Analytical Index to the Series of Records Known as the Remembrancia 1579-1664. Originally published by EJ Francis, London, 1878.
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'Offices and officers', in Analytical Index to the Series of Records Known as the Remembrancia 1579-1664, ed. W H Overall, H C Overall( London, 1878), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/index-remembrancia/1579-1664/pp270-307 [accessed 2 December 2024].
'Offices and officers', in Analytical Index to the Series of Records Known as the Remembrancia 1579-1664. Edited by W H Overall, H C Overall( London, 1878), British History Online, accessed December 2, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/index-remembrancia/1579-1664/pp270-307.
"Offices and officers". Analytical Index to the Series of Records Known as the Remembrancia 1579-1664. Ed. W H Overall, H C Overall(London, 1878), , British History Online. Web. 2 December 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/index-remembrancia/1579-1664/pp270-307.
Offices and Officers.
I. 10. Letter from the Lord Mayor to Sir Christopher Hatton,
Knight, Vice Chamberlain, as to his application for the reversion of
the office of Packership for his servant, Mr. Cockes; stating the reason
why his former letter had not been attended to; explaining the
mode of appointment, the duties to be performed, the disposition of
the emoluments, and their reasons for not complying with his request.
12th April, 1580.
I. 16. Letter from the Lords of the Council, by command of the
Queen, to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, soliciting the grant of the
office of Salt Meter or Seacoal Meter for John Hubard.
25th May, 1580.
I. 17. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lords of the Council
in reply, stating the manner of appointing to those offices, and the
qualifications necessary. Hubard was not a qualified person. They
had, however, agreed to grant him the Freedom of the City, which he
had never yet come to receive.
13th June, 1580.
I. 32. Letter from Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Mayor
and Aldermen, requiring the election of a Water-bailiff to be stayed
until the Queen's pleasure should be signified to them.
30th May, 1580.
I. 42. Letter from Sir William Cordell to the Lord Mayor and
Aldermen, requesting a grant in reversion of one of the offices of
Secondaryship for his servant, Jaspar Warren.
Dated from the Rolls, 13th June, 1580.
I. 43. Letter from Mr. Justice Ayloffe to the Lord Mayor and
Aldermen, requesting them to allow his brother, who had a grant in
reversion of a clerkship, to take the place of Mr. Bulman, who was
unable to attend, in the City Courts, so that he might qualify himself
to be admitted to the office when it became vacant.
Serjeants' Inn, 22nd June, 1580.
I. 135. Letter from Peter Osborne to the Lord Mayor and
Aldermen, thanking them for admitting his servant, Robert Nicholls,
to the Freedom of the City, and requesting that the office of Alnager
and Searcher of Cloth, held by William Parker, and which he desired
to surrender, might be bestowed upon him.
27th September, 1580.
I. 148. Letter from Sir Thomas Bromley, Lord Chancellor, to
the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, stating that a
reversion of the office of one of the clerkships of the Lord Mayor's
Court had been granted to James Smith, some time clerk to Mr. Coys,
upon whose death he had become one of the four officers of that
Court. Some alterations had since been made in the Court, which
had greatly abridged his fees and emoluments. The Lord Chancellor
requested that he might be restored to the full execution of his
office and the enjoyment of the profits thereof as his predecessors.
28th October, 1580.
I. 184. Letter from William, Lord Burghley, Robert, Earl of
Leicester, and Sir Francis Walsingham, Lords of the Council, to the
Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, requesting that the vacant place
of Attorney in the Guildhall might be given to Valentine Penson.
9th January, 1580.
I. 209. Letter from William, Lord Burghley, to the Lord Mayor
and Aldermen, requesting that William Parker might be admitted to
a place in Blackwell Hall, if there should be found any use for his
services.
13th June, 1581.
I. 243. Letter from Sir Christopher Hatton, Knight, Vice-Chamberlain, to the Lord Mayor, reminding him of the letter he had written
to him by command of the Queen, recommending William Parker
for the office of Alnager, to which no answer had been received. Her
Majesty desired her letter might be read at the next Court of Aldermen, and an answer sent forthwith.
20th August, 1581.
Postscript.—Her Majesty had twice demanded whether the answer of the City had been received.
I. 245. Letter from Sir Christopher Hatton, Knight, to the Lord
Mayor and Aldermen, stating that Her Majesty, understanding
the Aldermen had considered her desire in favour of Mr. William
Parker, had commanded him to inquire whether he had been admitted,
and to again commend him.
4th September, 1581.
Postscript.—Her Majesty had desired that the poor man might not be called upon to pay anything for the preferment.
I. 263. Letter from the Lord Mayor and Aldermen to the Lord
Treasurer, acknowledging the receipt of sundry letters from his
Lordship, the Council and the Vice-Chamberlain, on behalf of William
Parker, also the commendation of Her Majesty in his behalf. Parker,
at his request, had long since been admitted to the office of Alnager.
Being in difficulties, he had requested permission to part with his
office to a person to be named by him, whereupon the City accepted
an honest young man, some time servant to Mr. Peter Osborne, who
paid to Parker 160l. for the place. Upon receipt of other letters
from the Lord Treasurer, requesting that he might be helped with a
creditor to whom he owed 200 marks, a lease of one of the City's
houses had been granted to him, valued at 100 marks. Subsequently
he desired to replace his nominee; this was agreed to upon his paying
back the purchase-money, which the latter had refused to accept.
Being still desirous further to help him, an agreement had been
made to grant him 30l. yearly out of the common charge, so long as
he should demean himself, and cease his importunities, and not alienate
the same, but keep it to his own use.
15th September, 1581.
I. 264. Letter from the Lord Mayor to Sir Christopher Hatton,
Knight, upon the same subject and to the same effect.
13th September, 1581.
I. 275. Letter from Sir Christopher Hatton, Knight, to the Lord
Mayor and Aldermen, requesting the reversion of the office of Common Hunt for his servant, John Dewell, Citizen and Salter.
5th October, 1581.
I. 279. Letter from William, Lord Burghley to the Lord Mayor,
stating that he had understood that by the death of Blase Saunders,
who held by lease the office of Garblership of London, the same had
become vacant, and that the appointment rested with him and the
Aldermen, and requesting them to stay proceeding in the matter
until he communicated with them further, as he meant to be a suitor
to them for the office for a friend of his.
10th October, 1581.
I. 280. Letter from Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Mayor,
stating that he understood some steps had been taken to wrest from
his cousin, the widow of Mr. Blaze Saunders, the lease of the office of
Garbler, which he held for certain years unexpired, and desiring to be
informed of any such practice or attempt, in order that he might
assist her therein.
11th October, 1581.
I. 281. Letter from the Queen, under signet, to the Lord Mayor,
informing him that she had understood the late deceased Blase
Saunders held a lease of the office of Garbler for twenty-one years,
of which certain years were unexpired, and requiring a lease of the
office for twenty-one years to be granted to George Southacke, (fn. 1) Citizen
and Merchant Taylor, after the determination of the former lease had
expired, for the like rent, and with such covenants as the said Saunders
had.
Richmond, 14th October, 23rd Elizabeth (1581).
I. 282. Letter from Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Mayor
and Aldermen, upon the same subject, informing them that he had
understood they intended shortly to make a decree touching the
disposal of the Garblership of Spices and Drugs, granted to his late
cousin and his assigns for a certain term of years, contrary to the
effect thereof, and requesting that the executors might quietly continue
the execution of the office according to the grant, or that they might
be heard in maintenance of their title.
11th October, 1581.
I. 283. Letter from Sir Christopher Hatton to the Lord Mayor
and Aldermen, to the same effect.
15th October, 1581.
I. 284. Letter from Sir Christopher Hatton to the Lord Mayor
and Lord Mayor elect, recommending them to carry into effect the
wish of Her Majesty, and grant to Mr. Southake a lease of the office
of Garbler, after the determination of the lease granted to the late
Mr. Saunders.
15th October, 1581.
