The household below stairs: Bakehouse 1660-1761

Bakehouse 1660–1761

The bakehouse provided bread for the royal tables, which was then stored in the pantry. In 1660 the establishment of the bakehouse consisted of a clerk and a sergeant, appointed by royal warrant and yeomen, grooms and conduits, appointed by lord steward's warrant. (fn. 1) In 1662 the remuneration of the clerk was fixed at wages of £6 13s 4d and board wages of £54 15s, plus poundage on bills. The board wages rose to £80 in 1674 but fell to £53 6s 8d in 1680. Between 1685 and 1689 the office was combined with that of clerk of the pastry, poultry, scullery and woodyard with a salary of £91 13s 4d. In 1689 the remuneration was fixed at wages of £6 13s 4d and board wages of £73 6s 8d. The office was combined with that of clerk of the poultry between 1702 and 1727. (fn. 2)

In 1662 the remuneration of the sergeant was fixed at wages of £11 8s 1½d and board wages of £24 6s 8d. The board wages rose to £54 15s in 1664 and, after some fluctuations, were reduced to £38 11s 10½d in 1680. The office was reduced to supernumerary status in 1686 and abolished in 1689. A supernumerary sergeant was appointed in 1683. (fn. 3)

In 1660 two yeomen of the mouth, a yeoman garnitor, a yeoman furnar and a `second' yeoman were appointed. After considerable variations, with salaries ranging from £11 to £45, they were reduced in 1685 to a yeoman at £30 and a yeoman garnitor at £20. In 1689 these were superseded by two joint yeomen who shared wages of £5 and board wages of £45. A second yeoman served between 1698 and 1702 when a single yeoman was appointed, replaced in 1760 by two joint yeomen bakers. Traditionally, the yeomen shared in the contract to supply the Household's bread. (fn. 4)

Three grooms were appointed in 1660, reduced to two (with a supernumerary) in 1662 and to one in 1685 with a salary of £20. Two were appointed in 1689 with wages of £2 13s 4d and board wages of £37 6s 8d. Briefly in 1727 and again from 1741 the office of second groom was occupied by joint holders. (fn. 5)

There were six conduits of the bakehouse on the early establishments of Charles II. In 1662 their number was reduced to three at £4 1s 5 3d in wages, £6 1s 8d in board wages, plus three supernumeraries. In 1668 their number was reduced to two, with the rest becoming supernumerary. In 1674 their total remuneration was raised to £18 5s per annum. A third conduit was added in 1680. All were abolished, but for a single supernumerary at £14 per annum, on the Establishment of 1685. This was divided into £4 11s 3d in wages and £9 8s 6d in board wages on that of 1689. (fn. 6)

The various bakers were appointed by the lord steward. In 1812 the baker at Carlton House made £62 per annum. The baker at Brighton made £50 per annum. (fn. 7)

The bakehouse was abolished in 1761. (fn. 8)

Clerk 1660–1761

Sergeant 1660–1685

Supernumerary Sergeant 1683–1685; 1686–1688

Yeomen 1660–1761

Supernumerary Yeoman 1662–1668; 1686–1688

Grooms 1660–1761

Supernumerary Grooms 1662–c. 1672; 1686–1688

Conduits 1660–1664

Supernumerary Conduits 1662–1668

Conduits 1668–1685

Supernumerary Conduits 1674–1682; 1686–1688

Supernumerary Baker 1716–?

Baker at Windsor 1791–?1792

Baker at the Pavilion at Brighton 1812–1830

Baker at Carlton House 1812–1837

(from c. 1825 Larderer of Stores)