A parallel edition · British Library
Sloane MS 2530
The register of the London Masters of the Noble Science of Defence
Four degrees, in ascending order, governed the guild: scholar, free scholar, provost and master. A "prize" was the public trial of skill a man played to rise from one degree to the next. What follows is the guild's own record of those trials, spanning the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Philip and Mary, and Elizabeth I. Read the clean modern text on its own, the transcription on its own, or both together; the appendices turn the register into figures you can interrogate.
Editorial note
This is a modernised reading text of the fencing-guild register preserved as British Library, Sloane MS 2530, prepared from Cyril Mattey's diplomatic transcription. The aim is a version that reads naturally in modern British English while remaining faithful to the sense of the original.
Spelling and punctuation have been modernised throughout; contractions and suspensions have been silently expanded (for example ‘mr’ to ‘master’, ‘wch’ to ‘which’, ‘vidz’ to ‘namely’, ‘&c’ to ‘etc.’). Roman numerals have been converted to figures or spelled out for readability, and sums of money given in the modern short form (for example ‘12d’ for twelvepence, ‘6s 8d’ for six shillings and eightpence). The forms ‘u/v’ and ‘i/j’ have been regularised. Given names have been normalised to their standard modern forms; surnames are given in a single readable form even where the manuscript's spelling varies, and those variant spellings are recorded in the companion data workbook.
The manuscript's own structure is preserved. Section headings follow the register's divisions. Cyril Mattey's typescript page numbers appear inline as small grey markers such as p.5, and the original manuscript folios as f.4; these are placed at, or close to, the point where each new page or folio begins, so the edition can be collated against the transcription and the manuscript. Text lost to damage or left illegible is shown in square brackets, either as a bracketed gap […] or, where the sense is clear, as a bracketed editorial supply; a question mark marks a reading the transcriber found doubtful. Nothing has been invented to fill the gaps.
The register spans the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Philip and Mary, and Elizabeth I, with dated entries running from about 1568 to 1598. The four degrees of the guild, in ascending order, are scholar, free scholar, provost and master; a ‘prize’ was the public trial of skill played to ascend from one degree to the next.
Masters' prizes
p.1British Museum, Sloane MS 2530. A note of all masters' prizes, provost prizes, scholars' prizes and other [necessary?] matters, etc.
William Hunt played his master's prize at Leadenhall with three masters, that is to say Nicholas [—], Robert Cooke, and Peter Beste, at three kinds of [weapon]: the long sword, the bastard sword, and the […]. The same William Hunt played his provost's prize at the [Tower] Royal in London with one provost whose name was Hamcott, [at the] long sword. Also he played his scholar's prize at the [same] place with certain scholars at the long sword and the […] sword.
William Pascall played his master's prize at Leadenhall with three masters, that is to say Humphrey Basset, Robert Cooke(?), [and] William Hunt, at four kinds of weapons, namely the long sword, the backsword, the dagger and the staff. And he played his provost's prize(?) […] at the Sessions Hall without Newgate at […] weapons […] the backsword and the staff, with three provosts […] a Wood and Robert p.2Robert Greene. And he played his [scholar's prize?] at East Ham with 13 scholars at backsword […]. And he played another scholar's prize at Lead[enhall…] at long sword.
Robert Greene played his master's prize at Leadenhall(?) with three weapons, that is to say the long sword, [the] backsword and the dagger, with two masters, namely William Hunt and William Pascall. He played his provost's prize at the […] Hall without Newgate at the long sword, with three provosts, that is to say William Hunt, John Apprice and John A[…]. Also he played his scholar's prize at Leadenhall at two(?) kinds of weapons, that is to say the long sword and the backsword, with twelve at the long sword and fifteen at the backsword.
f.2William Browne played his master's prize at the Grey Friars within Newgate at three kinds of weapons, that is to say the long sword, the bastard sword, and the backsword, with two masters, namely William Pascall and Robert Greene. And he played his provost's prize within Saint Martin's in the Sanctuary p.3with three provosts, namely William Hunt, William Pascall and Robert Greene. And the said William Browne played his scholar's prize at Leadenhall with fifteen at the long sword and twenty-one at the backsword.
Richard White played his master's prize at the Grey Friars within Newgate at three kinds of weapons, that is to say the long sword, the bastard sword and the backsword, with three masters, namely William Hunt, Peter Beste, and William Browne. And he played his provost's prize at Leadenhall with two provosts, that is to say Edward Britten and John Barsett, at three kinds of weapons, namely the long sword, the backsword, and the staff. He played his scholar's prize at Leadenhall with 23 scholars at the backsword, and at Hampton Court with 14 at the long sword.
Robert Edmonds played his master's prize at Whitehall before King Philip and Queen Mary at three kinds of weapons, that is to say the long sword, the backsword and the staff. There played against him two masters, namely Richard White and Thomas Weaver.
p.4Thomas Weaver was made master by King Edward the Sixth at Greenwich.
William Hearne agreed with the masters and so was made master. The aforesaid William Hearne played his provost's prize with two scholars at the long sword and the backsword, and so agreed with the masters and was made provost.
f.3Isaac Kennard came into the place to play his master's prize at the Bull within Bishopsgate on the twenty-first day of April at four kinds of weapons, that is to say the two-hand sword, the backsword, the sword and buckler, and the rapier and dagger. There played with him three masters, namely Gregory Greene, William Mucklowe and William Joyner. The said Isaac played with the three masters at the long sword, and was struck down at the backsword by William Mucklowe, and so was dismissed for that time. The said Isaac came the Monday after and played the rest of his weapons, that is to say the sword and buckler and the rapier and dagger. There played with him the three masters aforesaid, namely Gregory Greene, William Mucklowe and William p.5Joyner, on the 28th day of April; and so the said Isaac was, by entreaty, made master under Richard Smith, master, the tenth day of May 1598.
John Goodwin played his master's prize the eighteenth day of May at the Bull in Bishopsgate Street at three kinds of weapons, that is to say the two-hand sword, the backsword and the sword and buckler. There played with him four masters, namely Isaac Kennard, Gregory Greene, Henry Naylor and Richard Smith; and so he was admitted master under William Glover, master, 1579.
John Blinkinsop played his master's prize the first day of June at the Artillery Garden at four kinds of weapons, that is to say the two-hand sword, the backsword, the sword and buckler and the staff. There played with him six masters, namely Richard Peters, Anthony Fenruther, Gregory Greene, Richard Smith, Richard Donne and Henry Naylor; and so the said Blinkinsop was admitted master under William Thompson, master, 1579.
p.6Francis Calvert agreed with the masters and so was made master under William Joyner, master, 1581.
William Mathewes played his master's prize at Canterbury the fifth day of June at four kinds of weapons, that is to say the long sword, the backsword, the sword and buckler and the rapier and dagger. There played with him 8 masters, namely Francis Calvert, John Blinkinsop, John Goodwin, Isaac Kennard, Gregory Greene, John Evans, Richard Smith and Henry Naylor; and so he was admitted master under Richard Peter, 1583.
f.4Alexander Reyson played his master's prize the last day of April 1583 at the Curtain in Holywell at four kinds of weapons, that is to say the long sword, the backsword, the sword and buckler, and the staff. There played with him four masters, namely William Mathewes, Francis Calvert, John Goodwin and Isaac Kennard; and so the said master Alexander Reyson was admitted master under William Joyner, master, 1583.
p.7Robert Blysse played his master's prize the third day of February 1583 at the Bull within Bishopsgate at four kinds of weapons, that is to say the long sword, the backsword, the sword and buckler, and the rapier and dagger. He played with five masters, namely William Mathewes, Francis Calvert, John Goodwin, Gregory Greene and Henry Naylor; and so the said Robert Blysse was admitted master under Edmund Darcy, master, 1583.
Richard Fletcher played his master's prize at the Bull within Bishopsgate at four kinds of weapons, that is to say the long sword, backsword, sword and dagger, and the rapier and dagger; and there played with him four masters, that is to say William Mathewes, Francis Calvert, John Blinkinsop and John Goodwin; and so he was admitted a master in the year of our Lord 1584.
f.5The 24th of November 1584. Valentine Longe played his master's prize the 24th day of November 1584 at the Bull within Bishopsgate in London at four kinds p.8of weapons, that is to say the long sword, backsword, sword and dagger, and rapier and dagger; and there played with him three masters, that is to say Robert Blysse, William Mathewes and Francis Calvert; and so he was admitted master under Gregory Greene, master, 1584.
John Devell played his master's prize the ninth day of February at the Bull within Bishopsgate in London at four kinds of weapons, that is to say the long sword, backsword, sword and dagger, and the staff; and there played with him seven masters, that is to say Valentine Longe, Richard Fletcher, Robert Blysse, William Mathewes, Francis Calvert, John Goodwin and Gregory Greene; and so the same John Devell was admitted a master under William Joyner, master, 1584.
f.6Andrew Dwelly played his master's prize the 20th and 26th day of May at the Theatre in Holywell at four kinds of weapons, that is to say the long sword, the sword and buckler, sword and dagger, and rapier and dagger; and there played with him 6 masters, that is to say John Devell, Valentine Longe, Richard Fletcher, Robert Blysse, William Mathewes and Gregory Greene; and so the said Andrew Dwelly was admitted p.9master under Francis Calvert, master, in the year of our Lord 1585.
Master Paul Warren was allowed a master the 17th of October 1587 under Master Richard Pitter, master.
Master Carlton was allowed a master the 23rd of October under George Naylor, master, 1587 — an ordinary groom of Her Majesty's chamber.
f.7James Cranydge played his master's prize the 21st of November 1587 at the Bell Savage without Ludgate at four sundry kinds of weapons, that is to say the long sword, the backsword, the sword and dagger and the rapier and dagger. There played with him 9 masters, that is to say Andrew Bello at 2 weapons — the long sword and the backsword, and no more — and the other 8 masters at all the weapons, that is to say John Dawell, Valentine Longe, Richard Fletcher, Robert Blysse, William Mathewes, John Goodwin, Gregory Greene and Henry Naylor, in the presence of their brethren, that is William Joyner, John Evans, Paul Warren and Richard Carlton; and so the said James Cranydge was allowed a master p.10under Richard Carlton, master of the Noble Science of Defence, etc.
John Mathewes played his master's prize the 31st day of January 1588 at the Bell Savage without Ludgate at 4 sundry kinds of weapons, that is to say the long sword, the backsword, the sword and dagger and the rapier and dagger. There played with him 7 [masters], that is to say James Cranydge, John Dawell, Valentine Longe, Richard Fletcher, Robert Blysse, John Goodwin and Gregory Greene, and in the presence of the rest of the masters, that is William Joyner (his undersell(?) master), Master Richard Petter, William Mathewes, Paul Warren and Richard Carlton; and so the said John Mathewes was allowed a master under William Joyner, master of the Noble Science of Defence, 1588.
WILLIAM HUNT played his Maisters prize at Leaden Hall
with three Maisters, that is to say Nicholas ...........
Roberte Cooke, and Peter Beste, at three kinde of .....
The Longe Sworde the Bastarde Sworde and the ........ the
same Willyam Hunte played his provost prize at the .......
Roiall in London with one Provost whose name was Hamcott ....
Longe Sworde, also he played his Schollers' prize at the
......... place with certein Schollers at the longe sworde
and the .......... Sworde ./.
WILLIAM Pascall plaide his maisters prize at Leaden hall
with three maisters that is to say, Humfrey Basset, Roberte
Cooke(?) Willyam Hunte at .iiij: kinde of weapons vidz. The
longe sworde. the Backsworde, the Dagger and the staffe, and
he played his Provost (?) ......... at the Sessions Hall
withowt Newgate at . ...... weapons ..... the backesworde
and the staffe wth three Provosts .............a woode and
Roberte
p.2
Roberte Grene, And he played his ......... at Estham with
xiij. Schollers at Backesworde .......... And he plaide
another Schollers prize at lead .............. at longe
Sworde ./.
ROBERTE GREENE plaide his Maisters prize at Leden(?) Hall
with thre Weapons, that is to saye the longe sword .....
bakesword and the dagger wth two maisters vidz Willyam Hunte
and William Pascall / he playde his provoste prize at the
....... Hall without Nuegate at the longe sworde, with thre
Prov[osts] that is to saye Willyam Hunt, John Apprice And
John A..... Also he plaide his Schollers prize at Leaden Hall,
at two(?) kinde of weapons that is to saye the longe sword
and the backesworde / with twelve at the longe sworde and
xv at the backesworde
f.2Willyam Browne plaid his maisters prize at the graye ffriers
with in Nuegate at thre kinde of weapons, that is to say
the longe sworde, the basterd sword, and the backsword, with
two maisters vidz Willyam Pascall and Roberte Grene / And
he plaide his provost prize within Saincte Martins in the
Sanctuarye
p.3
Sanctuarye wth three Provosts vidz Willyam Hunt Willyam
Pascall and Roberte Grene And the saide Willyam Browne plaide
his Schollers prize at Leaden Halle wth xv at the longe
sword and xxj at the backsworde.
Richarde White played his maisters priz at the graye ffriers
wth in Nuegate at thre kinde of weapons, that is to say, the
longe sworde, the Bastarde sword and the Backsworde with thre
maisters, vidz Willyam Hunte, Peter Beste, and Willyam
Browne, And he plaid his Provosts priz at Leaden Hall with
two Provosts, that is to saye Edward Brytten and John Barsett
at thre kinde of weapons vidz the longe sworde, the backe-
sword, and the staffe. He plaide his Schollers priz at
Leaden Hall wth xxiij schollers at the backesword and at
Hampton Courte wth xiiij at the longe sworde.
Robert Edmonds played his maisters priz at the Whitehall
before kinge Philipp and Quene Marie at thre kind of weapons
that is to saye, the longe sworde, the backesworde and the
Staffe thear played agaynste him two maisters vidz Richard
White and Thomas Weaver
Thomas
p.4
Thomas Weaver was made maister by Kinge Edward the sixthe at
Grenwitche.
