E
EXTRACTS FROM ACCOUNT BOOKS

I. Durham Priory.

[The entries, unless otherwise specified, are amongst the extracts (generally of Dona Prioris) from the Bursars’ Rolls between 1278 and 1371, printed by Canon Fowler in vols. ii, iii of the Durham Account Rolls (Surtees Soc.). D. H. B. = Durham Household Book (Surtees Soc.), F. P. = Inventories and Account Rolls of Finchale Priory (Surtees Soc.). This was a cell of Durham Priory. The minstrelsy often took place at the ludi Domini Prioris, either in his camera (D. A. ii. 424) or at Beaurepaire, Witton, or other maneria of the Priory. There seem to have been in most years four ludi ordinarii (D. A. ii. 296), though occasionally only two or three are mentioned. These were at the feasts of Candlemas, Easter, St. John Baptist, and All Saints (D. A. i. 242, iii. 932). But the Prior, Sub-Prior, and brethren seem often to have been ludentes, spatiantes, or in recreacione (D. A. i. 118, 235), without much regard to fixed dates. In 1438-9 they were ludentes for as much as eleven weeks and four days at Beaurepaire (D. A. i. 71). See also D. A. i. 16, 116, 120, 129, 137, 138, 142, 166, 207, 263; ii. 287, 419, 456, 515; iii. 810, s.vv. Ludi, &c.; D. H. B. 9, 13, 54, 141, 240, 339; F. P. 30, ccxcv, ccccxxxvi.]

