next is the Lord Arundel of Warder and Count of the Empire Master of the Horse whose Salary is Then Her Majesties Secretary Sir John Winter The Treasurer Receiver General of Her Majesties Revenues Sir Henry Wood. Sir Thomas Bond Comptroller of the Houshold whose Salary is Sir Thomas Ork and divers other Officers of the Robes Four Gentlemen ushers of the Privy Chamber to each of which is 130 l. Salary per annum and diet Two Cupbearers two Carvers two Sewers two Gentlemen Ushers of the Presence Chamber Salary to each 120 l. and diet all these at a Table together Four Grooms of the Privy Chamber Salary 60 l. and diet Four Gentlemen ushers Quarter Waiters Salary 60 l. and diet Four Pages of the Presence Eight Grooms of the Great Chamber For guarding Her Majesties Person She hath first a Captain of her Guard the Earl of St. Albans A Lieutenant Monsieur de la Chapelle An Exempt of the Guards Monsieur Fremon 24 Gentlemen Soldiers in Black Velvet Cassocks and Golden embroidered Badges marching or waiting about the Person of Her Majesty when in Sedan or at Chappel or Table or Coach with two Horses on foot with Halberts and when in Coach and 6 Horses on Horseback with Carabins in all places within doors as without covered For to take care of Her Majesties Health There is one Physician and one Apothecary For to wait on Her Majesty in her Bed-Chamber There are first the Ladies of the Bed-Chamber the chief whereof is The Dutchess Dowager of Richmond Sister to the present Duke of Buckingham who is Groom of the Stole And the Countess of Newport Lady of the Chamber Of the Privy Chamber there are 4 Ladies all English Fee 150 l. each one they are at present the Lady Price the Lady Bond c. Women of the Bed-Chamber 8 or 9 partly French and partly English In the Laundry The Lady Sanderson is the Chief Laundress 1 Seamstress 1 Starcher In the Stable the Chief Query or Escuyer is Sir Edward Wingfield The many Officers in the Buttry Cellar Pantry Ewâ—y c. shall be for brevity passed over Her Majesty hath also 4 Coaches with 6 Horses each also 12 Footmen a Barge with 12 men in Liveries Moreover Pages of the Back Stairs 4 c. In the Chappel There is first the Lord Almoner Abbot Montague 800 l. per annum Father Lambart Confessor to Her Majesty a Frenchman 300 l. per annum Father Gough Priest of the Oratory Clerk of Her Majesties Private Chappel and Assistant to the Confessor an Englishman 200 l. per annum A Lay Brother of the Oratory 40 l. Besides these there is adjoyning to the Chappel a Convent of Capuchins wherein is a Father Guardian 7 other Priests and two Lay Brothers all French whose Office is to perform the Office of the Chappel daily also to preach on Sundayes and Holydayes and in Lent three dayes every Week for the maintenance of these Her Majesty allows 500 l. per annum Her Majesties Revenue is for her Joynture 30000 l. yearly and of His Majesty a Pension of 30000 l. more out of the Exchequer Divers other Offices belonging to Her Majesties Court as Master of Buck Hounds and Bows and Musick Master of the Queens Games The present State of the Court of his Royal Highness the Duke of York His Majesties only Brother according to the last Establishment STeward of the Houshold John Lord Berkley 800 l. Treasurer of the Houshold and Receiver of the Revenue Sir Alan Apsley his Fee 400 Marks or 266 l. 13 s. 4 d. Comptroller Sir Henry de Vic 266 l. 13 s. 4 d. Secretary Matthew Wren Esquire 200 l. Keeper of the Privy Purse Marquiss de Bland 100 l. Master of the Robes and Groom of the Bed-Chamber Edward Villiers Esquire 266 l. 13 s. 4 d. Seven other Grooms of the Bed-Chamber Richard Nicols Robert Worden Henry Killegrew Roger Vaughan Anthony Eyre Henry Howard Mr. Thynn now Resident in Swethland each 200 l. Belonging to his Royal Highness Cappel Almoner Doctor Henry Killegrew 100 l. Five Chaplains Dr. William Clark Dr. William Thomas Dr. Richard Watson Mr. Turner Mr. Doughty each 50 l. Sacristan 40 l. Keeper of the Closet 40 l. Gentleman-usher 80 l. Nine Gentlemen Waiters each 40 l. Yeoman of the Robes Mr. Lawrence du Puy 60 l. Brusher 40 l. Yeoman of the Wardrobe Philip Kinnersly 100 l. Two Barbers each 80 l. Four Pages of the Back Stairs each 80 l. A Governour