I. 289. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor
and Aldermen, requesting that the reversion of the office of Bailiwick of Finsbury (fn. 2) might be granted to Mr. Rowland Smart and
Mr. Edward Barker.
8th October, 1581.
I. 298. Letter from Sir Thomas Bromley, Lord Chancellor, to
the Lord Mayor, stating that he had been informed by George
Heton, (fn. 3) late Chamberlain of the City, that notwithstanding a lease
granted to him by the Mayor and Court of Aldermen, under seal,
of the profits and office of Gaugership of London, for thirty years,
if he should live so long, he paying yearly into the Chamber 40l.,
and twenty nobles to the Lord Mayor for the time being (which he
had done for the last thirteen years), the Lord Mayor had now
required of him a further sum, which he was unable to pay. The
Lord Chancellor requested that his poverty might be taken into consideration, and that he might not be charged with a greater sum than
by his lease was required.
Dated from his house, next Charing Cross, 24th February, 1581.
I. 299. Letter from the Lord Mayor, in reply, denying the statement of Mr. Heton. The office of Gaugership belonged to the
Mayor for the time being, and could only be disposed of by him. On
account of the poverty of Heton, he was willing to let him perform
the office, upon giving surety for the due execution thereof.
26th February, 1581.
I. 329. Letter from Sir Christopher Hatton to the Lord Mayor
and Aldermen, renewing his request for the reversion of the office of
Common Hunt, for his servant John Dewell.
2nd May, 1582.
I. 333. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor
and Aldermen, complaining that Her Majesty's recommendation, that
a lease of the office of Garbler of the City should be granted to
George Sowthacke, had not been carried out, the City alleging that
it would be prejudicial to their charter. This being a suggestion without good grounds, the Council had thought it good to revive Her
Majesty's motion, and to require the City at once to take order that
a good and sufficient lease should be granted to him.
28th November, 1581.
I. 334. Letter from Sir Francis Walsingham to certain Aldermen,
to the same effect.
31st January, 1581.
I. 335. Letter from William, Lord Burghley to certain Aldermen,
urging the suit of Southacke.
9th Feburary, 1581.
I. 354. Letter from Robert, Earl of Leicester, to the Lord Mayor
and Aldermen, requesting them to admit his servant, John Dower, to
the office of one of the City Waits, (fn. 4) vacant by the decease of Mr.
Baker.
19th June, 1582.
I. 358. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor
and Aldermen, reminding them that they had not complied with the
request of Her Majesty on behalf of John Hubbard, servant to the
Groom of her Privy Chamber, for an appointment to the office of a
Salt Meter and Seacoal Meter, and directing them to do so upon the
next vacancy.
21st June, 1582.
I. 361. Letter from Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Mayor
and Aldermen, stating that George Southaicke, whom they had
admitted at his request into the office of a Coal Meter, found the
income so small, as well on account of the number of officers as the
small quantity of coals brought yearly to the City, as to be scarcely
sufficient to maintain those who exercised it, and requesting that the
Common Council would pass a decree not to admit any further
number, until, by death or otherwise, they had been reduced to four.
4th July, 1582.
I. 366. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lords of the Council,
acknowledging the receipt of their letter recommending John Hubbert
for the place of a Seacoal Meter or Salt Meter. There were no
vacancies, and Hubbert would be ineligible by the laws of the City
unless they were dispensed with by the Common Council.
10th July, 1582.
I. 368. Letter from Sir John Langley, (fn. 5) Lord Mayor, to..............................acknowledging the receipt of his letter, intimating Her
Majesty's pleasure that the City should grant to Mr. John Hibberd
the office of Coal Meter or Salt Meter, or the next reversion thereof,
and requesting him, if he should think it worth while, to inform Her
Majesty that none of those offices were then vacant; and that by
the laws of the City the ycould only be granted to Freemen by birth or
servitude, all grants otherwise made would be void. The appointments
to the offices of measurers were vested in the Mayor for the time being,
and there was no help but by the Common Council. He hardly
supposed he would think it meet they should be assembled, and
Her Majesty's request and name publicly used, for so small a matter.
21st March, 1576.
I. 369. Letter, signed by the Lord Mayor and fifteen of the
Aldermen, to the Lords of the Council, acknowledging the receipt
of their letter, signifying Her Majesty's pleasure for granting the
Freedom of the City to John Hubberd, and also for a Salt Meter's
or Seacoal Meter's place, or the next of them that should be void.
They had, with one assent, agreed to grant him the Freedom without
payment, which they trusted Her Majesty and the Council would
accept in good part. There was no vacancy in the office of Salt
Meter or Seacoal Meter, and the next avoidance was not in their
power to grant, it being at the disposition of the Lord Mayor at the
time of such vacancy.
Guildhall, 17th March, 1578.
I. 370. Letter from to the Lord Mayor,
stating that his answer made yesterday to Her Majesty, by Mr.
Midlemore, of her privy chamber, touching the suit of John Hubberd,
was taken in very good part, for which he had been directed to thank
him. He requested that the grant might be set down and recorded,
that the poor man might not be disappointed thereof when it should
fall vacant.
9th April, 1579.
I. 371. Letter from Robert, Earl of Leicester, to the Lord Mayor,
Aldermen, and Common Council, stating that the Lord Mayor and
Aldermen had, at his request, granted to his servant and solicitor,
Richard Sutton, of Lincoln's Inn, a Citizen, the reversion and next
avoidance of the office of Common Serjeant, or of one of the Judges or
Under Sheriffs in the Sheriffs' Court, which of them should first
become vacant, and requesting the Common Council to grant their
confirmation and assent thereto.
12th July, 1582.
I. 386. Letter from Lady Anne Hopton (fn. 6) to Sir James Harvey,
Lord Mayor, requesting on behalf of her coachman, the appointment
of the "carre rome" in the Tower.
The Tower, 4th July, 1582.
I. 389. Letter from Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Mayor,
Aldermen, and Common Council, reminding them of a previous letter
sent to them by command of the Queen, requesting a Coal Meter's
room for Hubbard. They had promised him the next vacancy, notwithstanding which they had placed two before him, one of them
specially recommended by the Queen, the other by private favour.
He was surprised at their want of reverence to Her Majesty,
and recommended the assembling of the Common Council, and their
taking order for displacing of the new Coal Meter, and bestowing it
upon Hubbard, fearing otherwise that the Queen would take it
offensively, and that they would, perhaps, repent the little care they
had had to satisfy her request in a matter of so small importance.
Barnelmes, 26th July, 1582.
I. 439. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor
and Aldermen, recommending Francis Langly, who had long since
received from them the grant of the reversion and next avoidance of
the office of one of the Alnagers and Searchers of Cloth, to the
vacancy caused by the death of Sutton.
3rd December, 1582.
I. 443. Letter from Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Mayor
and Aldermen, recommending Francis Langly to the office of
Alnager.
9th December, 1582.
I. 448. Letter from William Lord Burghley to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, stating he had been informed that, upon the decease of Mr. Mabbe, (fn. 7) late Chamberlain of the City, they had elected Mr.
Palmer, who had been appointed by Her Majesty Comptroller of her
Mint, to which office his whole time should be devoted, and requesting
them to appoint some other person.
1st January, 1582.
I. 466. Letter from the Queen, under signet, to the Lord Mayor,
Aldermen, and Commonalty, stating that Barnard Randolph, (fn. 8) Common Serjeant, through age and infirmities was unable to fulfil his
duties. Having regard to the reputation of the City, she recommended as deputy for that office, Julius Caesar, Doctor of Civil Law,
a wise, learned, and discreet man. She desired them to award some
reasonable portion of the profits to Randolph, during his life, and the
rest to Mr. Caesar, for occupying the place, and to grant him a reversion
of the office.
Dated from the Manor of Richmond, 28th January, 1582.
