The Barber-Surgeons’ Company has at various periods in its history possessed large quantities of plate, a great deal of which is now unfortunately lost to us, most of it having been parted with during the troublous times of the seventeenth century, when the money demands made upon the Company necessitated its sale. We have however, been fortunate in preserving some very distinctive and beautiful plate, among which are no less than three Royal gifts from Sovereigns of England, viz., Henry VIII, Charles II, and Anne.
Throughout our Minutes are numerous references to gifts and purchases of plate; some of these will be found elsewhere in this work, and the following extracts in particular referring to this subject, are additional examples.
14th December, 1557. The same daye beyng The xiiijth daye of Descember in Ano Dñ 1557 and fourth and fyfte yeares of the Raignes of Kynge Phyllippe and Quene Marys Most Noble gracꝭ It ys Condescended and Agreed by the mr and Govˀnors and wth thassent of all the Assystaunce of the howse whose Names are before Nomynated and Wrytten That Mr Thomas Vycary shall paye and dyscharge the Debtꝭ of the howse wch rest unpayde and the saide Mr Vycary shall have the plate of the Crafte in pawne or pledge Untyll suche tyme as the sayde sum̃es of monye be un to hym Repayde agayne.
7th December, 1581. It was agreed that the som̃e of xlli shalbe diffrayed and laid owte of the stock of the howse to buy plate viz. one nest of pots one nest of booles, and in v gilt spones to make up one dozen, and in exchange of a silver pot geven unto the Companie by Mr George Corrons[300] who depˀted his lief beinge mr of the companie.
10th March, 1599. Richard Larden on being admitted to the Livery presented one “beaker of silver pˀcell gylt.”
15th April, 1600. John Robson being made free made a similar gift, as also, 3rd June, 1600, did Walter Meeke on the like occasion.
16th August, 1602. This daie John Izard[301] presented to this Courte one litle columpne salte wth a Cover of silver and guylte and prayeth to be discharged from bearinge the office of Mr of this Companye which guyfte was loveinglye accepted and his requeste willingely graunted.
19th July, 1603. Nicholas Kellaway (Assistant) presented two standing cups of silver, to be discharged the office of Steward of the Mayor’s feast.
8th November, 1604. This daie it is ordered that Mr Johnsons[302] Cupp and Cover the three Beakers and Mr Sprignalls[303] and Mr Shirlockꝭ Cup and Cover shalbe pˀntly[304] altered unto such servisable plate as the Mrs shall thinke fyt.
31st May, 1608. The executors of Nicholas Kellaway delivered to the Wardens “one uprighte Bowle of silver duble gylt.”