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The term whifflers, according to the lexicographer Bailey, was first given to the players on the whiffle or fife; but he then adds this definition,-" a young freeman of London that goes before the companies of London in public processions."

The accession of a Protestant monarch, and the changes consequent on that event, and likely, in time, to arise out of it, induced the Ironmongers, it would seem, to seek a renewal of their privileges; for we find that on the 12th of November in this year they obtained from Elizabeth an inspeximus, confirming the charter recently granted by Philip and Mary. Some of the items of expense in 1547 would lead us to suppose that they contemplated a similar measure on the accession of Edward the Sixth; but that King having agreed to treat with the civic companies for the release of their chantry lands, was probably deemed a sufficient admission and confirmation of their several corporate rights and capacities.

The Ironmongers' Company at this period exercised an extensive control and supervision over their own trade, and were empowered to fine, and otherwise punish, all persons who sold or set forth for sale any goods or merchandise of an inferior or deceptive character. The following extract exhibits a charge preferred against Clement Cornewall, one of their own body, in 1561, for having in some way been concerned in an offence of this description.

"At a quarter court holden on the 20th day of June, in this year, Thomas Taper came and complayned against Clement Cornwayll, and thare broughte in John Stubbes and William Kyrkham, for witnesses on his behalf, in the matter in contencon, weh John Stubbs declared howe that about iij. yers past he was at Lewes faire, and thare dyd see a saruant of the said Clement in a standyng in the fayre in a trashmaker's boothe, and asked hym whose man he was, and he sayd he was there with the trashmaker for the fayer tyme; and the said William

Kyrkham declared here, that at the said tyme he was at the sayd fayre, and came to the bothe wch was wont to be the standynge of the said Clement, and asked a young man.ther being whose man he was, and he sayd Mayster Cornewall's; and he asked hym if this were his maysters ware, and he sayd no, but he was there wth Etheringe, the trashmaker, to help hym for the faire tyme."

At a Court on the 8th August following was read that "acte of aparell sette owte by my lord mayer; and apoynted for dew execucyon of the same are these psons following, to stond tyll the pewryefycacoyns of our Ladye next-John Bill, William Page, William Jackman.”

This Order of Court refers to a proclamation of the Queen concerning the wearing of apparel contrary to the Act made in the 8th of Henry VIII. and another relating to the same subject passed in 1 and 2 Philip and Mary.

September 20. xvij. persons were appointed to be in "redynes on mygellmis yeayn next, in their beste lyevery, and being forid with thare hoodes to the same, to wayte upon Mayster Sheryffe, and euery p'son failing to attend to pay into the comon box of the fellowship, xl.

1562. At a Court holden the 27th day of May, touching the order for the election of Master, it was ordained as follows:

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Fyrste, it is agreed at this Corte that the ij. wardens at the dyn's (at suche tyme as the wafers shall be saruid in), shall rise to goo owte, and then shall come in wth the garlande for the mayster only, in the chef wardens handes, wth the mystrell before them, and the bedell, and makyng their obeysance to the mayster, shall delyur hym the same garlande; and there shall remayne and attend by the maister, till the mayster hathe assayed the garland upon the heads of such of the most worshipfull as he shall thinke mete, and then the mayster to receive it againe, and set it on his owne head, and then the wardens to depte, the garland remayng still on the old mayster's heade; and immedyately the wardens to come in again, wth the mynstrells and bedell before them,

either of them having his garlande on his head, and on to bare a cup before the cheif warden, and to goo ones about the house, and after obeysaunce made, the chief warden to take the cup and delyu yt to the olde mayster, and the: the mayster to take the garlande of from his head, and sit it on the newe mayster's head, and then the maister to take the cup and drinke to the new mayster; and after that the wardens, after dew reuence, to depte to say (assay) their garlands as they shall thinke mete, and then to goo oute, and to come in again wth the mynstrells and bedell before them with ther garlands on ther heddes, and either of them hauing his cup brought before him, and to goo twice

aboute the house; and then the chef

olde warden to goo and sett the garland upon the new chef warden's hed, and to take his cup and drinke to hym, and to deluy the same cup to hym, and likewise the younger warden to set his garland upon the other new warden's hed, and to take his cup and drinke to hym, and delyuer hym the same cupe, and then bothe of the olde wardens to syt downe in their places, where thaye came ffrome."