I. 477. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor,
requesting him to command the City Gauger to forbear the gauging
of any sacks, until such time as the President of the Spanish
Merchants should certify to him that Her Majesty's purveyors had
made choice thereof, and complaining of the evil dealings of the
Gauger and his deputies, which they desired might be inquired into
by the Court of Aldermen. Some steps should also be taken to
prevent the same for the future.
14th February, 1582.
I. 484. Letter from the Lord Mayor to Sir Francis Walsingham,
acknowledging Her Majesty's letters to the Common Council,
in favour of the appointment of Dr. Caesar, as Deputy to Bernard
Randolph, Common Serjeant, and that a reversion of the office might
be granted to him. The matter had been brought before the Courts of
Aldermen and Common Council, where Mr. Randolph had been
moved to consent to pass over the execution of his office, by deputation to Mr. Caesar. He had in both Courts delivered openly his
answer in tears, declaring his desire to remain and to die an officer of
the City, and his most humble petition that intercession might be
made for him to Her Majesty, not to command him to be removed.
The Common Council were not desirous to make alteration in his
Case, but to be humble petitoners for him to Her Majesty. With
regard to Dr. Caesar, however otherwise he might be qualified for the
efficient performance of the office, it would be necessary that the
officer should understand the Common Laws of the Realm, by which
City cases were governed, and not by the Civil Laws.
February, 1582.
I. 501. Letter from Sir Francis Walsingham, to the Lord
Mayor, reminding him of Her Majesty's request on behalf of Mr.
Caesar, to be appointed Deputy Common Serjeant. At their request
he had been the means of staying Mr. Caesar from further proceeding
in his suit, for which reason he now recommended them to admit
him to the freedom of the City, and appoint him one of the City's
Counsel for all causes touching his profession of the Civil Law,
allowing him such a yearly fee and pension as would be seemly for a
man of his degree.
17th May, 1583.
I. 521. Letter from Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Mayor
and Aldermen, recommending that the number of Coal Meters be
limited to four, and that a decree to that effect be passed in the
Common Council.
9th July, 1583.
I. 528. Letter from Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Mayor
and Aldermen, stating that he had been informed that, by the death
of one Williams (Serjeant) Carver, the rest of the under officers of
the household were to be promoted, whereby there would be void the
room of a Yeoman Waiter of the Waterside, and requesting that the
place might be bestowed upon his servant, Harry Ramscroft, a Freeman of the Salters' Company, or that the next avoidance of some
other place might be granted to him.
22nd July, 1583.
I. 531. Letter from Henry, Earl of Huntington, (fn. 9) to the Lord
Mayor and Aldermen, recommending William Aldersey, Serjeant at
Mace, to one of the vacant offices of (Serjeant) Carver.
27th July, 1583.
I. 535. Letter from Henry, Earl of Pembroke, to the Lord
Mayor and Aldermen, requesting them to grant to Reginald Hughes,
clerk to Mr. Randolph, Common Sergeant, the reversion of the next
avoidance of the clerkship of the City's works.
Dated from Cardiff, 26th April, 1583.
I. 537. Letter from the Lord Mayor to Mr. Recorder Fleetwood,
requesting his speedy return to the City, the Court of Aldermen
desiring his advice upon some urgent affairs.
10th September, 1583.
I. 544. Letter from the Queen, under signet, to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, recommending Robert Pamplyn, a servitor in her Wardrobe of Robes, to the next vacancy in the office of one of the Measurers of Coal.
From the Manor of Oatlands, 13th of September, in the 13th year of her reign (1571).
I. 547. Letter from Sir Thomas Henage (fn. 10) to the Lord Mayor,
recommending a friend for the vacant office of a Clerkship of the
Bridge-house.
22nd October, 1583.
I. 548. Letter from Robert, Earl of Leicester, and Sir Christopher
Hatton, to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, recommending Thomas
Bartrich to the above office.
20th October, 1583.
I. 551. Letter from Sir Gilbert Gerrard to the Lord Mayor
and Aldermen, stating that, Robert Lawton, who had been
appointed by them to the office of Bailiff of the Hundred of Osulton, (fn. 11)
within the county of Middlesex, held the office for life, and the
reversion thereof was in their gift, which he requested them to grant
to his servant, Henry Norris, a Freeman.
12th November, 1583.
I. 552. Letter from William Lord Burghley to the Lord Mayor,
recommending Jonas Freind to the office of one of the Attorneys of
the Sheriffs' Court.
18th November, 1583.
I. 560. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor,
Aldermen, Recorder, and Sheriffs, commending their judgement in not
appointing Andrew Mallory to the office of Secondary, and requesting
them to grant the next reversion to George Fytton, servant of the
Master of the Rolls, as a fit person, sound in religion, and learned in
the law.
16th January, 1583.
I. 561. Letter from Sir Thomas Bromley, Lord Chancellor, to
the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Recorder, and Sheriffs, thanking them
for granting a reversion of the office of Secondary to George Fitton,
and begging them to admit him when the place should be void.
From his house near Charing Cross, 20th January, 1583.
I. 564. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor,
Aldermen, and Recorder, stating that they had seen the copy of an
order under the hand of the Town Clerk, and entered of record in
the City books, adjudging Andrew Mallory, who had a reversion of the
office of Secondary, to be wholly unfit to serve that office, and that they
approved of what had been done. The Council had recommended
George Fytton for that place. Nevertheless they had been given to
understand that, since the receipt of their former letter, some doubts
had arisen as to the validity of the Order made and recorded, and
they desired to know what had induced the City to take that step, and
whether Mallory had since deserved so well of them as to be judged
fit to serve Her Majesty and the City.
5th February, 1583.
I. 565. Letter from Sir Gilbert Gerrard to the Lord Mayor,
recommending him to admit George Fytton, without any longer delay,
to the office of Secondary, especially as Mallory's practice touching
Sir James Harvey had already been proved.
Dated from the Rolls, 10th February, 1583.
I. 566. Letter from Ran......... Hurleston to the Lord Mayor,
informing him and the Aldermen, at the request of George Fitton,
what the behaviour of Andrew Mallory had been in the Society.
For his notable disorder committed, he had been thrice put out, as a
man most unworthy, yet, upon the most importunate suit of his friends,
he had been received back again, to the great grief of the godly and
honest among the Society.
Dated from the Inner Temple, 6th February, 1583.
I. 570. Letter from the Lords of the Council to Mr. Serjeant
Fleetwood, Recorder. They had understood that, by order of the
Court of Aldermen, Andrew Mallory, for abuse, had been adjudged
unfit and unworthy to execute the office of one of the Secondaries,
and had since gone about attempting to frustrate the said order. The
Council were surprised that the Court having, after due and good
consideration, entered upon record their decision, should afterwards,
upon a simple allegation, call it in question; and desired to draw his
attention to the conduct of Mallory, in advising certain steps to be
taken dangerous to the custom of orphanage. They recommended
Fytton for admission to the office without further delay.
3rd February, 1583.
I. 572. Letter from four of the Lords of the Council, viz. ["Edward
Lyncoln, Francis Bedford, Charles Howard, and Christopher Hatton,"]
to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, stating that they had heard
lately there had been some question made upon matters untruly
suggested against Andrew Mallory, and some proceeding taken to
deprive him of the reversion of the office of Secondary. They
requested them, as a matter of justice, to hear his defence and to act
indifferently according to justice and equity.
Westminster, 13th February, 1583.
I. 573. Letter from the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty
of the City to the Queen, stating that, upon the receipt of her letter
recommending Dr. Fletcher to the office of Remembrancer, vacant
by the decease of Thomas Norton, a Common Council had been
called, and, in obedience to her wish, they had elected him to that
office.
19th January, 1586.
I. 586. Letter from the Court of Aldermen to the Lord Chancellor, acknowledging his letter recommending Leonard Courson for
the grant of keeping the Poor's Wharf of coal and wood, made to
him in reversion after the death of Anthony Pearcy, and stating that
Pearcy had in his hands a great portion of the poor's stock in coal
and wood, amounting to 800l.; and that he also owed to the poor
the sum of 80l., which could not be raised out of his estate, whereby
the poor would be greatly injured in case the widow should be dispossessed of the wharf. After due consideration, they had agreed to
suffer her to enjoy the place for some convenient season, and after
that to grant the same to Courson.