1278. Menestrallo Regis Scociae.
Menestrallo de Novo Castro.
1299. Roberto le Taburer.
1300-1. Cuidam hystrioni Regis.
1302-3. Histrionibus domini Regis.
1310-11. Hugoni de Helmeslaye stulto domini Regis.
Cuidam Iugulatori d’ni Regis.
Cuidam Cytharistae.
†1310. Histrionibus d’ni H. de Bello Monte.
In scissura tunicae stulti.
†1315. Histrionibus ad Natale.
1330-1. In uno garniamento pro Thoma fatuo empto.
Histrionibus ad Natale.
” in fest. S. Cuthberti in Marcio.
” ad fest. S. Cuthberti in Sept.
” d’ni Henrici de Beaumond.
Citharistae (in another roll ‘citharatori’) d’ni Roberti de Horneclyff ex precepto Prioris.
1333-4. Duobus histrionibus in die Veneris proximo post octavam beati Martini.
Histrionibus d’ni Regis quando d’nus noster Rex rediit de Novo Castro.
Stulto d’ni Episcopi.
Histrionibus comitis Warenne.
Histrionibus Regis Scociae.
1334-5. Histrionibus ad Natale.
1335-6. Histrionibus d’ni Regis Scociae.
Duobus histrionibus die Sci. Cuthberti.
Duobus histrionibus ex precepto Prioris.
Histrionibus Novi Castri ad fest. S. Cuthberti.
Histrionibus d’ni R. de Nevill, per Priorem.
In 1 Cythara empta pro Thom. Harpour. 3ˢ.
Cuidam histrioni apud Beaurepaire per R. de Cotam ex dono Prioris.
Thomae fatuo ex precepto eiusdem.
†1335. Istrionibus d’ni Regis.
Istrionibus Reginae apud Pytingdon.
Istrionibus [die Dominica proxima post festum Epiphaniae, quo die d’nus Episcopus epulabatur cum Priore].
Will’o de Sutton, Citharaedo d’ni Galfridi Lescrop eodem die.
Istrionibus die Natalis Domini.
†1336. Duobus istrionibus d’ni Regis.
Edmundo de Kendall, Cytharaeto, de dono Prioris ad Pascha.
Menestrallis de dono [quando Episcopus epulabatur cum Priore].
†1337. In 1 pari sotularium pro Thoma fatuo.
1338-9. Several payments to ‘istriones’ and ‘menestralli.’
In 4 ulnis burelli scacciati emptis pro garniamento Thomae Fole per preceptum Prioris.
1339-40. In panno empto in foro Dunelm. pro uno garniamento pro Thoma fatuo.
Willelmo Piper istrioni d’ni Radulphi de Nevill die Circumcisionis.
1341. Pelidod et duobus sociis suis histrionibus d’ni Regis post Natale Domini.
1341-42. In garniamentis emptis pro ... Thoma fatuo (and similar entries, or for ‘Russet,’ ‘pannus,’ ‘Candelwykstret’ in other years).
†1343. Various payments to ‘Istriones.’
1347-8. ‘Istrionibus,’ &c.
1350-51. Istrionibus ad Natale.
” ad S. Cuthbertum in Sept.
1355-6. Will’o Pyper et aliis istrionibus ad Natale.
Item duobus istrionibus d’ni Episcopi et duobus istrionibus Comitis de Norhamton in festo Sci. Cuthberti in Marcio.
Item istrionibus d’ni Episcopi ad festum Paschae.
Item istrionibus in festo Sci. Cuthberti in Sept.
1356-7. In sepultura Thomae fatui et necessariis expensis circa corpus eius, per manus d’ni Prioris (similar entry in miscellaneous roll, ‘Thomae Fole,’ D. A. iii. 719).
Diversis ministrallis (D. A. iii. 718).
†1357. Et Will’o Blyndharpour ad Natale.
Et Ioh’i Harpour d’ni Ioh’is de Streuelyn et Will’o Blyndharpour de Novo Castro.
Et duobus Trompours Comitis de Norhamton apud Wyuestow.
Et cuidam Harpour vocato Rygeway.
Istrionibus d’ni Episcopi (and Harpers, &c.).
†1360. Petro Crouder apud Pityngton, per Capellanum.
Item eidem Petro pro uno quarterio ordii sibi dato per Priorem.
Duobus Istrionibus Episcopi in festo Assensionis Domini.
Et cuidam Istrioni Maioris villae Novi Castri per Capellanum.
1360-61. Will’o Pyper et aliis istrionibus ad Natale per manus Ioh’is del Sayles.
Cuidam Welsharpour d’ni Will’i de Dalton.
Item histrionibus aliorum dominorum.
1361-2. In uno viro ludenti in uno loyt et uxori eius cantanti apud Bewrpayr (D. A. i. 127, Hostiller’s Accounts).