of the Pages Two Grooms of the Privy-Chamber Two Grooms of the Presence A Fire-maker in the Presence Two Physitians Three Chirurgeons Two Apothecaries A Secretary of the Languages 100 l. A Gentleman Harbinger 50 l. besides Riding Charges 8 s. 4 d. per diem Semstress and Laundress to the Body Mrs du Puy 250 l. Laundress to the Table Mrs Katherine Atkinson 200 l. Yeoman of the Wine Cellar Mr. Tuke 70 l. Yeoman of the Beer Cellar Mr. Pierce 60 l. Yeoman of the Poultry and Larder 60 l. Yeoman of the Woodyard and Skullery 50 l. Of the Pantry and Ewry 50 l. Porter 50 l. Keeper of the Armory 50 l. Trumpeter 30 l. Necessary Woman 40 l. Chamber-Keeper to the Maids Bottleman Two Clerks to the Commissioners Messenger to the Commissioners 71 l. 18 s. 4 d. Door-Keeper to the Commissioners Clerk of the Kitchin 50 l. Master Cook 40 l. Second Cook 30 l. Three Turn-broaches each 18 l. 5 s. Two Scowrers each 18 l. 5 s. Pan-keeper Porter of the Kitchin Porter of the Back-Stairs Cole-Carrier Porter at Whitehall Gardiner Officers of his Highnesses Revenue Attourney General Sir Edward Turner 40 l. Solliciter General Sir Edward Thurland 40 l. Solliciter Charles Porten Esquire 40 l. Auditor General Thomas Holder Esquire 180 l. Assistant to the Auditor Henry Thwaits Messenger to the Revenue Mr. Dutton 71 l. 18 s. 4 d. Officers of the Admiralty Sir William Turner Mr. David Bud. Seven Huntsmen of the Buck-hounds Six Huntsmen of the Fox-hounds Teacher of the Setting Dogs Dancing Master Fencing Master Master of the Barges Twenty four Watermen Pensioners Officers and Servants in his Highnesses Stable Henry Jermin Esquire Master of the Horse 266 l. 13 s. 4 d. Three Escuyries each 100 l. Clerk of the Stables 60 l. Surveyor of the Stable 40 l. Yeoman Rider 80 l. Governour of the Pages 78 l. Six Pages each 52 l. Fourteen Foot-men each 39 l. Fifteen Grooms each 32 l. 10 s. Three Coachmen each 78 l. For themselves 3 Postillions and 3 Helpers Besides Linnen Stockings and Liveries twice a year Two Sumpter men each 26 l. Three Muleters each 26 l. Porter of the Stables 32 l. 10 s. Officers and Servants belonging to Her Royal Highness the Dutchess GRroom of the Stole Countess of Rochester 400 l. Lady of the Bed-Chamber Countess of Peterborough 200 l. Four Maids of Honour Mrs. Arabella Churchil 20 l. Mrs. Dorothy Howard 20 l. Mrs. Anne Ogle 20 l. Mrs Mary Blague 20 l. Mother of the Maids Mrs. Lucy
shall any way offend It is called the Green Cloth of a Green Cloth whereat they sit over whom are the Arms of the Compting House bearing Vert a Key and a Rod Or a Staffe Argent Saultier signifying their Power to reward and correct as Persons for their great wisdom and experience thought fit by His Majesty to exercise both these Functions in his Royal House The Treasurer of the Kings House is alwayes of the Privy Council and in absence of the Lord Steward hath power with the Comptroller and Steward of the Marshalsea to hear and determine Treasons Felonies and other inferiour Crimes committed within the Kings Palace and that by Verdict of the Kings Houshold Houshold Servants within the Check Roll if any be found guilty of Felony no benefit of Glergy is to be allowed him Antiently this Court might have held Pleas of Freehold also His yearly Fee 124 l. 14 s. 8 d. and a Table of 16 Dishes each Meal He bears a white Staffe and is at present Sir Thomas Clifford The Comptrollers Office is to controul the Accounts and Reckonings of the Green Cloth His yearly Fee is 107 l. 12 s. 4 d. a Table of 16 Dishes each Meal He bears a white Staffe and is at present the Lord Newport The Cofferer is also a Principal Officer hath a special charge and oversight of other Officers of the House for their good Demeanour and Carriage in their Offices and is to pay the Wages to the Kings Servants below Stairs His yearly Fee is 100 l. a Table of 7 Dishes daily and is now Colonel Will. Ashburnbam The next is the Master of the Houshold whose Office is to survey the Accounts of the House His Fee 100 Marks and 7 Dishes daily enjoyed by Sir Herbert Price The Two Clerks of the Green Cloth are Sir Henry Wood and Sir Stephen Fox and the two Clerks Comptrollers Sir William Boreman and Sir Winston Churchill The yearly