Willyam Herne agreed with the maisters and so was mad
maister William Herne aforesaide played his Provoste priz
with two Schollers at ye longe sworde, and the backesworde
And so did agre with the maisters and was made Provoste.
f.3Izake Kennard came into the place to play his maisters priz
at the Bull wth in Bishopps gate the one and twentith daye
of Aprill at four kynde of weapons That is to say the
two hand sword the backe sworde the sword and buckeler and
the rapier and dagger / ther playde with him thre maisters
vidz Gregorie Grene Willyam Mucklowe and Willyam Joyner /
The sayd Izake playde with the thre maisters at the longe
sworde / and was stroken downe at the backe sworde by
Willyam Muckelowe and so was dismiste for that tyme / The
said Isake came the Mondaye after and playd the reste of
his weapons, that is to saye the sword and buckeler and the
rapier and dagger/. ther playde with him the thre maisters
aforesayd vidz Gregorye Grene Willyam Muckelowe and Willyam
Joyner
p.5
Joyner the 28 daye of Aprill and so the sayde Izake was, by
entreatye made mayster vnder Rycharde Smyth mayster the
Tenthe daye of Maye /1598/.
John Goodwen playd his maisters pryze the eighteneth daye
of maye at the Bull in Bishops gate streate at thre kinde
of weapons / That is to saye the two hande sword the backe
sworde and the sworde and buckeler There playd with him
four maisters vidz Izake Kennarde, Gregorye Grene, Henrye
Nayler / and Richard Smythe And so he was admitted maister
vnder Willyam Glover maister /1579/
John Blinkinsop playd his maisters prize the firste daye
of June at the Artillerye garden at four kynde of weapons
That is to saye the two hand sword the backe sword, the
sword and buckeler and the staff Ther playd with him six
maisters vidz Richard Peters / Anthonye ffenruther / Gregorie
Grene Richard Smyth Richard Donne & Henrye Naylor An so
the said Blinkinsop was admitted maister vnder Willyam
Thompson maister /1579/.
Franceis
p.6
Franceis Calluert did agre wth the mrs & so was mad mr vnder
William Joyner maister /1581/
Willyam Mathewes playd his maisters prize at Canterburye
ye fiveth day of June at four kynde of weapons That is to
saye the longe sworde the back sworde the sworde and buck-
eler and the rapier and dagger, ther playd wth him 8 maisters
vidz ffranceis Calverte, John Blinkinsop John Goodwin Izake
Kennard Gregorye Grene, John Evans Richard Smith and Henrye
Naylor And so was admitted mr vnder Richard Peter /1583/
f.4Alexander Reyson playd his maisters prize the laste daye
of Aprill 1583 / at the Curteyn in Hollywell at iiij kynde
of weapons that is to saye the longe sworde the back sworde,
the sworde and buckeler / and the staffe their playde wth
him iiijor maisters vidz Willyam Mathews ffrancis Calverte,
(erased sic.) John Goodwyn and Isakce Kennarde and so the said mr Alex-
ander Reyson was admitted mr vnder Willyam Joyner maister ---
1583.
Roberte
p.7
Roberte Blysse playde his mrs price the thirde daye of
ffebruarye 1583 at the Bull wth in Buisshoppesgate at iiijor
kindes of weapons that is to saye the Longe sword the backe
sworde, the sworde & Buckler & the Rapyer and Dagger he
playde wth fyve mrs namelye Willm Mathewes, ffraunce Calverte
John Goodwyn Gregory Greene & Henrye Naylor and so the sayde
Roberte Blysse was admitted Mr vnder Edmunde Darcye maister /
1583
Richarde ffletcher plaide his mrs Price
at the bull wthin bisshopsgate at foure kinde
of weapons that is to say, the longe sworde backe sworde,
sworde & dagger, and the Rapier and dagger, and the played
wth him foure mrs that is to say Wm Mathewes ffraxnces Cal-
verte John Blinckensopp & John Goodwyn and so was admitted
a mr anno dni 1584.
f.5 The 24 of November 1584
Vallentyn Longe plaide his mrs price the 24 day of November
1584 at the bull wth in bisshopsgate in London at foure kind
of
p.8
of weapons that is to say the Longe sword, back sword sworde
& dagger and Rapier & dagger And there played wth him three
mrs that is to say Robarte Blisse Willyam Mathewes & ffraunces
Calvarte and so was admitted mr vnder Gregory Greene mr 1584.
John Devell played his mr prise the ixth day of ffebruary
at the bull wth in bisshopsgate in London at foure kind of
weapons that is to say at the longe sworde back sword sword
and dagger and the staffe and there played wth him seven mrs
that is to say Vallentyne Longe Richard ffletcher Robarte
Blisse Willm Mathewes ffrances Calvarte John Goodwyn and
Gregory Grene and so the same John Devell was admitted a
mr vnder Wm Joynor mr. 1584.
f.6Andrewe Dwelly playde his Masteres pryse the xx Daye & xxvj
daye of Maye at the Theatur in Hollywell att fower kynde of
wepons, that ys to saye att the Longe sworde the sworde &
Buckler sworde and Dagger & Raper & Dagger and there playde
wt him vj Masters that ys to saye John Devell ffallytin
Longe Rycharde ffletcher Robarte Blysse Wyllyam Matthewes
and Gregorye Greane & so the sayde Andrewe Dewlly was amytted
Master
p.9
Master vnder ffrauncys Caullvarte Master Anno Domino 1585
Mr Paull Warren was aloweth a Mr. the 17. of october 1587
vnder Mr Rychyarde Pitter Mr.
Mr Carlton was a lowed a mr the xxiijth of octobere vnder
George Nayllore mr 1587
————————————— ordenary grome off her
majestes chamber
f.7James Cranydge playd his Masters prize the 21 of Nowember
1587 at the bellsavage wth ovt Lvdgate at iiij sondry kinde
of weapons that is to say the Long sword the Backsword the
sword & Dagger and the Rapier & Dagger ther playd wth him 9
masters that is to saye Avndreve bellowe at ij weapons the
Longe sword & the Backsword & no more & the other viij mrs
At all the weapons that is to say John Dawell Wallentine
Longe Richard fflecher Robard Blisse Wm Mathewes John Good-
wyne Gregory Grene Henry Naylor in the presents of ther
Bretheren that is Wm Joynor John Evans pawlle Weran and Rich-
ard Carlton & so the sayd James Cranydge was allowed a mr
vnder
p.10
vnder Richard Carllton mr of the Noble syence of Deffence &c.——
John Mathewes playd his masters prise the 31 daye of Janvarie
1588 at the bell savege wth out lvdgate at iiii sondry kinde
of weapons that is to saye the longesworde the backesworde
the sworde and dagger and the Rapier and dagger there played
wth him vii that is to saye James Cranydge John Dawell
Wallentine Longe Richarde flether Robart blisse John Good-
wyne and Gregorye Grine and in the presents of the reste of
(erased sic.) the masteres that is William Joyner his vndernsll master
masther Rycharde Petter William Mathewes Powlle Weran a
Rycharde Carlton and so the sayde John Mathewes was allowed
a master vnder Williame Joyner master of the noble syenes
of deffence 1588.
A general agreement of the masters
f.8It is agreed generally by and between every one of us the said masters of the Noble Science of Defence, each to the other, that if any one, or two, or more of us break any of the orders and constitutions whatsoever belonging to our science, then he or they of us, or any of us, so offending shall be p.11fined by the rest of us the said masters, as in our discretions according to the breach shall fine him or them; and he or they so being fined [are] not to sit in judgement till the said fine and every part thereof be satisfied or paid; neither shall he or they receive any dues which belong to a master till the same be paid, as aforesaid.
f.8It is Agreed gennerally by & betweene every of vs the saide
mrs of the noble Science of Defence eche to the other, That
if any one or twoe or more of vs doe breake any of the Orders
and Constitutions whatsoever belonging to or Scyence, That
then he or they of vs or any of vs so offending shall be
fyned
p.11
fyned by the rest of vs the saide mrs as in or discrecons
according to the breache shall fyne him or them, And he or
they so being fyned not to sit in Judgemt till the saide
fyne & euy pte thereof be satisfied or payed, nether he or
they shall receyve any dutyes wch belongh to a mr till the
same be payed as aforesaide:/
f.9
A note of all the provost prizes, 1568
f.9Henry Whithed played a provost's prize with four provosts at two kinds of weapons, namely the long sword and the backsword; and he played his scholar's prize at Ely Place in Holborn with eleven scholars at the long sword.
Thomas Hudson agreed with the masters and so was made a provost.
John Apris agreed with the masters and so was made a provost.
p.12Gilbert Berkett played his provost's prize at the Clink with two provosts at the staff; and he played his scholar's prize at the Clink aforesaid with eight scholars at the staff.
John Wootton played a certain prize at Canterbury in Kent with certain scholars; he agreed with the masters and so was admitted a provost.
John Burfitt played his provost's prize at Leadenhall with two provosts, Edward Britten and John Wootton, at three weapons — the long sword, the backsword and staff. He played his scholar's prize at Salisbury Court in Fleet Street at two weapons, the long sword and the backsword; he played with fourteen at the long sword and nine at the backsword.
Edward Britten played his provost's prize at Leadenhall with two provosts at the long sword and backsword. He played his scholar's prize at the same place with certain scholars p.13at the same weapons.
Walter Greene agreed with the masters and so was made provost under William Hunt.
Reynold Newcome played his provost's prize at Stamford under Robert Greene at long sword and staff; there played with him certain scholars at each weapon; and so he was made provost under Robert Greene.
f.10William Mucklowe played his provost's prize at the Bell Savage in Fleet Street with two provosts, with three kinds of weapons — the long sword, the sword and buckler and the staff; and he played his scholar's prize in the same place at two weapons, the long sword and the staff, with 21 at long sword and 21 at staff.
Thomas Dycher agreed with the masters and was made a provost. He played his scholar's prize at the Grey Friars within Newgate at two kinds of weapons, the long sword and backsword, with two at long sword and five at backsword.
p.14Richard Smith played his provost's prize at the Bell Savage with one provost, William Mucklowe, and John Goodwin, free scholar. He played his scholar's prize at Rochester House in […] at two weapons — the long sword and staff — with certain scholars at both weapons, under Richard Smith.
John Goodwin agreed with the masters to play his provost's prize within a school at the long sword, backsword, sword and buckler, and staff, at the Tower Royal, with two provosts, William Mucklowe and Richard Smith; and so he was made a provost. At […] he played his scholar's prize at Saffron Walden in Essex at two weapons, the long sword and the backsword, with nine at long sword and twelve at backsword, under William Glover.
John Evans, alias Gerkinmaker, played his provost's prize in Hertford under William Glover alias Thompson at three weapons — the long sword, the backsword and the sword and buckler — with two provosts, William Mucklowe and Richard Smith. He played p.15his scholar's prize at Baldock in Hertfordshire at two weapons, namely with seven at the long sword, and six at sword and buckler.
David Locher played his provost's prize under William Joyner at Leadenhall at three weapons — the long sword, the backsword, and sword and buckler — with two provosts, John Goodwin and John Evans; and so he was made provost.
f.11Isaac Kennard played his provost's prize at the Bull within Bishopsgate the 7th of June at three weapons — the long sword, the sword and buckler, and the staff. There played with him two free scholars, for want of provosts — William Wilks and Francis Calvert — under Richard Smith, in the year of our Lord 1575.
William Wilks played his provost's prize at the Bell Savage at three weapons — the two-hand sword, the backsword, and the sword and buckler. There played with him one provost, Isaac Kennard, and one scholar, John Blinkinsop, which p.16had a provost's licence for that time; and so William Wilks was made a provost under William Joyner the 27th day of August.
Gregory Greene played his provost's prize the fifteenth day of October at the Bull within Bishopsgate at three weapons — the long sword, the backsword, and the sword and buckler. There played with him two provosts, Isaac Kennard and William Wilks. Isaac had a sore hand and so he played but twice at long sword; and so the said Gregory was made provost under William Mucklowe.
John Blinkinsop played his provost's prize the ninth day of June at the Bull within Bishopsgate at three weapons — the long sword, the backsword, and the staff. There played with him John Goodwin, a provost, and Francis Calvert, a free scholar, which had a provost's licence for that time; and so John Blinkinsop was made provost under William Thompson alias Glover.
p.17Edward Harvie played his provost's prize the twenty-fifth day of August at the Theatre at three weapons — the two-hand sword, the backsword and the sword and buckler. There played with him one provost, whose name is John Blinkinsop, and one free scholar, called by name Francis Calvert, who had a provost's licence for that time; and so the said Edward Harvie was made a provost under Richard Smith, master, 1578.
f.12Thomas Pratt agreed with the masters and was made provost the seventh day of June under Gregory Greene, master, 1582.
Robert Blisse played his provost's prize at the Theatre in Holywell the first day of July at three weapons — the long sword, the backsword and the sword and buckler. There played with him three provosts, namely Alexander Reyson, Thomas Pratt and Valentine Longe; and so the said Robert Blisse was admitted provost under Richard Smith, 1582.
Andrew Bello played his provost's prize at the Curtain in Holywell p.18the first (or sixth?) day of July at three weapons — the long sword, the staff and the sword and buckler. There played with him two provosts, namely Thomas Pratt and Robert Blisse, and Valentine Longe, a free scholar; and so the said Andrew Bello was made provost under Francis Calvert, 1582.
Valentine Longe played his provost's prize at the Curtain in Holywell the fifth day of August at three weapons — the long sword, the backsword and the sword and buckler. There played with him two provosts, namely Robert Blisse and Andrew Bello, and John Dewell, who had a provost's licence for that time; and so the said Valentine Longe was admitted provost under Gregory Greene, master, 1582.
John Dewell played his challenge at the Theatre in Holywell against all provosts and free scholars at three weapons — the long sword, the sword and buckler, and the sword and dagger. There played with him Thomas Pratt, Robert Blisse and Andrew Bello, provosts, [and] Valentine Longe, John Harris, William Otte, and p.19George Mucklowe, free scholars. And the said John Dewell was not admitted provost at that time, for his disorder; but he was allowed provost by the goodwill of the masters the tenth day of August under William Joyner, 1582.
f.13(This entry was erased in the manuscript.) John Harris played his provost's prize at the Curtain in Holywell the second day of September (1582) at three kinds of weapons, that is to say the two-hand sword, the backsword, and sword and buckler, with 4 provosts, namely Robert Blisse, Andrew Bello, Valentine Longe and John Davell; and so the said John Harris was admitted provost under Gregory Greene, master, 1582.
George Mucklow played his provost's prize at the Bull within Bishopsgate the 16th of September 1585 at three kinds of weapons, that is to say the long sword, the backsword and the staff. There played with him one provost, whose name is John Harris, at all three weapons, and one free scholar, whose name was William Shipton, having a provost's licence for that p.20time; and so he was admitted a provost under Gregory Greene, master of the Noble Science of Defence.