1362. Item cuidam histrioni harper episcopi Norwychiae in festo Transl. Sᶜⁱ. Cuthberti.
Cuidam Istrioni Jestour Jawdewyne in festo Natalis Domini.
Will’o yᵉ kakeharpour ad idem festum.
Et Barry similem sibi ad id. festum.
Et cuidam ystrioni caeco franco cum uno puero fratre suo.
Barry harper ex precepto Prioris in una tunica empta.
1363-4. Item cantoribus in Adventu Domini cum histrionibus ibidem ex dono Prioris.
Item cuidam histrioni die Dominica Quasimodo geniti.
1364-5. To two players of the Lord Duke at the said feast (of St. Cuthbert) (Raine, St. Cuthbert, 109, Surtees Soc.).
1365-6. Barry Harpour, ystrionibus, &c.
1366-8. Ministrallis, Istrionibus.
1368-9. Rob’o Trompour et Will’o Fergos ministrallo in die Sci. Cuthberti.
1373-4. Duobus Ministrallis cum uno Weyng.
1374. 12 ministrallis in festo Sᶜⁱ. Cuthb.
1375-6. Ministrall. in die S. Cuthb. in Mar.
Cuidam ministrallo ludenti coram domino Priori in camera sua.
Tribus ministrallis Comitis del Marchie ludentibus coram domino Priore.
Cuidam ministrallo domini Regis veniente cum domino de Neuill.
12 ministrallis in festo Sci. Cuthb. in Sept.
4 ministrallis domini Principis in festo exaltacionis Sᶜᵉ. Crucis.
Cuidam ministrallo in festo Sᶜⁱ. Mathaei.
Ministrallis in festo Sᶜⁱ. Cuthb. in Marcio anno Domini, &c. lxxvᵗᵒ.
Duobus ministrallis in die Pasche.
1376-7. Willielmo Fergos et Rogero Harpour caeco ad Natale Domini.
Aliis ministrallis domini de Percy in eadem fest.
1377-8. Haraldis, histrionibus et nunciis, ut patet per cedulam.
1378-9. Histrionibus ... dominorum Regis, Ducis, et aliorum dominorum.
1380-1. Iohanni Momford ministrallo domini Regis.
1381-2. Ministrallis domini de Neuill apud Beaurepaire cum domina de Lomly.
Ministrallo domini Ducis cum uno saltante in camera domini Prioris.
(and others.)
1384-5. Ministrallis domini Regis.
1394-5. Ministrallis in festo S. Cuthb., Henrici Percy, domini Ducis Lancastr., domini de Neuill, Ducis Eborac., de Scocia, comitis Canciae, ad Nat. Domini, de Hilton, Ric. Brome ministrallo, in fest. S. Cuthb. in Marc.
Uni Trompet domini Regis.
Uni Rotour de Scocia.
1395. Item, in vino, speciebus, in donis datis Confratribus, ministrallis et aliis diversis, ex curialitate (F. P. cxv).
1399-1400. Ministrallis.
1401-2. Ministrallis.
1416-7. Ministrallis.
Diversis pueris ludentibus coram eodem priore in festo Sᶜⁱ. Stephani hoc anno.
1441-2. Per ... capellanum [et] ... per bursarium ministrallis domini Regis et aliorum dominorum supervenientibus.
1446-7. Ministrallis.
1449-50. Ministrallis.
1464-5. Et solvit Iohanni Andrewson et sociis suis operantibus pro nova tectura unius camerae vocatae le Playerchambre (F. P. ccxcv).
1465. Item j por de ferro in camera Prioris, j in le plaer cha ... (F. P. ccxcviii).
1496. Paid to Robert Walssch for two days playing John Gibson of Elvet ‘herper’ (D. H. B. 340).
1532-3. ... bus lusoribus ... Regis, in regardis, in auro, 15ˢ.
Et custodi ursorum et cimearum dominae Principis.
Et capellano, per bursarium, pro 4 lusoribus domini Comitis de Darby, in auro, 7ˢ. 6ᵈ. (D. H. B. 143, the last two items crossed out).
1536-7. In diversis donis datis ministrallis diversorum dominorum.
1538. Paid to the ministrels (ministrallis) at ‘le musters’ upon ‘le Gelymore.’
1539-40. Paid to the players (lusoribus) of Auklande at Christmas before Master Hyndley, as a present (D. H. B. 340).
1554-5. [Cathedral Account.] Paid for two mynstralles.

II. Maxstoke Priory.

[Printed by Hazlitt-Warton, ii. 97, ‘ex orig. penes me.’]

