SEL/WKNE SOCIETY NOTICES 
97 
Clerk lo the Com|)any, who kindly acted as guide. In a paper prepared 
specially for the occasion, Mr. Monier-Williams traced the Company’s history 
from early times. The (luild was originally a combination either for trade or 
religion, hut for which is not known. In 1426 it was authorised by Henry VI. 
to search for and destroy all bad and adulterated oils, and from Elizabeth were 
obtained further supervisory powers, which led to Star Chamber proceedings 
against two offenders. Again, in 1709, the Chandlers destroyed someone’s defec- 
tive candles, but for this they were mulcted in damages by the Court of (Queen’s 
Bench, and that seems to have been the Company’s last attempt to exercise such 
powers. 
In muniments, records, &c., the Company is particularly rich. These were 
preserved from the Great Fire by the Master, who took them in his coach to his 
hou.se at Hampstead or Highgate. In 1456 there was a Grant of Arms, an 
exceedingly fine specimen of heraldic work. In 1602 there was a Grant of 
Supporters, though here there is a palpable decline in artistic merit. The 
Charter of Incorporation granted in 1462 was shown to the visitors, as well as 
the Yeomanry account book of 1518, a record of unique interest and good 
caligraphy. 
.Among the Company’s benefactors was one Stephen Little, baker, who left 
it two houses at Bankside, Southwark, near the Globe Playhouse, licensed in 
1603 to Fletcher, Shakespeare and Buibage. This Southwark property is still 
in the Company’s possession. 
The Hall was built in 1672, at a cost of /’2,720, and remains essentially in 
its original condition. It is a very tine chamber. Fine, too, is the Court 
Dining-room, containing good carving and wainscoted in 1675. The oak 
staircase could not fail to attract notice. Though modern, it is particularly 
handsome, and is evidence of the work that can still be done if entrusted to 
a capable designer. 
The Company dispensed hospitality and the Selbornians’ sense of indebtedness 
found expression in a hearty vote of thanks, submitted by Mr. 11 . Plowman, F'.S. A., 
and seconded by Mr. K. Marshman Wattson. 
Near by, in College Street, is the home of the Innholders’ Company, which 
was next visited. Here Mr. J. Douglass Mathews, F'. R. I. B. A., F'.S. I., acted 
as guide, and read a paper which proved very acceptable to his audience. In 1327 
there was something of a fiscal controversy, lor the Hostelers and Haymongers 
complained to the Mayor and Aldermen of trade facilities given lo outsiders. 
This may have resulted in a monopoly, because about forty years later restrictions 
had to be imposed on the Hostelers and Herbergeours, on account of their exces- 
sive charges. .Accordingly in 1371, the statutory price for feeding one horse a day 
and a night was fixed at 2^d. ; for a gallon of best ale 2d. ; and for a bushel 
of oats 8d., as a maximum. From 1473 the allied traders were known as Inn- 
holders, and to them a Charter of Incorporation was granted hy Henry \TH. in 
1514. This muniment has been preserved, and is a most interesting specimen 
of work. The usual mutations ensued in the reigns of Charles II. and James. 
The first-named monarch compelled, under pain of fine, all keepers of inns, 
hostleries, or livery stables in the City and Liberties, or within three miles of same, 
10 join the Innholders’ Company ; and the other monarch modified what his 
brother had done, while William and Mary restored to the Corporation and City 
Companies all their former privileges. 
For the present buildings Mr. Douglass .Mathews is more or less responsible. 
In a truly conservative spirit has he rebuilt or restored them, and against him 
there cannot be raised the finger of reproach generally levelled against so-called 
restorers. The Hall was built just after the Great Fire, at a cost of about ;^i,20o, 
and though it and the other premises were repaired from time to time, yet about 
twenty years ago they were all so dilapidated that to Mr. Mathews was confided 
the difficult task of saving what he could. With the Hall he has been entirely 
successful, and it charmingly preserves the old-fashioned appearance of two 
hundred years ago. As regards the remaining rooms there was nothing for it but 
to rebuild them. Inevitable change there has been, but it is not obtrusive. 
The Innholders are singularly rich in ancient plate, and to a full description 
of this Mr. Upper Warden Gibbs did full justice, piece by piece. Tea followed, 
and the very enjoyable proceedings terminated with a suitable acknowledgement 