John Evans played his provost's prize at the Swan in Bedford the 21st of September 1585 at three kinds of weapons, that is to say the long sword, the sword and buckler, [and] the sword and dagger. There played with him one provost, whose name is John Harris; and so he was made a provost under Master Evans, his father being a master.
f.14James Cranydge played his provost's prize the 31st of January at the Bull within Bishopsgate at three kinds of weapons, that is to say the long sword, the backsword and the sword and buckler. And there played with him five, whereof two were provosts, that is to say John Harris and George Mucklow, and three free scholars who had provost's licences for that time, that is to say John Norris, William Shipton and John Mathewes; and so the said James Cranydge was allowed a provost under John Davell, master, 1586.
p.21Harry Holyday was allowed a provost the 8th of November 1587 under Gregory Greene, master of the Noble Science of Defence.
John Norris played his provost's prize at the Bell Savage without Ludgate the 31st day of October at three kinds of weapons, that is to say the long sword, the sword and buckler and the sword and dagger. And there played with him two provosts and two free scholars — John Harris and George Mucklow, provosts, [and] Thomas Rastor and William Shipton, free scholars; and so the said John Norris was allowed a provost under Master Richard Peller(?), master of the Noble Science of Defence, 1588.
f.15Thomas Norris played his provost's prize at the Bell Savage the [—] 1585, at long sword, sword and buckler, and sword and dagger.
Bartholomew Goodinge played his provost's prize at the Bull in Bishopsgate the 3rd day of July at three kinds of weapons — the long sword, the backsword and the sword and dagger. There p.22played with him one provost, John Norris, and 4 free scholars that had provost's licences for that time, whose names are John Horble, Thomas Rastor, William Shipton and John Turner; and so the said Bartholomew Goodinge was allowed a provost under his father, John Goodinge, master of the science, 1590.
f.16If any provost dwells within twenty miles of the City of London, where all prizes ought to be played, then he ought to bear his own costs and charges; but if he dwell more than twenty miles distant from London, then the prizor ought to bear one half of his charges; and so ought every master in like manner at a master's prize.
Also, every master ought to be there to play with the prizor, except only his own master, whom he plays under. Every provost and free scholar ought to be there to make room, as they shall be appointed by the masters; and the youngest master ought to begin first, and so in order. And at any prize — whether it be master's prize, provost's prize or free scholar's prize — whoever plays against the prizor and strikes his blow and closes withal, so that p.23the prizor cannot strike his blow afterwards again, shall win no game for any veney [i.e. blow] so given, although it should break the prizor's head.
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN
A note of all the Provost
prizes 1568
Henrye Whithed playd a provosts prize wth four Provosts
at two kynde of weapons vidz the longe sword and the backe
sword / and he playd his schollers prize at Elye place in
Holborne with Enlewen Schollers at the longe sworde.
Thomas Hudson did agree with the maisters and so was made
a provoste.
John Apris did agree with the maisters and so was made a
Provoste
p.12
Provoste.
Gilbert Berkett playde his provoste prize at the Clinke
with two provostes at the staff And he played his schollers
prize at the Clinke aforesaid with eighte Schollers at the
Staffe.
John Wootton playde a certeyne prize at Canturburye in Kent
with certeyne schollers / he did agree with the maisters and
so was admitted a Provoste
John Burfitt playd his provoste priz at Leadenn Hall with
two Provosts Edwarde Britten and John Wotton, at thre weapons
the longe sworde, the backe sword and staffe / He playd his
schollers prize at Salisburye courte in fletstreate at two
weapons the longe sworde and the backe sworde he playd with
fourtene at the longe sworde and nyne at the backe sworde
Edward Brittin playd his provoste priz at Leaden Hall wth two
provosts at the longe sword and backe sword He playd his
schollers prize at the same place with certeyne schollers
at
p.13
at the same weapons
Walter Grene dyd Agree with the maisters and so was made
provost vnder Willyam Hunt
Reynold Nuecome playd his provoste prize at Stamford vnder
Roberte Grene at longe sworde and staff / their playd with
him certayne schollers at eich weapon And so was made
Provoste vnder Roberte Grene
f.10William Mucklowe playd his provosts priz at the Bellsavege
in fletstreate with two provosts with thre kynde of weapons,
the longe sword the sworde and buckeler and the staffe And
he playd his schollers prize in the same place at two weap-
ons the longe sworde and the staff wth xxi at longe sworde
and xxi at staff
Thomas Dycher did agree with the maisters and was made
Provoste He playd his schollers priz at the graye friers
within Nuegatte at two kynde of weapons the longe sword
(sic.) and backesword / with two at longe sword at five at backe
sworde
p.14
sworde
Richard Smythe playd his Provosts priz at the Bell saveige
with one Provost, Willyam Muckelow / and John Goodwine free
scholler / He playd his schollers priz at Rochester howse
(sic.) in ......... at two weapons the longe sworde, and staffe
with certeyne schollers at both weapons vnder Richard Smyth
John Goodwyne did agree with the maisters to playe his
provosts priz wth in a schole at the longe sword, backe
sword, sword and buckeler, and staffe / at the Tower Ryall,
with two provosts Willyam Muckelow, and Richard Smythe and
(sic.) so was made a provost at ....... he playd his schollers prize
at safferne walden in Essex at two weapons the longe sword
and the backe sword / with nyne at longe sword and twelve at
backe sword / vnder Willyam Glover
John Evanes als Gerkinmaker playd his provosts prize in
Hartford vnder Willyam Glover als Thompson at thre weapons
the longe sword, the backe sword and the sword and buckeler/
with two provosts, Willyam mucklowe and Richard Smythe/ He
playd
p.15
playd his schollers prize att Baldocke in Hartford sheire
at two weapons / vidz with seven at the longe sword, and
six at sword and buckeler
David Locher playd his provosts priz vnder Willyam Joyner
at Leaden hall atte thre weapons, the longe sword, the
backsword, and sword and buckler with two provosts John
Goodwyne and John Evans, and so he was made Provost
f.11Izake Kennard playd his provosts priz at the Bull within
Bishopps gate th vijth of June at thre weapons, the longe
sword, the sword and buckeler, and the staffe / Ther playd
wth him two free schollers for want of Provosts / Willyam
Wilks / and ffrancis Calverte / vnder Richard Smyth in
anno dñi /1575/
Willyam Wilks playd his provosts priz at the Bell saveige
at thre weapons, the two hand sword / the backe sword, and
the sworde and buckeler / Ther playd with him one provoste /
Izake Kennarde and one scholler / John Blinkinsopp / which
had
p.16
had a provosts licence for that tyme And so Willyam Wilks
was made a provost vnder Willyam Joyner the xxvijth daye of
Auguste
Gregorie Grene playd his provosts priz the fivetenth daye
of October at the Bull within Bishopps gate at thre weapons
the longe sword, the backe sword, and the sword and buckeler
Ther playde with him two provosts / Izake Kennard and Willyam
Wilks Izake had a sore hand and so he playd but twyce at longe
sword / And so the sayd Gregorie was made provoste vnder
Willyam Muckelow
John Blinkinsopps playd his provosts priz the nyneth daye
of June at the Bull within Bishoppsgate at thre weapons the
longe sword, the backe sword, and the staffe There playd with
him John Goodwyne a provost and ffrancis Calverte a fre schol-
ler, which had a provosts licence for that tyme And so John
Blinkinsopps was made provoste vnder Willyam Thompson als
Glover
Edward
p.17
Edward Harvie playd his provosts priz the five and twentith
daye of August at the Theatour at thre weapons the two hand
sword the backe sword and the sword and buckeler There playd
with him one Provoste whose name is John Blinkinsopp / And
one fre scholler called by name ffrauncies Calvert who had
a Provosts lysence for that tyme And so the sayd Edward
Harvye was made a provoste vnder Richard Smythe maister /1578/
f.12Thomas Pratt did agre with the maisters And was made Pro-
vost the seventh daye of Juyne vnder Gregorye Greene /maister/
1582/
Roberte Blisse playde his Provosts prize at the Theator in
Holiwell the firste day of Julye at thre weapons / the longe
sword the backe sworde and the sword and buckeler Their playde
with him thre Provosts vidz Alexander Reyson, Thomas Prat
and Valentyne Longe And so the sayd Robert Blisse was ad-
mitted Provoste vnder Richard Smyth /1582/
Androwe Bello playd his Provosts priz at the Courten in
Holiwell
p.18
Holiwell the firste (?sixth) daye of July and at thre weapons,
the longe sword, the staffe and the sword and buckeler Theire
playd with him two provosts vidz Thomas Pratt and Robert
Blisse, and Valentyne Longe a free scholler And so the sayde
(sic.) Androwe Bello was was made Provoste vnder ffrauncies Calvert
/1582/
Vallentyne Longe playde his provosts priz at the Courten in
Holiwell the fiveth daye of August at thre weapons the longe
sworde, the backe sword and the sworde and buckeler Theire
playd with him two Provosts vidz Roberte Blisse and Androwe
Bello; And John Dewell who had a Provosts licence for that
tyme And so the sayd Valentyne Longe was admitted provost
vnder Gregorye Grene /mr /1582/
John Dewell playd h[is] challenge at the Theator in Holiwell
agaynste all Provosts and free schollers at thre weapons, the
longe sword, the sword and buckeler and the sword and dagger
Their playd with him Thomas Pratt, Roberte Blisse & Androw
Bello Provosts Valentyne Longe John Harris Willyam Otte, and
George
p.19
George Muckelowe free schollers And the sayde John Dewell
was not admitted Provoste at that tyme for his disorder
But he was alowed provoste by the goodwills of the maysters
the Tenth day of Auguste vnder Willyam Joyner /1582/
f.13(Entry erased sic. ) John Harris playd his Provosts priz at the Curtine in
Holiwell the second day of September (1582) at thre kynde
of weapons That is to say the two hand sworde the backsword,
and sword and buckeler with iiij Provosts vidz Robert Blisse,
Andrew Bello, Valentin Longe and John Davell and so the said
John Harris was admitted Provost vnder Gregorye Greene mr
1582
George Mucklow playde his Provosts prysse at the Bull wth
in Bushopps gate the xvj of September 1585 at three kynde
of weapons that is to saye the Longe sworde the Backsword
& the staffe ther playde wth hym one Provoste whose name
is John Harris at all thre weapons & one fre scholler whose
name was Willm Shiptone havinge a provoste lycence for that
tyme
p.20
tyme & soe he was admitted a provoste vnder Gregorey Greene
mr of the noble scyence of defence
John Evans played his provosts prysse at the Swane in Bed-
fforth the xxj of September 1585 at three kynde of weapons
that ys to say the Longe Sworde the Sworde and buckler the
Sworde and Dagger there played wth hym one provys whose
name ys John harrys & so he was made a provys vnder Mr
Evanes his father being a Mr
f.14James Cranydge playd his provoste prise The xxxjth of
January at the Bull wth in Bishopsgate at iij kinds of
weapons that is to say the Longe sword the Back sword
And The ssword & Buckler & thear pleayd wth him fyve
whear of ij wheare provosts that is to say John Haris
Georg Movckley & iij ffre skollers whoe had provos Lysenc
ffor that tyme That is to say John Norres Williame Ship-
ton & John Mathewes & so The sayd James Cranydge was
alowd a provoste vnder John Davell mr 1586.
Hary
p.21
Hary Holyday was allowed a provoste the 8 of November 1587
vnder Gregory Grene mr of the noble syence of deffence
John norres playd his provoste prise at the bell savege
wth out ludgate the 31 daye of october at iii kinde of
weapons that is to saye the longe sworde the sworde and
buckler and the sworde and dagger and there playede wythe him
too provoste and too fre skolleres John haris and Gorges
movckleye provoste Thomas Rastor and William shipton frye
skollers and so the sayed John norres was allowed a provoste
vnder masther Rycharde peller (?) masther of the nobell
synces of defence 1588
f.15Thomas Norris playde his Provoste Prise at ye Bellsavadge
(sic.) the 1585 at Longsword sword & Buckler & sword & dagger
Bartholmow Goodinge playde his prowoste prise at bvll in
bushopps gate the 3 daye of July at three kynde of weapons
the longe sworde the Backe sworde and the sworde & dagger
there
p.22
there playde wth him on prowoste John norres and 4 fre
scholes that had prowoste lynces for that time whos names
ar John Horble Thomas Ratter William Shepton and John Tornar
and so the sayd Bartholmow Goodinge was allowed a prowoste
vnder his father John Goodinge masther of the scyence 1590.
f.16YF ANNY PROUOST doth dwell within twentye myles of the Citye
of London wheare all prizes oughte to be playd, then he
oughte to beare his owne costs and Charges but if he Dwell
more then Twentye myles distant from London Then the Prizor
oughte to beare the one halfe of his Charges And so oughte
everye maister in like manner at a maisters Prize // ALLSO
EUERY maister oughte to be thear to play with the prizor,
excepte onely his owne maister whome he playeth vnder /
every provost and freescholler oughte to be thear to make
rome as they shall be apoyncted by the maisters / And the
youngest maister oughte to begine firste / and so in order /
And at anny priz Whether it be maisters priz Provosts priz
or freschollers priz who soever dothe play agaynste ye
prizor, and doth strike his blowe and close withall so that
the
p.23
the prizor cannot strike his blow after agayne, shall wynn
(veney, a blow. v. Nares) no game for anny veneye so geven althoughe it shold breake
the Prizors head.
GOD SAUE THE QUEENE
f.17
The order for playing a scholar's prize
f.17First, that every scholar, at his first entry to play a prize, shall give his own master (whom he is sworn unto) knowledge of his mind, what he intends to do as touching his prize; and then his master [shall] let the other ancient masters understand his scholar's intent concerning the said prize. And upon the agreement and conclusion of the said masters, the said scholar shall be content, in any school or other place wheresoever the said ancient masters shall appoint, to play with six scholars at the least at the long sword and backsword, for a trial or proof, to see whether he be able to go forward in his prize or not. And so, if they find him able and sufficient in that behalf, then, as the said ancient masters shall agree and conclude, [they are] to p.24appoint and set his day when he shall play his prize. And when that day is come, the said scholar shall at the long sword play with as many scholars as will play with him that day; and the next day which shall be appointed, [he shall play] at his other weapon with as many scholars as will play that day, according as the said ancient masters will permit and suffer him. And so [he is] to stand and agree unto all manner of orders, constitutions and agreements which the said four ancient masters will that he should observe and keep, and further to pay all orders and dues which belong to such a scholar.
Moreover, the said scholar, after he has played his scholar's prize and is admitted a free scholar by the masters, shall not at any time within the space of seven years after his said admittance attempt or endeavour to speak unto any master or masters concerning any other prize, until the said seven years shall be fully expired. And then, if he be minded to play his provost's prize, [he is] to do as hereafter follows.
