The stables: Stable (or Mews) Keepers c. 1669-1837

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 stables: Stable (or Mews) Keepers c. 1669-1837', in Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (Revised), Court Officers, 1660-1837, (London, 2006) pp. 621-624. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/office-holders/vol11/pp621-624 [accessed 19 March 2024]

In this section

Stable (or Mews) Keepers c. 1669–1837

Stable keepers were appointed by the master of the horse. Though some establishments list but two, there were six stable keepers at various locations in 1669. Two of these positions fail to appear on the Establishment of 1682, but one seems to have been restored on that of 1685. Only three stable keepers are listed in 1689, including a keeper at Theobalds who was appointed under William III only. A keeper of the stables at Kensington was established in 1702; one at St. James's and one at Somerset House, respectively, in 1714; and a stable Keeper at Newmarket in 1724 (for a total of six thereafter). A stable Keeper at Windsor was appointed in 1760. The stable keeper at Somerset House was abolished in 1779; that at St. James's had determined by 1782. In 1827 the position at Windsor was abolished. (fn. 1)

Stable keepers made £12 3s on the Household Establishment of 1664, £12 on that of 1685, and £36 per annum from that of 1702. The exceptions were the stable keeper at Windsor who made only £27 6s, and that at Newmarket at £25 per annum. In 1791, the stable keepers at London and Westminster received an additional £6 per annum, that at Newmarket £4. By 1807, the stable keepers also received allowances ranging from £20 to £57 18s 6d. The 1812 Establishment provided £86 for the stable keeper of the King's Mews in London; £81 for that at Hampton Court; £82 at Kensington; £47 10s at Windsor; and £25 at Newmarket. (fn. 2)

Keeper of the Great Mews at London

(from c. 1825 at Pimlico) c. 1669–1685; 1689–1837

By 1669 Green, J.
1689 28 Feb. Conery, B.
1690 20 Jan. Eagle, T.
1702 6 July Lewis, J.
1741 28 July Dagley, T.
1747 2 July Stickman, J.
1749 26 Apr. Mercadie, J.
1750 28 Apr. Montague, J.
1773 4 May Lloyd, E.
1800 21 July Spanswick, J.
1829 3 Aug. Hiley, C.
1830 6 Nov. Brock, W.

Keeper of the Upper Mews c. 1669–1685

By 1669 Ashley, R.

Keeper of the Stables at Greenwich c. 1669–1685

By 1669 Joyner, T.

Keeper of the Stables at Hampton Court c. 1669–?1685; 1689–1837

By 1669 Bedbrough, W.
1689 17 Apr. Robson, J.
1702 6 July Sturgis, F.
1733 6 Mar. Chilton, H.
1761 4 Nov. Griffin, R.
1771 21 Dec. Cook, J.
1786 6 Feb. Richardson, A.
1797 6 Feb. Barrett, R.
1827 6 Jan. Algar, J.
1836 1 July Slade, G.

Stable (or Mews) Keepers 1682–1685; 1699–1702

By 1685 Chapman, J.
1685 31 Mar. Cooling, J.
1685 31 Mar. Duffield, T.
1685 31 Mar. Griffith, H.
1685 31 Mar. Heroton, E.
By 1699 Milde, A. de

Keeper of the Stables at Kensington 1702–1837

1702 6 July Fielder, W.
1711 25 Apr. Smith, C.
1714 29 Sept. Stent, J.
1720 10 Dec. Booth, H.
1727 24 May Hobbs, J.
1749 1 June Bridges, W.
1760 18 Apr. Bearless, T.
1761 16 July Daniell, E.D.
1778 28 Apr. Countze, F.
1789 3 Nov. Pye, J.
1801 23 Feb. Sturkey, W.
1831 6 Apr. Dolby, G.

Keeper of the Stables at Newmarket 1724–?

1724 22 Jan. Hayes, R.
1739 6 Nov. Turner, J.
1772 8 Apr. Tims, M.
1792 14 Jan. Fuller, T.

Keeper of the Stables at Reading c. 1669–?c. 1682

By 1669 Welbeck, R.

Keeper of the Stables at St. Alban's c. 1669–?c. 1682

By 1669 Ryder, E.

Keeper of the Stables at St. James's 1714–c. 1782

1714 10 Mar. Thornley, S.

Keeper of the Stables at Somerset House 1714–1779

1714 29 Sept. Bowen, J.
1722 30 Apr. Bowen, T.
1753 16 Jan. Garrick, G.

Keeper of the Mews at Theobalds 1689–1702

1689 29 Apr. Young, W.
1691 12 Jan. Guidan, A.

Keeper of the Stables at Windsor 1760–1827

1760 29 Nov. Woods, G.
1786 Dec. Beard, E.
1801 1 Feb. Cocum, J.

Footnotes

  • 1. LS 13/34, f. 17; LS 13/37, f. 17; Dartmouth MSS ox (D) w 1778/v/132; Ibid.; LS 13/38, f. 16v; LS 13/39, p. 36; LS 13/43, f. 20v ; LS 13/44, f. 21v; LS 13/260; MOH PB 1, pp. 134–35, 141.
  • 2. LS 13/34, f. 17; LS 13/38, f. 16v; LS 13/43, f. 21v; MOH LB A, pp. 298–300; PB 1, pp. 134–35; LB C, pp. 172–73; EB 4, p. 8. With deductions, net receipts ranged from by 1807 from £40 10s to £84 10s 8d: LB C, pp. 172–73.