After the Restoration, the Physicians again endeavoured to procure an Act of Parliament confirming their Charter, whereupon the Barber-Surgeons claimed to have a clause inserted in the Act in the nature of a proviso that nothing therein contained should be construed to the prejudice of their privileges, and again the Physicians seem to have been checkmated, for they allowed their proposed Act to fall through.
Kings’ Barbers and Kings’ Surgeons seem to have secured substantial benefits from their official positions, as the following notices (from Domestic State Papers at the Record Office) testify.
25th August, 1625. There is a letter of this date from Sir James Fullerton to Secretary Conway, intimating that it is His Majesty’s pleasure to grant to Michael Andrews (Master 1635 and King’s Surgeon) a pension of £150 per annum for life.
17th December, 1625. And at this date is a grant to Thomas Caldwell (Master 1627 and King’s Barber).
A graunt to Thomas Caldwell esqr his Mats servant of ye som̃e of one thousand poundes To be received as well out of the remainder of three hundred pounds due to his Matie by Richard Harbin sometime Collector of his Matꝭ greenwax before his accesse to the Crowne and out of the arrerages of grenewax money then due unto his Maty. As also out of the other grenewax moneys now accrewing to his Matie not being in farme. And is granted to him as of his Mats bounty in lieu of 800li formerly graunted unto him by his Maty of wch he received no benefitt. Subscrˀ by Mr. Attorney Genˀall upon significac͠on of his Matꝭ pleasuere by the Lord Trẽr.
In addition to stray grants like the above, the perquisites and fees attaching to the Office of King’s Barber were very lucrative, and Mr. Caldwell must have done exceedingly well out of the following stroke of business.
January, 1626. Whereas his Matie hath bene pleased to appoint Mr. Thomas Caldwell his Mats servant and Barber to make provisions of all such necessaries as are to be used at the Ceremony of Bathing the Knts of the Bath at this his Maties Coronac͠on to be holden on the 2d day of February next at Westmr as to his place by auntient custome belongeth I do therefore will and require all such whome it may concearne to take notice thereof hereby for permitting him to doe and performe all such services as hath bene accustomed in that behalfe & for delivering such necessaries in kynd or allowance of money to the valeu thereof as shalbe by him required for the same according to the auntient custome heretofore used therein. The number of the said Knts for whome such provisions are to be made being 80, by his Matie appointed to receave that degree.
Arundell & Surrey.
Examined by Wm Ryley
Lancaster Herald