Fee to each of these four is 48 l. 13 s. 4 d. and between them 2 Tables of 7 Dishes to each Table The rest of the Compting-House being less considerable shall for brevity be past over and for other Officers below stairs onely their Names and Number shall be noted their Fees being not considerable except the Sergeants Fee of each Office In the Bake-House A Sergeant a Clerk divers Yeomen a Garnitor divers Purveyors Grooms and Conducts in all 17 Persons In the Pantry A Sergeant Yeomen Grooms Pages c. in all 11. In the Cellar A Sergeant a Gentleman Yeomen Grooms Purveyors Pages in all 12. In the Buttry A Gentleman Yeoman Grooms Pages Purveyors in all 11. In the Pitcher-House A Yeoman Grooms Page and Clerk in all 5 persons In the Spicery Three Clerks and a Grocer In the Chandlery A Sergeant 2 Yeomen 2 Grooms and a Page in all 6 persons In the Wafery A Yeoman and a Groom In the Confectionary A Sergeant 2 Yeomen a Groom and a Page In the Ewry A Sergeant a Gentleman 2 Yeomen a Groom and 2 Pages In the Landry A Yeoman a Groom 3 Pages and a Draper In the Kitchin Six Clerks a Master Cook to the King a Master Cook to the Houshold 6 Yeomen 7 Grooms 5 Children in all 26 persons In the Larder A Sergeant a Clerk 3 Yeomen 3 Grooms 2 Pages In the 〈◊〉 or the Caterers Office a Sergeant a Clerk Purveyors for Flesh and Fish Yeomen in all 12 persons In the Boyling-House a Yeoman 2 Grooms In the Poultry A Sergeant a Clerk Yeomen Grooms Purveyors in all 10 persons In the Scalding-House Yeomen Grooms and Pages in all 6. In the Pastry A Sergeant a Clerk Yeomen Grooms and Children in all 11 persons In the Scullery A Sergeant a Clerk Yeomen Grooms and Pages in all 12 persons In the Wood-Yard A Sergeant a Clerk Yeomen Groom and Pages in all 8 persons Harbingers 2 Gentlemen 6 Yeomen In the Almonry Sub-Almoner 2 Yeomen Grooms Porters at Gate A Sergeant Sir Edward Bret 2 Yeomen 4 Grooms Cart-Takers 6 in number Surveyors of the Dresser 2 persons Marshals of the Hall 4. Sewers of the Hall 5. Wayters of the Hall 12. Messenger of the Compting-House 1. Bell-Ringer 1. Long-Cart-Takers 4. Wine-Porters 8. Wood-Bearer 1. The Cock 1. Supernumerary Servants to the last King viz. In the Poultry 2 in the Almonry 1 and in the Pastry 1. Besides the fore-named Officers below Stairs there are also under the said Lord Steward all the Officers belonging to the Queens Kitchin Cellar Pantry c. and to the Kings Privy Kitchin and to the Lords Kitchin together with Children Scowrers Turn-broaches c. in all 68. A List of His Majesties Servants in Ordinary above Stairs GEntlemen of the Bed Chamber whereof the first is called Groom of the Stole that is according to the signification of the word in Greek from whence first the Latines and thence the Italian French derive it Groom or Servant of the Robe or Vestment He having the Office and Honour to present and put on His Majesties first Garment or Shirt every morning and to order the things of the Bed-Chamber The Gentlemen of the Bed-Chamber consist usually of the Prime Nobility of England Their Office in general is each one in his turn to wait a Week in every Quarter in the Kings Bed-Chamber there to lie by the King on a Pallet-Bed all Night and in the absence of the Groom of the Stole to supply his place The yearly Fee to each is 1000 l. Their Names follow according to their Order John Earl of Bath Groom of the Stole and first Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber George Duke of Buckingham Charles Duke of Richmond William Duke of Newcastle George Duke of Albemarle James Duke of Ormond Earl of Suffolk The Earl of Newport Earl of Ossory Earl of Ogle Lord Gerrard Lord Crofts Lord Lauderdale Lord Mandevil Mr. May Privy Purse Sir George Carteret Vice-Chamberlain George Lord Viscount Grandison Captain of the Guard Sir Edward Griffin Knight Treasurer of the Chamber Sir John Denham Knight of the Bath Surveyor to His Majesty Grooms of the Bed-Chamber Henry Seymour Esquire John Ashburnham Esquire Thomas Elliot Esquire David Walter Esquire William Legg Esquire Sylvius Tytus Esquire Thomas Killegrew Esquire Robert Philips Esquire Edward Progers Esquire Richard Lane Esquire Henry Coventry Esquire These are not to be above the degree of Gentlemen Their Office is to attend in the Kings Bed-Chamber to dress and undress the King in private c. The yearly Fee to each is 500 l. Pages of the Bed-Chamber 6 in number whereof one is Keeper of his Majesties Closet Gentlemen Vshers of the Privy-Chamber Sir William Flemming Marmaduke Darcy Sir Paul Neale Sir Robert Stapleton These wait one at a time in the Privy Lodgings Gentlemen of the Privy-Chamber in Ordinary Sir Edward Griffin Sir Francis Cobb Sir John Boys Sir John Talbot Sir Robert Bindlos Sir Thomas Sandys c. in number forty eight all Knights or Esquires of note Their Office is 12 every