‘In the Prior’s accounts of the Augustine canons of Maxstoke in Warwickshire, of various years in the reign of Henry VI (1422-61), one of the styles or regular heads is De Ioculatoribus et Mimis....

Ioculatori in septimana S. Michaelis, ivᵈ.
Citharistae tempore natalis domini et aliis iocatoribus, ivᵈ.
Mimis de Solihull, viᵈ.
Mimis de Coventry, xxᵈ.
Mimo domini Ferrers, viᵈ.
Lusoribus de Eton, viiiᵈ.
Lusoribus de Coventry, viiiᵈ.
Lusoribus de Daventry, xiiᵈ.
Mimis de Coventry, xiiᵈ.
Mimis domini de Asteley, xiiᵈ.
Item iiij mimis domini de Warewyck, xᵈ.
Mimo caeco, iiᵈ.
Sex mimis domini de Clynton.
Duobus mimis de Rugeby, xᵈ.
Cuidam citharistae, viᵈ.
Mimis domini de Asteley, xxᵈ.
Cuidam citharistae, viᵈ.
Citharistae de Coventry, viᵈ.
Duobus citharistis de Coventry, viiiᵈ.
Mimis de Rugeby, viiiᵈ.
Mimis domini de Buckeridge, xxᵈ.
Mimis domini de Stafford, iiˢ.
Lusoribus de Coleshille, viijᵈ....
[1432] Dat. duobus mimis de Coventry in die consecrationis Prioris, xiiᵈ.’

III. Thetford Priory.

[From Collier, i. 55, 84, on the authority of a ‘MS. of the expenses of the Priory of Thetford, from 1461 to 1540, lately in the collection of Mr. Craven Orde, and now of the Duke of Newcastle.’]

‘The mention of “plays” and “players” does not begin until the 13ᵗʰ of Henry VII; but “Minstrels” and “Waytes” are often spoken of there as receiving rewards from the convent. The following entries, regarding “plays” and “players,” occur between the 13ᵗʰ and 23ʳᵈ of Henry VII:—

13 Henry VII [1497-8]. Itᵐ. sol. in regard 12 capital plays, 4ˢ.
Itᵐ. sol. to menstrell and players in festo Epiphaniae, 2ˢ.
19 Henry VII [1503-4]. Itᵐ. sol. to the play of Mydenale, 12ᵈ.
21 Henry VII [1505-6]. Itᵐ. sol. in regard lusoribus et menstrall, 17ᵈ.
23 Henry VII [1507-8]. Itᵐ. sol. in regard lusoribus div. vices, 3ˢ 4ᵈ.
Itᵐ. sol. in regard to Ixworth play, 16ᵈ.
Itᵐ. sol. in regard to Schelfanger play, 4ᵈ.

... From the 1ˢᵗ to the 31ˢᵗ Henry VIII, the King’s players, the King’s jugglers, the King’s minstrels, and the King’s bearwards were visitors of Thetford, and were paid various sums, from 4ᵈ to 6ˢ 8ᵈ, by the Prior of the convent there, as appears by the entries in the account-book during that period. On one occasion, 16 Henry VIII, Cornyshe, “the master of the King’s chapel,” was paid 3ˢ 4ᵈ by the prior; but he was then, probably, attendant upon the King, who is not unfrequently spoken of as having arrived, and being lodged at the Priory. Mr. Brandon and Mr. Smith are more than once rewarded as “Jugglers of the King.” The Queen’s players, the Prince’s players, and the players of the Queen of France, also experienced the liberality of the Prior, as well as those of the Duke of Norfolk, the Duke of Suffolk, the Earl and Countess of Derby, Lord and Lady Fitzwater, the Lord Privy Seal, the Lord Chancellor, Sir Thomas Challoner and two gentlemen who are called Marks and Barney.’

IV. Winchester College.

[Extracts from computi partly by Hazlitt-Warton, ii. 98, and partly by M. E. C. Walcott, William of Wykeham and his Colleges, 206. The satrapae of 1466 and 1479 are said by Mr. Walcott to have been local notables, but a collation to them would not cost so little or be grouped with rewards to minstrels in the computus. Ducange says that the word is used ‘pro quodam ministro vel satellite.’ The Magdalen accounts use it for the ‘serjeants’ of the mayor of Oxford (Macray, Register, i. 15).]

