These probate inventories are interesting because they relate to a period before the proliferation of newspapers and advertisements, which, in later periods, are a good source of household contents when they are advertised for sale. The Lincoln, Rutland & Stamford Mercury which claims to be Britain's oldest newspaper began publication only right at the end of this period.
These probate inventories, in the absence of virtually any other information that can be systematically examined, therefore offer a rare opportunity to get a glimpse of what sort of seating the citizens of Lincoln were using just at the time before the very first Windsor chairs were starting to be made. The earliest known Windsor chairmaker, Joseph Newton of Fenton, Lincolnshire is discussed elsewhere here and here on this blog.
I have extracted and analysed all 277 entries from 55 of the 60 inventories printed which mention chairs, stools and forms, together with other items associated with seating components.
Johnston's cautionary notes on the inventories selected at pp. xviii-xix & xxxi should be borne in mind:
"It is a generally acknowledged weakness of any collection of inventories that they give poor representation of women. 20% of the Lincoln inventories refer to women. Out of the total number of 115 female inventories 71 (61%) were of widows, 13 (11%) of spinsters and the remaining 31 were female from the evidence of Christian name but were not defined by marital status. In Lichfield between 1661 and 1680 women provided 18% of the inventories and in nearby rural Lincolnshire in the same period they provided 12%. Women were certainly under-represented in the Lincoln sequence of inventories but not to an exceptional extent.
Inventories also under-represent the poor. When the deceased was poor and there was unlikely to be dispute over the settlement of the estate the legal process of probate was not required. The unfairness of consuming much of the value of a poor man’s estate in the cost of probate was recognised in a note scribbled on one of the labourer inventories. The note suggested that probate be waived as the final charges would cum to as much as is thought will be gotten. However Lincoln’s inventory coverage of the poor is exceptionally good because there are 156 inventories of people who died intestate and many of these were poor. In the 1680s 31 % of the L.C.C. Admons were for estates valued at less than £5.00 and 51 % were at less than £20.00. Inevitably a process of selection which looks for inventories which are revealing and rich in detail involves a bias towards wealthier examples. The mean of all 590 inventories is £187.00 and for the printed selection is £257.50 although this does include examples of the lowest valuations. In this period a Lincolnshire labourer could expect to earn between 3p and 4p a day. A personal estate valued at £600 could be interpreted as a sign of gentility and a prosperous tradesman’s estate would be in the range between £100 and £500. None of the Lincoln inventories show wealth of the level attained by the great merchants of London and the major cities. Only 10% died with estates valued at more than £500 and of these only 3 % had estates valued at more than £1,000.
In addition to the kinds of bias already discussed the inventories present a range of problems to historians seeking to use them as evidence of a past society. Inevitably they seek to use them for purposes far removed from their original function. These problems have been often and cogently described. The ones that are of particular relevance as a cautionary background to this collection can be summarised. The totals of valuations given at the end of each inventory do not give an accurate picture of the deceased’s wealth. Real estate, such as land and property, were not valued and debts can be omitted. Both wills and administrator’s accounts need to be consulted to gain confidence about the financial standing of the inventory’s subject. The appraisers were fallible humans, their troubles with addition prove that, and uncertainties about goods in the deceased’s usage but not his possession or what belonged to a widow from her marriage settlement or was credited to her by custom, a neglect of rooms or assets, carelessness or lack of expertise in the processes of listing and valuation are all factors than can reduce the value of inventories for the historian. But, as all such cautionary paragraphs conclude, they do provide a major historical resource which excites both the quantifying historian and those who find instruction and pleasure in the unique and sometimes eccentric record of a singular individual."
