Which electors after they had their chardge given them by the Maisters or Governors of this Companye and their severall billes for the elecc͠on delivered unto them after longe and deliberate considerac͠on had, did electe for the Maister John Leycocke and for the upper Governor John Burgis and for the seconde Governor John Pecke and for the yongeste Governor Roberte Johnson Which saide John Leycocke beinge not then presente the garlande accordinge to the manner and custome of this house was by the Maister for the yeare paste placed uppon the heade of Mr. Docter Browne as deputye for the saide John Leycocke, after which another garlande was likewise placed uppon the heede of the saide John Burgis by the upper governor And a like garlande tendered to the saide John Pecke which he utterlye refused and for the same was fined at ffortye shillinges which fine he paid accordinglye likewise a nother garlande was placed by the yongeste Governor uppon the heade of the said Roberte Johnson and by him gratefullye accepted And the saide Maister Burgis and Mr. Johnson were sworne standinge for the due execuc͠on of their offices.
1598. In the Minute Book commencing 1598 there are scores of cases of Barbers being fined for working on Sundays; the informant was generally the Beadle, and it is amusing to note how frequently a delinquent, after purging himself by a fine, voluntarily took to the office of Informer against his brother Barbers.
Many Barbers and Surgeons were fined for presuming to “sett up shoppe” without licence, here is an instance:—
28th November, 1598. This daye George Collimer appeared before the Mrs of this Companye and had daye till the next court to bringe in his fine for openinge his shop wthout licence.
11th December, 1598. This daye Thomas Powell appeared before the Mrs for workinge on the saboth daye and puteth him self uppon his tryall, wherefore he is comaunded to attend here the next Court And in the meane tyme for his unrevˀent behaviour towards the Mr is comitted to the Comptr.
15th January, 1599. Where divers grudges and manye greate inconveniencies have happened amongest suche as have benne familiar frendes and brothers of this Societye by the unadvised rashnes of some of the Assistance of this Companie whoe have disclosed and revealed suche secretes as have bene advisedlye and discretlye for the benefit of the said Companye spoken in the courte tyme Contrarye to the solempne othes of suche assistanˀ to the greate dishoner of god and scandall to the said Companye, ffor reformac͠on whereof it is ordered by consente of a full Courte of Assistance That if at any tyme hereafter any of the Assistance of this ffelowship shall utter or reveale to any other pˀson beinge not Assistante any secretes uttered and spoken at any courte which oughte not to be uttered or revealed And also if any Elector of the Mr or Governors for the tyme beinge shall at any tyme hereafter utter or reveale any speches concerninge the election to any person which oughte not to knowe the same suche person soe offendinge and due proffe thereof made, beinge of the Assistance shalbe dismissed oute of his place and livery, and beinge onlye of the livery shalbe dismissed oute of the liverye.
Where this house hath a barrel of Gunpowder It is ordered that the same be soulde to the beste benifitt of this house.
30th January, 1599. This daie Edward Downes was comitted to the Compter for calleinge villayne before the maisters of the Companye.
6th February, 1599. It is ordered that John Mullines shalbe comitted to the Compter for his disobedience in not payeinge his debte to this house.