270 THE CORDWAINEES AND COEVESORS OF OXFORD. on a previous occasion, in the 3rd year of Eliz., they had generously voted the master five shilhngs towards his dinner.^ In whatever way the expenses of them were paid, these entertainments must have continued ; since there is an order of Sept. 17, 1613 (11 Jas. I.), for suspending them during four years ; which, in 1616, was continued for seven, and in 1623 for six years more.® In 1631, we find them revive; and the Company rich enough, by their prudent management, to give 120/. for the purchase of a small property at Ken- nington, Berks ; which, however, they parted with two years after. ^ Subsequently to this period, we have the particulars of many dinners ; and in the accounts of two years, which are given below, one of these will afi:brd a tolerable idea of the nature of the entertainment. In later years, the practice was to allow the master a certain sum, leaving him still the nominal giver of the feast ; which, it may be supposed, was not only for the purpose of lessening a cost which became too great for individuals to bear, when the members of the society were rapidly increasing, but also for that of checking the extravagant expenditure into which such celebrations are often apt to run.^ Anno Dni 1631.' Civitas) j^o The Accompts of Mr. John Bannister late Master of the Oxon. / ■ Incorporacon of Cordvvayn's infranchised w^in the said Citty & Suburbes thereof and Wilham Cowdry late War- den of the same incoi*poracon Made it taken l)efore the nowe ]Iaster (t wardens and by the rest of the said Incorporacon the Eleaventh day of November in the Seaventh yeare of the raigne of o sov'aigne Lord Charles by the grace of God King of England Scotland ffraunce & Ireland defendo'" of tbe foyth &c. » B 23. They gave the same sum in charged ; from 1714 to 173R, 8Z.; in 1739, 1C65. E. 61.; in 1740, HI.; and afterwards there is '■ See D. sub annis. either no dinner, or an inconsiderable 7 It was conveyed in trust for them to allowance made for it. E. Some further Mr. T. Carter, the steward, and John notices will be found in F. in tlife years Bannister, a member, and was sold again 1714, 1717, 1721, 173C, 173.9, after which for 13()7. D. l(j;>4. The conveyance to the time no master is to be allowed more trustees is dated April 4, 7 Charles I. than si. pounds. In 1741, it is suspended 8 In G<)6, 61. were ordei-ed to be for five years. In 1746, 40 shillings are allowed to the master towards the dimier allowed; in 1 748, 21. 2s. Od. to the Warden; for seven years : which was contiimcd in in 1751, two pounds to the Master. Of 1700 for fourteen more, and tliis in turn the.se entries, tiie most extraordinary is suspended in 170-_', for .seven years, in that of 172 1, by which, after granting 8Z. consideration of anticipated law charges towards the dinner, two persons "are in defending the'r privileges against desired to .see it Leyd out." foreigners. D. From 1701) to 1713, (J/. are " B. n. 1J()'.