"Roughly one in ten of the Lincoln inventories between 1661 and 1714 are printed in this volume. Selection poses obvious and serious problems. There is no generally accepted classification of the occupations, professions and services of an early modern city. There have been practically as many ways of organising inventory evidence for the study of urban life as there have been studies. The apparently convenient division of the inventories into those describing manufacturing, distributive and retailing trades is invalidated by the overlapping functions of individuals. Each city requires a particular approach if a selection of evidence is justly to reflect its economic and social status in a given period. [...] Inventories have been selected that as far as possible contain detailed evidence for the implements and stock that were characteristic of an occupation. The process of selection provides scope to illustrate such extremes of poverty and wealth as the evidence allows and for examples of males and females in all the social groupings. It follows that the selection contains evidence for the entire range of households and their furniture and fittings."
As some of the terms used in the inventories are unfamiliar I start with relevant extracts, amended where necessary, from the Glossary. For ease of reading a large volume of information I have colour-coded the text in this post as follows Chairs Stools Forms.
Glossary
| |
|---|---|
| Chairs | |
| Bass, Bast | plaited rush or straw |
| Bumble | woven bull rushes |
| Chair Table | a chair of which the back folds forwards to make a table resting on the arms of the chair |
| Couch Chair | a backless sofa positioned against a wall |
| Covered Chair | a chair with padded seat and back |
| Dutch Chair | a ladder back chair with a rush seat |
| Easey Chair | a chair with wings and a sloping or hinged back |
| Leather Chair | upholstered in leather |
| Matted Chair | rush bottomed chair |
| Reed Wrought Chair | rush bottomed and backed chair |
| Rushia, Rushey, Rushy Chair | a chair with leather upholstery |
| Rushion, Russe Leather | a durable leather much used in upholstering chairs, the most prestigious in quality was originally imported from Russia |
| Seeled Chair | chair with canopy |
| Set Work Chair | chair with tapestry or needlework upholstery |
| Turkey Work | tapestry worked upholstery, much used for chairs |
| Wainscote | good quality, imported oak; chair or furniture with wood panelling |
| Wanded Chair | chair made of wickerwork or with wickerwork seat and back |
| Stools | |
| Buffet, Buffitt Stool | stool, normally associated with a dining table |
| Close Stool | a commode |
| Joyne, Joynt, Joynid | applied to furniture, especially stools, with turned legs in the form of columns of balusters |
| Forms | |
| Saddle, Sattle, Settle | long wooden bench with arms and a high back |
| Settle Bed | bed which folds up in the form of a settle |
Table 1 below sets out the 277 entries. Table 2 follows, setting out an analysis and summary of those entries. Table 3 summarises the total chairs, forms and stools in each person's inventory.
Table 1 represents a small fraction of the inventories overall as it is only those entries related to seating. Most inventories show the name of the deceased, usually their occupation and parish, and the date of the inventory. The archive references relate to the indexing system at Lincolnshire Archives.
Most inventories show the location within the premises of the item which adds useful context. Most entries do not permit of a separate assessment of the values ascribed to any particular chair, stool or form because the appraisers often valued a whole room at a time. Sometimes the seating is separately itemised and those entries have been extracted into the Notes on Value column of Table 2.