Long live the Queen.
THE ORDER for playinge of a
Schollers Prize
FIRST THAT EUERY Scholler at his first entrye to playe a priz
shall geve his owne maister (wch he is sworne vnto) know-
ledge of his mynde what he doth intend to do as touchinge
his priz / And then his maister to let the other anchiant
maisters vnderstand his schollers pretence concerninge his
sayde priz And vppon the agrement and conclusion of the sayd
maisters, the sayd scholler shalbe content in anny schole
or other place whearesoever the sayd anchiant maisters shall
appoyncte,to play wth vj schollers at the leste at the longe
sword and backe sword for a tryall or profe, to se whether
he be hable to goe forwards in his priz, or not, And so if
they fyend him hable and sufficient in that behalfe / That
then as the sayd anchiant maisters shall agree and conclude
to
p.24
to appoyncte and set his daye when he shall playe his priz,
and when that daye is come / the sayde scholler shall at the
longe sworde play with so manye schollers as will playe with
him that Daye And the nexte daye wch shall be appoyncted,
to playe at his other weapon with so manye schollers as will
play that daye accordinge as the sayd anchient maisters will
permit and suffer him / AND SO to stand and agree vnto all
manner of orders constitutions and agrements which the sayd
ffour anchiant maisters will that he should observe and keepe
(sic.) And farther to pay all / all orders and duetyes wch belongith
to soche a scholler / MORE OUER the sayde scholler after he
hathe playd his schollers priz and is admitted a free schol-
ler by the maisters / shall not at anny tyme within the space
of seven years after his sayd admittance attempte or endevor
to speake vnto anny maister or maisters concerninge anny
other priz vntill the sayde seven yeares shall be fully ex-
pyred And then if he be mynded to play his Provost priz /
to do as hearafter followeth
VIUAT REGINA.
THE
p.25
f.18
THE ORDER OF A
The order of a provost's prize
p.25f.18First, that every free scholar which is minded to proceed to any other degree of the Noble Science of Defence, to be a provost, shall first desire his own master's goodwill; and then his master and he together shall go to the four ancient masters and inform them of his provost's prize, and that he is willing to play it. And if it chance that the free scholar's master, whom he was sworn unto, be deceased, then the said free scholar shall choose for his master one of the ancient masters to play his provost's prize under, which he has most mind unto, and shall be sworn to him as he was to his first master in all points. And according as the four ancient masters shall agree together and conclude of the matter, so he [is] to go forward with his provost's prize, so that he be contented to abide all manner of orders which the ancient masters will that he should keep, and to make them an obligation of the same, and to set to his hand and seal as the masters will that he should do in all points.
p.26In so doing, the four ancient masters [are] to appoint his day, and when he shall play his provost's prize; and he [is] to play at the two-hand sword, the backsword, and staff with all manner of provosts which come into that place to play with him. And also the said free scholar shall, at his own proper costs, go and give warning to all the provosts which are within threescore miles of the place where he is appointed to play his provost's prize, that they may come to his prize where he plays it, and so [may] play with him. And [for] every provost which is within threescore miles that has no warning to come to his prizes, the said free scholar shall pay to the ancient masters five shillings of lawful money of England. And if there be no provost to play with him — and [he is] to give them four weeks' warning at the least before the day comes which the masters have set him. And as many provosts f.19as dwell farther than twenty miles, then the free scholar shall pay one half of their charges. Thus doing, when the appointed day is come, [he is] to proceed in his said prize, and to make his provost's licence, paying to the four ancient masters for sealing thereof after the rate which is set amongst them, with all manner of other dues belonging to p.27them.
And moreover, he [is] to be bound to the four ancient masters not to keep any school within the space of seven miles of any master, without special leave of the said four ancient masters; and also to be bound in his said obligation not to teach any scholar this Noble Science of Defence except he swear him unto his own master, [under] whom he was sworn himself; and further, he [is] to be bound to pay unto his said master (to whom he is sworn), for every scholar which he shall teach, to pay 12d; and so in like wise to the most ancient master of the four; and to yield up his true account once in every quarter of a year. And also, if he dwell within the space of threescore miles where any provost's prize is or shall be played, having warning or knowledge thereof, then [he is] to come and play at the same prize without any let, upon pain of paying 6s 8d unto the four ancient masters, except he be sick in body or otherwise busied in the Queen's affairs. And finally, he [is] to be bound in his obligation aforesaid unto the four ancient masters to keep and perform all that is above said. Also, he shall not look to play his master's prize within seven years after his provost's prize, nor to usurp or grudge against any master p.28of the same science. Thus doing, he is to have his provost's licence sealed by the four ancient masters, and then to give him his provostship and all things belonging thereunto.
[Latin motto; the text is corrupt.]
Provosts prize
INPRIMIS THAT every free scholler which is mynded to proceede
to anny other degree of the noble scyenc of Defence, to be
a provoste, shall first desyer his owne maisters goodwill /
And then his maister and he together shall goe to the four
anchiant maisters and informe them of his Provosts priz and
that he is willing to play it AND yf it chance that the free
schollers maister whome he was sworne vnto be deceased, that
then the sayde free scholler shall chose for his mr one of
(sic.) one of the ancient maisters to play his Provosts priz vnder
which he hath moste mynd vnto And shall be sworne to him as
he was to his first maister in all poyncts / And accordinge
as the four ancient maisters shall agree together and conclude
of the matter so he to goe forward with his provosts priz,
so that he be contented to abyde all manner of orders wch
the ancient maysters will that he shold kepe, and to make
them an obligacon of the same and to sett to his hand and
Seall as the maysters will that he shold do in all poyncts /
IN
p.26
IN SO DOINGE the four ancyent maisters to appoyncte his daye,
and when he shall playe his Provosts priz / And he to playe
at the two hand sword, the backe sword, and staffe with all
manner of Provosts which do come into that place to play with
him And allso the sayd free scholler shall at his owne proper
Costs go and geve warning to all the Provosts which ar within
three score myles of the place wheare he is appoyntd to
play his Provosts prize That they may come to his priz
wheare he doth play it, and so to play with him, and every
Provost wch is within thre score myles that hath no warninge
to come to his prizes the sayd free scholler shall pay to
the ancient maisters fyve shillings of lawfull mony of Eng-
land And yf theire be no Provost to play with him And for to
geve them iiij weickes warning at the leaste before the Day
become which the maisters have sett him And as many Provosts
f.19as do dwell farther then Twentye myles That then the free
scholler shall paye the one halfe of thear Charges Thus doinge
when the appoyncted day is come to proceede in his sayd priz
And to make his Provosts Lce, payinge to the four ancient
maisters for sealling thearof after the rate wch is set
amongst them with all manner of other Duetyes belonginge to
them
p.27
them AND more over he to be bownd to the iiij ancient
maisters not to kepe anny scholle within the space of seven
myles of anny maister, without speciall leave of the sayd
four ancient maisters And allso to be bound in his sayd
obligacon not to teach anny scholler this noble scyenc of
defenc xcepte he doth sweare him vnto his owne maister, whom
(sic.) he was sworne himselfe And farther he to bownd to pay vnto
his sayd maister (to whom he is sworne) for every scholler
(sic.) wch he shall teache, x to pay xij d And so in lik wyes to
the most anciet mayster of the four syd And to yeald vp his
true accoumpt one in every quarter of a yeare AND ALLSO yf he
Dwell with in the space of thre skore myles wheare anny
Provosts priz is or shall be playde havinge warning or know-
ledge thearof Then to come and play at the same priz without
anny Lett vppon payne of payinge vjs viijd vnto the fower
ancient maisters / except he be sicke in bodye or other
wyes busied in the Queens affayers AND FINALLYE he to be
bound in his obligacon aforesayd vnto the four ancient
maisters, to kepe and performe all that is above sayd Allso
he shall not loke to play his maisters priz within vij yeares
after his provosts priz nr to vsurp or grudge agaynst anny mr
of
p.28
of ye same scienc Thus doing he is to have his Provosts Lce
sealled by the iiij ancient maisters And then to give him
his provosts shipp & all things belonginge thear vnto.
Vingo manet nostri gloria sola soli
f.20
The order for playing a master's prize
f.20When any provost is minded to take the degree of a master — that is, to play a master's prize — he shall first declare his mind unto his master, under whom he played his provost's prize, if he be living; and if he be dead, then shall he choose for his master one of the four ancient masters to play his prize under, whom he likes best, and shall be sworn unto him as he was to his first master. And then shall he desire his master's favour for the playing of his said master's prize, and so [shall] crave the goodwill of all the ancient masters of the Noble Science of Defence. And according as the ancient masters do agree in that cause, he [is] to proceed in his said prize, so p.29that he will be content to agree unto them, and to all their orders and rules according as they have amongst them, and never to seek(?) or invent, by any kind of means, to put any master of that noble science to any displeasure or hindrance, but shall be contented to fulfil all their constitutions, orders and rules to the uttermost of his power; and shall bind himself in an obligation to the four ancient masters for performance thereof.
And so doing, the said masters shall appoint him his day when he shall play his master's prize, at these weapons following, namely the two-hand sword, the bastard sword, the pike, the backsword, and the rapier and dagger. And then the said provost [is] to give warning to as many masters as dwell within forty miles of the place appointed for his prize, eight weeks at the least before the day comes to play his prize. And when he has played his master's prize, he then [is] to make his master's licence, and pay for the sealing of it to the ancient masters, with all manner of dues to them belonging; and so [is] to bind himself in an obligation to the said ancient masters to fulfil all that is above said, and to set his hand and seal thereunto. This done, the four ancient masters [are] to give him his master's oath, with all things that p.30appertain to the same.
THE ORDER for playinge
of a Maisters Prize
WHEN ANNY PROUOST is mynded to take the degree of a mr That is,
to play a maisters priz, he shall first declare his mynd
vnto his mr, vnder whom he playd his Provosts priz, yf he
be livinge / and yf he be ded then shall he chuse for his
maister one of the four ancient maisters, to play his priz
vnder, whom he liketh best And shall be sworne vnto him, as
he was to his first maister And then shall he desyer his
maisters favor for the playinge of his sayd maisters priz and
so to crave the good Wills of all the ancient maisters of the
noble scienc of Defenc And accordinge as the ancient maisters
do agree in that cause, he to procede in his sayd priz SO
THAT
p.29
THAT he will be content to agree vnto them, and to all their
orders and ruills accordinge as they have amongste them And
never survince or invent by anny kynd of meanes to put anny
maister of that noble scienc to anny displeasure or hinderanc,
but shall be contented to fulfill all their constitucons
orders and ruills to the vttermost of his power, And shall
byend himselfe in an obligacon to the iiij ancient mrs for per-
formanc therof AND so doinge the sayd maisters shall appoynct
him his day, wheare he shall play his maisters priz / at
theis weapons followinge vidz the two hand sword, the Basterd
sword, the pike, the backe sword, and the rapier & Dagger
And then the sayd provost, to gev warninge to so many mais-
ters as dwell within xl myles of the place appoyncted for
his priz, eight weikes at the lest, before the day cometh
to play his priz AND WHEN he hath playd his maisters priz
he then to mak his maisters Lce and pay for th sealling of
it to thancient maisters, wth all manner duetys to them be-
longing And so to byend him selfe in an obligacon to the sayd
ancient maisters to fulfill all that is abovesayd and to set
his hand and seall thearvnto Those done the four ancient
maisters to gev him his maisters othe with all things that
apperteyneth
p.30
apperteyneth to the same
f.21
An indenture of covenants
f.21This indenture, made the last day of October in the third year of the reign of our sovereign lord King Edward the Sixth (by the grace of God, etc.), between William Hunt on the one party, R.G. [Robert Greene] on the second party, and W.B. [William Browne] on the third party, being ancient masters of the Noble Science of Defence within the City of London, witnesses that the said parties have covenanted, condescended and agreed together in manner and form following: that is to say, every one of the same parties covenants and grants, to and with the other parties, that neither of the said parties shall from henceforth set forth any of their scholars' prizes without the p.31consent and agreement of all the said parties. And also, that none of their scholars shall play his provost's prize within seven years after his scholar's prize.
Also, the said parties do likewise covenant and grant, every one of them with the other, that none of them shall permit or suffer any of their said scholars, after he has played his provost's prize, to play their master's prize within five years after their provost's prize.
Moreover, the same parties are consented and agreed together that every one of them shall keep one box, wherein they shall put, for every scholar that he has (or from henceforth shall have), twopence towards the maintenance of necessaries belonging to the said science; and every one of them shall keep a just and true book of the money in the said boxes severally. And every one of the same parties shall bring, at two sundry times in the year, all the money in their several boxes gathered, to such a place as the same [master…] [the text ends here].
HEAR followeth an Indenture of covenants
made betwen the four anciant
maisters of the noble scienc
of Defenc within
the Citye of
London
THIS INDENTURE made the last daye of October In the Therd
yeare of the raigne of our soveraigne Lorde Kinge Edward
the sixte by the grace of God &c Be twene Willyam Hunt on
th one partye, R.G. on the second partie and W B. on the
therd partie beinge ancient maisters of the noble scienc
of Defence With in the citie of London WITNESETH that the
sayde parties have Covenanted condiscended and agreed togeth-
er in manner and forme followinge That is to saye every of
the same pties covenanteth and grantith to and with the other
parties that neither of the saide parties shall from hence-
forthe set forth anny of theire schollers prizes without the
consent
p.31
consent and agrement of all the sayd parties AND allso that
none of their schollers shall play his provosts priz within
vij years after his schollers priz ALLSO the saide parties
do likewyese covenaunte and graunt everye of them with the
other that none of them shall permitt or suffer anny of their
saide schollers after he hath playd his Provosts priz, to
playe their maisters priz within five yeares after their
Provosts priz MOREOUER the same parties ar consented and
agreed together That everye of them shall kepe one Boxe
whearin they shall put for every scholler that he hath (or
from hence forth shall have) ijd towards the mayntenance
of necessaries belonginge to the saide science And every
of them shall kepe a Juste and a true boke of the monye in
the sayde boxes severally And every of the same parties shall
bringe att two sundry tymes in the yeare, all the monye in
(ends sic.) theire sevall boxes gathered, To soch a place as the same
maister
f.22
The masters' and provosts' oaths
The master's oath
f.22First, you shall swear (so help you God and halidom, and by p.32all the Christendom which God gave you at the fontstone, and by the cross of this sword, which does represent unto you the cross which our Saviour Jesus Christ suffered His most painful death upon) that you shall uphold, maintain and keep, to your power, all such articles as shall be here declared unto you, and received in the presence of me your master and these the rest of the masters my brethren, being present here with me at this time.
