The Middleton Accounts of 1525: #13

The next eight entries in the Middleton household accounts of sir Henry Willoughby in 1525 are dated as the 8th July. On this day, Sir Henry left London and started making his way north.

The first payment was for eight kilderkins of ale. A kilderkin is a cask that was an old English liquid measure and was the equivalent of half a barrel, about 83 litres or 18 English beer gallons. The cost of the ale was 21 shillings 4 pence, which was the equivalent of about £470.70 today.

The second payment was to the chandler for cups, saucers and trenchers. A chandler normally is someone who makes and sells candles. However, the term can also refer to a provision dealer of specific wares, which is most likely in this context. A trencher is an historical term for a wooden plate on which food was served. The cost of the items was 2 shillings 6 pence, which was the equivalent of about £55.16 today.

The third payment was for house room for the “space” of one week. The cost for this was 8 shillings 6 pence, which was the equivalent of about £187.54 today. This confirms that many of the entries on this day were Sir Henry settling his accounts for his week in London.

The fourth payment was for the horse lay away for the space of one week. In this context lay away meant the reservation of a certain location in order for him to stable his horse. The cost for this was 12 shillings 4 pence, which was the equivalent of about £272.12 today.

The fifth payment was for washing Sir Henry’s shirt. The cost for this was 1 pence, which was the equivalent of about £1.84 today.

The sixth payment were “rewards” given to the children and servants of the house at the point of his leaving. The amount for this was 22 pence, which was the equivalent of about £40.45 today.

The seventh payment was for bait at St Albans in Hertfordshire. In Middle English bait simply meant food and it then became a term specifically applied to a stop for a rest on a journey at which a light refreshment of food and drink was had. The cost for this was 23 pence, which was the equivalent of about £42.29 today.

Finally, the eighth payment on this day was for bait at Dunstable in Bedfordshire. The cost for this was 13 pence, which was the equivalent of about £23.90 today.

Re-enactors for "A Stuart Christmas" in the Jettied Building at Middleton Hall, 2024.

From these last two entries, and the continuation of his route, it is possible to determine that Sir Henry was travelling along Watling Street all the way from London. He actually ended his day at Stowe Nine Churches in Northamptonshire, but that is recorded in the accounts on the 9th July. This meant that Sir Henry had travelled over 60 miles on this day.

Further Reading: W. H. Stevenson, Report on the Manuscripts of Lord Middleton, Historical Manuscripts Commission, 1911. p.377.

Author - Debbie Jordan, Middleton Hall Volunteer.

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