1400. In dono lusoribus civitatis Wynton venient. ad collegium cum suo tripudio ex curialitate, xijᵈ.
1412. In dat. Ricᵒ. Kent bochier tempore regno suo vocat. Somerkyng, xijᵈ.
1415. In dat. diversis hominibus de Ropley venientibus ad coll. die Sanct. Innoc. et tripudiantibus et cantantibus in aula coram Epō. scholarium, xxᵈ.
1422. Dat. histrioni dⁿⁱ epi Wynton et ioculatori ejusdem 5ᵗⁱ die Ianuarii, cuilibet, xxᵈ.
1425. Dat. Gloucester ioculatori ludenti coram custode et sociis penultimo die Iulii, ob reverentiam ducis Exon. xijᵈ.
1426. Dat. ministrellis d. epi Wynton tempore Nat. Dni. ex curialitate et honestate, ijˢ viiiᵈ.
Dat. ij ministrallis comitissae de Westmorland vęnient’ ad coll. xxᵈ.
1433. In dat. mimis dⁿⁱ cardinalis venient’ ad collegium erga festum natale Dⁿⁱ iiijˢ.
1462. Dat’ Epo Nicholatensi visitanti Dominum custodem in hospitio suo de nocte Sᵗⁱ. Nicholai, iiijᵈ.
1464. Et in dat. ministrallis comitis Kanciae venient. ad coll. in mense Iulii, iiijˢ iiijᵈ.
1466. Et in dat. satrapis Wynton venientibus ad coll. festo Epiphaniae, cum ijˢ dat. iiij. interludentibus et J. Meke citharistae eodem festo, iiijˢ.
1467. Et in datis iiijᵒʳ mimis dom. de Arundell venient. ad coll. xiij. die Febr. ex curialitate dom. custodis, ijˢ.
In dat. Ioh. Pontisbery et socio ludentibus in aula in die circumcisionis, ijˢ.
1471. In dat. uni famulo dⁿⁱ regis Angliae venienti ad collegium cum Leone mense Ianuarii, xxᵈ.
1472. Et in dat. ministrallis dom. Regis cum viijᵈ. dat. duobus Berewardis ducis Clarentiae, xxᵈ.
Et in dat. Iohanni Stulto quondam dom. de Warewyco, cum iiijᵈ dat. Thomae Nevyle taborario.
Et in datis duobus ministrallis ducis Glocestriae, cum iiijᵈ. dat. uni ministrallo ducis de Northumberland, viijᵈ.
Et in datis duobus citharatoribus ad vices venient. ad collegium viijᵈ.
1477. Et in dat. ministrallis dom. Principis venient. ad coll. festo Ascensionis Domini, cum xxᵈ. dat. ministrallis dom. Regis, vˢ.
1479. Et in datis satrapis Wynton venientibus ad coll. festo Epiphaniae, cum xijᵈ dat. ministrallis dom. episcopi venient. ad coll. infra octavas epiphaniae, iiiˢ.
Dat. lusoribus de civitate Winton. venientibus ad collegium in apparatu suo mens. Iulii, vˢ vijᵈ.
1481. Et in sol. ministrallis dom. regis venientibus ad collegium xv die Aprilis cum xijᵈ solut. ministrallis dom. episcopi Wynton venientibus ad collegium iᵒ die Iunii, iiijˢ iiijᵈ.
Et in dat. ministrallis dom. Arundell ven. ad coll. cum viijᵈ dat. ministrallis dom. de la Warr, ijˢ iijᵈ.
1483. Sol. ministrallis dom. regis, ven. ad coll. iijˢ iiijᵈ.
1484. Et in dat. uni ministrallo dom. principis et in aliis ministrallis ducis Glocestriae v die Iulii, xxᵈ.
1536. In dat. ministrallis dⁿⁱ regis venientibus ad coll. xiij die April pro regardo, ijˢ.
1573. In regardis dat’ tibicinis dominae reginae cum vino, vijˢ iiijᵈ.
In regardis dat. lusoribus dominae reginae, vjˢ viijᵈ.

V. Magdalen College, Oxford.

[Extracts from account books made by J. R. Bloxam and W. D. Macray, A Register of the Members of St. Mary Magdalen College, Oxford, First Series, ii. 235; New Series, i. 3; ii. 3. The dates given below are for the year in which the account begins.]