Quarter to wait on the Kings Person within doors and without so long as His majesty is on foot and when the King eats in the Privy Chamber they wait at the Table and bring in his Meat They wait also at the reception of Embassadours and every Night two of them lie in the Kings Privy-Chamber A Gentleman of the Privy-Chamber by the Kings Commandment onely without any written Commission is sufficient to arrest any Peer of England Grooms of the Privy Chamber in Ordinary in number 6 all Gentlemen of Quality these as all Grooms wait without Sword Cloak or Hat whereas the Gentlemen wear alwayes Cloak and Sword In the Presence Chamber Gentlemen-Ushers daily Waiters in Ordinary are 4 whereof the first hath the Office of Black Rod and in time of Parliament is to attend every day the Lords House and is also Usher of the Honourable Order of the Garter They are now Sir John Ayton Sir Edward Carteret Richard March Sir James Mercer Tho. Duppa Assistant Daily Waiter Their Office is to wait in the Presence Chamber and to attend next the Kings Person and after the Lord Chancellour and the Vice-Chamberlain to order all affairs and to obey these are all Under-Officers above Stairs Gentlemen Ushers Quarter Waiters in Ordinary in number 8 these wait also in the Presence Chamber and are to give directions to the Grooms and Pages and other under Officers who are to attend in all servile Offices next to the Grooms The Grooms of the Great Chamber are 12 the Pages of the Presence Chamber 4. Cup-Bearers in Ordinary James Halsal Charles Littleton Sir William Fleetwood Sir Philip Palmer Mr. Ayrskyn Carvers in Ordinary 4. Sewers in Ordinary 4. Esquires of the Body in Ordinary 4. Their Office to guard the Kings Person by Night to set the Watch and give the Word and keep good Order in the whole House by Night as the Lord Chamberlain and his other Officers are to do by Day Groom Porter Col. Offley His Office to see the Kings Lodgings furnisht with Tables Chairs Stools Firing to furnish Cards Dice c. to decide disputes arising at Cards Dice Bowlings c. Sergeants at Arms 16 all Gentlemen Chaplains in Ordinary 4 for every Moneth as followeth January Dr. Sandcroft Dr. Brideock Dr. Jos Beaumont Dr. Colebrand February Dr. Peirce Dr. Shute Dr. Duport Dr. Cradock March Dr. Crofts Dr. Reeves Dr. Brough Dr. Bell. April Dr. Maine Dr. Gullston Dr. Stillingfleet Dr. Creighton May. Dr. Fell Dr. Sudbury Dr. Crey Dr. Bathurst June Dr. Wood Dr. Carlton Dr. Basire Dr. Neale July Dr. Cartwright Dr. Castillian Dr. Smith Dr. John Loyd August Dr. Fleetwood Dr. Gunning Dr. Thorne Dr. Offly September Dr. Pearson Dr. Bolton Dr. Perinchief Dr. Tillotson October Dr. Ovtram Dr. Meuse Dr. Tho. Tulley Dr. Smallwood November Dr. Allestree Dr. Benson Dr. Geo. Beaumont Dr. Will. Loyd December Dr. Hodges Dr. Hardye Dr. Ball Dr. Lamplagh These 48 Chaplains in Ordinary are usually Doctors in Divinity and for the most part Deans or Prebends and all principal Predicators Messengers of the Chamber in Ordinary first 2 Clerks of the Check then 40 more in all 42. Musitians in Ordinary 62. Trumpeters in Ordinary and Kettle Drummers are in all 15. Drummers and Fifes 7. Of Wardrobes the King hath besides the Great Wardrobe now in the Savoy whereof Edward Earl of Sandwich is Master divers standing Wardrobes at Whitehall Windsor Hampton-Court the Tower of London Greenwich c. whereof there are divers Officers Lastly removing Wardrobes whereof there is one Yeoman 2 Grooms and 2 Pages Jewel House Sir Gilbert Talbot Master and three Under Officers called Yeoman and Grooms Whose Office is to take Charge of all Vessels of