Table 1
| Person & Description | Location | £ | s | d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joh Glen, Barber, 28.5.1662 L.C.C. Admon. 1661/74 Appraised at £133.79 | ||||
| Six littell bass bottomed Chaires one wanded Chaire one armed wooden Chaire one buffut Stoole and three littell stooles | In the Hall | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| One bedstead with a teaster one littel table one littell side table and one buffett Stoole | In the Chamber where Mr Robinson lodgeth | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| One livery cupborde with three buffet stooles and one sid table | In the Lodging Chamber | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| One high wooden Chaire for a Child and one low buffet stoole | In the Lodging Chamber | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Two painted basse Bottomed Chaires armed and two lesser Chaires | In the Lodging Chamber | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Two high covered Chaires two high covered stooles and one littell stoole | In the Lodging Chamber | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| One trunck one russe box one deske and one box thre dozen of trenshers one littel stoole and other small things | In the Clossett within that Chamber | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| One littel trunck three chists foure littell boxes two chaires and two littell stooles | In the Childrens Chamber | 0 | 18 | 6 |
| One little long Settle and Smothing board for Clothes | In the Childrens Chamber | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Six turkey wrogt stooles five covered chaires | In the Chamber where Mr Wright lodgeth | 1 | 18 | 0 |
| One long Settele three Chaires one littel table one deske and thre Cushons | In the Shoppe | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| Charles Clarke , Blacksmith The Bail , 14.1.1664 Prob. Inv. 162/61 Appraised at £63.12 | ||||
| One table Six joynd Stooles one livery Cubbord one trucked bedd one wainscote Chest three Chayres with other (h)ushlements | In ye parler next ye streete | 1 | 6 | 8 |
| A long table and a little table one long forme twoe stooles seven bast chares one Safe | In ye haule | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| Twoe little tables two little formes one livery Coubbard three bedsteads twoe with beding with other things | In ye Great Chamber next ye street | 1 | 15 | 0 |
| Twoe bedsteads with beding one livery Cubbard one chayre one little table with other things | In ye little Chamber | 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Katerne Sewell, Widow (Dyer), 9.8.1664 Prob. Inv. 164/90 Appraised at £219.74 | ||||
| One high standinge Cupboard one litle table and 4 Chares and one Cupboard Cloth two Cushans and one Safe and one long table | In the Hall | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| One long table two other tables One forme 6 buffett stoolles and six Chaires two Carpetts 6 Cushiones one livery Cupboard with Cloth and other Utensilis | In the Parlour | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Benjamin Marshall, Mercer, 18.1.1665 L.C.C. Admon. 1667/131 Appraised at £1,203.77 | ||||
| Sixteen covered chayrs | In the Greate Chamber | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| One bedstead with Two feather beds, hangings rugg and coverings, A Table and carpett. Seven Chayrs and Stooles A fire-iron tongs and shovell | In the Inner garrett Chamber | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Six chayres three stooles, A Violl, A Table and carpet with other implements | In the Outer garrett Chamber | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Three Tables Three Carpetts thirteen Chayres, Eyght joynt stooles Nine green stuff qushions. A fire grate, tongs and shovell, with other implements, A Livery Cupboard and carpet Three fowling pieces, A clocke, a Spitt Jacke, A glass Case and glasses, An hanging cupboard A Case of knives, a standard, a lookeing glass | In the Hall | 9 | 7 | 6 |
| A stand bedstead with old hangings a Truckle bedstead with a Cupboard and a carpett, and potts, three old chayres fewer stooles, A close stoole, and pan, a lookeing glass, a fire iron, a payre of Endirons of brass, a Truncke with other implements | In the Chamber over the pantree more | 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Two nests of Drawers an old Table and a Chayre | In the Studdy in the Shop | 0 | 6 | 8 |
