1388. In the return to a writ, 12th Richard II, the Masters of the Barbers certified, amongst other matters, that it was their practice “once a year to assemble to feast,” and that they had an ordinance by which none of the brotherhood were to pay more than 14d. each towards the feast.
10th May, 1435. Among the Ordinances of the Surgeons was one that each member was to “paie ʒeerli to the dyner of the craft that is to seie oonys aʒeer on the dai of Seint luke ech man lich mich whethir he be pˀsent or absent,” i.e., once a year on St. Luke’s day each man was to pay like much whether present or absent.
28th September, 1503. It was ordained that every member attending the dinner the day on which the Wardens were presented to the Lord Mayor was to pay 20d., and if he brought his wife with him, then 2s.
The Barber-Surgeons from the earliest times appear to have entertained the ladies at certain feasts, and their unique toast “The Good Wives, Merry Maids and Buxom Widows of the Worshipful Company of Barbers” is traditionally said to have had its origin in Elizabeth’s time.
14th May, 1530. The following is amongst the ordinances signed by Sir Thomas More at this date—
And where of olde Custume yerely upon the Sondaye next ensuyng the ffeaste of Seynt Bartholomew the appostell[283] a dyner is kept and provyded for theym of the lyvery of the said Company in their Comen halle called Barbors hale And on the daye of saynt Cosme & Damian[284] yf it be not on the saterday a dynˀ for them of the same compani owt of the lyverey It is ordeyned and enacted that evˀy man that hathe been upper maister or upper Govˀnor of the said Company shall paye at and for the same dyner xijd for hymselff and viijd for his wyffe yff she come. And evˀy other man beying of the lyverey of the same Company shall paye in likewyse for hym selffe viijd and for his wyffe yff she come iiijd. Provided alwaye that the maisters or Govˀnors of the said Company for the tyme beyng shall paye nothing for their wyffꝭ comyng to the dyner for that yere fforasmoche as their Wyffꝭ must of necessitte be theire to helpe that evˀy thyng theire be sett in ordre. And that evˀy man of the said Company beyng owt of the lyverey shall pay at and for his dyner on the said morowe viijd and for his wyffe yff she come iiijd.
8th July, 1552. The earliest entry in the Court Minutes on this subject is a doleful one, for it was ordered “That there shalbe no dynner kept this yere.”
19th September, 1552. William Bette was appointed “Cooke for the Hall,” and Steven Reede the “Butler.” John Edwards (a Freeman) was to supply the flowers on the feast days.