3rd March, 1590.
I. 611. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Countess of Warwick, (fn. 12) stating, in reference to her request on behalf of Mr. Recorder, (fn. 13)
that, on account of his increasing years and infirmities, the Court of
Aldermen were almost unanimous in the opinion that he should
resign. If he complied, he would use his endeavours to obtain from
that body an annuity commensurate with his long and faithful
service.
2nd December, 1591.
I. 621. Letter from the Lord Mayor and Aldermen to.........,
Cook, (fn. 14) informing him that they had elected him to the office of
Recorder, and requesting him to repair to the City with all speed to
be admitted.
2nd January, 1591.
I. 631. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lords of the Council,
stating that the complaint made to them by Dewell, the Common
Hunt, touching the grant made to him in reversion of the office of
Water-bailiff at the request of the late Lord Chancellor, was untrue.
They had promised him the office at his own entreaty, and upon condition that he diligently fulfilled his present office, which he had
failed to do, and they thought him unfitted for the appointment of
Water-bailiff.
8th March, 1591.
I. 644. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lords of the Council,
acknowledging their letter of recommendation on behalf of William
Webbe, to be appointed one of the Meters of Seacoal and other things
measurable. The number had been limited to twelve; at present
there were no vacancies, and the right of appointment rested with the
Lord Mayor for the time being. He was, therefore, unable to grant
a reversion of the office.
3rd March, 1591.
I. 648. Copy of No. 631.
8th March, 1591.
I. 650. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lord Chamberlain,
acknowledging his letter recommending "Isaack Norton, Comfertmaker," to be admitted into the office of one of the Waiters of the
Waterside for the measuring of sea coals. The Court of Aldermen
were desirous of gratifying him touching the bestowal of the office,
but the appointment rested solely with the Lord Mayor for the time
being, and there being no vacancy, he could not, according to custom,
bind his successor to confirm the appointment.
18th March, 1591.
I. 654. Letter from the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen to
the Lords of the Council, as to the application made to them by John
Dewell, Common Hunt, denying that he had ever been promised the
office of Water-bailiff upon the intercession of the late Lord Chancellor, and pointing out that, on account of his unfitness for that
appointment, the reversion only of which had been granted to him,
they had elected another person on the last vacancy occurring. The
offer made to him by the Lord Mayor of 40l. was made out of kindness and on account of his disappointment.
6th April, 1592.
II. 18. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor,
Aldermen, and Sheriffs, soliciting them to appoint Richard Hatchman, one of Her Majesty's serjeants-at-arms, Keeper of Newgate, loco
Dios, deceased.
15th April, 1594.
II. 21. Letter from Charles Lord Howard, Lord High Admiral,
to the Lord Mayor, soliciting him to bestow upon his servant the
office of Measurer.
28th June, 1594.
II. 22. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor,
Aldermen, and Sheriffs, regretting that they had not appointed Richard
Hatchman to the office of Keeper of Newgate, his sureties being good
and sufficient, and directing them to place him in that office.
24th June, 1594.
II. 38. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor,
touching the removal of Richard Hutton, Bailiff of Southwark, from
his office.
5th April, 1595.
II. 43. Letter from Sir T. Henage to the Lord Mayor and
Aldermen, for a grant of the reversion of the office of Collector of
Scavage for his servant Proby.
29th December, 1594.
II. 43A. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor
and Aldermen, requesting them to admit John de Cardenas to the
office of Collector of Scavage, the reversion of which office had some
time since been granted to him.
29th December, 1594.
II. 45. Letter from Lord Burghley to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, soliciting for John de Cardenas the appointment to the office of
Collector of Scavage Dues, the reversion having been granted to him
by Sir Thomas Pullison, (fn. 15) Knight, and the Court of Aldermen, some
time since.
New Year's Day, 1594.
II. 46. Letter from Sir T. Henage to the Lord Mayor and
Aldermen, soliciting them to relieve one of Her Majesty's Watermen,
who had been injured in the City's service.
12th January, 1594.
II. 47. Letter from Sir John Puckering to the Lord Mayor and
Aldermen, soliciting the reversion of a Common Pleader's place for
Christopher Molleneux, of Gray's Inn.
24th January, 1594.
II. 48. Letter from Sir John Puckering and Sir John Fortescue
to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen with respect to their recommendation of Christopher Molleneux, whose name and religion had been
called in question, and requesting them to call him before the Court
of Aldermen to answer the charges alleged against him.
7th February, 1594.
II. 53. Letter from Sir John Puckering to the Lord Mayor,
commending to his notice the Petition (fn. 16) of Ralph Thorpe and Ralph
Conyers.
29th April, 1595.
II. 71. Letter from Aldermen Bennet and Ley (fn. 17) to the Right
Hon. Mr. Herbert, Master of the Court of Requests, concerning the
removal of Frances Westby from the office of Coal Gatherer in
Holborn and Fleet Street.
28th October, 1594.
II. 86. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lord Chamberlain,
regretting his inability to grant the office of Bailiff of Southwark to
Richard Gauntlet, on account of his not being a Freeman of the City,
and stating that the office had been bestowed upon an ancient servitor
and officer of the City.
19th February, 1594.
Note.—This has been crased.
II. 94. Letter from the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen to
the Lords of the Council, upon the complaint of Richard Hutton, who
had been removed by the Court from the office of Bailiff of Southwark on account of his unfitness.
9th April, 1595.
II. 124. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lords of the Council
reporting the causes of the removal of Richard Hatchman from the
office of Gaolership of Newgate.
27th November, 1595.
II. 125. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lords of the Council,
acknowledging the receipt of the Petition of Widow Yardley, praying
Probably Sir Robert Lee, who filled the office of Sheriff with Mr. Alderman Bennelt.
that the office of one of the Coal Meters, held by her late husband,
might be bestowed upon her brother-in-law, and informing them that
the place had been conferred by the late Lord Mayor, Sir John
Spencer, upon Michael Palmer for his life, for which Sir John had
received a sum of 260l., or thereabout. They had endeavoured to
induce him to pay her a sum of 100 marks for her relief, which he
had refused. He recommended them to censure him, and to intreat
Sir John Fortescue and Sir John Wolley, to whose determination he
had referred himself, to award a sum to be paid by him to the widow.
16th November, 1595.
II. 158. Letter from the Lord Mayor to Mr. Herbert, of Her
Majesty's Court of Requests, acknowledging the receipt of a letter
from Her Majesty on behalf of John Spencer to be admitted one of
the Coal Meters within the City, above the number already appointed,
and referring to former orders of Her Majesty restricting the number
to be appointed.
26th May, 1596.
II. 163. Letter from the Lord Mayor to Doctor Julius Caesar,
one of the Masters of the Court of Requests, similar to the above.
26th July, 1596.
II. 168. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lords of the Council,
acknowledging the receipt of their Letter enclosing the Petition of John
Cottesford, complaining of his removal from the office of Gauger, and
of the committal to ward of two of his servants, who were deputed by
him to execute the office, and pointing out the unfitness of the officer
to perform his duties, whereby the citizens were sufferers.
1st December, 1596.
II. 183. Letter from the Earl of Nottingham and Sir Robert
Cecil to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, recommending, on behalf of
Her Majesty, Mr. Wyncall for the office of Common Serjeant, loco Mr.
Mylbrum, deceased.
From the Court at Farnham Castle, 22nd September, 1601.
II. 210. Letter from the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen,
in reply, expressing regret that a reversion of the office, granted in the
22nd year of Her Majesty's reign, to Richard Wheler (fn. 18) (Wheeler), a
counsel of Lincoln's Inn, who had since been sworn and admitted into
that office, prevented the Court of Aldermen from acceding to the
request.
22nd September, 1601.