It was further ordained at the same Court "that whereas the dyn hath heretofore been used to be kept upon the Sondaye next after Trynitye Sondaye, that the dyn' shall from henceforth be kept upon the Monday seven-night after Trynitye Sonday, that is to saye, the Mondaye next after ye olde accustomed daye: and that the yemondrye, as well househoulders as others, must be warned to be at the hall upon the sayd Monday, in their best arraye, as they have bene accustomed to be heretofore upon the Sondaye, for to offer at the churche as aforetime eusid.”

The figure introduced in the margin is a fac-simile from a pen-and-ink drawing in the Ironmongers' Register-book of 1578, and probably represents one of the characters which were introduced on festive occasions, for the amusement of the company.

The garlands worn by the master and wardens on their entering upon office consisted of a fillet of velvet, about three inches wide, padded, and lined with silk, and ornamented with the arms and crest of the Company, engraved on small silver or iron plates, and enamelled in their proper tinctures.

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A set of such garlands, one of crimson and the other two of green velvet, evidently of considerable antiquity, is still in the possession of the Company, but the custom of placing them on the heads of the newly-elected master and wardens has been long discontinued. The ceremony, however, of crowning the prime warden and his associates on their accession to office, is still observed by the Fishmongers' Company, and probably by several of the othercity companies, nor is this usage of the olden time by any means devoid of interest. In the History of the Carpenters' Company lately published,* is engraved a set of these crowns or garlands, which are still used on the election of master and wardens. They bear the date 1561, and are different from those of the Ironmongers', the fillet having a cap attached to it, quartered with a band of stronger material, and a tassel at the top, so as to exhibit somewhat the appearance of an old ducal coronet.

* An Historical Account of the Worshipful Company of Carpenters of the city of London, by Edward Basil Jupp; Lond. 1848, p. 212.

Aug. 8. "A general sessment was made throughout the whole Company, as well the clothing as the yemanry, for the charge of xix. souldiers, appoynted to be found by them."

1564. The right of the Company to regulate all matters connected with their trade, and before alluded to, is further shown by an order which they passed this year, at the instance of the yeomanry, respecting the sale of nails.

At a quarter courte, holden the morrow after Saint Marke's day, being the xxvjth day of Aprill, 1564. Imprimis, it is agreed at this courte, that, where the yeomanry of this Company have exhibited a supplication to this Company to take order that such of this Company as sell but v** nayles to the c. may as well in this citie as at faires and marketts sell six score to the c., according to concience, and as they ordinarily do buy, as by the same supplication appereth; and thereupon it is fully agreed by this Company, that if any of this Company do sell any nayles under vj. score to the hundredth, either in this citie or at any faire or market, at any tyme hereafter, that then eury suche offend shall, for the first offence committed contrary to this order, forfeite and pay to the use of this Company iijs iiijd, and for the seconde offence contrary to this order vjs viijd, and for the third offence, and cury tyme after, shall pay to this Company tenne shillings.

1565. A precept was issued by the Lord Mayor, requiring the Company of. Ironmongers to contribute the sum of £75 10s. towards the building of the new Burse, which sum was assessed in the following manner.

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Books of the Ironmongers' Company.-See also extracts from the Records of the City of London, printed by the corporation, citing " a booke concernynge the newe Burse intended, which shall declare the charge that the cittie and cittezens thereof sustayned and bare for th'obteynynge of the soyle thereof, and the names of every cittizen that contributed towards that charge, and the somes that every of them haithe contributed, and other necessary matters worthie to be had in memory. Written the xiiij. day of September, anno domini 1566, in the tyme of Sir Richard Champion, maior."

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