The Jewel House: An Account of the Many Romances Connected with the Royal Regalia / Together with Sir Gilbert Talbot's Account of Colonel Blood's Plot

by G. J. Younghusband

Thus S^r H. Mildmay (by his professed ignorance in iewells, had the buying of the iewells taken from the place, & usurped into the hands of the L^d Chamberlan and the presenting of them, by his provocation of the D. of Buck: transferred to the M^r of y^e Ceremonyes. Nay, and the keeping of all the private Jewells, is now in the hands of the page of his Ma^tys closet: although the L^d Chamberlaine in what he buyeth, nor the sayd page in what he keepeth, hath any check upon him to controll the account of the one, or the guardianship of y^e other, whereas the account of the Jewell H. is under the inspection of the L^d Treasurer, or a body of Comiss^rs when the K pleaseth to appoint them.

Thus while S^r G. Talbot is Maister and Treasurer of his Ma^tyes iewells & plate, he is made a stranger to all but y^e Regalia, which alone is in his keeping.

v. The Maist^r of the iewell H. hath 28 ounces of gilt plate every new year: and the small presents w^ch are sent to y^e K^g anciently valued at 30 or 40£ together with the purses wherein the Lords present theyre gold (w^ch were wont to be worth 30 or 40^s each. These the L^d Manchester (when L^d Chamberlaine) claimed as due to him: but S^r G. Talbot proved them to be his right: yet told his L^p that if he liked any of them he should have them, as a guift, not as a due.

The E. of St. Alban, who succeeded him, revived y^e same pretence, but was opposed by the Maist^r and desisted. Yet usually the Maist^r gives the L^d Chamberl: 5 or 6 at the Cupboard, as he doth to other Officers & freinds y^t ask.

The profitt of allowance upon the ounces (issued out by guift from his Ma^ty) S^r G. T. gave (for his time) to his under Officers: and the carrying of presents to Resid^ts & Agents when made in plate, chaines or medals.

vi. Anciently the M^r of y^e iewell H. was Treasurer of the Chamber, till that branch was taken over, and made an office apart: and is now five times more beneficiall than the iewell house: all the regulation of expence being applyed to the remaining parts of the perquisites of the iewell house; the fees of y^e treasur^r of the Chamber and M^r of y^e ceremonyes being left entire.

vii. The Maisters of the iewell H. have bin frequently privy Counsaillers, such was Cromwell[^[28]] in y^e time of H. 8. And appointed L^d Deputyes of Irel^d as the two Caryes.

viii. It belonged to the M^r of y^e iewell house to buy, keep, & present all y^e iewells and plate that belonged to his Ma^ty but now that right is invaded, see number 4.

ix. The Maister hath the choice of all his inferior Officers; and y^e power of suspending or displacing them upon their misbehaviours.

When he first took possession of his Office, he called to one of his Yeomen for the books which were in y^e keeping of old Layton, who then attended in his moneth; the peevish old man who had lived long in y^e office refused to deliver them whereupon Sir G. Talbot shewed him the words of his patent; but he remained obstinate and insolent & S^r Gilbert suspended him for waiting and acquainted his Ma^ty with it who very well approved of what he had done: but y^e passionate old man for very vexation of spirit dyed. His sonne had the impudence to claime his father’s place; and upon refusall to threaten an appeale to the K^g wherewith S^r G. Talbot acquainted his Ma^ty who sayd, if he came, he should receive an answere.