History of the Company. 103 



the King, when the members were compelled to 

 bear their own charges, for Pepys informs us that 

 " their black velvet coats and gold chains remained 

 of their gallantry at the King's coming in." 



On the 29th September, 1663, the Company 

 assembled to receive a precept from 

 the Lord Mayor, '' signifying the 

 King's Royal intention of passing through this 

 Citye at his return from his progresse with his 

 royal consort, and to p'vide xiiij of y® grauest and 

 best of the Company to be on horsebacke appar- 

 relled with velvet coats and Gold Chaines. To be 

 in a readynesse to attend y* service this Court did 

 then appointe those persons hereunder named to 

 ride, viz., the Foure Wardens, Mr. Clowes, Mr. 

 Mason, Mr. Freeman, Mr. Holdenby, Mr. Dash- 

 wood, Mr. Smith, Mr. Pease, Mr. Tanner, Mr. 

 Milson, and Mr. Sheppard." 



In 1664 the City again came to the assistance 

 1664. of the State, and granted the King a 

 Dutch wars. Iq^h of ^100,000 towards the support 

 of the war with Holland. Recourse was had as 

 usual to the Companies, and the contribution of 

 the Saddlers' Company was assessed at as much 

 as £700. Their exchequer being empty, the 

 Company were compelled to borrow the whole 

 sum at interest, as the following minute shows : — 



1664. November $th. 



" Upon reading of a letter from the right hon^^^ S"^ 

 John Lawrence, Knight, Lord Maior of the Citye of 