2. Item, you shall be true to the Catholic Church, to augment and further the true faith of Christ to your power, as all true Christians ought to do of right.
3. Item, you shall be true subject to our sovereign lady Queen Elizabeth, and to her successors, kings of this realm of England; and [you shall] not know of any person or persons committing any treason — although it were your own father — but that you utter it within twenty-four hours, or sooner if you can, or if it lie in your power; and always to be ready to spend both your life and your goods in the service of the Queen's p.33Majesty, wherever she shall command you, at all times against her enemies.
f.234. Item, you shall be true master from this day forward to the last day of your life, loving truth, hating falsehood, and not grudging or disdaining any master of this science. You shall not break the ancient orders, except it be done by the consent of three of the masters, for the better ordering of our science; and you [shall be] always ruled by your brethren being masters of this science, and especially if any master be in place which is your ancient or elder.
5. Item, you shall not teach any suspect person — as a murderer, a thief, a common drunkard, nor such as you know to be common quarrellers — nor keep company with them, but avoid all such so nigh as you can. A masterless man you shall not maintain or succour within your school, if you may know of him.
6. Item, if it chance that you come to any manner of prize p.34or game, or any kind of play at weapons touching our science, you shall — without respect, favour or hatred of either party — say, speak and give true judgement of that which you shall see there, even as you would be judged yourself, without respect of either party, declaring the truth and right so nigh as you can or may.
f.247. Item, you shall take in no scholar to the intent to teach him, or cause him to be taught, any manner of weapon or weapons appertaining to our science, except you give him his right oath which belongs to a scholar; and [you are] to take for his learning as other masters do use to take — not to take less than other masters do, to spite or to hinder any other master of this science, but to do as you would be done to.
8. Item, you ought not to challenge any master within this realm of England, being an Englishman; and especially you shall not challenge your master, of whom you had your cunning [skill] and under whom you do proceed and are made master. And further, upon your master's oath, you shall well and p.35truly content and pay your master for all such manner of debts, dues and demands which be due betwixt your master and you; and him to love and honour as your master and your ancient.
9. Item, you shall be merciful; and whereas you happen to have the upper hand of your enemy — that is to say, without weapon, or under your feet, or his back towards you — then you shall not kill him, [instead] saving yourself harmless without danger of death, except it be in the service of the prince. And also, if you hear of any variance betwixt master and master, or master and provost, or provost and provost, or free scholar and free scholar, you shall do the best you can to make them friends, and always to keep the peace if you can.
f.2510. Item, you shall aid and strengthen, to your power (if you see them wronged), and help all masters and provosts of this science, all widows and fatherless children. And if you know any master of the science that is fallen into sickness, being in poverty, you shall put the masters in remembrance at all prizes and games and other assemblies, that they may p.36see him to have [his] due, and have him in remembrance the sooner for your good word — even as others shall do for you, if the cause were alike.
11. Item, you shall not set forth any prize, nor keep but one school, in London within twelve months and a day after the playing of your master's prize; nor teach, or cause to be taught, any other master's scholar, except you have the goodwill of his first master, [and] without the said scholar has paid his first master all his due for his learning.
12. Item, you shall at no time set forward any manner of provost's or free scholar's prize, but that you first call the masters together, requiring their goodwill in that behalf; and, with the consents of them, having their goodwill, [you are] to give lawful warning, as you shall be instructed by the assents, where it shall be played and what day is appointed.
13. Item, you shall not, for lucre's sake, set forwards any prize p.37of a master, provost or free scholar without a lawful cause of him or them, had and taken by you and at the least two masters more besides yourself — for unto that you are sworn. And at any prizes set forward by you and the consents of the masters, you [are] to see that every master and provost have his due, which he ought to have in the place for the prizes being, according to our ancient orders and rules.
f.2614. Item, you shall not promise any person learning, but that you [shall] teach him, or cause him to be taught, as a master ought of right to do — that is to say, a scholar like a scholar, a provost like a provost, and a master like a master — to the uttermost of your power, entering him in his degrees without hiding from them that which belongs to them of right, receiving their oath and keeping it truly; such ought to be taught the effect of our science, saving the same which shall keep the science out of slander.
15. Item, you shall not cause any oath to be given in your name by any person under the degree of a provost, except it be p.38your usher, which is your deputy for that time, so long as his covenant lasts with you. And he that you appoint in that room ought to be known a sufficient, able and honest person, as well by the other masters as by yourself, [seeing] that he is a provost licensed during his covenant with you, being placed in that room.
16. Item, you shall not allow or enable any provost's licence without the consent of two masters at the least besides yourself. And you shall not compact with any person, under colour or deceit, to keep school for you or in your name, so that he or they shall have the profit thereof and you bear the name — by which means other masters and provosts, which stood in place for it, have their livings taken from them. But you shall further do your diligence and goodwill to the apprehending and putting down of all such as take upon them to teach without sufficient licences or lawful authority, to the great slander and hindrance of our science.
The provost's oath
p.39f.27First, you shall swear (so help you God and halidom, and by the Christendom which God gave you at the fontstone, and by the cross of this sword, which does represent unto you the cross which our Saviour Jesus Christ did suffer His most painful death and passion upon, for our redemption) that you shall uphold, maintain and keep, to your power, all such articles as shall be declared unto you by me, being your master, in the presence of these my brethren and masters here, which you intend to proceed unto.
2. Item, you shall be true to the Catholic Church, to augment and further the true faith of God to your power, as all true Christians ought to do.
3. Item, you shall be true subject to our sovereign lady Queen Elizabeth, and to her successors, kings of this realm of England; and [you shall] not know of any treason but that you utter it within four and twenty hours at the farthest, and sooner if you can; and [you shall] serve her and hers against all nations, to p.40the uttermost of your power.
4. Item, you shall be true provost from this day unto the last day of your life, to love and serve the truth, and hate falsehood; never to rebel or go against any master or provost of this science; always to be ruled by me your master of this science, as all provosts ought to be ruled by their own master and the rest of the masters his brethren, as other provosts have done heretofore, according to the ancient orders of our science.
f.285. Item, you shall swear not to teach any suspect person — as a murderer, a thief, a common drunkard, or such as be common quarrellers — but to avoid your hands of them, and keep no company with them so nigh as you can.
6. Item, you shall not teach any person whatsoever he or they be, without you swear him with such a like oath as your master and other masters my brethren shall assign you, and no other oath but the very same.
p.417. Item, you shall not challenge any master, or compare with any master so as to dispraise his doings; and especially you shall not compare with me your master, under whom you now proceed, and of whom you have had your cunning — neither in challenge nor with opprobrious words as touching our science in any wise.
8. Item, that at any prize or game which you shall be at, either to stick [judge] or to stand by, you shall say the truth of that which you shall see, when you are asked or called to speak — and not else, if there be any master in place, or any provost being your elder and ancient. And when you shall be so asked or demanded, you shall give true judgement of that which you have seen so nigh as you can, setting all affections apart, and rightly to judge without fraud or guile, even as you would be judged of God, helping them to that which they have won so nigh as you can or may, by your goodwill.
f.299. Item, you shall be always merciful; and whereas it may happen you to have the upper hand of your enemy — that is to say, under your feet, or without weapon, or [by] some other advantage — p.42you shall not kill him, if he be the Queen's true subject, [instead] saving yourself without danger of death or bodily hurt, according to your first oath which you received entering to learn the science.
10. Item, you shall not make any usher without the licence of your master; but for need you may have a deputy, which shall not give any other oath but this — that is to say, if you be absent, he may take in such as will be scholars, saying to them thus: ‘You shall swear, so help you God and holydom, and by the cross of this sword, that you shall be content to receive such an oath as my master or his provost shall give unto you at your next meeting together.’ And so [he is] to take him scholar, and give him his first lesson.
11. Item, you shall not entice or train any other master's scholar to teach, or cause him to be taught, without the goodwill of his first master, except the said scholar have well and truly contented and paid his aforesaid master his full due. And furthermore, you shall keep, p.43or cause to be kept, our orders, rules and constitutions in all prizes, as we have partly declared unto you, and shall [declare] more at large hereafter, as you shall further proceed in the Science of Defence.
f.3012. Item, you shall swear to keep this provost's oath in all points now given and declared unto you by me, being your master, in the presence of these my brethren and masters of this science — so help you God and your holydom.
The maisters othe
FFIRST you shall sweare (so helpe you god and halidome and
by
p.32
by all th Christendome which God gave you at the fount stone
and by the Crosse of this sworde which doth represent vnto
you the Crosse wch our saviour Jesus Christe suffered his
p.1most paynefull deathe vppon, That you shall vpholde mayn-
teyne and kepe to your power all soch articles as shalbe
heare declared vnto you and receved in the presenc of me
your maister and theise the reste of the maisters my breth-
eren beinge psent hear with me at this tyme
ITEM you shalbe true to the Cathholicke churche to augment
p.2and further the true faythe of Christe to your power as all
(i.e. christians) true xpians oughte to do of righte
ITEM you shalbe true subiecte to our soveraigne Ladye quene
Elizabethe and to her successors Kings of this relme of
England And not to know of anny pson or persons committinge
p.3anny treason although it weare your owne father but that you
vtter it within xxiiij howers or soner yf you canne / or yf
it lye in your power / And always to be ready to Spende
bothe your lyfe and your goodes In the Sarvis of the quens
majestye
p.33
majestye wher she shall Command yowe at all tymes agaynst
her Enymyes /
f.23ITEM you shalbe true maister from this daye forward to the
laste daye of your life, loving trueth, hatinge falcehod
and not grudginge or disdeyninge anny maister of this scienc
when you or anny of vs you shall not breake the ancient
p.4orders Excepte it be donne by the Consent of thre of the
maisters for the better orderinge of our scienc And you al-
wayes to be rueled by your bretheren beinge maisters of
this scienc, and especially yf anny maister be in place
wch is your ancient or elder.
ITEM you shall not teache anny suspecte person, as a mur-
therer a thefe a common Drunkearde nor soch as you knowe
p.5to be common quarellers / nor to kepe company with them
But to avoyde all soch so nighe as you canne A maisterlesse
man you shall not maynteyne or succour within your schole
yf you may knowe of him
ITEM yf it chance that you come to anny manner of priz
or
p.34
or game or anny kynde of play at weapons touchinge our scienc,
p.6you shall without respecte favor or hatred of either partye,
saye speake and geve true Judgement of that which you shall
se theare Even as you would be Judged your selfe wth out
respecte of either partye Declaringe the trueth and right
so nigh as you can or maye
f.24ITEM you shall take in no scholler to thentente to teache
him or cause him to be taughte anny manner of weapon or
weapons apperteyninge to the scienc except you geve him his
p.7right oth which belongeth to a scholler And to take for his
learninge as other maisters do vse to take, not to take
lesse the other maisters do, to spyte or to hinder any other
maister of this scienc but to do as you woulde be donne to
ITEM you oughte not to challenge anny maister within this
realme of Englande beinge an Englishe man / And especialy
you shall not challenge your maister of whome you had your
p.8counninge and vnder whome you do procede and ar made maister
AND farther vppon your maisters othe you shall well and
truelye
p.35
truelye contente and paye yor maister for all soche manner
of debts duetyes and demaunds which be dew(?) betwyxte your
maister and you And him to love and honor as your maister
and your Ancient
ITEM you shalbe mercifull, And whearas you happen to have
the vpper hande of your enimye That is to saie wth out
weapon or vnder your feete or his backe towards you then
you shall not kill him savinge your selfe harmlesse without
daunger of death Excepte it be in the service of the prince:
p.9And also yf you heare of anny varyance betwyxt mr & mr /
or mr and pvost, or pvost and provst or free scholler and
free scholler you shall do the beste yt you can to make
them frends And alwayes to kepe the peace yf you can
f.25ITEM you shall ayde and strengthen to your pover (yf you
see them wrongede) and helpe all maisters and Provosts of
this scienc, all widdowes and fatherles childeren / And yf
p.10you knowe anny maister of scienc that is fallen into sicknes
being in povertye you shall put the maisters in rememberance
at all prizes and games and other assemblies that they may
se
p.36
se him to have duetye and to hav him in rememberanc the
soner for your good worde / Even as other shall do for you
yf the cause weare a like.