| A Great old Cupboard a joynt stoole, with divers glasses and white stone plate | In the pantree | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| A Table, Sixe old chayres, Two pastie peeles, Two shelves with other implements | In the Kitching more | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Thomas Lewis , Labourer , 9.1.1667 Prob. Inv. 166/43 Appraised at £12.72 | ||||
| One Cubard one table one forme 4 bast chares 4 buffitt stooles with other implements | In the Hall | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| John Featley, Doctor of Divinity. In his Dignity house of the Close of Lincoln, 21.3.1667 Di 38/2/10 Appraised at £207.80 | ||||
| Thirteen Rushia Leather Chaires | 3 | 10 | 0 | |
| A Table and forme | In the Little Hall | 0 | 6 | 8 |
| A dozen and halfe of Turkey worke Chaires | In the Dyneing Roome | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Three Spanish tables and two foote stooles | In the Dyneing Roome | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Foure Chaires and foure stooles suitable to the bed | In the Straingers Chamber | 3 | 10 | 0 |
| Seaven Chaires and two stooles | In the Chamber over ye Parlour | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Two wanded Chaires a Seller of Bottles and Close stoole Box | In the Chamber over ye Parlour | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Two Close Stoole pans a Candlestick and a bottle | Pewter in the Kitchen | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Mr. John Towndrow, (Baker), 26.11.1668 Prob. Inv. 168/76 Appraised at £58.07 | ||||
| A Table two joynt stooles with other woodden Lumber | Pan Mettle | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| In the same Chamber six bas-bothomd Chaires six quishions one paire of end-irons and one binch | In the Chamber | 0 | 7 | 6 |
| In the same parlor one Closse-press one table three seelled stooles one Chist one box one seeing glase one forme with some other Iplements | In the parlor | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Three little-tables one Cobert one long sadle two formes one Wanded-Chaire one ould Arme-Chaire three basbothomed Chaires three quishions one joyned stoole | In the hall | 1 | 9 | 2 |
| William Norton, Maltster. St. Swithin, 17.3.1670 Prob. Inv. 172/264 Appraised at £452.91 | ||||
| One Great table, 3 stooles, 1 forme | In his Lodgings Parller | 0 | 13 | 4 |
| One wicker Chaire, 1 other Chaire, 5 Cushions, 1 Warming Pann with other Implements | In his Lodgings Parller | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| One old drawtable, 1 old Liverie Cubert, 1 forme, 2 Chaires with other Implements | In the Hall | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 Cuberts, 2 litle tables, 1 Safe, one Long Settle, 2 Joynid Chaires, 5 other Chaires, and 3 Stooles | In the Kitchin | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| 1 Table with a Cubert i n 't, Joynid Chaires 1 other Chaire 1 box | In the Nue Chamber | 0 | 6 | 8 |
| Richard Hazelteine, (Labourer) St. Michaels in the Mount, (.. ..) 1670 Prob. Inv. 172/321 Appraised at £5.46 | ||||
| One table: one forme: one Livera Cubert one long Sattle these things of valew | In the house | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| One wanded Chaire five bast Chaires | In the house | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Eden Williams, (Bookseller) St. Martins, 11.12.1671 Prob.Inv. 173/387 Appraised at £153.71 | ||||
| (...) 1 low Chaire 2 stooles 2 Carpetts Irish (...) | In the Parlor | 2 | 12 | 0 |
| (..) Cloth Chaire 2 Cloth Chaires Cloth stooles one wanded Chaire one (...) | The Chamber over the parlor | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| 1 trunke 2 old Chaires one livery Cubberd and Cloth and other implyments | The Chamber over the pantree | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| (...) bedstead Curtaine and Vallence one Close (...) one Curtaine one Side table and Carpitt one old Chaire one Stand one box one glass case and glasses | In the passage Chamber | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| (...) tubb one dresser board one old forme one watring tubb one wash tubb 2 wooden horese one (..) boules 2 Kitts and other Lumber there | In the Kittchinge | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| 2 smale draw tables 1 great armed leather Chaire 7 other leather Chaires 2 leather stooles one bast Chaire | In the Pantree | 1 | 18 | 8 |
