Annex
'A' - Masters of the Worshipful Company of Upholders
Annex 'B' - The Modern Exemplification
of the Grant of Arms
Annex 'C' - The Will of John Emlyn
Annex 'D' - Liverymen who have been
Aldermen
Annex 'E' - Royal Charter of 1668
Quotations - and notes
Note: Definitive data are not available for 1627-33. The names and years shown are based on assumed information drawn from the list of Wardens and Assistants in the 1626 Royal Charter.
Year of
Election1626 Alderman John Hodgson (Source : Royal Charter 1626)
1627 Anthony Lucas
1628 Andrew Yardley
1629 John Grimston
1630 George Blundell
1631 Thomas Ardington
1632 William Hodgson
1633 Michael Best
1634 Henry Nevill or Nevell (Source : College of Arms Visitation of London 1634)
1635/60 Information not available
1661 David Leder ("The Sphere of Gentry" by Sylvanus Morgan published 1661)
1662/77 Information not available
1678 William Allen
1679/80 William Lillingston or Livingston
1681 Samuel Purchas
1682 Richard Spanto (?)
1683/85 William Cowles
1686 Thomas Rogers followed by William Scott
1687 Ezekiel Wright followed by Richard Hussan
1688 Henry Jones
1689 John Birkley
1690 Thomas Ward
1691 Thomas Martin
1692 Anthony Wells
1693 Edmond Haslewood
1694 Nicholas Clark
1695 Charles Wickes
1696 Samuel Blowitt
1697 Nathaniel Troughton
1698 John Hibbert
1699 John Howard
1700 William Meakins (Sen)
1701 William Pepys
1702 Constable Whooler
1703 Thomas Arne
1704 Jonathan Hatley
1705 Thomas Nicoll
1706 Nicholas Patrick
1707 Thomas Freeman
1708 Richard Hargraves
1709 William Meakins (Jun)
1710 James Milner
1711 Joseph Richardson
1712 Edward Fanshaw
1713 Thomas Ward
1714 Charles Williams
1715 Thomas Fferrers
1716 Reuben Parks
1717 William Scrimshire
1718 Joseph Devonish
1719 Henry Lowth
1720 James Wells
1721 Thomas Gamlyn
1722 Nathaniel Spindler
1723 John Scott
1724/28 Information not available
1729 Alexander Horrocks
1730 John Smith followed by Michael Lovett
1731 Edward Warren
1732 John Crouth or Crouch
1733 Matthew Vernon
1734 John Howard
1735 John Tatnall
1736 Samual Arnold
1737 George Tarry
1738 Henry Lewis
1739 James Gronous
1740 Giles Bly Pinckhard
1741 George Friend
1742 Bradwell Poyton
1743 Robert Milner followed by Thomas Gardner
1744 Richard Say
1745 William Jones
1746 Samuel Chambers
1747 John Watson
1748 Charles Grange
1749 Benjamin Robinson
1750 William Cope
1751 Richard Freelove
1752 Thomas Parkes
1753 Thomas Goddard
1754 John East
1755 Jonathan Fawconer
1756 William Dunton
1757 John Underwood
1758 Thomas Dobyns
1759 Robert Phipps
1760 Charles Lowth
1761 William Greer
1762 Thomas Nickalls
1763 John Wood
1764 James Butterfield
1765 Hilborne Withy
1766 Elias Fassett
1767 Richard Scrimshire
1768 William Brushfield
1769 George Friend
1770 William Cope
1771 John Watson
1772 David Longton
1773 Carill Friend
1774 Francis Say
1775 John Underwood
1776 Richard Wright
1777 John Peart
1778 Charles Maynard
1779 Samuel Westwood
1780 William Hunter
1781 Charles Greenwood
1782 William Marston
1783 James Grainge
1784 Harry Hall
1785 Barnard Baker
1786 William Townsend
1787 Alderman Samuel Swain
1788 George Kemp
1789/90 Edward Newton
1791 William Draper
1792 William Fassett
1793 William Elliott
1794 John Boulton followed by William Rhodes
1795 Richard Godfrey
1796 William Gould
1797/8 Joseph Graham
1799 Mr. Deputy (Henry) Blaxland followed by John Allen
1800 John Bustnall or Bushnell
1801 John Sheppard
1802 Abbott Kent
1803 Mr. Deputy (Robert) Herring
1804 John Crumpton
1805 Noah Chivers
1806 James Birt
1807 John Kent
1808 William Rhodes
1809 William Gould
1810 Timothy Tyrrell (Remembrancer of the City of London)
1811 Sir William Rawlins (Sheriff 1801/02)
1812 John Mills
1813 Samuel Legg
1814 Joseph Luck
1815 Richard Winstanley
1816 Matthew Kemp
1817 Samuel Maxey
1818 George Simpson
1819 John Kirkham
1820 Thomas Shackleton
1821 George Oakley
1822 John Robins
1823 John Preston (d. in office) followed by William Gould (Sen)
1824 John Fletcher
1825 William Gould (Jun)
1826 Caleb Welch Collins
1827 Thomas Savile (Sir William Rawlins locum tenens)
1828 William Hibberdine
1829 Joseph Pullen
1830 Joseph Clowes (Sir William Rawlins locum tenens)
1831 Richard Tomlinson (Sir William Rawlins locum tenens)
1832 Benjamin Severs (Sir William Rawlins locum tenens)
1833 Robert Metcalf (Sir William Rawlins locum tenens)
1834 John Knife (William Gould locum tenens)
1835 Thomas Swift
1836 James Toplis
1837 James Roberts
1838 Thomas Blaxland (Caleb Welch Collins locum tenens)
1839 John Norris
1840 Edward Tyrrell (Remembrancer of the City of London)
1841 Robert William Herring
1842 Jabez Legg
1843 Charles Wright
1844 Richard Goodman
1845 Alderman William Hunter (Lord Mayor 1851/52)
1846 James Winstanley
1847 Francis Sadler
1848 George Starkins Wallis
1849 Jonah Reeve
1850 Francis Phené
1851 Samuel Oxenham
1852 George Smith (of Regent Street)
1853 James Shephard
1854 John Finer
1855 Francis Webb Simson
1856 John Jones
1857 George Smith (of John Street)
1858 William Hunter
1859 Reuben Williamson
1860 Thomas Willoughby
1861 George Speare
1862 William Everett
1863 Robert Conworth Fish
1864 James Smith
1865 Joseph Tucker
1866 Samuel Smith
1867 John Ridley Hunter
1868 Thomas Fox
1869 Richard Benjamin Kemp
1870 Captain Avery Tyrrell
1871 William Octavius Garstin
1872 Henry Reeve
1873 Thomas Owen Finer
1874 Thomas Edward Layton
1875 Henry Knight Simson
1876 Edward Hunter
1877 Howard Winstanley
1878 George Tyrrell
1879 Heyrick Anthony Greatorex
1880 Charles Kemp
1881 Francis McDonald Robertson
1882 Arthur Humphris Godfree
1883 William Evans Garstin
1884 Fredric Hunter
1885 George Fish
1886 Stanley Toplis Fox
1887 Stephen Redman Fuller
1888 Frederick Smith
1889 Norman Brealey Garstin
1890 Richard Benjamin Kemp
1891 Henry Reeve
1892 Thomas Owen Finer
1893 Henry Knight Simson
1894 Edward Hunter
1895 Heyrick Anthony Greatorex
1896 Francis McDonald Robertson
1897 William Evans Garstin
1898 Fredric Hunter
1899 George Fish
1900 Stephen Redman Fuller
1901 Frederick Smith
1902 Aubrey Garstin
1903 William Hunter
1904 Ernest Godfree
1905 Rev. Henry Frew Simson
1906 William Curling Hunter
1907 Robert Conworth Fish
1908 Sir William John Crump JP
1909 Harold Garstin
1910 James Scutari Taylor-Restell
1911 Henry Reeve
1912 George Burt JP
1913 Thomas Owen Finer
1914 Spencer Alfred Godfree
1915 Aubrey Garstin
1916 George Stanley Fish
1917 Harry Risch Miller
1918 William Edward Hughes
1919/20 Col. Sir Sidney Wishart VD DL JP (Sheriff 1920/21)
1921 Sir George Mowlem Burt KBE
1922 William John Galloway
1923/24 Frank Davies
1925 Charles McElroy Finney