Gold or Silver gilt for the King and Queens Table of all Plate in the Tower of Chains and loose Jewels not fixt to any Garment Physitians in Ordinary to His Majesties Person are Sir Alexander Fraser Sir John Baber Doctor Clark Doctor Hinton Physitians in Ordinary to the Houshold Doctor Waldron Doctor Scarborough for the Tower of London Apothecaries 2 one for the Kings Person and one for the Houshold Chirurgeons 6. Barbers 2. Printers 2. Bookbinder 1. Taylers 2. Hydrographer 1. Stationer 1. In the Office of the Tents Toyles Hales and Pavilions 2 Masters 4 Yeomen 1 Groom 1 Clerk Comptroller 1 Clerk of the Tents A Master of the Revels Office to order all things concerning Comedies c. Engraver Sculptor 1 in each Office In the Office of the Robes 1 Master 4 Grooms a Purveyor Clerk Tayler and Page and a Dyer In the Matter of Ceremonies A Master Sir Charles Cotterel and one Marshal A Master of the Game of Cock-fighting Two Sergeant Skinners Three Embroiderers Two Keepers of the Privy Lodgings Two Gentlemen and one Yeomen of the Bows One Crossbow-Maker one Fletcher One Mrs Sempstress and one Laundress One Perspective Maker One Master Fencer One Haberdasher of Hatts One Comb-Maker One Coffee-Maker Shoo-maker Joyner Copier of Pictures Watch-maker Cabinet-maker Lock-Smith Library-Keeper Rat-Killer of each one Game of the Bears and Bulls 1 Master 1 Sergeant 1 Yeoman Operators for the Teeth 2. Coffer-Bearers to the Back-Stairs 2. Falconers Sir Allen Aspley Master of the Hawks and other Officers under him about London and other places belonging to the King in all 33. Huntsmen for the Buck-hounds in Ordinary John Carey Esquire Master of the Buck-hounds and under him a Sergeant and 34 other persons Otter-hounds Smith Esquire Master of the Otter-hounds and 4 more under him Huntsmen for the Harriers Master of the Harriers Mr. Elliot and 5 under him One Yeoman of the Leash Watermen 55. Silkmen 2. Perfumer Feather-maker Milliner Mercer Hosier Draper Upholster Letter-carrier Forreign Post of each one Officers belonging to Gardens Bowling-Greens Tennis-Courts Pall-Mall 10 persons Culter Spurrier Girdler Corn-Cutter Button-maker one of each Embosser Enameler of each one Armory at the Tower Master of the Ordinance now in several Commissioners William Legg Lieutenant of the Ordnance and Master Armorer and 17 under Officers Heraulds 3 Kings at Arms. Sir Edward Walker Garter Sir Edward Bish Clarenceux William Dugdale Norroy Also 4 Heraulds and 4 Pursuivants Comedians 17 Men and 8 Women Actors Gunner Gilder Cleanser of Pictures Scene-Keeper Coffer-Maker Wax-Chandler Mole-Taker Publick Notary one of each Keeper of Birds and Fowle in St. James's Park 1. Keeper of the Volery Goffe-Club-maker Sergeant Painter one for each A List of His Majesties Servants under the Master of the Horse There are FIrst 14 Queryes so called from the French word Escuyers derived from Escuyrie a Stable their Office is to attend the King on Hunting on Progress or on any occasion of riding abroad to help His Majesty up and down from his Horse c. The yearly Fee to each is 20 l. 2. The Chief Avener which place with all the following are in the Gift of the Master of the Horse so called from Avena Oates whose Office is to provide Provender and yearly Fee is 40 l. There
Wise Four Dressers Mrs. Katherine Eliot 200 l. Mrs. Margaret Dawson 150 l. Mrs. Lelis Cranmer 150 l. Lady Apsley 150 l. Starcher Mrs. Mary Roche 120 l. Semstress Mrs. Ellen Green 80 l. Laundress Mrs. Mary Cowerd 250 l. Lace Mender Secretary to her Highness Sir Phil. Froud 100 l. Two Gentlemen Ushers each 80 l. Six Gentlemen Waiters whereof one hath 100 l. The other five each 40 l. Four Pages of the Back-Stairs each 80 l. Yeoman of the Mouth 50 l. Tayler 90 l. Shoomaker 36 l. 10 s. Master Cook 40 l. Necessary Woman 40 l. Eighteen Watermen each 2 l. Master of the Horse to the Dutchess is Sir Richard Powle 266 l. 13 s. 4 d. Two Escuyries each 100 l. Four Pages each 52 l. Eight Footmen each 39 l. Four Coachmen each 78 l. for themselves Postillions and helpers Five Grooms each 32 l. 10 s. Two Chairmen each 39 l. Officers and Servants to the Duke of Cambridge GOverness Lady Francis Villiers 400 l. Under-Governess Mrs. Mary Kilbert 