| One wainscott Chair one haire brush | In the entree | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| One old cubbert one firr table and 2 Chaires | In the entree | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| One longe settle bed | In the hall house | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 5 bast Chaires | In the hall house | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| 3 ioynt stooles | In the hall house | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| One screene one smale Child Chaire | In the hall house | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| George Shoosmith, Glaissyar, 8.4.1672 Prob. Inv. 175/201 Appraised at £38.85 | ||||
| One Cubard Eighte Chayrs three Tabules and three trunkes one box and two stoules | In ye parlyar | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Two brasse pannes one stille a fiame forme galla baucke and hoockes and sevarell othar Implmantes | In ye kitchen and butery | 0 | 6 | 8 |
| John Dawsons, (Farmer) St. Peters Parish in Eastgate , 24.4.1672 Prob. Inv. 175/234 Appraised at £159.42 | ||||
| One Cubbert 2 Tables and one furme Three Chaires and 2 Buffit stooles | In the Hall | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Two Bedsteads with beding to them 2 little Tables Six Chaires 2 Chists 2 Buffit Stooles with other Lumber | In the Parler | 4 | 13 | 4 |
| William Kent, Gentleman (Maltster) St. Swithins , (.. ..) 1672 Prob. Inv. 175/29 Appraised at £951.23 | ||||
| 4 Tables, 5 chares, one napkin press with brass Land Iron and bosses and other utensilis | In the Hall | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| 2 Spanish tables 2 guilded Leather Carpetts, 16 Rushy chairs and cupboard and a Sute of brasses | In the Parlor | 4 | 17 | 4 |
| One french Bedstead with other furniture aboutt it with hangings, 8 chairs and stooles, 2 truncks one Chest with 12 pair of Linnen sheets 8 table cloths, 1 dozen of diaper napkins, 1 dozen of towells and other utensilis | In the Chamber over ye Hall | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| Mary Nickinson, Widow. St. Swithins , 29.5.1673 Prob. Inv. 174/21 Appraised at £106.44 | ||||
| One draw table a livery Cuberd a Cubbert table two joynt chaires four joynt stooles a press for to press cloaths in six nedlework stooles fifteen Cushions a paire of endirons and landirons a wheele and other implements | Goods in the Parlor | 3 | 7 | 4 |
| One long table two formes seaven buffitt stooles and the irons in the chimeney four old chaires a little table and other implements | In the Hall | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Three little firr deale boxes one wanded chaire and other implements | In the Chamber over the Hall | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| Sissie Peacock, St. Benedicts , 31.12.1673 L.C.C. Admon. 1673/85 Appraised at £25.61 | ||||
| 1 furme 6 chares | the hall Hous | 0 | 10 | 6 |
| 1 table 4 buffit stooles at and 1 Cubbert | in the parler | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| 3 Chares and tw Cusshon | in the parler | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Thomas White, (Wool Merchant) St. Mark, 3.2.1674 Prob. Inv. 174/228 Appraised at £244.49 | ||||
| One table one forme and seaven joynt stooles | In the Hall | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| Six chaires one long settle two short forms | In the Hall | 0 | 10 | 4 |
| One long table, six chaires 4 cushions | In the parlour | 0 | 19 | 6 |
| One liverie cupboard three leather stooles and arme chaire | In the great chamber | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| One cupboard and cloth 3 chaires and 4 stooles and one lookeing glass | In the little chamber | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Six chaires 2 stooles curtaines and vallence | In the little chamber | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| One chest and a desk and a chaire | In the Kitching chamber | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Elixabeth Bate, St. Michael on Mount, 28.2.1674 L.C.C. Admon. 1673/7 Appraised at £10.73 | ||||
| Six Lether Chaires two seild Chaires one Livery Cupbord and Carpett two Matted Chaires and five Cushions with other implements | In her Lodging Chamber | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| One Screene one Close stoole with a pann and other implements | In her Lodging Chamber | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Jefre Wood, (Labourer) St. Martins, (.. ..) 1675 L.C.C. Admon. 1675/111 Appraised at £4.06 | ||||
| One table and A furm | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| Thre Chares | 0 | 1 | 6 | |
| William Atkinson, Tayler, 11.1.1676 Prob. Inv. 177/144 Appraised at £30.64 | ||||
| One long Table foure buffit stooles | In the low Roome | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| One Press Cubbert and a long Saddle | In the low Roome | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| One Screene Six plaine Chaires and a little Table | In the low Roome | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| One Chest and One Wanded Chaire | In the Best Chamber | 0 | 13 | 4 |