1926 Dudley James Crump
1927 Eric Burt
1928 Lt. Col. Arthur John Barry
1929 Col. John Trevor Trevor TD
1930 Bertram Ewart White JP
1931 Rev. Henry Frew Simpson
1932 Robert Conworth Fish
1933 Harold Garstin
1934/35 Frank Lewis Griggs
1936 Harold Stanley Conworth Fisher (surname previously "Fish")
1937 Lt. Col. Eric Nathaniel Trevor TD
1938 Geoffrey Crump
1939/46 Sidney Arthur Newton
1947 William Elsey Alfred Norman
1948/49 William Ernest Pierce
1950 Raymond Dudley Crump
1951 Frank Edward Griggs TD
1952 Neville Barton Hayman
1953 Roland Thomas Smith
1954 William Albert Hicks
1955 Arthur Stanley Bell CC
1956 Arthur Frank Elliott
1957 Henry John Greenham
1958 Aubrey William Schuster MBE
1959 Vernon Lee
1960 John Phillimore Stephens
1961 Ulick Joseph Burke
1962 Sidney Jones
1963 Philip Tyson Woodcock TD
1964 John Francis Flanagan Freeman
1965 George Ronald Tobitt OBE (d. in office) followed
by Arthur Harris Ley
1966 Arthur Harris Ley (Sheriff 1964/65)
1967 Maj. Edward Lloyd Stacey
1968 Maj. Laurence Otho Manners Collingwood TD
1969 Frederick John Howe
1970 George Edward Lindsay Graham
1971 Frederick William Mosey
1972 Col. Raymond Buxton Cole DSO TD DL
1973 Thomas Redvers Llewellyn
1974 Oscar Frederick Boehringer JP
1975 Donald William Bishop
1976 David Horn
1977 Dr. Peter Herbert Coldwell
1978 Alan Christopher Fowler
1979/80 Jonathan Philip Charkham (Sheriff 1994/95)
1981 Edward George Trevor
1982 Gerald Francis Trevor
1983 Gordon Alan Day
1984 Jack Hedley Ayerst
1985 Sidney Arthur George Rust
1986 David Colover CC
1987 Gordon Heslop Proctor
1988 William Raymond Wallis
1989 Christopher Frank Hayman
1990 Donald Lawrence Glatzel
1991 Alan Victor Kinsey
1992 H.H. Judge Richard Cole
1993 Joseph Charles Felix Byllam Byllam-Barnes CC
1994 William Albert Garnett
1995 Hugh Edward Taylor
1996 Derek Stanley Austin
1997 Peter Allocca
1998 Roy Alan Wood
1999 Clive Brian Roffe
2000 Bertram Edward Chapman M.B.E.
2001 Robert Carroll Olney
2002 Thomas Raymond Usher
Notes
Source : except where otherwise stated the names of Masters have been taken from the Court Minute Books.
A question mark indicates that the handwriting is unclear and the spelling of the name is therefore uncertain.
In the case of John Hodgson (1626), Henry Nevill (1634) and David Leder (1661) the dates of election are not known.
1963
To all and singular to whom these Presents shall come Sir Anthony Richard Wagner, Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, Garter Principal King of Arms, Sir John Dunamace Heaton Armstrong, Knight, Member of the Royal Victorian Order Clarenceux King of Arms and Aubrey John Toppin, Esquire, Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, Norrey and Ulster King of Arms Send Greeting!
Whereas Philip Tyson Woodcock, Gentleman, Master of the Mystery or Arte of Upholders of the City of London commonly known as the Company of Upholders of the City of London hath represented unto The Most Noble Bernard Marmaduke, Duke of Norfolk, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, Earl Marshal and Hereditary Marshal of England and One of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council that the said Company was incorporated under the style of the Master Wardens and Comonaltie of the Mistery or Arte of Uphoulders of the Citty of London by Charter of King Charles I bearing date the Fourteenth day of June 1626
That in the Visitation of London made in 1634 by Sir Henry St. George, Knight, Clarenceux King of Arms a Shield of Arms with the tinctures imperfectly tricked was allowed to the Corporation and Fellowship of Upholders of the City of London having been granted unto the Master and Wardens of that Corporation and their successors for ever by William Hawkestow, Clarenceux King of Arms of the South Marches of England by Letters Patent under his hand and Seal bearing date the Eleventh day of December 1465.
That at a date unknown the original Letters Patent assigning Arms to the Master and Wardens were destroyed and that as the Visitation record was imperfect at the request of the said Master and Wardens the Kings of Arms issued a Certificate bearing date the First day of April 1963 in which the Arms of the said Company were properly set forth and blazoned.
That in addition to their said Arms the Master Wardens and Commonalty of the Mystery or Art of Upholders of the City of London are desirous of having a Crest and Supporters duly assigned under lawful authority to be borne and used by them in their corporate capacity and on their behalf he hath requested the favour of His Grace's Warrant for Our granting and assigning such Crest and such Supporters as may be proper to be borne and used by the Master Wardens and Commonalty of the Mystery or Art of Upholders of the City of London the whole according to the Laws of Arms.
And Forasmuch as the said Earl Marshal did by Warrant under his hand and Seal bearing date the Fifth day of June instruct authorize and direct Us to grant and assign such Crest and such Supporters accordingly.
Know ye therefore that we the said Garter Clarenceux and Norrey and Ulster in pursuance of His Grace's Warrant and by virtue of the Letters Patent of our several Offices to each of Us respectively granted do by these Presents grant and assign unto the Master Wardens and Commonalty of the Mystery or Art of Upholders of the City of London the Crest following that is to say :- On a Wreath of the Colours A King Eider Drake proper standing on a Cushion Or as the same in the margin hereof more plainly depicted
And by the Authority aforesaid I the said Garter do by these Presents further grant and assign unto the Master Wardens and Commonalty of the Mystery or Art of Upholders of the City of London the Supporters following that is to say :- On either side a Lamb Argent unguled and gorged with a plain collar Or pendent therefrom a Cross Formy Fitchy Guies as the same are also in the margin hereof more plainly depicted the whole to be borne and used for ever hereafter by the Master Wardens and Commonalty of the Mystery or Art of Upholders of the City of London in their corporate capacity according to the Laws of Arms
In witness whereof We the said Garter Clarenceux and Norrey and Ulster Kings of Arms have to these Presents subscribed our names and affixed the Seals of Our several Offices this Tenth day of June in the Twelfth year of the reign of Our Sovereign Lady Elizabeth the Second by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith and in the year of our Lord One thousand nine hundred and sixty-three.