150 l. Wet Nurse 80 l. Dry Nurse 80 l. Tutor of the French Tongue Monsieur Lesne 100 l. Three Rockers each 70 l. Laundress to the Body 60 l. Semstress Laundress to the Table Page of the Back-Stairs 60 l. Necessary Woman 50 l. Cook 38 l. 5. s. Musitian 31 l. 4 s. Two Pages to the Duke of Cambridge each 52 l. Four Footmen One Groom One Coachman Postillion and Helper Officers and Servants belonging to the Lady Mary TWo Dressers Mrs. Anne Walsingham 80 l. Mrs. Mary Langford 80 l. Roâ—ker Mrs. Jane Leigh 70 l. Semstress Laundress Mrs. Elizabeth Brooks 90 l. Page of the Back-Stairs 60 l. Dancing-Master 200 l. Singing-Master 100 l. Servants to the Lady Anne DResser Three Rockers Semstress Page of the Back-Stairs Necessary Woman His Royal Highness upon all occasions when he goes abroad without the King hath for his particular Guard a Gallant Troop of Horse commanded by Monsieur de Blancfort Of the Three States of England ALl the Subjects of England are divided into Clergy and Laity The Laity sub-divided into Nobility and Commonalty These are called Ordines Regni or the Three States and first of the Clergy As Heaven is more honourable than Earth the Soul than the Body so is the Spiritual Function more excellent than the Civil and the Sacerdotal Dignity higher than the Secular and therefore in England the Clergy caeteris paribus hath ever had according to the practice of all other Civilized Nations since the World began the preference and precedence of the Laity and hath in all times been reputed the First of the Three States The Clergy so called because they are Gods 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Portion For although all Christians may be stiled Gods Portion as well as Gods Servants yet amongst Christians those Persons whom God hath set apart and separated from common use to his Service to be as it were his Domestick Servants are more peculiarly the Lords Portion and therefore from the first Age of Christianity the Persons so set apart have been called Clerici Clerks As in the State so in the Church the Laws and Constitutions of England would not that there should be a parity and equality of all persons Quippe in Ecclesia nihil magis inaequale quam aequalitas And therefore in conformity to the first Times and Places of Establisht Christianity so soon as the Christian Faith was by Authority received in England one of the Clergy was in every City ordained a Bishop who hath to avoid Confusion which usually springs from equality a pre-eminence over the rest of the Clergy within certain Precincts Afterwards the Bishops being necessitated to meet about Publick Affairs of the Church as Consecrations Consultations for remedy of general disorders for Audiences Judicial when the actions of any Bishop should be called in question or Appeals from Bishops c. It seemed requisite to our Ancestors according to other Christian Churches ever since the first Nicene Council to have amongst a certain number of Bishops one to be chiefest in Authority over the rest fâ—om thence named Archiepiscopus Arch or Chief Bishop For easing the Bishop of some part of his burthen as the number of Christians waxed great or the Diocess was large there were ordained in the Primitive Times Chorepiscopi Suffragan or Subsidiary Bishops Accordingly in the English Church of a long time there have been such ordained by the name of Bishops Suffragans or Titular Bishops who have the Name Title Stile and Dignity of Bishops and as other Bishops are consecrated by the Archbishop of the Province each one to execute such Power Jurisdiction and Authority and receive such Profits as is limited in his Commission by the Bishop or Diocesan whose Suffragan he is For a Supply of able and fit Persons to assist Bishops or to be made Bishops it seemed good to Reverend Antiquity that in every Diocess a certain number of the more prudent and pious Pastors should be placed in a Collegiate manner at every Cathedral or Episcopal See where they might not only be ready to assist the Bishop in certain weighty Cases but also fit themselves by gaining experience and loosing by little and little their former familiarity with the inferiour Countrey Clergy for Government and Authority in the