II. 218. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lord Keeper, with
reference to a suit depending before him in the Court of Chancery,
between John Nicholas, Keeper of one of the Compters, and John
Skevington, executor of Richard Skevington, defendant, concerning
an annuity agreed to be paid to the said John Skevington by the
present Keeper, out of the profits of the office, which had caused
scandalous exactions to be made upon the prisoners, and beseeching
that the said burden might be removed.
June, 1602.
II. 246. Letter from the Lord Mayor to........................
to attend the next meeting of the Court of Aldermen, on the 14th of
August next, to answer the complaint made by Mr. Doggett touching
the Clerkship of the Papers of Wood Street Compter.
21st July, 1604.
II. 271. Letter from the Lord Mayor to Lord .......................
concerning a suit pending in Chancery between William Miller and
Martin Heullin against John Nicholas, about the office of Keeper of
the Wood Street Compter, referred to the Lord Mayor, Sir John
Watts, (fn. 19) and to Sir Henry Montagu, Recorder, with the Lord Mayor's
report thereon.
(Circa 1606–7.)
II. 279. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lord High Admiral,
acknowledging the receipt of a letter from him concerning the Carttaker's place, lately void. According to an agreement between the
Governors of Christ's Hospital and the Board of Green Cloth, this
officer should be chosen in turn by them, and the present vacancy fell
to the City.
(Circa 1606–7.)
II. 285. Letter from the Lord Mayor and Aldermen to the Lord
Chancellor (Ellesmere), soliciting him to put Francis Morgan in the
Commission of the Peace for the County of Surrey, in the place of
Mr. Dale, removed.
30th April, 1607.
II. 306. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lord Treasurer
(the Earl of Dorset), enclosing a Petition from the Ward of
Aldersgate, complaining that William Court, an inhabitant of that
Ward for eight or ten years past, refused to undergo the office of
Scavenger in the parish, claiming exemption from such service, he
being privileged as Clerk to Sir William Spencer, Knight, one of the
Auditors of the Court of Exchequer, and praying that Mr. Court,
although privileged, should be directed to find a substitute or deputy,
and pay him.
5th February, 1607.
II. 318. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lord Chancellor,
requesting him to put Mr. John Warner, of the Middle Temple, upon
the Commission of the Peace for Surrey.
5th May, 1608.
III. 1. Letter from the King, stating that he had been pleased,
on behalf of Richard Wright (who had for many years held the
office of Common Packer within the City and Port of London), to
direct his letters for the granting of the reversion of the office to
Robert Wright, one of his sons. Robert having died, the grant had
not taken effect. His Majesty's object being the establishing of
one of his sons to succeed him, he recommended that the reversion
should be granted to his other son, Lionel Wright.
Westminster, 28th December, 8 James I. (1610).
III. 8. Letter from the King to the Court of Aldermen, stating
that the Recorder (Sir Henry Montagu) had requested his permission
to resign, for what reasons they best knew. When he made him one
of his Serjeants-at-law he did not intend to take him from his
Recordership. The appointment he had received was but a further
mark of his favour, and an honour to the City, and so he thought
they would have taken it. When he should be so employed that he
could not attend them, he would hearken to his suit and leave them
their liberty of electing freely a successor.
Westminster, 20th March, 9 James I. (1611).
III. 27. Letter from Sir Julius Caesar to the Lord Mayor and
Court of Aldermen, on behalf of Rowland Hinton, a poor kinsman of
his, who had been for a long time one of the Lord Mayor's household,
for the next reversion of the Offices of Yeoman of the Waterside
and Yeoman of the Meat Market at Newgate or Leadenhall, whichever might first happen.
Dated from his house in the Strand, 12th October, 1611.
III. 47. Letter from Sir Julius Caesar to the Lord Mayor and
Aldermen, soliciting the appointment of Outroper (fn. 20) of the City for
Christopher Macham, Citizen, and Barber-Surgeon, the son of an old
servant of his.
30th April, 1612.
III. 52. Letter from the Lord Chancellor (Ellesmere) to the
Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Sheriffs, enclosing a Petition presented
to him by John Crompton, and requesting them to consider the
same, and if any question or point of law arose concerning the
disposition of the Clerkship, to consult Sir Henry Montague, the
Recorder, that he might hear the parties and their Counsel on both
sides; or at least to use his advice and assistance in their further
proceedings.
York House, 24th June, 1612.
Marginal reference says—"My Lord Chancellor to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen for John Crompton to be Deputy Secondary."
III. 53. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen,
on behalf of Francis Bilcliff, and requesting that he might be admitted
to the office of Chief Clerk to the Secondary of the Compter in Wood
Street, if there should be no just exception against him.
8th July, 10 James I. (1612).
III. 63. Letter from Sir James Altham, (fn. 21) one of the Barons of
the Exchequer, to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, on behalf
of his godson, James Monger, to be appointed to the place of one
Blockley, an officer of the Lord Mayor's house, who was willing to
yield up his place on reasonable conditions.
(Circa 1613.)
III. 107. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor and Court of
Aldermen, requesting them to grant the next reversion of the office
of Bailiff of Oswaldstone or Osulstone, in the County of Middlesex, to
John Owen, Gentleman.
Windsor, 18th July, 11 James I. (1613).
III. 128. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord
Mayor and Court of Aldermen, referring to the King's letter of the
18th July last, on behalf of Mr. John Owen, and stating that, although
they had accepted such recommendation, Mr. Owen now complained
that they would neither pass the reversion to him nor make answer
to His Majesty's letters to show cause for their refusal. The Council
advised them to accomplish His Majesty's desire on the Petitioner's
behalf, or else they would require them to deliver the King's letters
to Mr. Owen, that they might not prejudice His Majesty's title
whenever he pleased to refer the matter to trial by law.
31st January, 1613.
III. 139. Letter from Sir Francis Bacon and Sir Henry
Yelverton, Attorney- and Solicitor-General, to the Lord Mayor,
informing him that a Petition had been presented to the King concerning his title to the Bailiwick of Ossulstone, the grant whereof the
Court of Aldermen had of late made claim to, which Petition had
been referred to them for consideration, and requiring the Court of
Aldermen to send persons sufficiently instructed on their behalf to
the Attorney-General's Chambers, in Gray's Inn, to show by what
title they claimed the same.
22nd March, 1613.
IV. 7. Letter from the Governor and Assistants of the East
India Company (fn. 22) to the Lord Mayor, stating that the Court of
Aldermen had been pleased, in the 27 Elizabeth, to bestow upon
Captain John Martyn the next office or place that might fall void;
since which the office of Judge of the Sheriffs' Court, becoming void
by the surrender of Mr. Morgan, had been given, during Captain
Martyn's absence in Virginia, to Sir Edward Mosely, Knight, (fn. 23) who
held the next reversion. They prayed the Court to restore him to his
ancient right according to his grant. (The names of the Governor and
eight Assistants are appended.)
11th December, 1615.
IV. 23. Draft of Letter from the Lord Mayor and Court of
Aldermen to the Lord Chancellor, in reply to his letter recommending
the suit of Mr. Robert Glover for the next reversion of the office of
Auditor of the Chamber and Bridge House accounts. There was no
such place as Auditor exercised by any peculiar persons in the City;
the Auditors of the accounts were a certain number of Aldermen and
Commoners, chosen annually on Midsummer Day, by the voice of the
whole Commons of the City. When the accounts were audited, they
had sometimes, in cases of difficulty, used the help and assistance of
a Mr. Phillipps, as a man expert and skilful in accounts, but he was
the first ever so employed, and his employment being but casual, and
not of necessity, was not allowed for any settled office, and therefore
no reversion could be granted.
28th March, 1615.
IV. 31. Letter from Sir Ralph Winwood to the Lord Mayor,
Aldermen, and Common Council, signifying His Majesty's request
that the next reversion of the office of Remembrancer might be
granted to Mr. Thomas Lecch, Master of Arts.
Greenwich, 19th June, 1616.