1995
To all and singular to whom there Presents shall come Sir Conrad Marshall John Fisher Swan Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order Garter Principal King of Arms Sendeth Greeting! Whereas Joseph Charles Felix Byllam-Barnes Gentleman Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers Fellow of the Faculty of Actuaries (Scotland) Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts Master of the Mystery or Art of Upholders of the City of London otherwise known as the Worshipful Company of Upholders hath represented unto The Most Noble Miles Francis Stapleton Duke of Norfolk Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire upon whom has been conferred the Decoration of the Military Cross Earl Marshall and Hereditary Marshall of England both by Letters Patent bearing date the Tenth day of June 1963 there were granted and assigned by the Kings of Arms unto the Master Wardens and Commonality of the Mystery or Art of Upholders of the City of London a Crest and Supporters to be borne and used by them for every thereafter in their corporate capacity together with the Arms originally avised granted and given them by Letters Patent under the hand and seal of William Hawkslowe Clarenceux King of Arms and having date the Eleventh day of December 1465 (the said Patent having long since been lost or mislaid). That the said Master Warden and Commonality of the Mystery or Art of Upholders of the City of London are now desirous of having a Device or Badge to be borne and used by them in addition to their ancient Arms or Seals and upon Standards or otherwise to be exhibited or displayed by them in accordance with the Laws of Arms and he therefore as Master of the said Company and on behalf of the Wardens and Commonality thereof hath the favour of His Grace’s Warrant to Garter Principal King of Arms for the granting and assigning of such Device or Badge as is deemed suitable to be borne and used in their corporate capacity by the Master Wardens and Commonality of the Mystery or Art of Upholders of the City of London otherwise known as the Worshipful Company of Upholders in accordance with the Laws of Arms and forasmuch as the said Earl Marshall did by warrant under his hand and Seal having date the Ninth day of February 1994 authorise and direct Me to grant and assign such Device or Badge accordingly Know Ye Therefore that I the said Garter in pursuance of His Grace’s Warrant and by virtue of the Letters Patent of My Office granted to me by The Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty do by those Presents grant and assign unto the said Master Warden and Commonality of the Mystery or Art of Upholders of the City of London otherwise known as the Worshipful Company of Upholders the Device or Badge following that is to say:- A Sperver Ermine trimmed Azure and Gules in base upon a Pillow Or a Lamb couchant Argent nimbed Or supporting over its shoulder a Staff also Or therefrom a Pennant Argent charged throughout with a Cross Gules as the same is on the margin hereof more plainly depicted the whole to be borne and used by the said Master Wardens and Commonality of the Mystery or Art of Upholders of the City of London otherwise known as the Worshipful Company of Upholders in their corporate capacity and in accordance with the Laws of Arms In witness whereof I the said Garter have to those Presents subscribed My name and affixed the Seal of My Office this First day of September in the Forty Forth year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lady Elizabeth the Second by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith and of the year of Our Lord One Thousand nine hundred and ninety five.
In the name of God amen the xiijd day of the moneth of February in the yere of our Lord God M1CCCClxxiiij and the yere of the Reigne of Kyng Edward the iiijth after the conquest the xiiij. I John Emlyn Citezeyn and Upholder of London beyng in my good and hole mynde ordeyne make and dispose this my present testament conteynyng my last will in the maner and fourme folowyng. adnullyng all other testamentes by me afore this tyme made.
First I bequeth my sowle unto God almighty my creature and to oure Lady seynt Mary and to all the company of Heven. and my body to be buried wtin the Chirche of the free Awstyns in London in a Tombe of bryke. and in a Coffyn of bord Also I will that at my buriying that is to say at my dirige and masse. there be ordeyned vj preestes and ij Clerkes of the parissh Chirche of seynt Oluf in the old Jury and of seynt Peter the pore in London and vj torches wt iiij tapers of wex weyng every taper vj lb and iiij pore men forto bere them and none Candilstykkes there to be hadd And I gyf and bequeth ij of the same torches to the said parissh Chirche of seynt Peter and to the said parissh Chirche of seynt Oluf ij torches And to the said free Awstyns ij of the said torches. Also I gyf and bequeth all the foresaid iiij tapers unto the use of the foresaid Freres
Also I wyll that there be yerely observed and kepte wtin the said Chirche of seynt Oluf in the old Jury a dirige and a masse be note honestly to be doon wt iiij prestes and a Clerk they to pray specially for me. And for the sowlys of Kateryn and Johane that were my wyfes. And for Johane now beyng my wyf Richard and Anabill. And I bequeth to the same iiij prestes and clerk for their labour xxd.
Also I will that there be ordeigned ij tapers in the same chirche wt ij Candelstykkes forto stonde aboute the grave of my said late wyffes atte the said dirige and masse paying therfore yerly vjd. Also I will that there be expended at the said Obite in brede vjd in chese viijd in ale xijd This to be destribute and yerely spent atte everyche of my said Obite. Also I gyf unto xij pore men and women of the same parissh vjd.
Also I gyf unto the hous of the White Freres in Fletestrete xxd. And to the blak Freres at Ludgate xxd also I bequeth to the grey Freres atte Neugate xxd Also I gyf and bequeth unto the said Frere Awstyns anone and immediatly after the decesse of me and Johane my wyf to thentent yerely to kepe myn obite perpetually there a tenement wt thappurtenaunces sett and lyyng in the parissh of seynt Christofer in London to have and to hold to theym and to their Successours for evermore.
Also I geve and bequeth unto the same Frere Awstyns xli sterlynges to thentent forto purchase and bye an yerely Rent wtin the Citee of London of xs by the yere forto be destributed and disposed in the maner and fourme folowyng. that is to say unto their pitance the day of myn obite iijs and to the prest which that day shall sey masse for me iijd To the decon ijd to the Subdecon jd And the Residue of the said xs the which is vjs vjd I will that it be disposed of unto the Reparacion of the said tenement
And also I will that the Priour and Convent of the said Frere Awstyns And their Successours shall bynde theym self unto the Wardeyns of the Craft of Upholder And their Successours by writyng endented under the covent Seal justly and truly to perfourme and kepe my yerely obite as is abovereherced upon payne of Forffaiture and lesyng of the said tenement wt thappurtenaunces.
Also I geve and bequeth unto the Fraternitee of Seynt Nicholas of the Parissh Clerkes of London after the decesse of me and Johane my wyf xxli sterlynges. A pece of silver weyng vj unces and vj spones of silver weyng vj unces to thentent that they yerely observe and kepe wtin the said Chirche of Seyne Oluf myn obite that is to say a dirige and Masse by Note honestly to be doon wt iiij prestes and a Clerk specially to pray for my soule And for the soules aboverehersed that is to say to every of the same prestes iiijd to the Clerk iiijd in brede vjd in chese viijd in Ale xijd And to xij pore men and women vjd Also I will that there be ordeigned ij tapers in the said Chirche wt ij Candelstykkes forto stande abought the Graves of my said late wyffes at the dirige and masse paying yerely therfore vjd.