ITEM you shall not sett forthe anny prize nor to kepe but
one skolle in London within twelve moneths and a daye after
the playinge of your maisters prize, nor teache or cause
p.11to be taughte anny other maisters scholler excepte you
have the goodwill of his firste maister, without the saide
scholler hath payde his first maister all his duetye for
his learninge
ITEM you shall at no tyme set forwarde anny manner of provst
or free schollers priz but that you firste calle the maisters
together requieringe thear goodwills in that behalfe And
p.12with the consents of them havinge their goodwills to geve
lawfull warn[i]ng as you shalbe instructed by the assents /
wheare it shalbe playde, and what daye is appoyncted
ITEM you shall not for lucar sake set forwards anny priz
of
p.37
of a mr provost or free scholler wth out a lawfull cause
of him or them had and taken by you and at the leste ij
maisters more besydes your selfe, for vnto that you ar sworne
And at anny prizes set forwarde by you and the consents of
p.13the maisters, you to see that everye maister and provost
have his duetye wch he oughte to have in the place for the
prizes beinge accordinge to our ancient orders and ruills
f.26ITEM you shall not promisse any person learninge, but that
you do teach him or cause him to be taughte as a maister
oughte of righte to do That is to saye, a scholler like a
p.14scholler a Provost like a Provost and a maister like a maister
to the vttermoste of your power Entringe in his degrees
without hidinge from them that which belongethe to them of
righte Recevinge their othe and kepinge it truelye, soch
ought to be taughte the effecte of our scienc, savinge the
same which shall kepe the scienc out of Slander
ITEM YOU shall not cause anny othe to be geven in your name
by anny person vnder the degre of a Provoste except it be
your
p.38
your vsher wch is your deputie for that tyme so longe as
his covenat doth laste wth you / And he that you do appoynt
in that rome ought to be knowne a sufficient hable and
p.15honest parson as well by the other maisters as by your
selfe for that he is a Provost licensed during his covenant
with you being placed in yt rome
ITEM you shall not alowe or able anny Provosts licenc wth out
the consent of two maisters at the leste besydes your selfe
And you shall not compact with anny person vnder couller or
deceipte to kepe schole for you or in your name so that he
or they shall have the proffit thearof and you beare the
p.16name by which meanes other maisters and Provosts wch stoode
in place for it have their livings taken from them but you
shall farther do your dilligenc and goodwill to the appre-
hendinge and puttinge downe of all soch as do take vppon
them to teach without sufficient licenses or lawful author-
itie to the great sclander and hinderance of our scienc
THE
p.39
f.27
THE Provosts othe
INPMIS YOU shall sweare so helpe you God and halidome and
by the christendome wch god gave you at the fount stone and
by the Crosse of this sworde whiche dothe represent vnto you
the crosse wch our saviour Jesus Christe did suffer his moste
p.1paynefull deathe and passion vppon for our redemption / That
you shall vpholde mayntayne and kepe to your power all soch
articles as shalbe declared vnto you by me beinge your mais-
ter in the presenc of theis my bretheren and maisters hear /
wch you intend to procede vnto
ITEM you shall be true to the Catholike churche to augment
p.2and farther the true faythe of God to your power as all true
Christians ought to do
ITEM you shalbe true subiecte tour soveraigne Ladye Quene
Elizabethe and to her successors kings of this realme of
p.3Englande and not to knowe of anny treason but that you vtter
it wth in four and twentie howers at the farthest, & soner
yf you canne and to serve her and hers agaynst all nations
to
p.40
to the vttermoste of your power
ITEM you shalbe true provoste from this daye vnto the last
daye of your life to love and serve the trueth and hate
falshode, never to rebell or go agaynste anny mr or provost
of this scienc, allways to be ruelled by me your mr of this
p.4scienc, as all provosts ought to be ruelled by their owne
maister and the rest of the maisters his bretheren, as other
Provosts have donne heartofore, accordinge to the ancient
orders of our scienc
f.28ITEM YOU shall sweare not to teache anny suspecte person
as a murtherer, a thefe, a common drunkarde or soch as be
p.5common quarellers but to avoyde your hands of them, and to
kepe no companye with them so nigh as you canne
ITEM you shall not teache anny person whatsoever he or they
be without you do sweare him with soche alike othe as your
p.6maister and other maisters my bretheren shall assigne you
and no other othe but the verye same
ITEM
p.41
ITEM you shall not challenge anny mr or compare with anny
mr as to disprayese his doings / and especially you shall
not compare with me your maister / vnder whome you do now
p.7procede / and of whome you have had your Cunninge / nether
in Challendge or with approbrius words as touchinge our
scienc in anny wyes
ITEM that at anny priz or game which you shalbe at ether
to stick or to stande by you shall saye the trueth of that
wch you shall see when you be asked or called to speake, and
not ells yf there be anny maister in place, or anny pvost
p.8beinge your elder and ancient / And when you shalbe so asked
or demaunded you shall geve true Judgement of that which you
have seene so nighe as you canne, settinge all affections
aparte and rightely to Judge without fraud or guyle even as
you woulde be Judged of God / helpinge them to that wch they
have wone so nighe as you canne or maye by your good will
f.29ITEM you shalbe alwayes mercifull and whearas it maye happen
you to have the vpper hande of your enimye That is to saye
p.9vnder your feete or without weapon or some other advantage
you
p.42
you shall not kill him, yf he be the Queenes true subiecte,
savinge your selfe without danger of deathe or bodeley hurte
accordinge to your first othe wch you Receved entringe to
learne the scienc
ITEM you shall not make anny vsher without the licenc of
your maister, but for neade you may have a deputie / wch
shall not geve anny other othe but this That is to saye /
yf you be absent he may take in soch as wilbe schollers
p.10sayinge to them thus / YOU shall sweare so help you God
and holydome and by the crosse of this sworde that you shalbe
content to receave soch an othe as my mr or his pvost shall
geve vnto you at your next metinge together / And so to take
him scholler and geve him his first lesson
ITEM you shall not entice or trayne anny other maisters
scholler to teache or cause him to be taughte without the
goodwill of his first maister Excepte the sayd scholler have
well and truelye contented and payde his fore saide mais-
ter his full duetye And furthermore you shall kepe
or
p.43
p.11or cause to be kepte our orders ruills and constitutions in
all prizes as we have partely / declared vnto you / and shall
more at large hearafter as you shall farther procede in the
scienc of defence
f.30ITEM you shall sweare to kepe this Provosts othe in all
poyncts nowe geven and declared vnto you by me beinge your
p.12maister in the precense of theis my bretheren / and maisters
of this scienc so helpe you God and your holydome
f.31
A master's letter (licence)
f.31Be it known unto all men by this present writing, wheresoever it shall come to be read, heard or understood — and especially to all manner of officers under the dominions of our sovereign lady Elizabeth, by the grace of God Queen of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, and in earth (next under Christ) of the Church of England, and also p.44of Ireland the supreme head — as justices, mayors, sheriffs, bailiffs, constables, headboroughs and their deputies: certifying you by these our letters that it pleases our said sovereign lady the Queen's Majesty, with her most honourable council, to admit with authority, and by especial commission under her Highness' broad seal, to give licence unto all us being masters of defence, playing with all manner of weapons usual; and also to admit all such to instruct and teach from henceforth, and to admit all masters and provosts to teach, having cunning sufficient and being expert, and tried before the masters of the said science openly within the City of London, giving all scholars warning fourteen days, and then to play his prize with as many scholars as will come that day. And also he [is] to challenge all provosts, giving them twenty-one days' warning, and there to abide the trial of as many provosts as will play that day for his master's prize; and then playing his p.45f.32prize with as many masters as will play, giving them a month's warning. And thus doing openly in London before all the masters, with all dues that belong to a master:
Then we the said masters — R.W. [Richard White], T.W. [Thomas Weaver], G.F. and A.R. — being the four ancient masters of the said Science of Defence within the City of London, do admit E.B. master of the said science, the five and twentieth day of May, in the year, etc. — inasmuch as the said E. did play his prize with us the said masters. And we do also admit the said E. to teach and instruct in any place within the Queen's dominions, as an able, well-tried and sufficient man, with divers weapons, as the long sword, etc.
And therefore, we the said masters, admitted by the Queen's Majesty and her most honourable council, desire all her Highness' true subjects to aid the said E.B. against all strangers, and such as teach without authority, and such forsworn men against God and the Queen's Majesty, which of long time have deceived her Highness' true subjects. Wherefore we the said R.W., T.W., G.F. and A.R., being four ancient masters of this science within the City of London, desire all her Majesty's true subjects and officers, as they love God and our said sovereign lady, to suffer none to keep any school of defence — whatsoever he be — except he have authority to show, in like case as this master E.B. has. In p.46so doing, you shall show yourselves true and faithful officers and subjects unto your power. Thanks be given to God for the maintaining of the truth, whereof we be masters of defence. In witness whereof, etc.
A MAISTERS LETTER
BE IT KNOWNE vnto all men by this present writinge wheare-
soever it shall come to be read hearde or vnderstanded and
especially to all manner of officers vnder the dominions
of our soveraigne Ladye Elizabethe by the grace of God. Quene
of England ffranc and Irelande defendor of the faith and
in earth (next vnder Christe) of the churche of England and
also
p.44
also of Irelande the supreame had / as Justices Maiors
Sheriffs, Bayliffs Counstables Hedboroughes and to there
Deputies, certifienge you by theis our letters. That it
pleaseth our saide soveraigne Ladye the Quenes matie with
her moste honorable counsell to admitt with authoritie and
by especiall Commission vnder her highnes broade Seall to
geve licence vnto all vs beinge maisters of Defence playinge
with all manner of weapons vsuall And also to admitt all
soch to instructe and teach from henseforth, and to admitt
all maisters and Provosts to teache havinge couninge suffi-
cient and beinge experte, and tryed before the maisters of
the saide scienc openly within the Cittye of London, geving
all schollers warninge xiiij dayes And then to playe his
prize with so many schollers as will come that daye AND also
he to challendge all Provosts gevinge them xxj dayes warning
and thear to abyde the triall of so many Provosts as will
playe that daye for his maisters priz And then playinge his
f.32priz with so many maisters as will playe Gevinge them a
monethes warninge And thus doinge openly in London before
all the maisters / with all dueties that belonge to a maister
Then
p.45
Then we the saide maisters R.W: T W: G.F. and, A R: beinge
the four ancient maisters of the saide scienc of Defence
within the Citye of London do admit E.B. maister of the
saide scienc the ffive and twentithe daye of Maye in anno
& c in so much as the saide E, did playe his priz with
vs the saide maisters AND we do also admit the saide E to
teache and instructe in anny place within the Queenes domin-
ions as an hable well tryed and sufficient man with divers
weapons as the longe sworde &c AND THEARFORE we the saide
masters admitted by the Quenes matie and her moste honorable
Counsell, desyer all her hignes true subiects to ayde the
said E B: agaynst all strangers and soch as teach without
authoritie, and soch forsworne men agaynste God and the
Quenes matie wch of longe tyme have deceaved her highnes
true subiects whearfore we the saide R W. T W. G F and A R.
beinge four ancient maisters of this scienc wth in the citie
of London desier all her maties true subiects and officers
as they love god and our saide soveraigne Ladye / to suffer
none to kepe anny schole of Defenc whatsoever he be excepte
he have authoritie to shew in like case as this mr E B hath
In
p.46
In so doinge you shall shew your selves true & faith full
officers & subiects vnto your power / thankes be geven to
God for the maynteyninge of the trueth whearof we be maisters
of defenc In witnes whearof &c.
f.33
A provost's letter (licence)
f.33Be it known unto all manner of officers under the dominions of our sovereign lady Elizabeth, by the grace of God of England, France and Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith, etc. — as justices of the peace, mayors, sheriffs, bailiffs, constables, headboroughs and other her Majesty's loving subjects: certifying you by this letter that it pleases our said most dread sovereign lady the Queen's Majesty, with her most honourable Privy Council, to admit with authority, and by especial commission under her Highness' great seal, to give licence to us masters of defence, playing with all manner of weapons usual, to admit and allow all such masters and provosts to p.47instruct and teach, [they] having experience and cunning sufficient by proof and trial, and before us the said masters of the same science (or the most of us) openly, with warning given to all scholars by bills set up within the City of London fourteen days, and then playing their prizes with as many scholars as will play that day; and after that prize so discharged, to challenge for his provost's prize (by bills set up twenty-one days) all provosts, and so to abide the trial of as many provosts as will also play that day. Thus doing openly within the City of London, before us the ancient masters of the said science, with all other dues which to a provost do belong:
Then we — Richard White, Thomas Weaver, William Hearne, William Glover alias Thompson, William Joyner, Henry Naylor, Richard Donne and Edmund Darcy, being all masters of the same science, dwelling within p.48f.34the City of London — do admit William Mucklowe as a provost under Thomas Weaver, master of our said science, the thirteenth day of June in the year of our Lord God 1568, in the tenth year of the reign of our sovereign lady the Queen's Majesty; forasmuch as the said William Mucklowe did play his provost's prize within the City of London the day and year abovewritten, and before us the masters of the said science. We therefore do, by these presents, admit the said William Mucklowe to instruct and teach within the Queen's Majesty's dominions, as an able and well-tried man, with divers weapons, as the long sword, the backsword, the rapier and dagger, and the staff.
And therefore we, being masters admitted by the Queen's most excellent Majesty and her honourable council as aforesaid, do pray and desire all her Highness' officers and true subjects to aid the said William Mucklowe against all strangers, and such as take upon them to teach without authority, wilfully forswearing themselves, which have a long time deceived her Majesty's loving subjects. Wherefore we the said masters — Thomas Weaver, William Hearne, William Glover, William Joyner, Henry Naylor, Richard Donne and Edmund Darcy — desire all her Highness' officers, as they love God and our sovereign lady the Queen's Majesty, to suffer none to teach or keep any school of defence, whatsoever he or they be, except he or they have authority to show, in like case as this provost has. Thus doing, you shall show yourselves true and faithful p.49subjects and officers unto our most dread sovereign lady the Queen's Majesty. Thanks be given to God for the maintaining of the truth. In witness whereof, etc.
A PROUOSTS letter
BE IT KNOWNE vnto all manner of officers vnder the Dominions
of our soveraigne Ladye Elizabethe by the grace of God of
England ffranc and Ireland Quene Defendor of the faith &c//
as Justices of peace maiors sheriffs Bailiffs Cunstables
Hedborowes and other her mats lovinge subiects Certifieng
you by this lre That it pleaseth our saide moste dreade
soveraigne Lady the quenes matie wth her moste honorable
privie Counsel to admitt wth. authoritie and by especiall
commission vnder her highnes greate Seale to geve licenc
to vs maisters of Defenc playinge wth all manner of weapons
vsuall to admit and allowe all soch maisters and Provosts
to
p.47
to instruct and teach and have experienc and counninge
sufficient by profe and triall and before vs the saide
maisters of the same scienc or the moste of vs openly wth
warninge geven to all schollers by bills set vp within the
citie of London fourtene dayes and then playinge their
prizes wth so manye schollers as will playe that daye / and
after that prize so Discharged to challendge for his Provosts
prize by bills set vp xxj dayes, all Provosts And so to
abide the triall of so many Provosts as will also play that
daye Thus doinge openly within the citie of London before
vs the ancient maisters of the saide scienc with all other
Duetyes wch to a Provoste do belonge THEN we, Richarde White
Thomas Weaver, Willyam Hearne, Willyam Glover als Thomp-
son, Willyam Joyner, Henrye Naylor, Richard Donne and Edmond
Darcye being all maisters of the same scienc dwellinge wth in
f.34the citie of London Do admitt Willyam Mucklowe as a Provost
vnder Thomas Weaver Maister of our saide scienc the xiijth
day of Juyne in the yeare of our Lorde God 1568 in the xth
yeare of the raigne of our soveraigne Ladie the Quenes Matie
for as much as the saide Willyam Mucklowe did play his Pro-
vosts
p.48
vosts priz within the Citie of London the day and yeare
abovewritten And before vs the maisters of the saide scienc
We thearfore do by theis pnts admitt the saide Willm Mucklow
to instructe and teach wth in the Quenes matis Dominions as
an hable and well tried man with diverse weapons as, the
Longesworde, the backsworde the rapier and dagger and the
staffe AND thearfor we beinge Maisters admitted by the Queenes
moste excellent Matie and her honorable Counsell as afore-
saide, do praye and desyer all her highnes officers and true
subiects to ayde the saide Willyam Mucklow agaynst all strayn-
gers and soch as take vppon them to teach without authoritie
wilfully forswearinge them selves / wch have a longe tyme
deceaved her Mats lovinge subiects Whearfore we the saide
Maisters Thomas Weaver, Willyam Hearne, Willm Glover Willm
Joyner, Henry Naylor, Richard Donne and Edmond Darcye desyer
all her highnes officers as they love God and our soveraigne
Ladye the queenes Matie to suffer none to teach or kepe anny
schole of Defence whatsoever he or they be excepte he or they
have authoritie to shew in like case as this Provost hath
Thus doinge you shall shewe your selfes true and faythfull
subiects
p.49
subiects and officers vnto our moste dreade soveraigne Lady
the Quenes Matie Thankes be geven to God for maynteyninge of
the truethe IN WITNES whearof &c
f.35
The rules and constitutions of the school
f.35Our sovereign lady Elizabeth, by the grace of God Queen of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith and supreme head (under God) of the Church of England and Ireland, etc., of her most royal and abundant grace has licensed every master and provost, being Englishmen (as well within this realm of England, Ireland and Calais and the precincts of the same), to keep and teach in their schools all manner of estates — gentlemen or yeomen, of what estate soever he or they be — which are willing to learn the Noble Science of Defence, as playing with the two-hand sword, the pike, the bastard sword, the dagger, the backsword, the sword and buckler, p.50and the staff, and all other manner of weapons appertaining to the same science, if there be any of them willing to learn the same science.