1481. pro cerothecis pro chorustis, iiijᵈ.
1482. vᵒ die Decembris pro cerothecis episcopi in festo S. Nicholai iiijᵈ.
1483. pro cerothecis datis ad honorem Sancti Nicolai duobus choristis, viijᵈ.
1484. pro cerothecis Episcopi in festo Sancti Nicholai et eius crucem ferentis, viijᵈ.
1485. ‘Ursarii’ of Lord Stanley dined with the Fellows.
1486. pro factura sepulturae erga pascham, xijᵈ.
‘Sex vagatores’ dined with the servants.
Solut. viᵒ die Ian. citharistis et mimis tempore ludi in aula in regardo, in tempore Nativitatis Domini, viijᵈ.
Solut. pro quodam ornamento lusorum vocato ly Cape mayntenawnce, ixᵈ.
1487. pro vestimentis lusorum tempore Nativ. Domini, consilio unius decani, iiˢ ijᵈ.
pro clavis ad pannos in ornatum aulae pendendos, jᵈ.
1488. Sol. Iohanni Wynman pro scriptura unius libri de servicio episcopi pro die Innocencium, vᵈ.
1490. Singers from Abingdon, London and Hereford entertained.
1494. Sol. Pescode servanti quandam bestiam vocatam ly merumsytt ex consilio seniorum, quia Rex erat apud Woodstocke, xijᵈ.
1495. Sol. Henrico Mertyn pro lino, alyn, et aliis emptis pro ludo in die Paschae, xvijᵈ ob.
Sol. Pescod ducenti duo animalia nuncupata mermosettes.
1502. Sol. in expensis factis tempore Nativitatis Domini, in biberiis post interludia et alia, xiijˢ iiijᵈ.
1506. To John Burgess, B.A., ... xᵈ were paid for writing out a miracle-play (‘scriptura lusi’) of Sᵗ. Mary Magd., and vˢ. for some music; and viijᵈ to a man who brought some songs from Edward Martyn, M.A. For his diligence with regard to the above miracle-play, Kendall, a clerk, was rewarded with iˢ.
pro expensis mimi, iiijˢ, at Christmas.
1507. in quatuor refectionibus citharistae, at Epiphany.
1508. Sol. famulo Regis ducenti ursam ad collegium, ex mandato Vice-presidentis, xijᵈ.
1509. Sol. pane, cibo et aliis datis pueris ludentibus in die Paschae, mandato Vicepr. xvijᵈ ob.
1510. Sol. pro expensis factis in aula tempore Nativitatis Domini, xiijˢ iiijᵈ.
Sol. cuidam mimo tempore Nativitatis Domini in regardo, viijᵈ.
1512. Sol. Petro Pyper pro pypyng in interludio nocte Sancti Iohannis, vjᵈ.
Sol. Iohanni Tabourner pro lusione in interludio Octavis Epiphaniae, vjᵈ.
Sol. Roberto Johnson pro una tunica pro interludiis, iiijˢ.
1514. pro carnibus [? carbonibus] consumptis in capella tribus noctibus ante Pascha et in tempore Nativitatis, ijˢ.
1518. To Perrot, the Master of the choristers, ‘pro tinctura et factura tunicae eius qui ageret partem Christi et pro crinibus mulieribus, ijˢ vjᵈ.’
1520. pro pane ... datis clericis in vigiliis Sᵗⁱ. Nicolai.
pro cerothecis puerorum in festo Sancti Nicolai.
1526. pro merendis datis episcopo capellanis clericis et aliis in vigilia Sᵗ. Nicolai.
1529. pro ... episcopo Nicholai.
1530. pro pueris in festo Sancti Nicholai.
1531. Solut. mimis dominae principisshae, xxᵈ.
Pro biberio dato sociis et scolaribus post interludia in tempore Natalis Domini, vjˢ viijᵈ.
1532. To the Queen’s players, by the President’s order, xiiᵈ.
pro biberio dato sociis post ludum baccalaureorum in magna aula, vjˢ viijᵈ.
1535. pro merenda facta in vigilia Sancti Nicolai.
Actors at Christmas, iiiiˢ iiijᵈ.
pro merenda facta post comediam actam, ixˢ iijᵈ.
‘ioculatoribus Regis,’ by the President’s order, xxᵈ.
1536. pro biberio in nocte Sancti Nicholai.
Sol. mimo pro solatiis factis sociis et scholasticis tempore Nativitatis Domini, viijˢ.
1537. pro carbonibus consumptis in sacrario, per custodes sepulchri, et per pueros in festis hiemalibus, ijˢ [and in other years].
1539. pro bellariis datis sociis cum ageretur comedia, viijˢ.
1540. pro epulis datis sociis eo tempore quo agebatur tragedia, viijˢ iiijᵈ.
pro bellariis datis sociis et clericis vigilia divi Nicolai, iiijˢ viijᵈ.
pro pane et potu datis semicommunariis dum curabant publicam exhibere comediam, xxᵈ.
1541. A ‘tympanista’ was hired at Christmas and comedies acted.
1554. 30 Ian. in adventu [dom. Matravers] ad tragedias per duas noctes, xlijˢ viijᵈ ob.
Pro epulis datis sociis post exactas tragedias, xˢ ixᵈ.

The only Elizabethan entry I need note is:—
1561. Sol. Joyner, pictori, depingenti portenta religiosorum in spectaculo Baulino, iijˢ iiijᵈ ... depingenti nomina haeresium in spectaculo (in aula) quod choristarum moderator [Richard Baull] ordinavit.

VI. Shrewsbury Corporation.

[Extracts from the Bailiffs’ accounts by Owen and Blakeway, Hist. of Shrewsbury (1825), i. 262, 267, 275, 284, 290, 292, 325 sqq.; and by W. D. Macray in Hist. MSS. xv. 10. 25. It is not always clear to which calendar year an entry belongs. The accounts run from Michaelmas to Michaelmas, but Owen and Blakeway generally quote entries under one calendar year and sometimes under one regnal year.]

1401. ‘Histriones’ of the Prince and the Earl of Stafford.
‘Menstralles’ of the Earls of Worcester and Stafford.
1409. Players [i.e. in these early accounts, ‘histriones,’ not ‘lusores’] of the countess and earl of Arundel, of Lord Powis, Lord Talbot, and Lord Furnivall.
Players ‘in honorem villae’ at the marriage of a cousin of David Holbache.
1437. Minstrels of earl of Stafford.
1438. Livery to two town minstrels, ‘voc. waytes.’
1442. Some town minstrels called ‘histriones.’ In same year, ‘histrionibus regis,’ and in subsequent years ‘histrionibus’ of earl of Shrewsbury and others, including one ‘voc. Trumpet.’
1450. Players and minstrels at coming of duke of York from Ireland.
1457. Denaria soluta uni ministrallo domini principis [Edward] pro honestate villae.
Quatuor ministrallis domini ducis de Bukyngham.
Duobus ministrallis d’ni de Powys.
1 lagenae vini de Ruyn dictis ministrallis.
Denaria data uni ministrallo d’ni principis et suo puero.
iiij. ministrallis d’ni ducis de Eboraco.
iv. ministrellis d’ni ducis de Excestro.
1474. Regardo ministrallis d’ni ducis de Clarence.
1478. Waltero Harper ministrallo d’ni principis.
Regardo dato uni ministrallo ducis Gloucestris vocato le Taborer.
Regardo sex ministrallis d’ni Regis.
1479. Soluta pro liberata ministrallorum vocatorum Wayts, quilibet eorum.
Soluta pro conductu unius ministralli vocati Wayt a villa de Norhampton usque Salop.
Soluta pro quodam regardo dato uni ministrallo d’ni Regis via elemosinaria causa eius paupertatis et aetatis.