And also I will that the said Wardeynes of the Fraternitee of Seynt Nicholas for the tyme beyng wt the said xxli purchace in lyvelode asmuche as shall Amounte yerely to the same money truly to perfourme myn obite perpetually as is abovesaid upon payne of forffaityng and lesyng of the said xxli to be disposed unto the said Wardeynes of Upholder if they doo the contrary.
Also I geve and bequeth unto my brothern the feolaship of the Craft of Upholder after the decesse of me and Johane my wyf xli sterlynges or in mony worth of goodes.
Also I will ordeigne and dispose by this my present testament that anone immediatly after my decesse that Johane my wyf have possesse and enyoye all my londes and tenementes Rentes and services wt all and syngler thappertenaunces which I have wtin the Counties of Kent Essex Middelsex and London to have and to hold to the same Johane duryng her lyf So that she kepe her sole wydowe and unmarried her lyf duryng. And if the said Johane my wyf after my decesse be maried And taak at her pleasure a husbond. than I will that all my said londes and tenementes Rentes and services wtin the said Counties of Kent Essex Middelsex and London wt all and syngler thappurtenaunces by sadd Wysdomes of the said Wardeynes of the Craft of Upholders And iiij of the same feolaship of the same Craft of Upholder. And of the Wardeynes of the Fraternitee of seynt Nicholas aforesaid for the tyme beyng be sold for the moost profit and availe. And wt the money commyng therof they to perfourme and fulfill this my last wyll. excepte my tenement called Glovers wt thappurtenaunces sett and lyyng in Duddyngherst in the Countie of Essex. the which tenement with thappurtenaunces I will and graunte the Margaret Emlyn my doughter possesse have and enjoye duryng her lyf And after the decesse of the said Margaret my doughter I woll that the said tenement called Glovers wt thappurtenaunces as is aboverehersed by thadvice of all the said Wardeyns for the tyme beyng be sold And the money therof so receyved forto be disposed and devided in the maner and fourme folowyng. That is to say the one half therof to the use and profit of the said Frere Awstyns And to their Successours And the other half therof unto the feolaship of the said Craft of Upholder And the Fraternitee of seynt Nicholas aforesaid forevermore accordyng to these premisses unto the perforumyng of this my last will. to thentent specially to pray for my soule and all the soules abovenamed And for all them that I amme bounde to pray for. And also yerely forto kepe myn obit forevermore in the fourme aboverehersed
Also I woll pray charge and Require all and singler my feoffees and every of theym the which of grete trust to my behof ar enfeoffed of and in all my said londes and tenementes Rentes and services wt thappurtenaunces or in any parcell therof that they and everyche of them Immediatly after my decesse at all tymes whan they shall be required make and gyfe unto the said Johane my wyf a sure and sufficient estate in the lawe of and in all my said londes tenementes Rentes and services wt all thappurtenaunces and every parcell therof. To have and to hold unto the said Johane my wyf accordyng to the premisses of this my present testament and last will to thentent that all thynges conteyned in the same be justly and duly perfourmed as they woll answere afore God atte the high day of Jugement.
Also I gyf and bequeth unto the Anker [i.e. anchorite] at London Wall xijd and to the Ancres [i.e. anchoresses] vjd Item I gyve and bequeth unto the parissh Chirche werke of Dodyngherst aforesaid vjs viijd. And to the parissh Chirche werke of Stondon in the said Countie of Essex vjs viijd. Also I bequeth unto the parissh Chirche werk of seynt Peter the pore aforesaid vjs viijd. Also I gyf and bequeth unto the prisoners in Ludgate iijs iiijd to be deled and devided equaly in brede. Also I gyf and bequeth to the yomen of the Fraternitie of seynt John Baptist of Taillours in London [i.e. the Merchant Taylors Company] vj spones of silver weyng vj unces Also I gyf and bequeth unto my brother William Emlyn A pece of silver A maser A gold Ryng and my best gown.
The Residue of all and singler my goodes thynes dettes and catalles meovable and unmeoveable where so every they ben after my dettes paid my bequestes fulfilled and my burying duly and honestly done I gyfe and bequeth holy unto the said Johane my wyf she forto do therwith her own free will as she shall seme moost best to please God and the moost profit of my soule.
And of this my present testment and last will I ordeyn and make myn Executrix Johane my wyf. Supervisours to the same Ser Robert Coke William Emlyn and Goerge Page Citezeyn and Upholder of London And I gyf unto everych of my said overseers for their labour in this partie to be doon And forto help and strengith my said wyf in all thynges xiijs iiijd sterlynges
In witnesse wherof to this my present testament and last will I have put my seall these witnesses Thomas Baily John Frere Thomas Hether and Robert Ryder wt other Writen yeven and sealed the day and yere abovesaid.
Liverymen of
The Worshipful Company of Upholders
Who have been Aldermen
John Hudson (aka
Hodgson) 1624
Cripplegate
Died 1628
Samuel Ravenscroft
1653
Vintry
Died 1664
Thames Pepys (aka
Peapes) 1656
Farringdon Without
Died 1676
Samuel Swain
1787-1790
Bishopgate
Died 1790
William Hunter
1843-1856
Coleman Street
Died 1856
Note
The source was published in 1913 and so those elected Alderman after this date are not shown. (Beaven)
Royal Charter of 1668
CHARLES THE SECOND BY THE GRACE OF GOD of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the faith etc. To All to whom the present letters shall have come, greeting.