IV. 41. Letter from the King, under signet, to the Lord Mayor,
stating that a grant had some time previously been made by Sir Thomas
Pullison, then Lord Mayor, and the Court of Aldermen, to one John
Martyn, Gentleman, of the next reversion of several places in such
grant specified, by virtue whereof, and by a surrender long before made,
His Majesty was informed that Mr. Martyn should of right have been
possessed of one of the said places had he not at the time been in
Virginia as a Captain, with the approbation of the whole colony.
His Majesty, being unwilling that any discouragement should be given
to men of such employment, had caused the letter to be written, to
the end that satisfaction might be given to Captain Martyn.
23rd November, 14 James I. (1616.)
IV. 42. Reply of the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen.
Some thirty years before, at the request of his father, then an
Alderman, (fn. 24) a grant had been made to the said John Martin, of the
reversion of some of the principal offices in the City, requiring great
skill and ability, to which an express condition was attached that he
should take no benefit therefrom unless he should be thought by the
Court of Aldermen for the time being fit and able for such place as
should first fall vacant, and unless he should in the mean time apply
himself to the study of the Common Law. About six years since,
Mr. Francis Morgan, (fn. 25) Reader of the Middle Temple, one of the
Judges of the Sheriffs' Court, surrendered his office, and Martin, as
next in reversion, should have succeeded him. Having, however,
taken no degree in Law, but betaken himself to martial affairs, the
Court of Aldermen could not so neglect their duty as to leave a place
of Judicature unsupplied for one who was known to be altogether
insufficient, but, according to former precedents, forjudged him of the
place as incapable of it, whereby his reversion became void by his
own defect, and Sir Edward Mosely (since appointed Attorney of the
Duchy of Lancaster), the next in reversion, was admitted to the office,
and still held it.
Circa1616.
IV. 49. Letter from the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen to
the King, stating that they had heard he was offended with their
proceedings in the election of Recorder, and giving their reasons for
the course taken.
31st January, 1616.
IV. 56. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor,
Aldermen, and Recorder, recommending Thomas Peter, Esq., of the
Inner Temple, for the place of Recorder's Assistant and subordinate
Judge of the Mayor's Court.
17th February, 1616.
IV. 109. Letter from the Marquis of Buckingham to............
on behalf of Thomas Leech, for the next reversion of the office of
Remembrancer.
Whitehall, 3rd April, 1618.
IV. 110. Letter from Sir Thomas Lake to the Lord Mayor, on
behalf of Mr. Thomas Constantine, who, about ten years previously,
had made over to his son Alexander, who was in great danger of his
life, his office of one of the four Porters of Leadenhall. In the event
of his death, the office would be in the disposal of the Lord Mayor,
whom he requested to bestow it upon the father.
Whitehall, 8th April, 1618.
IV. 111. Letter from G. (Lord) Carewe to............on behalf of
............(marginal note says "for Mr. Leech to be Remembrancer of
the City.")
Savoy, 10th April, 1618.
IV. 112. Letter from Sir Francis Bacon, Lord Chancellor, to the
Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, on behalf of Mr. Thomas Foster,
who had entered into a private agreement with William Iremonger,
the Bailiff of Southwark, and Thomas Dudson, his Deputy, for the
surrender to him of that office.
York House, 11th April, 1618.
IV. 113. Letter from Lord Carewe to the Lord Mayor, in
support of Mr. Leech's application for the office of Remembrancer,
and referring to the letter of Sir Ralph Winwood on his behalf two
years previously.
Savoy, 11th April, 1618.
IV. 117. Letter from Sir Francis Bacon, Lord Chancellor, to the
Lord Mayor, in support of the application of John Whitehand, an
Attorney of the Sheriffs' Court, to be allowed to surrender his place
to Matthew Hancock.
York House, 27th April, 1618.
V. 25. Letter from Sir Henry Montague, Lord Chief Justice, to
the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, stating that Mr. Dyos, the
Remembrancer, was desirous, on account of his age, to surrender his
place to Mr. Dynne, of the Inner Temple, Master of Arts, and
expressing his opinion that they could not make a better choice.
25th May, 1619.
V. 26. Letter from Lord Verulam, Lord Chancellor, to the Lord
Mayor and Court of Aldermen, to the same effect.
York House, 29th May, 1619.
V. 42. Letter from Lord Verulam, Lord Chancellor, to the Lord
Mayor and Court of Aldermen, referring to his former letter with
respect to the resignation by Mr. Dyos, and renewing his request that
Mr. Dynne might be accepted as his successor.
York House, 29th November, 1619.
V. 44. Letter from the Lord Chief Justice, Sir Henry Montague,
to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen to the same effect.
(Circa 1619.)
V. 46. Letter from the Lord High Admiral, the Marquis of
Buckingham, to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, stating that
the King had lately written to them to permit Mr. Dyos to make
benefit of his place by surrender, and renewing his request on behalf
of Mr. Leech for the office.
Newmarket, 12th December, 1619.
V. 47. Letter from Sir Henry Hobart to the Recorder (Robert
Health, Esq.), requesting him to assist the suit of the bearer, Henry
Goldwell, to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, for the place
of an Attorney in the Sheriffs' Court.
St. Bartholomew's, London, 3rd January, 1619.
V. 74. Letter from William Dyos to the Lord Mayor and Court
of Aldermen with reference to his conduct, and requesting their
clemency and grace towards him. (fn. 26)
11th July, 1620.
V. 76. Letter from the Earl of March to the Lord Mayor,
soliciting the next reversion of an Attorney's place in the Guildhall
for George Parkins, an ancient Clerk there.
Drury Lane, 17th July, 1620.
V. 95. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor and Court of
Aldermen, stating that he had formally commended to them for
election as Recorder, Robert Shute, (fn. 27) of Gray's Inn, when exceptions
were made to him, but His Majesty had since satisfied himself that,
although there was then some colour for the same, there was now none,
besides which, he had since been Reader of that Society, whereby he
had given public satisfaction of his worth and ability in his profession.
As His Majesty had made Robert Heath, late Recorder, his SolicitorGeneral, he now again recommended Mr. Shute to their choice.
Theobalds, 19th January, 1620.
V. 96. Letter from Lord Mandeville, (fn. 28) Lord Treasurer, soliciting
the reversion of one of the four Common Pleaders' places for Thomas
Pickhaver, an upper Barrister of the Middle Temple.
(Circa 1620.)
V. 97. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lord Treasurer,
acknowledging, on behalf of the Court of Aldermen, the receipt of his
Letter, recommending Mr. Shute for Recorder, and stating that they
were willing, having regard to his Lordship's liberal recommendation
of him, to put him the first man in the election when a new choice
was requisite; but they begged that in respect of their ancient liberty
of a free election they might be spared from engaging themselves
beforehand to any man.
17th January, 1620.
V. 99. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor and Court of
Aldermen. He had heard of the death of the late Recorder, and
recommended for their election "Hennadge Finch." (fn. 29)
Theobalds, 7th February, 1620.
VI. 46. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor, recommending
John Cocker, one of his Huntsmen, for the reversion of the office of
Common Hunt of the City.
Windsor Castle, 7th September, 1624.
VI. 56. Petition from the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen
to the King, stating that they had received his letter, recommending
the petition of Mr. William Murray for a Coal Meter's place,
either in addition to the number already appointed, or for the
reversion to the first vacancy that might happen; and reminding
him that his royal father, upon a similar occasion, was satisfied
with their answer that there was no necessity for an additional
Coal Meter, and that the same was the case now. Besides which,
by a former grant from his royal predecessors, the Mayor of London
had the bestowal of such places when vacant, which did not happen
in every Mayor's time, and when they did were a return of but a poor
part of the vast expense incurred by him for the maintenance of the
honour of the City of London.
(Circa 1625–6.)
