UPPER WARDEN’S GARLAND. MIDDLE WARDEN’S GARLAND.
WARDENS’ AND OTHER ACCOUNTS.
The Great Book of Wardens’ Accounts has unfortunately been kept in a damp place, and the earlier portion of it is severely damaged. The cover still indicates the elaboration of the bookbinder’s art, being stamped in patterns with the portcullis fleur de lys and Tudor rose; opposite what is left of the first page is a magnificently painted achievement of the Company’s arms on vellum, but this unhappily, is damaged.
The first page has rotted almost entirely away, leaving only the upper left hand corner, on which there is an initial letter T illuminated in the highest style of art, though this is also seriously damaged.
The accounts commence with those for the year 1603, the first few pages are worn away, pages 7 to 36 are but slightly damaged, whilst the remainder of this huge book is quite perfect and abounds with quaint and artistic initial letters.
The following is the reduced initial letter for the year 1610–11.
