The Chapel Royal: The vestry

The Vestry 1660–1837

The offices of the vestry, sometimes referred to as the sergeant, yeomen and groom of the chapel, were in the gift of the dean of the chapel royal. Appointments were made by his warrant to the sub dean. (fn. 1) There were two yeomen of the vestry from 1660 to 1686. From 1720 the sergeant also served as clerk of the cheque.

According to the dean's order of 28 May 1728, the sergeant's duty included opening the door of the vestry during hours of prayer, setting out the candlesticks and books on the lesson desk, walking with his verge before the dean, the bishops and sub dean to their seats, keeping the altar clean 'and in decent order,' providing bread and wine for services, new books, surplices, and furniture for the use of the chapel, and washing the surplices. The yeoman was 'to open the Pew Seats within the Chapel at the Hours of Prayer,' to place the forms and hassocks within the chapel, to arrange the prayer books and provide and arrange the wax candles in the main body of the chapel and 'to keep out of the Chapel, Persons and things not fit to be there'. In this he was assisted by the groom, whose first duty was 'to take care of all Publick Doors...To take care that the Chapel be not crowded by letting too many persons into it, so as to hinder the passage to the Communion -Table.' The groom was also responsible for cleaning the chapel, providing candles for the ante-chapel and gentlemen's vestry and assisting the gentlemen with their surplices. (fn. 2)

In 1685 the sergeant of the vestry was established at £54 15s; the two yeomen at £41 10s each and the groom at £36 10s. In 1689 the sergeant was raised to £6 16s 10 1/2d in wages, £66 3s 1 1/2d in ; the yeoman to £5 wages, £49 15s in ; and the groom to £5 and £43 12s 6d. (fn. 3) In addition, the sergeant made £120 per annum for the provision of books, surplices, etc. (fn. 4) From 1702, this was reduced to £60 'for washing Surplices for Strewings, and all Other Necessaries in lieu of Bills' but from 1714 he was also paid an additional £49 2 for providing similar items at Whitehall. (fn. 5) The groom's were raised to £51 12s 6d in 1703. (fn. 6) Throughout the period, the groom took vails from those who wished to be seated in chapel. (fn. 7)

Sergeants of the Vestry 1660–1837

First Yeoman of the Vestry 1660–1686

Second Yeoman of the Vestry 1660–1686

Yeoman of the Vestry 1686–1837

Yeoman of the Vestry in Extraordinary 1664–?1688

Groom of the Vestry 1660–1837

Deputy Groom of the Vestry c. 1737–c. 1755

Bellringer 1666–1685; 1689–1837

The bellringer was appointed by the dean by warrant to the sub dean. According to William Lovegrove, the bellringer was 'To go round a certain part of the palace with his stand bell, to give notice that the time of Divine Service is approaching.' He made £15 4s 2d per annum. (fn. 8)

Chamber Keeper to the Vestry c. 1701