We have inspected the Enrolement of certain letters patent bearing date the fourteenth day of June in the second Year of the reign of our most dear father the Lord Charles lately King of England made & granted to the Master, Wardens and Commonalty of the mystery or Art of Upholders of the City of London and Enrolled in the Rolls of our Court of Chancery thence remaining on record in these words
Charles by the grace of God etc To all to whome theise presents shall come greeting
Whereas divers and sundry Persons using the Art or mistery of Uphoulsters comonly called Upholdsters within this our Realme and especially in or neare our Citty of London not regaurding the lawes and Statutes of our said Realme nor our Royall Government of our leige people within the same nor content with theire lawfull lucre and gayne have for the space of divers yeares past used and practised and still doe use and practise many greate abuses and deceipts aswell within our said Citty of London as within many parts of this our Realme of England in makeinge sellinge uttering and puttinge to sale to us and our Subiects divers corrupt Stuffes and Wares of sundry sort not wholesome for mans body or weareinge as ffeatherbeds Bolsters Pillowes Chaires Stooles Cushions matteresses Quilts and other wares apperteyninge and belonginge to the Arte or mistery of uphoulsters beinge made and Stuffed with divers and sundry corrupt and deceiptfull Stuffes as scalded ffeathers and drie pulled ffeathers together fflocks and ffeathers togeather stinckinge and dustie ffeathers mingled with soape Ashes quills Pigeon ffeathers greene: sicke ffeathers fennedowne thistledowne Rubbish hattmakers wooll stricke haire horse haire neates haire and Goates haire and with divers other corrupt and deceiptfull Stuffes and thinges which are contagious and unholsome for mans body to lye on and whereby Wee and our said Subiects the Nobility Gentry and Comons of this our Realme are greately wronged and deceaved and many of our Leige Subiects have bene thereby hurt weakened and diseased to the greate scandall and disgrace of our lawes and government and to the greate losse and deceipt of our loyall and faithfull people using the same and the greate rebuke and slander of the ffeate mistery or Art of uphoulders and especially within or neare our Citty of London
And where our Subiects the ffraternity or Brotherwood of the master Wardens or Keepers ffellowshipp and ffreemen of the Art or mistery of uphoulsters within our said Citty of London not haveinge sufficient power and authoritie for that they have not bene sufficiently incorporated to make due search scruitinie and correccon of such false and deceiptfull wares and comodities apperteyninge to theire mistery or Arte or of the Persons useinge the said falsities or deceipts as other Wardens and ffellowshipps of other misteries or Artes have and enioye have bene humble Suytors unto us that Wee would bee pleased to extend our Royall favour and more ample grace and liberality unto them And that for the government of the said Arte or misterie of uphoulders within the Cittie of London and the correccon and Reformacon of the aforesaid Abuses and deceipts Wee would bee pleased to ordeyne establish make reduce and create the ffreeman of the same Art or mistery of uphoulders into one boody corporate and Politique and would grante to them other liberties and priviledges whereby they might have power and authoritie to correct and reforme all the aforesaid abuses and deceipts and all other deceiptes and abuses whatsoever used or to bee used or practised by any person or persons in any the wares or thinges belonging to the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders and to punishe the Offendors and delinquents in the said Arte or misterie without the hinderance of any our Officers or ministers or the contempt of us our heires or Successores
Wee therefore holdinge the humble peticon of the said master Wardens ffellowshippe and ffreemen of the said mistery or Arte of uphoulsters of our Citty of London to bee verie reasonable and of princely desyre and Inclination to Justice beinge desirous to suppresse and avoide the deceipts and abuses used exercised practised and ppetrated in the said misterie or Arte And for the better execucon of the lawes and Statuts already made for reformacon of the abuses aforesaid or some of them of our especiall grace certeyne knowledge and meere mocon doe by theise presents for us our heires and Successors Will Ordeyne give graunte constitute and declare that all and every the ffreemen of the said Arte or mistery of uphoulders of our Citty of London and all and every other person and persons which now use or Exercise or hereafter shall use or exercise the ffeate Arte or misterie of uphouldrs without our said Citty of London and the Suburbes of the same and within any other place or places within seaven myles circuit of our said Citty other then such persons as nowe are or hereafter shall bee free of any other Company Guild or ffraternitie within our said Citty of London from henceforth for ever bee and shall bee one bodye corporate and pollitique of themselves in deede facte and name and one perpetuall Societie and Comonaltye of maister and Wardens and Comonaltie of the mistery or Arte of uphoulders of the Citty of London and them by the name of maister and Wardens and Comonaltie of the mistery or Arte of uphoulders of the Citty of London into one body corporate and politique for ever really and fully in all thinges and by all thinges for us our heires and Successors
Wee doe erect ordeyne reduce make create declare constitute establishe and confirme by theise presents And will and graunte for us our heires and Successors by theise presents that they by the name of maister Wardens and Coialtie of the mistery or Arte of uphoulders of the Cittie of London shall have ppetuall succession And that they and theire Successors from henceforth for ever shall bee named and called by the name of maister and Wardens and Coialtie of the mistery or Arte of uphoulders of the Cittie of London And that they by the name of maister and Wardens and Coialtie of the mistery or Arte of uphoulders of the Cittie of London bee and shall bee for ever hereafter persons able and in lawe capable to hould purchase receive possesse and enioye to them and their Successors in ffee and pptuity aswell mannors messuages lands tenements liberties priviledges Jurisdiccons ffranchises Rents Rectories tythes Revenues and other hereditaments whatsoever and of what kynde or nature soever not held of us our heires or Successors in Capite nor by knights service As alsoe all and all manner of goods chattells and other thinges whatsoever And alsoe to give graunte sell demise assigne and dispose the same mannors messuages lands tenements hereditaments goods and Chattells or any parcell or parcells thereof from tyme to tyme and to performe doe Seale and execute all and singular deedes writings and other necessaries att their liberties and pleasures And that by the name of master and Wardens and Comynalty of the mistery or Arte of uphoulders of the Cittie of London may pleade and bee ympleaded answeare and bee answeared unto and defend and bee defended and may gett affirme and prosecute before whatsoever Judges and Justices and all [defaced here] Officers and Ministers of us our heires and Successors and other persons whatsoever in what Courtes and places soever in all and singular matters suyts [defaced here] quarrells Accons demaundes and clauses whatsoever and of what soever kynde nature condicon or forme they bee and in as ample manner and forme as any sage Subiects of this our Realme of England persons able and in lawe capable may and ought to have purchase receive give graunte sell demise Assigne dispose Seale execute pleade and bee ympleaded answeare and bee answeared unto defend and bee defended gett affirme doe performe or prosecute
And that the same master and Wardens and Comynalty of the mistery or Arte of uphoulders of the Cittie of London shall have for ever a Comon Seale for them and their Successors to serve and use for all causes matters thinges and affaires whatsoever of them and theire Successors and for the Sealeinge of all and singular theire deedes and writeings in any manner touchinge or concerninge theire matters or affaires And tha it shall and may bee lawfull to the same maister and Wardens and Comynaltie and their Successors to breake chaunge spoyle alter and newe make the same Seale from tyme to tyme for ever hereafter as to them shall seeme meete and expedient
And further of our more ample grace Wee Will and for us our heires and Successors doe give and graunte by theise presents that from henceforth for ever hereafter there bee and shall bee one maister and two Wardens of the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders of the Cittie of London chosen and constituted in manner and forme hereafter in theise presents specified and lymitted to rule and governe the people and state of the same mistery or Arte and all matters thinges causes and affaires touching or concerning the same
