On this day in 1617 a letter to the Company from King James I, was read out in the Court meeting. The minute reads:
Upon the receipt of His Majesty's letter under His Highness's signet to this Company directed dated 13th of this instant month of January which being read at this Court thereby desiring to borrow the picture of King Henry VIII which is now standing in the Hall, it is thereupon ordered by this Court that the same picture shall be taken down and as conveniently as it may be and delivered unto the Right Honourable Sir Lionel Cranfield, Knight, one of the masters of the requests according to his highness’s letter to the intent to take the copy thereof.
The original letter survives in the Company's archive and a copy hangs in the Charter Room at Barber-Surgeons' Hall.
James R.
Trustie and welbeloved Wee greete you well. Where
we are informed of a Table of painting in yor Hall
wherein is the Picture of or Predecesso' of famous memorie
K. Henry the 8th, together with diverse of yor Companie, wch
being both like him, and well done, Wee are desirous to have
copyed. Wherfore our pleasure is that you presently deliver
it unto this bearer Our Welbeloved Servant Sr Lionell
Cranfield Knight, One of Our Maisters of Requests, whome
Wee have commaunded to receave it of you and to see it
wth all expedition copied and redelivered safely ; and so
Wee bid you farewell. Given at Our Court at Newmarket
the 13th day of Januarie 1617.