VI. 74. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor, referring to
his former recommendations of William Murray for a Coal Meter's
place, to which no answer had been received, although he had further
signified his pleasure to the same effect by Secretary Sir John Cooke
and Sir Edward Salter. He had been moved to renew his former
recommendations, and he desired further to let the Lord Mayor know
that he should expect the same respect from him as had been given
to his predecessors.
Westminster, 13th October, 2 Charles I. (1626).
VI. 77. Petition of the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of
London to the King, with respect to his recommendation of Mr.
Murray for a Coal Meter's place. (Similar in effect to No. 56).
(Circa 1626.)
Note in margin.—"The Petition to the King concerning the Coal
Meter's place sought by Mr. Murray, and ended at Mr. Recorder's
Chamber; therefore not delivered."
In Mich. Term, 1626.
VI. 92. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor and Court of
Aldermen, recommending William Murray, a Freeman, for admission
as a Coal Meter, in addition to the number appointed, or for the
promise of the first of the existing places that should fall void.
Westminster, 7th January, 1st Charles I. (1625).
Note in margin.—The said Mr. Murray was compounded with for that place, and received 100l. in the Mayoralty of Sir George Whitmore. (fn. 30)
VI. 94. Petition of the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London to the King, with respect to his recommendation of Mr. Murray for a Coal Meter's place. (Similar Petition to No. 77.)
Note in margin.—"Not delivered; the business was otherwise compounded."
VI. 100. Letter from the Lord Mayor to Mr. Secretary Conway,
stating that he had received a letter from the King, requesting a grant
of the reversion of the Common Hunt's place for John Cocker, his
servant. By several Acts of Court the City had lately bound their
hands from settling any reversion of the place, having considered
rather how to spare both place and fee as being utterly unuseful to
the City. He therefore entreated him to inform the King of their
determination.
In margin, April, 1627.
VI. 116. Petition of the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London to the King, with respect to his recommendation of Mr. Murray for a Coal Meter's place.
Similar Petition to Nos. 56, 77, and 94, with similar note in margin to that at No. 94.
VI. 119. Copy of No. 92.
VI. 120. Letter from Secretary Sir Edward Conway to the
Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, stating that the King had
addressed them a letter on behalf of his servant, John Cocker, for the
place of Common Hunt of the City; since which he had understood
that the Duke of Buckingham had previously recommended Hugh
Smallwood, his servant, for the same office, but that for some reason
the delivery of the letter of the Duke had been deferred. His
Majesty had therefore directed him to signify, that if their affection
for Cocker was greater than any other, then he continued his recommendation of him; but if they had a better opinion of any other, or
were formerly engaged, he would not insist on the precedency of his
recommendation, but left them to their free choice, and would like it
well if they chose the Duke's servant.
Havering, 13th September, 1624.
VI. 122. Letter from the Duke of Buckingham to the Lord
Mayor and Court of Aldermen, recommending Hugh Smallwood, who
had long been employed by him in services of special trust, for the
next reversion of the office of Common Hunt.
Hanwell, 22nd August, 1624.
VI. 126. Copy of No. 100.
VII. 13. Letter from the King, under signet, to the Lord Mayor,
stating that, upon the Petition of Robert Carpenter, he had referred
the question of the admission of one Lionel Wright to the office of
Clerk of the Papers to the Lord Keeper and some of the Judges;
but being since informed that Wright had the first reversion, he had
no desire to question the proceedings.
Westminster, 29th December, 1st Charles I. (1625).
VII. 96. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen,
recommending Francis Walworth, executing the Clerkship of the
Papers in the Poultry Compter, for the office of Common Packer,
when it should become void by the death of John Massingberd.
(Walworth is stated to be descended from a family very well deserving
of the City.)
Westminster Palace, 21st October, 1633.
VII. 98. Copy of information given to Mr. Secretary Windebank, on the application of Francis Walworth, for the reversion of the
office of Common Packer. In it, it is stated that the City, in the 18th
Henry IV., purchased of the Crown, for 7,000l., the office of Package,
with some other things of no great value. The profits of the office
had, by Act of Common Council, been employed for the public and
common charges of the City. Walworth was no servant or clerk of the
City, but a writer or under-clerk in the office of the Clerk of the Papers
of the Poultry Compter.
Dated in margin, 31st October, 1633.
VII. 129. Letter from the Earl of Arundel and Surrey to the
Lord Mayor, soliciting the appointment to the office of City Gauger
for William Oughtred.
Arundel House, 1st November, 1634.
VII. 144. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor and Court of
Aldermen, recommending them to increase the number of Coal
Meters from ten to twelve, and to admit to the office two persons
to be nominated by the Lady Thomasine Carew.
Greenwich, 18th May, 1635.
VII. 152. Letter from Mr. Secretary Windebank to the Lord
Mayor and Court of Aldermen, expressing the King's displeasure that
his letter (No. 144) had not even been noticed. Unless they showed
more conformity, the King would use his right to dispose of those
places, being informed that they belonged to him as appurtenances
of his Admiralty.
Westminster, 14th August, 1635.
VII. 168. Petition of the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of
London to the King, referring to his letters of the 18th May last for
the addition of two Coal Meters' places, and stating that by Act of
Common Council the number was limited to ten, and that it was
not in their power to add to the number without a Common Council;
that His Majesty's royal father had, upon a similar occasion, been
pleased to accept a similar answer. They prayed that His Majesty
would accept this as their answer.
(Circa 1635.)
VII. 195. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor and............
....................., requesting that Captain William Smith might have
the nominating of a Coal Meter to the next place that might fall
void.
Westminster, 17th May, 13th Charles I. (1637).
VIII. 5. Letter from Sir John Crooke (fn. 31) to the Lord Mayor and
Court of Aldermen, soliciting the reversion of a Common Pleader's
place for John Keelinge.
2nd November, 1618.
VIII. 6. Letter from Sir Francis Bacon to the Lord Mayor and
Court of Aldermen, soliciting the reversion of a Common Pleader's
place next after Mr. Salter for Thomas Brickenden.
Sans date.
VIII. 7. Letter from Sir Henry Montague (Recorder), relative
to the placing of his arms in the new Council Chamber, and complaining of the position assigned to them.
27th October, 1614.
VIII. 16. Letter from Sir Henry Hobarte to the Lord Mayor
and Court of Aldermen, soliciting the appointment to a Clerkship for
Richard Stone, and his admission to the freedom to qualify him for
the same.
(Circa 1616.)
VIII. 17. Letter from George Snygge (fn. 32) to the Lord Mayor and
Court of Aldermen on behalf of his nephew, Galterne, who was a
suitor for the ordinary fee heretofore allowed unto his place of daily
attendance for the despatch of causes and other extraordinary business
of the City.
2nd December, 1616.
VIII. 18. Letter from Sir Francis Bacon and other Benchers of
Gray's Inn to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, soliciting the
appointment of a Judge of one of the Sheriffs' Courts for Richard
Gippes, who had the reversion thereof, loco Coventrie, appointed
Recorder.
20th November, 1626.
VIII. 20. Letter from Sir Laurence Tanfield (fn. 33) and others (dated
from Serjeants' Inn), to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen,
soliciting the appointment of Chaplain to the Guildhall Chapel, if
void, or the next reversion thereof, for Thomas Langley. (fn. 34)
28th November 1616.
VIII. 21. Letter from Sir Henry Montague to the Lord Mayor
and Court of Aldermen, resigning the office of Recorder, the King
having called him to serve him in another place, and recommending
them not to be sudden in their choice of a successor, because, in a
place so near the King, His Majesty might expect to be made
acquainted with their intention.
16th November, 1616.
VIII. 22. Letter from Sir Henry Montague to the Lord Mayor
and Court of Aldermen, for the reversion of a Common Pleader's
place for Mr. Calthorpe. (fn. 35)
13th May, 1618.
VIII. 23. Letter from Sir Henry Hobarte to the Lord Mayor
and Court of Aldermen, for the like for Mr. John Finch.
22nd June, 1618.