And morover for the better aide assitance and Councell of the said master and Wardens of the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders for the time beinge in and aboute the Execucon of their severall Offices Wee Will and Ordeyne and of our aboundant grace certeyne knowledge and meere mocon for us our heires and Successors doe give and graunte by theise presents that from henceforth for ever there bee and shall bee twelve men or more of the said mistery or Arte of uphoulsters of the Cittie of London as to the said master and Wardens shall bee thought fitting to bee elected and constituted in manner and forme hereafter in theise presents specified and limitted which shall bee and shall bee called Assistants to the said master and Wardens of the said mistery or Arte of uphoulsters and shall bee from time to time aidynge assistinge helpinge and councellinge to the master and Wardens of the said mistery or Arte of uphoulsters for the time beinge in all matters thinges Causes and affaires whatsoever touchinge or concerning the mistery or Arte or the good rule state or government of the persons useinge the same
And morover for the better execucon of the premisses and of our Comaund and graunte in that behalfe and for the good rule and government of the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders Wee have assigned named created ordeyned and constituted And by theise presents for us our heires and Successors doe assigne name create ordeyne and constitute our Welbeloved Subiect John hodgson sometimes Alderman of London one of the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders to bee the first and present maister of the said mistery or Arte of uphoulsters of the Cittie of London takeinge his oath before the mayor and Aldermen of the Cittie of London for the true and faithfull execucon of the said Office willinge that the said John hodgson bee and shall continue maister of the said mistery or Arte from the day of the date of theise presents untill the morrowe next after the ffeast of the Nativitie of Saint John Baptist next ensueinge the date of theise presents and from and after the same day untill one other meete and sufficient man of the same mistery or Arte of uphoulders bee elected and sworne to execute the office of the maister of the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders of the Citty of London according to the ordinances and provisions hereafter in theise presents specified and limitted if the said John hodgson shall soe long live
And alsoe Wee have Assigned named created ordeyned and constituted And by theise presents for us our heires and Successors doe assigne name create ordeyne and constitute our Welbeloved Subiects Anthony Lucas and Andrewe yardley two other of the said mistery or Arte of upholders to bee two first and present Wardens of the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders of the Cittie of London both of them likewise takeinge theire corporall oathes before the mayor and Aldermen of our Cittie of London for the true and faithfull exercisinge of theire respective Offices Willinge alsoe that they the said Anthony Lucas and Andrewe yardley shall bee and continue Wardens of the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders from the day of the date of theise presents untill the morrowe after the said ffeaste of the Nativitie of Saint John Baptist nowe next ensueinge and from the same day untill two other meete and sufficient Persons of the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders bee elected into the said Offices of Wardens of the said misterie or Arte of upholders and sworne to execute the same Offices accordinge to the Ordinances and provisions hereafter in theise presents specified and limitted if they the said Anthony Lucas and Andrewe yardley shall soe long live
And Alsoe Wee have Assigned named created ordeyned and constituted And by theise presents for us our heires and Successors doe Assigne name create ordeyne and constitute our Welbeloved Subiects John Grimston George Blundell Thomas Ardington William hodgson michaell Best William Rowell henry Nevell ffrancis middleton mathew Collins Samuel Ravenscrofte John Pagett and lawrence Towne to bee the first and present twelve Assistants to the said master and Wardens of the said mistery or Arte of upholdiers every one of them takeinge theire oath before the master and Wardens of the said mistery or Arte of upholders or any two of them for the true and faithfull execucon of theire severall Offices and places aforesaid Willinge likewise that they the said John Grimston George Blundell Thomas Ardington William hodgson michaell Best William Rowell henry Nevell ffrancis middleton mathew Collins Samuell Ravenscrofte John Pagett and Lawrence Towne shall bee and continue Assistants to the maister and Wardens of the misterie or Arte of upholdiers for the time beinge for and dureinge the terme of theire naturall lives respectively unles they or some or one of them shall for some reasonable causes bee amoved or dismissed from theire Office or offices aforesaid by the master or Wardens and the greater parte of the Assistants of the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders for the time beinge
And further Wee Will and by theise presents for us our heires and Successors doe give and graunte to the said master and Wardens and Comonaltie of the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders of the Cittie of London and theire Successors That they the said maister and Wardens and Comynaltie of the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders of the Cittie of London and theire Successors for ever hereafter may have a Comon hall or Councell house in some convenient place within our said Cittie of London or the liberties thereof And that it shall and may bee lawfull to and for the said master and Wardens and Cominalty of the mistery or Arte of uphoulders of the Cittie of London and theire Successors to meete appeare and assemble themselves togeather in the said hall or Councell house or in any other convenient house or place houses or places within the said Cittie or the liberties thereof from time to time soe often and wheresoever and whensoever it shall seeme expedient and neceesary to the said master and Wardens and Comynaltie and theire Successors
And further of our especiall grace certeyne knowledge and meere mocon Wee Will and by these presents for us our heires and Successors doe graunte to the said master and Wardens and Comynaltie of the misterie or Arte of uphoulders of the Cittie of London and to theire Successors full power and authoritie that they the said master and Wardens and Comynaltie of the mistery or Arte of uphoulders aforesaid and theire Successors or the greater parte of them from time to time upon the morrowe after the said ffeast of the Nativitie of Saint John Baptist yearely for ever hereafter or att such other tyme or tymes in every yeare as to them the said master and Wardens and Comynaltie of the said misterie or Arte of uphoulders or the greater parte of them from tyme to tyme bee thought fitt shall and may nominate and elect out of the Assistants of the said misterie or Arte of uphoulders for the tyme then beinge not only one fitt and discreete person to bee master of the said misterie or Arte of uphoulders for one yeare then next ensueinge and thence forward untill one other fitt and discreete person shall bee elected into the same office and sworne for the execucon thereof accordinge to the tenor and effect of theise presents But alsoe two other fitt and discreete persons to bee Wardens of the said misterie or Arte of uphoulders for one yeare then next ensueinge and thence forward untill two other fitt and discreete persons shall bee elected into the same office and sworne for the execucon thereof accordinge to the tenor and effect of theise presents the said master and Wardens soe as aforesaid nominated and elected and every of them respectively taekinge theire corporall oathes before the master and Wardens then last beinge or any two of them or one or two of the Predecessors of them in the presence of two or more of the Assistants of the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders for the time beinge well and faithfully in all thinges to exercise and execute theire said severall Offices respectively And that the same master and Wardens soe nominated elected and sworne may excercise theire severall offices aforesaid for one year then next ensueinge And from thence forward untill some others shall de novo bee elected and sworne into theire severall Offices respectively accordinge the tenor and effect of theise presents
And thereupon Wee Will and by theise presents for us our heires and Successors doe graunte to the said master and Wardens and Comynalty of the mistery or Arte of uphoulders aforesaid and theire Successors that it shall bee lawfull to and for the Assistants and ffreemen of the said misterie or Arte of uphoulders soe as aforesaid assembled or the greater parte of them from tyme to tyme as to them shall seeme meete for reasonable causes and consideracons to expell and remove the said master and Wardens and Assistants from tyme to tyme soe as aforesaid elected and sworne and every or any of them from and out of theire several Offices respectively