To the intent that they, and every one of them being scholars of this present school, may know the rules, constitutions and ordinances thereof, I, William Mucklowe, being one of the masters of the same science, proved and allowed according to order, have caused this present table to be written, that they may so hear and read the same rules, constitutions and ordinances of this present school, in manner and form as hereafter follows. First, every scholar, of what estate or degree soever he or they be, shall be at an agreement with the said master, or his deputy, of and for such weapon or weapons as the same scholar or scholars shall be willing to learn. And that done, the same scholar or scholars shall swear by the cross of his sword or weapon, which f.36cross signifies and betokens the cross which our Saviour Jesus Christ suffered His death upon. And for the giving of his oath he must pay 12d unto his master, and for his entrance 4d. And the same scholar shall pay for his learning according as his master and he can agree; and for p.51whatsoever that he agrees, the said scholar shall pay in hand the one half — that is to say, if he make his bargain for forty shillings, then he must pay in hand twenty shillings; if he make his bargain for thirty shillings, then he must pay in hand fifteen shillings; and so, as the master and the scholar agree, to pay the one half in hand and the other when he is taken out of his quarters. And also, the same scholar must bring his weapons, or else agree with his master, or his master's deputy, for them.
THE ruills and constitucons
of the schole
OUR soveraigne Lady Elizabeth by the grace of god Quene of
Englande ffranc and Irelande Defendor of the faithe and su-
preme hed (vnder God) of the church of Englande and Irelande
&c of her moste ryall and abowndant grace hath licensed euy
maister and Provost beinge Englishe men as well within this
realme of Englande Irelande and Calleis and the precincts
of the same to kepe and teache in their scholes all manner of
estats gentilmen ore yomen of what estate so eu he or they
be wch ar willinge to learne the noble sciense of defence
as playinge wth the two hande sworde the Pike, the bastarde
sworde, the dagger, the Backe sworde, the sworde and Buckeler
and
p.50
and the staffe, and all other manner of weapons apperteyn-
inge to the same scienc / yf their be anny of them willinge to
learne the same sciense To thentent that they and every of
them beinge schollers of this present shoole may knowe the
ruills constitutions and ordenancies thearof I Willyam Muck-
lowe beinge one of the maisters of the same scienc proved
and alowed accordinge to order have caused this present table
to be written That they may soe heare and reade the same
ruills constitucons and ordinanceis of this present schole in
maner & forme as hearafter folleth FIRSTE every scholler of
what estate or degree soever he or they be shalbe at an agree-
ment with the saide maister or his Deputye of and for soch
weapon or weapons as the same scholler or schollers shall be
willinge to learne And that donne the same scholler or schol-
lers shal sweare by the crosse of his sworde or weapon, wch
f.36crosse signifieth and betokeneth the crosse which our Saviour
Jesus Christe suffered his death vppon / and for the gevinge
of his othe he muste pay xijd vnto his maister and for his
entrance iiijd And the same scholler shall paye for his
learninge accordinge as his maister and he canne agree And for
what
p.51
what soever that he dothe agre the sayde scholler shall pay
in hande the one halfe / that is to say, yf he make his bar-
gayne for xls then he muste pay in hande xxs / yf he make his
bargayne for xxxs then he muste pay in hande xvs and so as the
maister and the scholler doth agree / to paye the one halfe
in hande and the other when he is taken out of his quarters
AND also the same scholler muste bringe his weapons / or ells
to agree wth his maister or his maisters Deputye for them
f.37
A note of all the challenges
f.37First, a challenge played at Hampton Court by William Pascall, Richard White and Robert Edmonds, before King Henry the Eighth, at three sundry kinds of weapons — that is to say the long sword, the backsword and the staff — against all provosts and scholars; which challenge was allowed a scholar's prize for the said Richard White.
Item, a challenge played at Greenwich, before King Edward the Sixth, by William Pascall and six scholars [as] challengers: the same p.52William [Pascall] against all masters, and the other six against all scholar-comers, at six kinds of weapons — namely, the master at the axe, the pike, the long sword, the backsword, the bastard sword, and the rapier and dagger; the six scholars at three kinds of weapons — the long sword, the backsword and the staff.
Item, a challenge played before the King's Majesty at Westminster by three masters, William Pascall, Robert Greene and William Browne, at seven kinds of weapons — that is to say the axe, the pike, the rapier, the dagger, the rapier and target, the rapier and cloak, and with two swords — against all aliens and strangers being born without the King's dominions, of what country soever he or they were; giving them warning by their bills set up, by the three masters, the space of eight weeks before the said challenge was played; and it was held four several Sundays, one after another.
f.38Item, a challenge played at Westminster, before King Philip and Queen Mary, by Richard White, master, at ten kinds of p.53weapons. There played with him four — that is to say William Hunt, Thomas Weaver, Robert Edmonds and William Hearne.
Item, a challenge played at Westminster, before Queen Elizabeth, by Richard White, William Hearne and Robert Edmonds, challengers; and there played Thomas Weaver against Richard White and William Hearne, and William Joyner against Robert Edmonds.
Item, a challenge played at Whitehall, before Queen Elizabeth, by Richard White and Robert Edmonds, at the long sword, the backsword, the sword and buckler, the rapier and dagger, and the staff. And there played against them Thomas Weaver, William Glover and William Joyner, masters.
Item, a challenge played at Whitehall, before Queen Elizabeth, by Gregory Greene and Francis Calvert, at the backsword, the sword and buckler, the sword and dagger, and the rapier and dagger. And there played against Gregory Greene [both] John Evans and Richard Smith; [and] against Francis Calvert, John Blinkinsop — our scholars against theirs.
A note of all the challenges
FFIRSTE a challenge playde at Hampton Courte by Willm Pascall,
Richarde White, and Robert Edmonds before kinge Henry the
eighte at three sundrey kinde of weapons, that is to saye
the longe sworde, the backe sworde and the staffe agaynst
all Provosts and schollers wch challenge was alowed a schol-
lers prize for the saide Richarde White
ITEM a challenge playde at Grenwich before kinge Edwarde the
sixthe by Willyam Pascall and vj schollers challengers the
same
p.52
same Willm agaynste all maisters and the other six agaynste
all schollers commers at six kynde of weapons vidz the maister
at the axe, the Pike, the longe sworde, the backe sworde,
the basterde sworde, and the rapier and dagger / The vj
schollers at thre kynde of weapons, the longe sworde, the
backe sworde and the staffe
ITEM a challenge playde before the kings matie at Westminster
by three maisters Willyam Pascall Robert Grene and Willm
Browne at seven kynde of weapons That is to say the axe,
the pyke, the rapier, the dagger, the rapier and target
the Rapier and cloke and wth ij swords agaynst all alyens
and strangers beinge borne without the Kings Dominions of
what countrie soever he or they weare / gevinge them warn-
inge by their bills set vp by the three Maisters the space
of eighte weeks before the sayd challenge was playde and it
was holden four severall sundayes one after another
f.38ITEM a Challenge playde at Westminster before Kinge Philip
and Quene Marie by Richarde White maister at Tenne kynde of
weapons.
p.53
weapons Thear playde with him fower That is to say Willyam
Hunt Thomas Weaver Roberte Edmonds and Willyam Hearne
ITEM a Challenge playde at Westminster before Quene Elizabeth
by Richarde White, Willyam Hearne and Roberte Edmonds chal-
lengers and theare playde Thomas Weaver agaynst Richarde
White and Willm Hearne / and Willyam Joyner agaynste Roberte
Edmonds
ITEM a Challenge playde at White Hall before Quene Elizabeth
by Richarde White and Robert Edmonds at the longe sworde the
backe sworde, the sworde and buckeler, the rapier and Dagger,
and the staffe And thear playd agaynste them Thomas Weaver
Willyam Glover and Willyam Joyner maisters
ITEM a Challenge playde at White Hall before Quene Elizabeth
by Gregorye Grene and ffrauncies Calverte at the backe sworde,
the sworde and buckeler, the sworde and Dagger and the rapyer
and dagger and theare playde agaynst Gregorye Grene John
(sic.) Evans and Richarde Smyth agaynst ffrauncies Calverte John
Blinkinsopp a our schollers agaynst theirs
A NOTE
p.54
f.39
A note of all the free scholars
f.39Robert Beneys played his scholar's prize at Bridewell at three kinds of weapons — the long sword, backsword and the staff. There were but three which would play against him. That day played Thomas Weaver.
Thomas Stocks played his scholar's prize at the Castle in Holborn, under William Hearne, at two weapons — the long sword, and sword and buckler. He played with six at long sword and four at sword and buckler.
Alexander Rayson played his scholar's prize, under Thomas Weaver, at Ipswich in Suffolk, at two weapons. He played with twenty at the long sword, and nineteen at sword and buckler.
Michael Hypwell played his scholar's prize, under Henry Naylor, [at] Chichester in Sussex, at two weapons — the long sword and sword and buckler. He played with four at long sword and fourteen at sword and buckler.
p.55f.40John Goodbody played his scholar's prize at Ely Place in Holborn at three weapons — the long sword, backsword and staff. He played at long sword with sixteen, with nineteen at backsword, and six at staff.
Thomas Pratt played his scholar's prize, under Richard White, at [L—], in Sussex, at two weapons — the long sword, and sword and buckler. He played with four at long sword and eighteen at sword and buckler.
William Wilks played his scholar's prize, under William Joyner, at the Bell Savage, at two weapons — the long sword and sword and buckler; and he played with certain scholars at both weapons.
David Locher played his scholar's prize at the Bell Savage in Fleet Street, under William Joyner, at two weapons — the long sword, and sword and buckler — with seven scholars at each weapon.
Robert Dorington played his scholar's prize, under William Hearne, p.56at the Bell Savage in Fleet Street, at two weapons — the long sword and sword and buckler — with twelve at long sword and eighteen at sword and buckler.
f.41John Blinkinsop played his scholar's prize, under William Glover, at Brentwood in Essex, at three weapons — the long sword, the backsword, and sword and buckler; and there played with him ten at long sword, twelve at backsword and eighteen at sword and buckler. But he was not admitted, because of misdemeanour by him committed, and for want of his games, which were not in place. He was allowed a free scholar the tenth of June at the King's Head at Pye Corner, by William Joyner, Richard Donne, Richard Smith and William Mucklowe.
William Deane played his scholar's prize, under Richard White, at the Bull in Bishopsgate Street, at two weapons — the two-hand sword and the staff. There played with him fifteen at the two-hand sword [and] ten at the staff.
Isaac Kennard played his scholar's prize at Abingdon, under Richard Smith, at two weapons — the long sword, and the sword and p.57buckler. There played with him five at long sword and six at sword and buckler.
Francis Calvert played his scholar's prize at the Bull within Bishopsgate, at the long sword and sword and buckler. There played with him thirty-one at sword and buckler and nine at the long sword; and so he was admitted a free scholar under William Joyner the 22nd of February.
f.42Gregory Greene played his scholar's prize at Chelmsford in Essex, under Richard Donne, at two weapons — the two-hand sword and backsword — with eight at two-hand sword and seven at backsword. He played the eighteenth of April.
John Greene played his scholar's prize at the Bull within Bishopsgate at two weapons — the long sword and staff. There played certain scholars with him at both weapons. He played under Richard Smith the second of July.
Edward Harvie played his scholar's prize at the Bull within Bishopsgate at two weapons — the two-hand sword and the p.58sword and buckler. There played with him fourteen at the two-hand sword [and] twenty-eight at sword and buckler, with two free scholars called Rayson and Francis Caverly, the twenty-eighth of January, under Richard Smith.
William Mathew played his scholar's prize at the Bull within Bishopsgate at two kinds of weapons — the two-hand sword and the backsword. There played with him twelve at the two-hand sword and sixteen at the backsword, and one free scholar whose name was Francis Caverly; the sixth of May; and so he was admitted free scholar under William Thompson alias Glover.
f.43Roger Horne played his scholar's prize at Oxford at two kinds of weapons — that is to say the two-hand sword and the sword and buckler. There played with him five at the two-hand sword and eight at the sword and buckler, with four free scholars — that is to say John Blinkinsop, Francis Caverly, Edward Harvie and William Mathew — the 25th day of May; and so he was admitted under William Mucklowe, master.
Thomas Noble played his scholar's prize at the Bull within p.59Bishopsgate the ninth day of February at two weapons — that is to say the long sword and the sword and buckler. There played with him at long sword ten (and two free scholars); at the sword and buckler twenty-two, besides the two free scholars, whose names were William Mathew (which played at both weapons) and John Greene (who played at long sword and no more); and so the said Thomas Noble was admitted under Gregory Greene, master, 1578.
Richard Fletcher played his scholar's prize at the Curtain in Holywell the 25th day of August at two weapons — the long sword and the sword and buckler. There played with him at long sword six, and one free scholar, namely Thomas Noble, at both weapons; and there played at the sword and buckler eighteen; and so he was allowed under Isaac Kennard, master, the 25th of August 1579.
f.44Valentine Longe played his scholar's prize at the Curtain in Holywell the fourth day of February at two kinds of weapons — that is to say the long sword and the sword and buckler. There played with him two at the long sword and fifteen at the sword and buckler, and one free scholar — that is to say p.60Richard Fletcher — at the sword and buckler; and so the said Valentine Longe was admitted a free scholar under Gregory Greene, master, the fourth day of February 1580.