VIII. 30. Letter from the Archbishop of Canterbury (Abbott)
to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, soliciting them to admit
Tilney Couchman an Attorney of the Sheriffs' Court, loco Robert
Cracherve, a prisoner for debt.
9th November, 1620.
VIII. 35. Letter from Sir Thomas Coventry to the Lord Mayor
and Court of Aldermen, soliciting the reversion of the place of an
Attorney of the Sheriffs' Court for George Perkins.
23rd October, 1620.
VIII. 36. Letter from Lord Pembroke (fn. 36) to the lord Mayor and
Court of Aldermen on behalf of the above.
31st December, 1619.
VIII. 39. Letter from the Lord Chancellor (Lord Verulam) to
the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, soliciting the reversion of a
Common Pleader's place for Edward Ayscough.
21st November, 1620.
VIII. 57. Letter from the Earl of Southampton (fn. 37) to the Lord
Mayor and Court of Aldermen, soliciting the reversion of one of the
Clerk Sitters' places in the Sheriffs' Court for Henry Whalley. (fn. 38)
21st July, 1624.
VIII. 58. Letter from Robert Bacon, (fn. 39) Remembrancer, to the
Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, for a continuance of the annual
allowance made to him.
3rd June, 1624.
VIII. 59. Letter from the Lord Keeper, the Bishop of Lincoln
(Williams), to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, soliciting the
reversion of the office of Sword-bearer for Mr. Humfrey Leigh, (fn. 40) His
Majesty's Serjeant-at-Arms attending the Great Seal.
22nd February, 1623.
VIII. 62. Letter from the Lord Chancellor (the Bishop of
Lincoln) to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, soliciting for
Mr. David Carpenter (in whose behalf he had lately written to the
Common Council for the Coroner's place) the reversion of one of the
offices of Attorney of the Sheriffs' Court, Clerk of the Papers, or
Clerk Sitters of the same Court.
24th January, 1623.
VIII. 63. Letter from Sir Julius Cæsar, Master of the Rolls, to
the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, soliciting the reversion of
an Attorney or Clerk Sitter's place in the Sheriffs' Court for John
Glyn, Esq. (fn. 41)
11th October, 1615.
VIII. 64. Letter from hellip; to Sir Heneage
Finch, Knight, Recorder, with respect to his application for the
reversion of Common Hunt's place for Hugh Smallwood.
November, 1624.
VIII. 79. Letter from Lord Keeper Coventry to the Lord
Mayor and Court of Aldermen, soliciting the appointment of
Remembrancer, which is likely to be void by the illness of Mr.
Bacon, for Mr. Thomas Allured. (fn. 42)
30th March, 1626.
VIII. 87. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor and Court of
Aldermen, recommending the appointment of Edward Littleton,
Esq., (fn. 43) as Recorder.
6th December, 1631.
VIII. 42. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor and Court of
Aldermen, with respect to his recommendation of Heneage Finch,
Esq., to be Recorder, and explaining that it was his purpose not to
deprive them of their liberty of choice, but only to signify his good
opinion of him.
9th February, 1620.
VIII. 43. Letter from the Earl of Buckingham to the Lord
Mayor and Court of Aldermen, signifying His Majesty's desire that
Mr. Shute, of Gray's Inn, should be elected Recorder.
17th January, 1620.
VIII. 46. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord
Mayor and Court of Aldermen, by command of His Majesty, recommending Mr. Harbert Finche (fn. 44) for the next reversion of the office of
Common Crier and Serjeant-at-Arms.
3rd November, 1622.
VIII. 47. Letter from Sir James Ley to the Lord Mayor and
Court of Aldermen, soliciting the reversion of a Common Pleader's
place for Mr. Francis Walsted.
21st February, 1622.
VIII. 48. Letter from H. Mandeville (fn. 45) to the Lord Mayor and
Court of Aldermen, soliciting for John Willson the place of one of the
servants of the City for Music and Voice, vacant by the death of
Richard Balls.
21st October, 1622.
VIII. 49. Letter from the Duke of Buckingham to the Lord
Mayor and Court of Aldermen on the like behalf.
4th November, 1622.
VIII. 54. Letter from Sir William Jones (fn. 46) to the Lord Mayor
and Court of Aldermen, soliciting the appointment of one of the
City's Counsel for Mr. Edward Bushopp.
24th October, 1624.
VIII. 55. Letter from Richard Hatton (fn. 47) to the Lord Mayor and
Court of Aldermen, soliciting the reversion of one of the Attorneys'
and Clerk Sitters' places in the Sheriffs' Courts for Matthew Hancock,
jun.
8th October, 1624.
VIII. 93. Letter from Lord Keeper Coventry to the Lord Mayor
and Court of Aldermen, renewing his request for the appointment of
Mr. Thomas Allured as Remembrancer.
12th October, 1631.
VIII. 129. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor and Court
of Aldermen on behalf of Joseph Cocke, son of Joseph Cocke, Citizen
and Salter, who, having a grant in reversion of the offices of Town
Clerk, Common Serjeant, Judges, and Secondaries, dated 10th
January, 19 James I., was desirous of resigning his said grant unto
such a sufficient person as the said Joseph Cocke, the elder, should
present for that purpose.
9th December, 1633.
VIII. 137. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor and Court
of Aldermen, recommending the appointment of Robert Mason (fn. 48) as
Recorder, in which he doubted not of their conformity, especially as
he had made the place void by preferring Edward Littleton, Esq., to
the office of Solicitor-General.
19th October, 1633.
VIII. 174. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor and Court
of Aldermen, recommending the appointment of Henry Calthorpe (of
the Middle Temple), Esq., as Recorder, loco Robert Mason, deceased.
24th December, 1635.
VIII. 177. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor and Court
of Aldermen, recommending the appointment of Thomas Gardiner (fn. 49)
(of the Inner Temple), Esq., as Recorder, loco Calthorpe, upon whom
he had bestowed the place of Attorney of the Court of Wards and
Liveries.
23rd January, 1635.
VIII. 197. Letter from the Earl of Pembroke and Mount
gomery (fn. 50) to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, soliciting the
appointment of City Chronicler, Vacant by the decease of Benjamin
Johnson (fn. 51) (Jonson), for Mr. May.
27th September, 1637.
VIII. 198. Letter from the Earl of Dorset (fn. 52) to the Lord Mayor
and Court of Aldermen on behalf of the same.
27th September, 1637.
VIII. 199. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor and Court
of Aldermen on the same behalf. (In this letter the name is given
"Thomas May.") (fn. 53)
16th October, 1637.
IX. 3. Letter from Secretary Edward Nicholas, by command of the
King (Charles II.), to (the Lord Mayor), forwarding a paper presented
to him by Sir John Weld, Knight, complaining of his dismissal from his
office of Town Clerk in 1642 for Sympathizing with the late King, and
recommending his case to the consideration of the Court of Common
Council, that such relief might be afforded to him as justice and
custom demanded.
Whitehall, 16th July, 1660.
IX. 12. Letter from Secretary Nicholas to Sir Richard Browne,
Knight and Bart. (Lord Mayor), stating that Mr. Wiseman, (fn. 54) the late
Rememberancer, had been dispossessed of some houses held by him of
the City, and which, as he affirmed, had been let to another person,
and requesting him to use his influence to restore him to his office,
and to award him some compensation for the houses in question.
3rd November, 1660.
IX. 13. Letter from the King, under signet, to the Lord Mayor,
expressing his satisfaction at the appointment of Francis Vernon to
the place of a Coal Meter, and requesting the Lord Mayor to grant a
reversion of the office to John Duncombe, and William, his son, for
their lives.
Oxford, 28th January, 20th Charles I. (1644–5).
IX. 14. Letter from Secretary William Morrice, by command of the King, to the Lord Mayor, referring to the above recommendation by his Royal Father, and requesting that the same might now be carried into effect. Whitehall, 7th November, 12th Charles II. (1660).
IX. 36. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor and Common
Council, recommending William Cutler to the office of Garbler of the
City.
19th November, 1661.