And Wee Will alsoe by theise presents for us our heires and Successors doe Ordeyne and graunte that whensoever and soe often as it shall happen the master and Wardens of the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders for the tyme beinge or any of them before the end of the same yeare in which or to which they were or shall bee nomynated and elected to dye and departe this life or otherwise from theire Offices for reasonable cause to bee removed whome for reasonable cause We will shall soe as aforesaid bee removed that then and soe often it shall and may bee lawfull to and for the master and Warden or Wardens of the said misterie or Arte of uphoulders for the tyme then beinge and contynueinge in theire said Office or Offices with the assent and consent of the Assistants and ffreemen of the said Arte or mistery soe as aforesaid assembled for the tyme beinge or the greater parte of them within eight and twenty dayes next after the deathe dismission or removeinge of such master or Warden or Wardens to nomynat and elect some other fitt and discreete person or persons out of the Assistants of the said mistery or Arte for the tyme then beinge in the place or steede of him or them soe dyeinge removed or dismissed to bee master or Wardens of the mistery or Arte aforesaid for and dureinge the residue of the same yeare and from thence forewards untill some other person or persons shall bee elected and sworne into the same Office or Offices respectively accordinge to the Ordinances and provisions in theise presents expressed And that hee or they soe newly elected takeinge their corporall oathes for the execucon thereof in forme before expressed shall and may exercise and execute the same Office or Offices respectively for the residue of the same yeare and from thenceforwards untill some other or others shall bee nominated elected and sworne to the same Office or Offices respectively accordinge to the tenor and effect of theise presents
And Morover that whensoever and as often that it shall happen one or more of the Assistants of the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders for the tyme beinge shall dye or for reasonable cause from theire Office or place removed whome by the master and Wardens and Assistants of the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders for the tyme beinge or the greater parte of them for reasonable cause We Will shall be removed that then and soe often it shall and may bee lawfull to and for the master and Wardens and the residue of the Assistants of the said mistery or Arte for the time beinge and remayninge then alive and unremoved or the greater parte of them within convenient tyme after such death or removeinge of any of the said Assistante or Assistants to nomynate and chose out of the Comynalty and liverie of the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders one or more person or persons in the place or steede of him or them soe deade or removed to bee Assistant or Assistants of the said mistery or Arte And that every such person soe nomynated and elected takeinge his corporall oathe before the master Wardens and Assistants of the said mistery or Arte for the tyme beinge or the greater parte of them for the due execucon of his place and Office shall bee one of the Assistants of the said misterie or Arte dureinge his naturall life or untill hee shall for reasonable cause bee removed from that Office by the master Wardens and Assistants of the said misterie or Arte or the greater parte of them accordinge to the tenor and effect of theise presents
And further Wee have given and graunted And by theise presents for us our heires and Successors doe give and graunte to the said master and Wardens and Comynalty of the mistery or Arte of the uphoulders of the Cittie of London and theire Successors full power and authoritie that the said master Wardens and Assistants of the said misterye or Arte for the tyme beinge or the greate parte of them shall and may from tyme to tyme for ever hereafter as often and whensoever it shall please then nomynate and choose one Clerke and one Beddell or Bayliffe to serve the said master Wardens and Assistants for the time beinge in their Comaundments and affaires whatsoever And the same Clerke or Beddell or Bayliffe or either of them from theire several Offices or places from time to time for reasonable causes them the said master Wardens and Assistants or the greater parte of them moveinge to remove and deprive
And further knowe yee that Wee of our more ample grace certeyne knowlege and meere mocon have graunted nad given lycence and by theise presents for us our heires and Successors doe graunte and give lycence and free and lawfull faculty power and authoritie to the said master and Wardens and Comynaltie of the misterie or Arte of uphoulders of the Cittie of London and to theire Successors that they and their Successors lawfully and without punishment shall and may purchase receive obteyne and enioy to them and their Successors for ever aswell of us our heires and Successors as of any other person or persons whatsoever other messuages Burgages lands Tenements Rents Rectoryes tythes revenues possessions and hereditaments in any Towne or place whatsoever within our Realme of England not exceedinge the cleere yearely vallue of ffortie poundes per annu over and above all charges and reprises whatsoever soe that the same lands tenements or hereditaments soe hereafter to bee purchased and obteyned bee not held of us our heires or Successors in capite or by knights service And that the same master and Wardens and Comynaltie of the misterie or Arte aforesaid and their Successors shall and may demise place graunte bargaine sell and att their pleasure dispose all and singuler the said lands tenements and hereditaments above said heretofore as aforesaid obteyned or hereafter as aforesaid to bee purchased and obteyned and every parte thereof from time to time as to them shall seeme expedient And this without any Writt of ad quod damnum or any other Writte or Inquisicon thereof to bee taken or retourned into our Courte of Chauncery or any other Writte or Writts licence or licenses letters or other warrants of us our heires or Successors thereof to bee made prosecuted purchased or obteyned the Statute of mortmayne or any other Statute Acte ordinance provision or restrainte enacted made ordeyned or provided or any other matter cause or thinge whatsoever to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstandinge
And further Wee Will and by theise presents for us our heires and Successors doe graunte to the aforesaid master and Wardens and Comynalty of the mistery or Arte of uphoulders of the Cittie of London and theire Successors that they the said master and Wardens and Comynalty of the misterie or Arte of uphouldrs of the Cittie of London and theire Successors shall and may from time to time from henceforth for ever hereafter use have hould and enioye to them and their Successors All and singuler the same and such like reasonable Customes ordinances franchises priviledges exempcons acquietants iurisdiccons and authorities whatsoever which the said master Wardens and Comynalty att the time of the makeinge of theise presents have and enioye or which they and theire Predecessors or the ffreemen of the mistery or Arte of uphouldrs of the Cittie of London by what name or names soever and by what Corporation ffraternitie or Guild soever or by pretext of what Corporacon ffraternity or Guild soever heretofore have used hadd possessed held or enioyed or ought to have used hadd possessed held or enioyed by reason or pretext of any Charters or Letters Pattents by us or by anye of our Progenitors or Predecessors of this our Realme of England in any manner of wise heretofore made graunted or confirmed or by anye other lawfull meanes right Custome use prescripcon or title whatsoever heretofore used hadd or accustumed Anye Statute Acte ordinance matter cause or thinge whatsoever to the contrarye thereof in any wise Notwithstanding
And further of Our more ample grace and of our certeyne knowlege and meere mocon Wee Will and by theise presents for us our heires and Successors doe graunte unto the said master and Wardens and Comynalty of the mistery or Arte of uphoulders of the Cittie of London and theire Successors for ever That it shall and may bee lawfull to and for the said master and Wardens and Comynalty ffreemen of the misterie or Arte aforesaid from tyme to tyme hereafter when and as often as to them shall seeme meete and expedient to assemble meete convocate and congregate themselves togeather att or in theire Comon hall or Councell house aforesaid or att or in anye other convenient place or places within the said Cittie or the Suburbes thereof And that the same master and Wardens and Comynalty ffreemen of the mistery or Arte aforesaid soe assembled and mett togeather or the greater parte of them may from tyme to tyme conferre consulte intreate and determyne constitute compose make ordeyne and sett downe in writinge anye reasonable Statuts lawes Articles institucons orders and ordinances whatsoever as to them or the greater parte of them shall seeme meete and expedient for the good estate rule and government aswell of all and every the master and Wardens and Comynaltye and freemen of the said mistery or Arte as of all and every other person and persons whatsoever useinge or exercisinge or that shall use or exercise the said mistery or Arte within the said Cittie of London and the Suburbes thereof or within any other Cittye or place within our said Realme of England and in what order and manner they and every of them theire and every of theire Apprentices Journeymen and servants shall use carry behave and demeane themselves in theire severall offices functions misteries and bussinesses touchinge or concerninge the said mistery or Arte and in all other matters causes and thinges whatsoever toucheinge or concerninge the said mistery or Arte or the publique good comon utilitye or safe and quyett goverment thereof
