.	Hickes, G.
1798	26 Nov.	Beckwith, E. J.
1799	2 Jan.	Bartleman, J.
1801	18 Mar.	Webb, R.
1802	c.27 Dec.	Welsh, T.
1803	10 Jan.	Sale, J. B., jun.
1803	4 Apr.	Hayes, W.
1803	28 May	Houghton, T.
1803	28 May	Vaughan, T.
By 1804		Tattersall, W. D.
1805	15 July	Hawes, W.
1806	20 Mar.	Goss, J. J.
1808	14 June	Evans, C. S.
1814	9 Apr.	Vander Meulin, J.
1815	28 Dec.	Vivian, J. W.
1816	30 Jan.	Beale, W.
1817	28 May	Salmon, W.
1820	30 Dec.	Knapp, H. J.
1820	30 Dec.	Mullinex, H.
1821	3 Nov.	Pack, C.
1821	5 July	Roberts, J
1821	7 Jan.	Clark, R.
1824	3 July	Barham, R. H.
1825	22 Apr.	Hall, W. J.
1825	14 June	Packman, R. C.
1827	1 Apr.	Hobbs, J. W.
1828	1 Jan.	Goulden, H.
1831	26 June	Wylde, H.
1831	25 Dec.	Horncastle, F. W.
1833	6 June	Wesley, C.
1833	1 July	Povah, J. V.
1833	1 Oct.	Dakins, J. H.
1834	25 Mar.	Haden, J. C.
1836	29 Sept.	Bradbury, O.

Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal in Extraordinary or Supernumerary 1663–1715; c. 1765–1774



1663	7 Aug.	Wake, W.
1664	14 Mar.	Richardson, T. (half pay)
1665	16 Jan.	Carter, A.
1666	4 Oct.	Smith, H.
1669	13 Oct.	Slauter, E.
1671	23 July	La Marr, J. B. [?in ordinary w/o fee]
1678	4 Dec.	Dowsing, J.
1679	25 Feb.	Gostling, J.
1679	1 May	Abell, J.
1683		Browne, T.
1683	28 June	Vestment, N.
1683	24 July	Bentham, S.
1685	12 Apr.	Morton, E.
1685	23 May	Davis, W.
1685	10 Nov.	Lenton, J.
1689	17 Dec.	Snow, M.
1689	27 Dec.	Linacre, T.
1690	6 Dec.	Damascene, A.
1691	30 Aug.	Howell, J.
1691	31 Aug.	La Count, D.
1691	10 Dec.	Battell, W.
1691	11 Dec.	Corbitt, S.
1692	16 Dec.	Williams, D.
1693	2 Jan.	Greene, C.
1694	10 Sept.	Barnes, C.
1694	10 Sept.	Hart, G.
1697	31 Jan.	Church, J.
1699	20 June	Washbourn, W.
1700	2 Apr.	Griffith, H.
1700	7 July	Clark, J. (to suc. as Organist)
1700	7 July	Croft, W. (to suc. as Organist)
1700	6 Dec.	Freeman, J.
1701	6 June	Weldon, J. (?Organist)
1701	13 Oct.	Spalden, W.
1706	10 Apr.	Mason, J. (w/pay)
1708	17 Apr.	Gates, B. (w/pay)
1708	31 Aug.	Hughs, F. (w/pay)
1708	31 Aug.	Laÿe, G. (w/pay)
1709	29 June	Aspinwall, E. (w/pay)
1709	29 June	Battell, W.
1709	29 June	Wheely, S. (w/pay)
1712	12 Jan.	Morley, W. (w/pay)
1714	7 Feb.	Carleton, G. (w/pay)
1714	8 Mar.	Baker, T. (w/pay)
By 1765		Medley, G. (w/pay)

Confessor to the Household 1660–1834 (from 1833 `Chaplain')



1660	June	Nightengale, R.
1661	29 Nov.	Tinker, P.
1675	1 Nov.	Crispian, S.
1697	24 Mar.	Ratcliffe, J.
1716	9 Nov.	Bentham, S.
1730	28 Feb.	Sharp, A.
1736	8 Dec.	Higgate, J.
1761	17 Sept.	Morgan, D. W.
1795	28 Mar.	Fly, H.
1833	1 Oct.	Wesley, C.

Gospeller 1694–?1702



1694	Jan.	Howell, R. (joint)
1694	Jan.	Linacre, T. (joint)
1694	1 Oct.	Linacre, T.
1697	8 Nov.	Jennings, T.
1700	2 Mar.	Ratcliffe, J. (joint)
1700	2 Mar.	Washbourn, W. (joint)

Epistler 1694–1702



1694	24 Feb.	Snow, M.
1694	1 Oct.	Howell, R.
1695	10 Dec.	Barnes, C.
1700	2 Mar.	Edwards, T.

Clerk of the Cheque 1662–1837

(held by the Sergeant of the Vestry from 1720)



1660		Lawes, H.
1662	8 Nov.	Blagrave, T.
1688	21 Nov.	Braddock, E.
1708	12 June	Williams, D.
1720	30 Apr.	Smith, J.
1752	25 Feb.	Lovegrove, W.
1777	1 May	Dickes, W.
1790	20 Nov.	Roe, J.
1816	28 Feb.	Howse, R.