Volume II 1603-1660 - The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple

1606] INNER TEMPLE RECORDS. 19
40/i. per annum and do little service for it. We are therefore of
opinion that it is good husbandry for the House to discharge him and
all his people clean from the buttery from doing any service there
or having any allowance from thence, and in place thereof for performance
of that service which was done by them, to allow the puisne
butler according to his desire and liking to use other servants for
that purpose, as he will choose, not exceeding at any time the number
of two, and to allow him for the same 6/i. per annum and to be
quarterly cast in commons, and the reversion of the meat which shall
be left from time to time at the varlet's table ; which servants being
under his control and government are like more readily and sufficiently
to perform the business, both in the buttery and cellar, and plainly at
much less charge than heretofore. Nevertheless for more sure
knowledge of good to grow unto the House by this new course, this
article is admitted only for a trial till the second parliament of the
next term, when further order shall be taken, and in the meantime
the said puisne butler shall be allowed but one servant in the
buttery and cellar for doing the business aforesaid.
" We find that much bread goeth daily out of the buttery for sippets
and dressing of the whole battellinges meate ' in the kitchen which
ought not so to be, for this House ought to be charged no further herein
but only for such meat as shall come to the bench table and to the first
mess at the bar, and for the rest the steward ought at his own cost to
provide it. Therefore we think it meet no bread shall be allowed in
the kitchen but only for such meat as shall come to the bench table
and to the first mess at the bar and no further, and for effecting the
same that the master-cook and under-cook shall be informed so much
and shall from time to time themselves, and not their deputies, call to
the butlers for so much bread as they are so to use, and the butlers
that do deliver it to keep a note thereof whereby the proportion may
be weekly discerned.
" We understand that the brewer and baker is paid but once a
year at the soonest, which in our opinions is one great cause that we
are so much worse and chargeably served with bread and drink than
otherwise we should be, by reason they tarrying so long for their
money and haply also doubting then of payment, will recompense
themselves and be more careless in their assize of our bread and
drink. And therefore we are of opinion that it were fit the brewer