And further that they the said master Wardens and Comynalty and ffreemen of the said mistery or Arte soe assembled and meete togeather as aforesaid or the greater parte of them from tyme to tyme in every such Assembly shall and may impose provyde lymitt and appoynt upon and against any person or persons that shall transgresse breake or violate the said Statutes Lawes Articles orders constitucons and ordinances soe to bee made ordeyned and established as aforesaid all and every such paynes penalties and punishments whatsoever Bee it by imprisonment of body ffyne amercement or otherwise as to them the said master and Wardens and Comynaltie and ffreemen so assembled or the greater parte of them shall seeme meete and expedient
And further that they the said master and Wardens and Comynaltie of the said misterie or Arte of uphoulders of the Cittye of London by themselves or by theire Deputy or Deputies in that behalfe authorised shall and may from tyme to tyme hereafter aske collect gather levie take and receive by way of distress or otherwise of or against the transgressors of the said Statutes lawes and ordinances and every of them respectively and of and against his and theire respective goodes and Chattells all and every the said fynes paynes forfeytures and penalties forfeyted by the transgressors of the said Statutes lawes and ordinances or any of them and shall and may have and enioy and convert and dispose of the same to the proper use of the said master and Wardens and Comynalty and theire successors lawfully and without punishment and without the molestacon disquiett or impediment of us our heires or successors or of any Justices mayors Sheriffes Bayliffs or other Officers ministers or Subiects of us our heires or successors
All of which lawes statutes articles constitucons institucons orders and ordinances soe to bee made ordeyned and established in forme aforesd and every of them Wee Will and by theise psents for us our heires and successors doe graunte and comaunde to bee from time to time and att all times observed obeyed and pformed in and by all thinges accordinge to the tenor and true meaneing thereof upon the paynes penalties and punishments in the same to bee imposed imflicted limitted and appoynted in forme aforesaid soe as the same statutes lawes ordinances and articles or any of them bee not repugnant or contrary to the lawes and statutes of this our Realme of England
And further of our more ample grace certeyne knowledge and meere mocon and for the better repressinge and reformacon of the decipts and abuses to bee used and ppetrated in the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders Wee have given and graunted and by theise psents for us our heires and Successors doe freely give and graunte to the said master and Wardens and Comynaltie of the mistery or Arte of uphoulders of the Cittie of London and to theire successors for every full and whole power and authoritie that it shall and may bee lawfull to and for the master and Wardens of the said mistery or Arte for the time beinge or any two of them togeather with two or more of the Assistants of the same misterie or Arte for the time alsoe beinge from tyme to tyme and att all and every convenient time or times hereafter as often and when as to them shall seeme good and meete through our whole Cittie of London and the Suburbes thereof and within seaven myles circuyte of the same Cittie and in all and every or any the ffaires or mcatts within this our Realme of England to have make and exercise view search government and correccon of all and singuler pson and psons whatsoever occupyinge useinge or exercisinge within the said Citty circuyte and places aforesaid or any of them the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders or any thinge or thinges to the same misterie or Arte appteyninge in makeinge stuffinge workinge sellinge or puttinge to sale aswell of all ffeatherbedds Boulsters pillowes stooles chaires Cushions matresses Quilts Ruggs and Dornix as of all other things whatosever to the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders appteyninge or belonginge And that they have and shall have the correccon and punishinge of all and singuler pson and psons whatsoever within the Citty circuyte and places aforesaid for theire offences of and for all thinges to the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders appteyninge or belonginge and the same as often and when as neede shalbee for the profitt and utilitie of all our leige people and others whatsoever soe that such correccon and punishment bee not executed contrary to the lawes of this our Realme of England or the ordinances and statuts therefore made or contrary to the Customes liberties and priviledges of Our Citty of London
And if upon suche searche and scrutinie any ffeather bedd or ffeatherbedds Boulsters pillowes chaires stooles Cushions mattresses Quilts Ruggs Dornix or any other thinge whatsoever touching or concning the said Arte or mistery of uphoulders shalbee found falslie deceiptfully or insufficiently wrought made or stuffed of or with any scalded ffeathers and drie pulled ffeathers togeather fflocks nad ffeathers togeather stinckinge and drie ffeathers mingled with soape ashes quills pigeon ffeathers greene sicke ffeathers rubbish hattmakers wools stricke haire Neates haire or horse haire or of or with anye other deceiptfull insufficient or corrupt stuffe matter or thinge whatsoever in deceipt of the leige people of us our heires and Successors Then We will and graunte for us our heires and Successors that the aforesaid master Wardens and Assistants or anye three or more of them soe searchinge and findinge the same shall take and deface the same or soe much thereof as shall bee corrupt or unserviceable for any use in the said trade shall breake and teare in peices or cast into the fire and burne or by any other meanes consume att theire pleasure accordinge to theire sound discrecons least that any of the leige people of us our heires or Successors bee by the same deceived or hurte
And further Wee Will and by theise presents for us our heires and Successors doe graunt to the aforesaid master Wardens and Comynalty of the mistery or Arte of uphoulders of the Citty of London and theire successors by vertue of theise psents for the better worke and workinge in the foresaid Arte or mistery of uphoulders for the good of us and all our Subjects for that the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders aforesaid is a manuall Arte That from henceforth it shall not bee lawfull to any pson or psons to sett up use or excise the arte or mistery aforesaid or to worke or make any of the workes or workings in any wise touching or concning the said Arte or mistery unlesse he or they bee first brought upp in the same Arte as an Apprentice or Apprentices by the space of seaven yeares att the least under payne of the displeasure of us our heires and successors And further for his and theire contempts in the pmisses to bee chastised and punished according to the lawes and statuts of this our Realme of England the customes of Citty of London and the ordinancs made or to bee made by the aforesaid master Wardens and Comynalty of the said mistery or Arte of uphoulders of the Citty of London unles it bee the widdoes of ffreemen of the said Citty and such as are free thereof by patrimony willing and by theise psents firmely enioyinge charging and comanding all and singuler mayors Justices Sheriffes Bayliffs Constables and other officers & ministers whatsoever of us our heires and successors that they bee helping assisting & comforting to the foresaid master & Wardens & Comynalty of the mistery or Arte of uphoulders of the Citty of London & to every of them and to theire successors to doe have enioy and execute all & every theise things by us to the said master Wardens & Comynalty by theise our letters Patents before graunted & every parte & pcell thereof Althoughe expresse mencon ec.
In witness whereof ec Witnes our selfe att Westm the fowerteenth day of June in the second yeare of our Reigne over England by a writ of Privy Seal
And We indeed at the recent request of the master Wardens & Commonalty of the mystery or Art of uphoulders of the City of London have caused the tenor of the premises to be exemplified. In testimony of which thing we have caused these our letters to be made patent. Witness myself at Westminster on the sixth day of may in the twentieth Year of our reign.
"If a corner
of the hanging wants a single nail,
send for the upholsterer."
Jonathan Swift
1667-1745
"......after
dinner my wife and I and Deb by
coach to the upholster’s in Long Lane,
Alderman Reeve’s and then to Alderman
Crow’s to see a variety of hangings."
Samuel Pepys’
Diary
15 October, 1668
"Mere wax as
yet, you fashion him with ease,
Your barber, cook, upholsterer."
Alexander Pope
1688-1744
"Where the
brass knocker wrapt in flannel band,
Forbids the thunder of the footman's hand;
Th' upholder, rueful harbinger of death,
Waits with impatience for the dying breath."
John Gay
1685-1732
St. Paul is the patron saint of the Worshipful Company of Upholders.
The whole of the book may be downloaded from
the 'Origins and History' page
or from the Table of Contents at the left of your screen now
The following Annexes have been included on a
separate page
and may be viewed by selecting one from the Table of Contents
F - Transcription of Byelaws, 1679
G - List of Pre-1900 silver and other Company valuables
H - Joint letter by The Sheriffs, 1802
I - Mode of Admission to Freedom of Company
Bibliography
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