EDWARD IV.
In the Reign also of King Edward IV. it was usual for the King to grant to his servants, or ministers, assignments for their salaries, or debts, upon divers officers who were concerned in receiving his revenue; viz. upon Sheriffs of Counties, Bailiffs, or Men [fortè Mayors] of Towns, Collectors of Customs, Subsidies, &c. Upon these assignments the Assignees had Patent-Letters, Tallies of the Exchequer, or Writs of Liberate currant, made forth for their avail; and, in default of payment, they brought actions of debt in the Court of Exchequer, upon such Assignments, Tallies, or Liberates, against the Sheriffs, or other Officers aforesaid; many instances of which may be seen in the fifth year of King Edward IV. in the Placita coram Baronibus, 5 Edward IV. in the Rolls of the Exchequer[146].
The King was wont to distribute his revenue in such manner as he thought fit. He assigned, at his pleasure, part of it to the expences of his Household, and other parts to the expences of either civil government or war[147].
An act done within the verge of the King's Palace was said to be done in præsentiâ Regis. The party offending was tried in the Court held in the Palace, before the Steward and Marshal; and the proceedings there, were styled Placita Aulæ Domini Regis de Coronâ[148].
EXTRACTS
FROM THE
LIBER NIGER.
The Liber Niger Domûs Regis Angliæ[149] [i. e. Edward IV.] contains Orders for his said Majesty's Household, anno 1478; and relates to the following Officers:
A Chamberlain.
Bannerets, or Bachelor Knights, to be Carvers and Cup-bearers (four).
Knights of Household (twelve) to do the Office of Ewerers.
A Secretary.
Chaplains (four).
Esquires for the Body (four).
A Sewer for the King.
Surveyor for the King, i. e. of the Dresser.
Wardrobe.
Gentlemen Ushers of Chamber (four).
Yeomen of the Crown (twenty-four).
Yeomen of Chamber (four).
Wardrobe of Robes.
Wardrobe of Beds.
Grooms of Chamber (ten).
Pages of Chamber (four).
Jewel-house.
Doctor of Physic.
Master Surgeon.
Apothecary.
Barber.
Henxmen. Six Infants.
Master of the Henchmen.
Squires of Household.
Kings of Arms, Heralds, and Pursuivants.
Serjeants at Arms (four).
Minstrels (thirteen).
A Wayte. N. B. This Yeoman (for such
was his rank) waiteth (i. e. playeth; I
suppose) at the making of Knights of
the Bath, watching upon them by night-time
in the Chapel. Wherefore he hath
of fee all the watching cloathing that
the Knights should wear upon [them.]
Messagers (four).
Dean of the Chapel.
Chaplains, and Clerks of the Chapel (twenty-six).
Yeomen of the Chapel (two).
Children of the Chapel (eight).
Clerk of the Closet.
Master of Grammar, to teach the Henxmen and Children of the Chapel.
Office of Vestiary, i. e. Vestry.
Clerk of Crown in Chancery.
Clerk of the Market.
Clerk of the Works.
Marriage of Wards.
Steward of Household.
Treasurer of Household.
Controller of Household.
Cofferer.
Clerks of Green Cloth.
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