| Six green Chaires and foure Cushens | In the Best Chamber | 0 | 13 | 4 |
| John Langforth, Whitesmith St. Martins, 7.10.1676 Prob. Inv. 179/222 Appraised at £72.01 | ||||
| Wood. A Cupborde, a Table, a Dresser, 8 Chaires with basse bottomes | In the Hall | 0 | 13 | 4 |
| A table and Carpett, 2 formes, a Chest, a trunk a Napkin presse, 1 Safe and 2 baskett | In the middle Chamber | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| A litle table a Cradle 2 Chaires 1 foot pace | In the Lane Chamber | 0 | 8 | 4 |
| John Wignall, (Brickmaker) St. Buttolph, 19.12.1677 Prob. Inv. 219A/183 Appraised at £317.15 | ||||
| A Table and Six stooles and a forme | In the parlour | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 basse chaires and a wanded Chaire | In the parlour | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Mr. Edward Fawkes, Alderman and Upholster, 29.3.1679 L.C.C. Admon. 1679/79 Appraised at £141.61 | ||||
| One Table 2 stooles 1 Elbow Chare | In the House | 0 | 7 | 6 |
| 7 bast Chares | In the House | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 11 set worke Chares at 6s 6d | In the Parler | 3 | 11 | 6 |
| 2 Tables 5 buffet stools 7 Lether Chares | In the Street Chamber | 2 | 14 | 0 |
| 2 Trunkes 1 old wanded Chare and a stand | In the Street Chamber | 0 | 13 | 4 |
| 2 old credles 1 Childs Chare 2 bast Chares | In the Little Chamber | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| One Truckle bed 2 stooles 2 Chists | In the Garett | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| 1 Close stoole | In the shop | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 21 pair of stoole and small stringe 3s 6d | In the shop | 3 | 14 | 0 |
| 6 Chare frames | In the shop | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Henery Mitchell, (Haberdasher), 14.4.1679 Di 39/1/134 Appraised at £379.33 | ||||
| 1 dozen red Chaires | In ye Hall Chambe | 2 | 8 | 0 |
| 2 Leather Chaires | In the Kitchin | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| 2 bass Chaires | In the Kitchin | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Robert Pearson, Waterman - St. Swithins, 28.8.1679 Prob. Inv. 180/236 Appraised at £46.33 | ||||
| One Cupboard 4 joynt Chaires 2 Tables 2 Chests one Oake press 2 boxes one joynt stoole 5 bass bottam'd Chaires | In the house | 1 | 15 | 0 |
| Abigaile Watson, Widow. (Saddler) St. Peter Arches , 1.9.1679 Prob. Inv. 180/242 Appraised at £288.04 | ||||
| 8 Bass and Wanded Bottom chaires at 6d | In the House | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 1 Long Settle 3s 4d 1 Looking Glass 4s | In the House | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| 1 stand to Wash on 8d; 2 Stooles 18d | In the House | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| 3 Stools | In the Stables | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Henry Wanleste, The Close, 6.9.1679 Prob. Inv. 180/248 Appraised at £23.11 | ||||
| One Iron grate with endirons and brass bosses, one litle table two Leather Chaires three stooles some small pictures the hangings of the roome with the window Curtains being greene baise | In the Hall Chamber | 0 | 14 | 6 |
| Three basse chaires one table and a brass candlestike | In the Hall | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Two Chaires A fire iron with two brasses and two old enirons some old pictures | In the great Parlor | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| One deske a Close Stool and pann | In the Litle Parlor | 0 | 7 | 6 |
| Foure wooden Chaires | In the Kitching Chamber | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2 Litle tables 4 basse Chaires 2 dressers a Stoole 4 pewter porringers with other small utensilis | In the Kitching | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| William Browne, Goldsmith, 21.1.1680 Prob. Inv. 180/252 Appraised at £643.55 | ||||
| Two litle tables and one dozen of chaires and one furme | In the Hall | 0 | 11 | 6 |
| Two litle tables fourteene wood chaires at | In the roome next street | 1 | 14 | 0 |