Church Accordingly in every Cathedral Church in England there are a certain number of Prebendaries or Canons and over them a Dean in Latine Decanus from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because antiently set over ten Canons at the least who is sometime stiled Alter Episcopi Oculus the other being the Archdeacon who though a Presbyter himself is so named for his Charge over the Deacons who are to be guided and directed by him under the Bishop Next is the Rural Dean who was antiently called Arcbipresbyter and had the guidance and direction of the Presbyters In the last place are the Pastors of every Parish who are called Rectors unless the Predial Tythes be impropriated and then they are called Vicars quasi vice fungentes Rectorum In England are 2 Archbishops 24 Bishops no Suffragan Bishops at present 26 Deans of Cathedrals and Collegiate Churches 60 Archdeacons 544 Prebendaries many Rural Deans and about 9700 Rectors and Vicars besides Curates who for certain Stipends assist such Rectors and Vicars that have the care of more Churches than one These if it be considered of what great Learning and Abilities they are what great Authority and Sway they usually bear over the Laity to incline â—ead and draw them what great Priviledges and Immunities they do or ought to enjoy and how much means they possess may well be reputed as in all times they have been in all other States the first Member of the Three Estates of England It hath been provided not without singular wisdom that as the ordinary course of common affairs is disposed of by general Laws so likewise mens rarer incident Necessities and Utilities should be
Honourable Estate nor to be a Commander over Souldiers and therefore the English Nobility and Gentry till within late years judged it a stain and diminution to the honour and dignity of their Families to seek their Childrens support by Shop-keeping but only as in all great Monarchies by Military Court State or Church Emploiments much less to subject their Children to an Apprentisage a perfect Servitude for during that time whatever they gain by their Masters Trade or their own wit belongs all to their Master neither can they lie our of their Masters House noâ— take a Wife nor trade of their own but subject to all Houshold Work all Commands oâ— their Master undergo what punishment and eat and wear what their Master pleaseth which Marks of Slavery considered Heralds are of opinion that a Gentleman thereby loses his Gentility for ever till he can otherwise recover it and yet to the shame of our Nation we have seen of fare not onely the Sons of Baroners Knights and Gentlemen sitting in Shops and sometimes of Pedling Trades far more fit for Women and their Daughters but also an Earl of this Kingdom subjecting his Son to an Apprentisage and Trade but the folly of the English in swerving from their Ancestors steps herein as in other things is now apparent for those young Gentlemen possessing more noble and active Spirits could not brook such dull slavish lives and being thereby unfitted for other emploiments have generally taken ill debauched courses Priviledges The lower Nobility of England have fewer and lesse Priviledges than those in other Monarchies Some few Priviledges belong to Knights quatenus Knights 〈◊〉 a Knight be a Minor yet shall he be out of Wardship both for Lands Body and Marriage for though the Law doth judge him not able to do Knights Service till the Age of 21 years yet the King being Sovereign and Supreme Judge of Chivalry by dubbing him Knight doth thereby allow him to be able to do him Knights Service Knights are excused from attendance at Court-Leets They and their eldest Sons not compellable to find Pledges at the Visus Franci Plegii Knights by Magna Charta cap. 21. are so freed that no Demesne Cart of theirs may be taken The Son and Brother of a Knight by Statute law are capacitated to hold more than one Beenfice with cure of Souls By the Stat. Primo Jacobi It seems that Knights and their Sons though they cannot spend 10 l. per annum nor are worth 200 l. may keep Greyhounds Setting Dogs or Nets to take Pheasants or Partridges Some Priviledges also beâ—ong to Gentlemen Antientâ—y if an ignoble