[From this point histriones replaces ministralli in the accounts.]
1483. Soluta pro quodam regardo dato sex histrionibus domini Regis pro honestate villae.
Pro vino dato dictis histrionibus in praesencia ballivorum et aliorum proborum hominum pro honestate villae.
Pro liberatura communium histrionum vocatorum le Wayts villae.
Soluta ursenario domini Regis pro honestate villae.
1495. Pro vino dato domino Principi [Arthur] ad ludum in quarell.
1496. Wine given to the minstrels of our Lord the King.
To the King’s minstrels.
To the Queen’s minstrels.
To the Prince’s players.
To the Earl of Derby’s players.
To the Earl of Shrewsbury’s players.
1503. In regardo dato ij Walicis histrionibus domini Regis.
1510. ‘Lusoribus’ in feast of Pentecost.
‘Histrionibus’ of Earl of Shrewsbury and King.
1516. In vino, pomis, waffers, et aliis novellis datis et expenditis super abbatem Salop et famulos suos ad ludum et demonstrationem martiriorum Felicianae et Sabinae in quarera post muros.
In regardo dato lusoris eiusdem martirii tunc temporis hoc anno.
1517. Regardo ursinario comitis Oxoniae.
In regardo dato ursinario domini Regis pro agitacione bestiarum suarum ultra denarios tunc ibidem collectos.
1518. In vino expendito super tres reges Coloniae equitantibus in interludio pro solacio villae Salop in festo Pentecost.
1520. Ralph Hubard, minstrel of Lord de ‘Mountegyle.’
In regardo dato iiijᵒʳ interlusoribus comitis Arundele ostendentibus ballivis et comparibus suis diversa interludia.
Et in vino dato eis et aliis extraneis personis intuentibus interludia, ultra denarios collectos.
In regardo dato histrionibus Iohannis Talbot militis pro melodia eorum facta in presencia ballivorum.
In regardo dato iij histrionibus comitis Arundelle pro honestate villae Salop.
In regardo dato Benet & Welles histrionibus comitis Salop.
In regardo ij histrionibus comitissae de Derby pro honestate villae Salop.
Et in vino expendito per ballivos et compares suos audientes melodiam eorum.
Histrionibus domini Regis ex consuetudine.
In regardo dato et vino expendito super Willelmum More histrionem domini Regis eo quod est caecus et principalis citherator Angliae.
1521. Regardo dato M. Brandon ioculatori domini Regis pro honestate villae
Et in vino expendito par ballivos & compares suos videntes lusum et ioculationem dicti ioculatoris ultra ij denarios collectos de qualibet persona villae extraneis exceptis.
Soluta pro una roba nova depicta, sotularibus & aliis necessariis regardis & expensis factis super Ricardum Glasyer, abbatem de Marham, pro honestate & iocunditate villae.
In regardo dato portitori communis campanae circa villam pro proclamacione facta pro attendencia facienda super abbatem de Marham tempore Maii hoc anno.
In regardo dato iiijᵒʳ histrionibus domini Regis de consuetudine.
Histrionibus comitis Derby.
Regardo dato ursinario ducis Suffolke ultra 2ˢ. 3ᵈ. de pecuniis collectis de circumstantibus ad agitacionem ursarum suarum.
Pro ursinario domini marchionis Dorsett.
1522. ‘Ursenarius’ of duke of Suffolk.
In regardo dato ioculatori domini Regis.
1524. ‘Histrio’ of Henry Knight.
‘Histriones’ of Earl of Derby.
‘Histriones’ of Lord Mount Egle.
1525. In regardo dato iiij histrionibus comitis Arundell.
Et in vino expendito super ballivos & compares suos audientes melodiam et ludentes inspicientes.
In regardo dato iiijᵒʳ interlusoribus ducis Suffolk.
Interludes of the Lady Princess, and wine spent at hearing their interludes.
1526. In regardo dato custodi cameli domini Regis ostendenti ballivis et comparibus suis ioca illius cameli.
Interlusoribus dominae principissae.
Ralph Hubard, minstrel of Lord de ‘Mountegyle,’ with one Lokkett.
1527. In regardo dato lusoribus villae tempore veris et mensis Maii pro iocunditate villae.
Interlusoribus dominae principissae.
Interluders of our Lord the King.
‘Histriones,’ of Sir John Talbot, Arthur Neuton and Sir John Lyngen.
1528. ‘Ursenarius’ of marquis of Exeter.
1530. ‘Histrio’ of baron of Burford.
1531. Data interlusoribus dominae principissae.
1533. Soluta Thomae Eton pro factura unius mansionis de duobus stagiis pro domino presidenti [Bishop of Exeter] et ballivis tempore ludi septimana Pentecostes.
Et in regardo dato lusoribus ad dictum lusum et pro reparacione ornamentorum suorum.
In vino dato domino presidenti & ballivis in mansione sua tempore lusi in Quarrera pone muros.
In regardo dato lusoribus & interlusoribus domini Regis ostendentibus & offerentibus ioca sua.
Et in vino expendito super eos et comitivam ballivorum & comparium suorum audientium & supervidentium lusum & melodiam eorum.
In expensis factis in garniamentis, liberatis et histrion[ibus] pro domino abbate de Marham tempore mensis Maii pro honestate villae hoc anno.
1535. In regardo m[agistro] Brandon, ioculatori domini Regis.
In regardo dato histrionibus extraneis melodiam et cantilenas eorum coram ballivis et comparibus pronunciantibus.
1538. Data in regardo lusoribus domini privati sigilli.
Data in regarda lusoribus domini principis [Edward].
Expendita super lusores domini principis, domini privati sigilli, domini visitatoris ... pro honestate villae.
‘Histriones’ of Sir Thomas Cornewall and of Thomas Newport.
Rogero Philipps, goldsmyth, pro argento et emendacione colarium histrionum villae.
‘Ursenarius’ of marquis of Exeter.
1540. Data in regardo quibusdam interlusoribus de Wrexam ludentibus coram ballivis et comparibus suis in vino tunc expendito.
‘Item, Mr. Bayleffes left on pᵈ more the same day at aftʳ the play.
‘Item, the vj men spend appon the kyng’s pleyers in wyne.
‘Item, there was left on pᵈ by Mr. Bayleffs wᵗ my Lorde Prinssys plears on Sonday after Seint Bartlaumew day.
‘Item, there was sent them the nyght to supper a poˡ of red and a poˡ of claret.
‘Item, Mr. Bayleffs left on pᵈ on Sonday after owre Lade day wyth my Lord Prinsys plears.’
Cuidam iugulatori ludenti coram ballivis.
1541. ‘Ursenario ducis Norfoxiae.’
1542. In vino dato interlusoribus post interlusum in cimitirio sancti Cedde coram commissariis domini Regis ballivis et aliis.
Cuidem ursuario de la Northewiche.
Ursiatori praepotentis viri comitis Derby ad ij tempora.
Pro reparacione et pictura ornamentorum abbatis de Mayvole.
Et soluta pro una toga de nova facta dicto abbati de Mayvole.
Soluta Ricardo Glasier pro labore suo in ludendo abbatem de Mardall.
1548. Interlusoribus ludentibus cum domino abbate de Marall.
Soluta Iohanni Mason, peynter, pro pictura togae pro dicto domino de Marrall.
In regardo istrionibus ludentibus ante viros armatos.
Cuidam istrioni ludenti ante viros equiles equitantes ad Scociam.
1549. James Lockwood ‘servienti et gestatori domini Regis.’
Interluders of Sir John Bridges and of Sir Edward Braye.
William Taylor, and others, interluders of the town of Salop, playing there in the month of May.
‘Histriones’ of William Sheldon and of Lord Ferrers [last use of term histrio].
1552. Interluders of Lord Russell.
Soluta domino de abbott Marram et pro apparatu eorum videlicet pro calciamentis tunicis et aliis vestibus.
1553. Expendita per ballivos et associatos suos die lunae in le Whitson wuck post visum lusum.
Pro tunicis et aliis vestimentis ac pistura eorundem pro Robyn Hood.
In vino dato eisdem interlusoribus.
In regardo le tomlers.
1554. In regardo Thomae Staney le jugler.
Wyett le gester.
1559. Regardo lusiatoribus domini Stafford.
1561. Item, gyvyn unto my lord Wyllybe’s playarys in reward.
Item, spent at the gullet on the saem playarys.
1565. To Master Baly Pursell with the Quenes players.
1566. Yeven Mr. Justes Throgmerton’s mynstrell.
1574. Paid and geven to my L. Sandwayes man, the berwart.
The players of noblemen and others and ber-wards of noblemen and mynstrells of noblemen, this yere, viiiˡⁱ xˢ viijᵈ.
1576. Leid out to my lord of Derby and my lord Staffart’s musicions.
1582. Bestowed on her Majesty’s players this yere.
1591. To my lord of Derby’s musysyons, and to the erle of Woster’s players ... to my L. Beachem men, beinge players.