John Davel played his scholar's prize at the Bull within Bishopsgate the second day of May at two kinds of weapons — that is to say the two-hand sword and the sword and buckler. There played with him five at the two-hand sword and twenty-five at the sword and buckler, and one free scholar (that is to say Richard Fletcher) at both weapons; and so the said John was allowed a free scholar the second day of May under William Joyner, master, 1580.
Robert Harvie agreed with the masters, and so was admitted a free scholar under Gregory Greene, master, 1580.
f.45John Harris played his scholar's prize in a school within the Dukes Place the fourth day of May at two kinds of weapons — that is to say the long sword and the sword and buckler. And there played with him three at the long sword and fourteen at the sword and buckler, and one free scholar, namely Richard p.61Fletcher, at both weapons; and so the said John Harris was allowed a free scholar under Gregory Greene, master, 1580.
Robert Blisse played his scholar's prize at the Bull in Bishopsgate the fifth day of June at two kinds of weapons — that is to say the two-hand sword and the sword and buckler. There played with him three at the two-hand sword and sixteen at the sword and buckler, and three free scholars at both weapons — that is to say John Harris, Valentine Longe and John Dawell; and so the said Robert Blisse was admitted a free scholar under Richard Smith, master, 1581.
George Mucklowe agreed with the masters, and so was admitted a free scholar under Gregory Greene, master, the sixth day of December 1591.
f.46Andrew Bello played his scholar's prize the tenth day of May at the Curtain in Holywell at two weapons — the long sword and the sword and buckler. And there played with him two at the long sword and thirty at the sword and buckler, and one free scholar (that is to say Robert Blisse) at both weapons; p.62and so the said Andrew Bello was admitted a free scholar under Francis Calvert, master, 1582.
Bartholomew Goodwin agreed with the masters, and so was admitted a free scholar under Richard Peter, master, the seventh day of June 1582.
John Norris played his scholar's prize the twenty-second day of April at the Theatre in Holywell at two weapons — that is to say the long sword and sword and buckler. There played two at long sword and twelve at sword and buckler; and so the said John Norris was admitted a free scholar under Richard Smith, master, in the year of our Lord 1583.
End of the register.
A NOTE of all the free schollers.
ROBERT BENEYS playde his schollers priz at Bride Well at
thre kinde of weapons, the longe sworde backe sworde and
the staffe Theare was but thre wch woulde play againste him /
That day playd Thomas Weaver
THOMAS Stocks playde his schollers prize at the Castell in
Holborne vnder Willyam Hearne at two weapons / the longe
sworde, and sword and buckeler he playde with vj at longe
sworde and iiij at sworde and buckeler
ALEXANDER Rayson playde his schollers priz vnder Thomas
Weaver at Ipswich in Suffolke at two weapons he playde with
twentie at the longe sword, and xix at sworde and buckeler
MIGHEL Hypwell playd his schollers priz vnder Henry Naylor
Chichester in Sussex at two weapons the longe sworde and
sworde and buckeler he playde with four at longe sworde and
fourtene at sworde and buckeler
JOHN
p.55
f.40JOHN Goodbodye playde his schollers priz at Elie place in
Holborne at iij weapons, the longe sworde, backe sworde and
staffe, he playde at longe sworde with xvj, with xix at backe
sworde, and vj at staffe
THOMAS Pratt playde his schollers priz vnder Richarde White
(sic.) at L.... in Sussex at ij weapons the longe sworde, and sworde
and buckeler he playde with iiij at longe sworde and eightene
at sworde and buckler
WILLIAM Wilks playde his schollers priz vnder William Joynor
at the Bell Savedge at ij weapons the longe sword and sworde
and buckeler and he playde wth certeyne schollers at both
weapons
DAUID Locher playde his schollers priz at the Bell Savedge
in flet strete vnder Willyam Joynor at ij weapons, the longe
sword, and sword and buckeler wth seven schollers at ech
weapon
ROBERT Dorington playde his schollers priz vnder Wm Hearn
at
p.56
(sic.) at the Bell Savedge in fletstreat at two weapons the longe
sworde and sworde buckeler with xij at longe sworde and
xviij at sworde and buckeler
f.41JOHN Blinkensopps playde his schollers priz vnder Willyam
Glover at Burntwode in Essex at iij weapons the longe sworde,
the backe sworde, and sword and buckeler and thear playde with
him x at longe sworde xij at backe sworde and xviij at sworde
(sic.) at buckeler But he was not admitted, by cause of misdemenor
by him committed and for want of his games wch weare not in
place / He was allowed a fre scholler the Tenth of Juyn at
the Kings hed at Pye corner by Wm: Joynor Ric: Donne Ric:
Smythe and W: Mucklow.
WILLIAM Deane playde his schollers priz vnder Richard White
at the Bull in Bishopps gate streat at ij weapons the two
hand sworde and the staffe thear playd wth him xv at the two
(sic.) hand sworde at x at the Staffe.
IZACK Kennarde playd his schollers priz at Abbington vnder
Richard Smyth at ij weapons the longe sworde, and the sword
and
p.57
and buckeler thear playd with him five at longe sword and
six at sword and buckeler.
FFRAUNCIS Calvert playde his schollers priz at the Bull within
Bishopps gate at the longe sword and sword and buckeler Thear
playd wth him xxxj at sword and buckeler and ix at the longe
sworde. And so was admitted a fre scholler vnder Wm Joynor
the 22 of ffebruary
f.42GREGORYE GREENE playde his schollers priz at Chensforde in
Essex vnder Richard Donne at two weapons / the two hand
sworde and backe sworde with viij at two hand sword and vij
at backe sworde / he playd the xviijth of Aprill.
JOHN Grene playd his schollers priz at the Bull wth in
Bishopps gate at ij weapons the longe sword and staffe Thear
playd certeyn schollers wth him at both weapons He playde
vnder Richard Smyth the second of Julye
EDWARD Harvye playde his schollers priz at the Bull within
Bishopps gate at ij weapons, the two hande sworde and the
sword
p.58
sword and buckeler Thear playde with him xiiij at the two hand
(sic.) sworde at xxviij at sworde and buckeler / with two free
schollers called Rayson, and ffrauncies Caverly / the xxviij
of January vnder Richard Smyth.
WILLIAM Mathew playde his schollers priz at the Bull within
Bishopps gate at two kynd of weapons the two hand sword and
the backe sworde. Theare playd wth him xij at the two hand
sword and xvj at the backe sworde / and one fre scholler
whose name was ffrancies Calverly / The vjth of maye and so
was admitted free scholler vnder Willyam Thompson als Glover.
f.43ROGER HORNE playde his schollers priz at Oxforde at ij kinde
of weapons that is to saye the two hand sword and the sword
and buckeler Thear playde with him five at the two hand
sword and viij at the sworde and buckeler with iiij free
schollers That is to say John Blinkinsopps ffrauncies
Caverly Edward Harvie and Willyam Mathewe / the 25 day of
May and so was admitted vnder Willyam Mucklow maister
Thomas Noble playde his schollers prize at the Bull within
Bishoppsgate
p.59
Bishoppsgate the ixth day of ffebruary at two weapons That
is to say the longe sword and the sworde and buckeler thear
playd with him at longe sworde x / and two fre schollers /at
the sword and buckeler xxij bysids the ij fre schollers whose
(sic.) names weare Willyam Mathew wch playd at both weapons and
John Grene who playd at longe sword & no more And so the
sayde Thomas Noble was admittot vnder Gregory Greene mr / 1578.
RICHARDE ffletcher playd his schollers priz at ye Curtyn in
Holiwell the 25 daye of August at ij weapons, the longe sworde
and the sword and buckeler. Thear playd wth him at longe
sworde vj and one fre scholler / vidz Thomas Noble at both
weapons And thear playd at the sword and buckler 18 And so
he was allowed vnder Izack Kennard maister the 25 of August
1579.
f.44VALLENTIN LONGE playd his schollers priz at the Curtyn in
Holiwell the iiijth day of february at two kynde of weapons
That is to say the longe sword and the sworde and buckeler
theare playd with him two at the longe sword and 15 at the
sworde and buckeler and one free scholler That is to say
Richard
p.60
Richard ffletcher at the sworde and buckeler And so the saide
Valentyne Longe was admitted a frescholler vnder Gregory
Greene mr the fourth day of ffebruarye /1580/
JOHN Davel playde his schollers priz at the Bull within
Bishoppsgate, the seconde day of maye at two kynde of weapons
That is to say the two hand sworde and the sword and buck-
eler Thear playde with him five at the two hande sworde and
(sic.) 25 at the sword and buckeler and one fre ssholler that is to
say Richard ffletcher at both weapons and so the said John
was allowed a free scholler the second daye of Maye vnder
Willyam Joynor mr 1580
ROBERT Harvye did agree with the maisters and so was admitted
a free scholler vnder Gregorie Grene maister /1580/
f.45JOHN HARRIS pld his schollers priz in a schole within the
Dukes place the fourth day of maye at two kynde of weapons
That is to say the longe sworde and the sworde and buckeler
And thear plaid with him three att the longe sworde and 14
at the sworde and buckeler and one fre scholler vidz Richard
ffletcher
p.61
ffletcher at both weapons and so the said John Harris was
allowed a fre scholler vnder Gregorie Greene mr 1580
ROBERT Blisse playd his schollers priz at the Bull in Bishopps
gate th fiveth day of Juyn at two kynde of weapons That is
to say the two hand sworde and the sworde and buckeler Thear
playde with him three at the two hand sworde and 16 at the
sworde and buckeler And three fre schollers at both weapons
That is to saye John Harris Valentyn Longe and John Dawell
and so the said Robert Blisse was admitted a fre scholler
vnder Richard Smyth mr -- 1581 /
GEORGE Mucklowe did agree wth the maisters and so was admitted
a free scholler vnder Gregorye Greene mr th vjth day of decem-
ber 1591/
f.46ANDROW BELLO playd his schollers prize the Tenth daye of
maye at the Curtyn in Holiwell at two weapons, the longe
sworde and the sword and buckeler and thear playd with him
two at the longe sword and 30 at the sworde and buckeler and
one free scholler that is to say Robert Blisse at both weap-
ons
p.62
ons and so the said Andrew Bello was admitted a free scholler
vnder ffrauncis Calvart mr 1582.
BARTHOLMEW Goodwin did agre with the maisters and so was
admitted a free scholler vnder Richard Peter mr the seventh
day of Juyn 1582
John Norris playd his Skollers price the towe and twentye
day of Aprill at the theater in Hollowell at towe weapons that
ys to say the Longe Sword & Sword & Buckler, thear playd towe
at longe Sword and Twelfe at Sword and Buckler. And so the
Sayd John Norris was Amytted a free Scoller vnder Richard
Smythe master Anno Domine, 1583
Reading the register as data
The register is a list of advancements, and a list can be counted. Every entry in the three biographical divisions (the masters' prizes, the provost prizes and the free scholars) records one man gaining one degree, and once each event is coded on a single row the shape of the guild starts to show through the repetition of the formulae.
The figures below are drawn only from the manuscript itself, by way of the modernised edition, with the diplomatic transcription consulted for corroboration. No outside scholarship has been folded in. Two cautions travel with every chart. The record is uneven and plainly incomplete, so the numbers describe what was written down rather than all that happened: only 41 of the 85 coded events (about 48 per cent) carry an explicit year. And two headline totals, the count of distinct individuals and the share admitted by prize rather than by private agreement, shift a little depending on how the aliases are resolved and how the "agreed with the masters" admissions are treated. Where that judgement bites, it is flagged.
Each panel is interactive: hover a bar for its exact figure, and use the toggles to change what is measured. The reading view control at the foot of the page has no effect here, the appendices are always shown in full.
The shape of the register
Eighty-five advancement events survive across the three divisions: 23 masters' prizes, 33 provost prizes and 29 free-scholar admissions. They cluster in the 1570s and 1580s under Elizabeth, though the earliest matter reaches back to Edward VI and to Philip and Mary.
Dated events by year, split by the degree gained. The gaps are the record's silence, not the guild's: fewer than half of all events carry a year at all.
Most men earned their degree by playing a public prize. A sizeable minority were admitted because they "agreed with the masters", with no prize recorded, and one man's challenge was credited as his trial.
The guild was overwhelmingly a City institution. Where a venue is named, it lies within London and its liberties far more often than not.
Weapons by degree
A prize named the weapons contested, and those lists reveal a clear ladder of difficulty. The long sword and the sword and buckler anchor the lower degrees; the backsword, the rapier and dagger, and the bastard sword belong to the provosts and masters. The higher the degree, the more weapons a man had to answer.
Each weapon, counted across the prizes that list weapons at each degree. Switch between the raw count and the share of prizes offering that weapon.
Who turned out
The free-scholar entries usually record how many comers a prizor faced at each weapon. Read together, they show which weapons drew a crowd. The sword and buckler consistently pulled far more challengers than the long sword, which points to where the ordinary appetite for play actually lay.
Total challengers per prizor, with the weapon breakdown on hover. Sort by the total or by a single weapon to compare.
Venues and masters
Two registers of place and authority sit behind the prizes: the halls, inns and playhouses where they were played, and the ancient masters under whose name each candidate was admitted. A handful of venues and a handful of masters dominate both.
Events by named venue, coloured by region. The playhouse yards of Holywell, the Bull within Bishopsgate and the Bell Savage recur again and again.
The presiding master named in the admission formula, with aliases merged. Three men account for half of all admissions that name a master.
Climbing the ladder
Because a man who rose through the degrees leaves a trace in more than one division, the register lets us follow careers. Of the sixty-one distinct individuals it names, nineteen appear at more than one degree, and five can be watched climbing the whole ladder from scholar to provost to master.
Each row is one man; a filled pip marks a degree at which the register records him. The five who completed the full ascent are drawn out in green.
The royal challenges
Set apart from the prizes are seven great challenges played before the Crown, from Henry VIII through to Elizabeth. These were public spectacles rather than degree trials, staged at court and answered by the senior masters. One of them, Richard White's, was afterwards allowed to stand as a scholar's prize.
Filter by the reigning monarch to trace how the tradition carried across four reigns.
Prepared from the modernised edition of British Library, Sloane MS 2530, with Cyril Mattey's diplomatic transcription shown in parallel. The coded dataset and its six appendices underlie every figure above. Figures describe what the register records, which is not always what occurred.