person did â—trike a Gentleman in England he was to lose his hand A Gentleman by Stat. Quint. Eliz. may not be comâ—elled to serve in Husbandry The Child of a Gentleman â—rought up to singing cannot â—e taken without the Parents â—nd Friends consent to serve â—n the Kings Chappel as others may The Horse of a Gentleman may not be taken to ride post Note That as there are somâ— Great Officers of the Crownâ— who for their Dignity anâ— Worth of their Places although they are not Noble men yet take place amongâ— the highest of the Higher Nobility so there are some Persons who for their Dignities in the Church-degrees iâ— the University Offices in thâ— State or Army although thâ— are neither Knights nor Gentlemen born yet take place amongst them So all Deanâ— Archdeacons Chancellours Prebends Doctors of Divinity Law and Physick Heads of Houses in the University usually take place nexâ— to Knights and before all Esquires and Gentlemen Likewise all Judges of Courts Mayors Bailiffs Justices of the Peace All Commissionated Officers in the Army as Colonels Master of Artillery Quarter-Master General c. All higher Officers in the Kings Court or State All Sergeants at Law c. These are wont to precede Esquires All Batchelors of Divinity Law and Physick all Doctors in the Arts commonly called Masters of Art all Barresters in the Innes of Court all Captains Officers in the Kings Houshold c. may equal if not precede Gentlemen that have none of those qualifications In England Gentry as in Germany all Nobility and Arms are held in Gavelkind descending to all the Sons alike only the eldest Son beareth Arms without difference which the younger may not Of the low Nobility in England the number is so great that there are reckoned at present above 500 Baronets more than the first intended number that is in all above 700 who are possest one with another of about 1200 l. a year in Lands Of Knights above 1400 who one with another may have about 800 l. Lands a year Of Esquires and Gentlemen above 6000 each one possest one with another of about 400 l. a year in Lands besides younger Brothers whose number may amount to about 16000 in all England who have small Estates in Lands but are commonly bred up to Divinity Law Physick to Court and Military Emploiments but of late too many of them to Shop-keeping The Lands in the possession of the lower Nobility will amount to about four Millions and sixty thousand pounds yearly Next to the lower Nobility and the first Degree of the Commons or Plebeans are the Freeholders in England commonly called Yeomen from the High Dutch Gemen or Gemain in English Common so in the Kings Court it signifieth an Officer which is in a middle place between a Sergeant and a Groom or else from the Low Dutch Yeman Some-body as the Spaniard calls a Gentleman Hidalgo Hijo d' algo that is the Son of Some-body The Yeomanry of England having Lands of their own to a good value and living upon Husbandry are lookt upon as not apt to commit or omit any thing that may endanger their Estates and Credits nor apt to be corrupted or suborned c. wherefore they are judged fit to bear some Offices as of Constable Churchwarden to serve upon Juries to be Train-Souldiers to vote in the Election of Knights of the Shire for Parliament c. In Cases and Causes the Law of England hath conceived a better opinion of the Yeomanry that occupy Lands then of Tradesmen Artificers or Labourers Husbandry hath in no age rendred a Gentleman ignoble nor uncapable of places of Honour Amongst the Romans some of the greatest Dictators and Consuls had been once Husbandmen and some of them taken from Plowing their Ground to bear those Highest Offices and Dignities so divers Princes Kings and Emperours have exercised Agriculture and the Grand Scipâ—o and the Emperour Dioclesian left their Commands to enjoy Husbandry By the Statutes of England certain Immunities are given to Freeholders and landed men though they are not Gentlemen Vide Stat. 1 Jacobi cap. 27. alibi Of the Free-holders in England there are more in number and richer than in any Countrey of the like extent in Europe 40 or 50 l. a year a piece is very ordinary 100 and 200 l. a year in some Counties is not rare Besides these