[From Books of Council Orders in Hist. MSS. xv. 13, 16, 18.]

1556. 16 May. The bailiffs to set forward the stage play this next Whitsontide for the worship of the town and not to disburse above £5 about the furniture of the play.
1570. 8 July. Lease of pasture ‘behind the walles, exceptinge the Quarrell where the plases have bine accustomyd to be usyd.’
1575. 17 July. Five marks to be given to Mr. Churchyard for his pains taken in setting forth the show against the Queen’s coming, being sent hither by the Lord President.

VII. The Howards of Stoke-by-Nayland, Essex.

[From accounts of Sir John Howard, in Manners and Household Expenses (Roxburghe Club, 1841), 325, 511.]

2 May, 1465. Item that he [my master] delyverd the pleyers at Moleyns [a servant of Sir John’s] weddynge, ijˢ.
12 Jan. 1466. And the sonday nexte after the xij day, I ȝafe to the pleyeres of Stoke, ijˢ.

[From accounts of John, Lord Howard, afterwards Duke of Norfolk, in Household Books of John, Duke of Norfolk, and Thomas, Earl of Surrey (ed. Collier, Roxburghe Club, 1844), 104, 145, 146, 148, 149, 202, 336, 339.]

29 Aug. 1481. I paid to the pleirs of Turton [Thorington] Strete, xxᵈ.
26 Dec. 1481. Item, the xxvj day of December, my Lord toke the Plaiers of Kokesale [Coggeshall], iijˢ iiijᵈ.
27 Dec. 1481. Item, to the Plaiers of Hadley [Hadleigh], and the olde man and ij. children, vjˢ viijᵈ.
7 Jan. 1482. Item, to the Plaiers of Esterforde, iijˢ iiijᵈ.
9 Jan. 1482. Item, to Senclowe, that he paid to my Lord of Essex [Henry Bourchier] men, plaiers, xxᵈ.
Thei are of Canans.
22 May, 1482. Item, that my Lord yaffe to the cherche on Whitson Monday at the pley, xˢ.
25 Dec. 1482. Item, on Crystemas day, my Lord gaff to iiij pleyers of my lord of Gloucestres, iijˢ iiijᵈ.
Item, the same day, my Lord gaff to iiij pleyers of Coksale, iijˢ iiijᵈ.
9 Jan. 1483. Item, the same day, my Lord paid to Garard, of Sudbury, for all suche stoffe as folewyth, that he bought for the Dysgysing [a schedule of paper, gunpowder, ‘arsowde,’ pack-thread, &c., follows]. Summe totall, xxjˢ ob.

[From accounts of Thomas, Earl of Surrey, in Household Books (ut supra), 515, 517, 519.]

20 Dec. 1490. Payd for xviij yardes of lynen cloth, that M. Leynthorpe had for dysgysyng, at iiijᵈ the yard, ... vjˢ iiijᵈ.

[Other expenses for the disguising follow.]
27 Dec. 1490. Item, payd to the playars of Chemsford, vjˢ. viijᵈ.
2 Jan. 1491. Item, the said day, in reward to the panget [pageant (?)], iijˢ iiijᵈ.
Item, payd to ——, when he went to Bury to fach stuff for dygysers on Saynt Stevens day, xvjᵈ.
8 Jan. 1492. Item, in reward to the players of Lanam [Lavenham], xlˢ.

[The Howard accounts also include many payments for minstrelsy, &c. The Duke of Norfolk kept singers, a harper, children of the chapel, and two fools, ‘Tom Fool’ and Richard, ‘the fool of the kitchen.’]

VIII. The English Court.

[From Rymer, Foedera, x. 387. A memorandum de strenis, liberatis et expensis, at Christmas, 1427.]

A Jakke Travail et ses compaignons feisans diverses jeuues et entreludes dedeins le feste de Noell devant notre dit sire le roi, 4 lib.

Et as autres jeweis de Abyndon feisantz autres entreludes dedeins le dit feste de Noel, 20 sol.

[Extracted by Collier, i. 50, from the Household Book of Henry VII, 1491-1505, and the Book of King’s Payments, 1506-9. I cannot identify the former; the latter appears to be vol. 214 of the Miscellanea of the Treasury of the Receipt of the Exchequer (Scargill-Bird, Guide to the Public Records, 228). I omit, here and below, entries referring to minstrelsy, disguisings, and plays by the King’s players and the Chapel. Probably some of the performances were given at London; others before the King on progress. I have corrected some of Collier’s dates from the similar entries in Bentley, Excerpta Historica, 85, taken from a transcript in B. M. Add. MS. 7099.]

1 Jan. 1492. To my Lorde of Oxon pleyers, in rewarde, £1.
7 Jan. 1493. To my Lorde of Northumberlande Pleyers, in rewarde, £1.
1 Jan. 1494. To four Pleyers of Essex in rewarde, £1.
To the Pleyers of Wymborne Minster, £1.
6 Jan. 1494. To the Frenche Pleyers for a rewarde, £1.
31 Dec. 1494. To 3 Pleyers of Wycombe in rewarde, 13ˢ 4ᵈ.
4 Jan. 1495. To the Frenshe Pleyers in rewarde, £2.
20 July, 1498. To the pleyers of London in rewarde, 10ˢ.
14 June, 1499. To the pleyers with Marvells, £4.
6 Aug. 1501. To the Pleyers at Myles End, 3ˢ 4ᵈ.
2 Jan. 1503. To the Pleyers of Essex in rewarde, £1.
20 May, 1505. To the Players of Kingeston toward the bilding of the churche steple, in almasse, 3ˢ 4ᵈ.
1 Jan. 1506. To the players that played afore the Lord Stewarde in the Hall opon Sonday nyght, 6ˢ 8ᵈ.
To my lorde Princes players that played in hall on new-yeres even, 10ˢ.
25 Dec. 1506. To the Players that played affore the Lord Stewarde in the Hall opon Tewesday nyght, 10ˢ.
2 Jan. 1509. To my lord of Buckingham’s pleyers that playd in the Hall at Grenewich, 6ˢ 8ᵈ.

[Extracted by Collier, i. 76, from the Book of King’s Payments for 1509-17, now vol. 215 of the Miscellanea of the Treasury of the Receipt of the Exchequer. The document is more fully analysed in Brewer, ii. 1441. It is an account of the Treasurer of the Chamber.]

6 Jan. 1512. To the Players that cam out of Suffolke, that playd affore the Lorde Stewarde in the Kings Hall opon Monday nyght, 13ˢ 4ᵈ.
1 Jan. 1515. To the Erle of Wiltyshires playres, that shulde have played in the Kings Hall oppon Thursday at nyght, in rewarde, 13ˢ 4ᵈ.
1 Jan. 1516. To the Erle of Wilshire’s players, 13ˢ 4ᵈ.

[From Accounts of Treasurer of Chamber in Trevelyan Papers (C.S.), i. 146, 161, 174.]

1 Jan. 1530. To the Prince’s plaiers.
1 Jan. 1531. To the Princes pleyers.
Item, paid to certain Players of Coventrye, as in wey of the Kinges rewarde, for playnge in the Corte this last Cristmas.
1 Jan. 1532. To the Princesse plaiers.