In pre-Reformation times, an important feature in the conduct of the Company was the performance of obits and rendering of honour to departed members. The Renter Warden’s accounts, which have been preserved from 1491 downwards, contain numerous references to such matters. Thus, in 1535–6— “Pay’d to Syr John Stylbone, pryst, syngynge and prayinge for the soule of Master Merfen at the Charnel-house, and at Seynt Antolyns, by yere vii_li._” “Item, pay’d for the kepynge of Mr. Myrfyns obbyte by yere at the Charnel-house xxvi_s._ viii_d._” Again, in the following year— “Payd for a dyner provided at Skynners’ Hall for the bequest of William Tornor, Skynner, decessed, for the clothyn of thys felysshipe in the tyme of thys accompt iiii_li._ v_s._ ii_d._” “Item, payd for spice, bred, wyne, and ale at hys buryinge at Skynners’ Hall after _Dirige_ for the Company at the tyme of his buryall in the tyme of thys accompt vi_s._ viii_d._” On the other hand, we find among the receipts in 1535–6— “R’d of Thomas Davy the yonger for a fyne for that he denyed to bere the corpus of Thomas Franke to hys beryall xii_d._” “Item, r’d of Water Bucknell for a fyne for that he gave oprobryus wordes to the Master and Wardens, xx_d._, and for that he denyed to bere the corpus of Thomas Franke, decessid, according to the ordynances iii_s._ iiii_d._ Summa v_s._” So, in 1536–7— “Receyved of the executors of John Edwards, Skynner, latte decessed, for his bequest to make a recreacion at Skynners’ Hall for the clothinge of the Company that were present at his buryall in the tyme of thys accompt xl_s._” The fine imposed on Water Bucknell for his “oprobryus” words to the Master and Wardens show that the authorities of the Company knew how to guard themselves from insult. But they were equally careful in the case of less important members. Thus, in 1535–6— “R’d of William Tornor for a fyne for that he Revyled and myssayd ongoddly wordes to George Forman v_s._” “Item, R’d of George Forman for slaunderus wordes and mysbehavyor to the sayd William Turnor the same day iii_s._” It may be conjectured that the 2_s._ by which Turner’s fine exceeded Forman’s was owing to the blasphemous character of his language. Litigation was a cheap and inexpensive amusement in those days. Thus, in 1535–6—