| Foure stooles and one landiron with endiro | In the roome next street | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| One dozen of Rushy leather chaires at | In the parlor | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Nine leather chaires at one wanded chaire at | In the litle Chamber next the Street | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| One litle table and 3 bass chaires at | In the Garrett over the said litle Chamber | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| One table and one litle livery cupboard and 5 chaires | In the great Chamber next the Street | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Three chaires and one chest | In the Chamber over the hall | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| One Trunke one chest and 4 chaires at | In the Garrett over the parlor | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| 4 hoggesheads 2 chaires with severall other things and a little landiron and some vinegar and small beare | In the kitching | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Henry Corbet, Doctor of Physick. St. Margaret in Close, 9.11.1680 Di 37/3/112 Appraised at £893.92 | ||||
| Foureteene Chaires and one Couch a stove and fire Irons belonging to it, a Chimney peice and a door peice with two Tables a Glascase and two Window Curtaines | In the best parlour | 10 | 6 | 8 |
| One round Table foure Chaires one Long stoole, one fire grate one old presse with ye hangings and other huslements within the said parlour | In the little parlour | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| One Table six leather Chaires one forme and a screene | In the Hall | 1 | 13 | 4 |
| One Table with a Leather Carpet twelve Chaires and foure Cushions Guilt Leather hangings a Chimney peice and some pictures belonging to the staire Case and one fire grate | In the Dyneing Roome | 26 | 10 | 0 |
| The Bed and bedding and furniture thereunto belonging with the hangings of the Roome, Chaires and other things there | In the matted Chamber | 26 | 0 | 0 |
| The bed and bedding and furniture to the same belonging with ye hangings Chest of drawers Dressing boxes Chaires and other things belonging to the same Roome | In the best Chamber | 62 | 0 | 0 |
| One bedstead with two feather beds Curtaines, and the hangings of the Roome with Chaires five pictures and other things there | In the yellow Chamber | 12 | 10 | 0 |
| One Bed and bedding two tables six Chaires the hangings about the Roome and other utensilis there | In the Red Chamber | 9 | 10 | 0 |
| George Biron, (Farmer) St. Martins, 23.5.1681 Prob. Inv. 182/33 Appraised at £108.17 | ||||
| One wainscott Chest one livery Cubbert one table 2 buffet stooles and a deske | In the Chamber over the entrie | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 leather Chaires and one glass Case | In the Chamber over the entrie | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| One livery Cubbert 2 Chests one Chaire table | In the north Chamber | 0 | 17 | 6 |
| 8 bumble Chaires | In the north Chamber | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| One livery Cubbert one smale table one wanded Chaire 5 bumble Chaires one paire of bellowes | In the Kitchinge | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| John Leach, Gentleman (Grocer & Brewer), 7.1.1682 Prob. Inv. 182a/230 Appraised at £299.50 | ||||
| 6 Rushey Lether Chares A Couch Chare A Table Cobards Jack Andirons Hookes with other things | In ye hows | 3 | 10 | 0 |
| A bedstead, fether bed boulster and pillows Rug blankitts Curtaines 2 Chests, with Lining sheets Towels napkings 4 Chares and other Things | In the Chamber over the hows | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Hangings of the Roome 13 reeded wrought Chares and stooles A bedstead, fether bed, boulster, pillows, and other Beding Curtains with Severall other Things | In the Chamber over the Shopp | 5 | 10 | 0 |
| A french Bedstead mat, cord, Cortaine rods A long Table Two Joyned forms Another Table A glas Case A peuter Case dresser 2 hodgsheads A Copper and Grate 3 Larg brewin Tubs underbeck, Soe and other Things | Att John Johnsons hows | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| William Peart, Gentleman (Coffee House Proprietor) St. Mary Magdalene, 21.3.1682 Di 39/2/53 Appraised at £157.76 | ||||
| Foure tables, two formes nineteene basse bottom'd Chaires and one Buffet stoole | In the Hall | (.. | .. | ..) |
| One Table one forme five Chaires one Deske two Voyders and a seeing Glasse | In the Chequer Chamber | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| One table one forme four Trunkes two Boxes, one Close Stoole and pann Trenchers and other Lumber | In the Garret | 1 | 10 | 8 |
| Two tables and Carpets fifteen Chaires and Stooles, two Window Curtaines and Rods, one paire And Irons with brasses fire shovel tonges a grate and other Lumber | In the Best Chamber | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| One Bed and Bedstead with the furniture thereunto belonging One Table and Carpet with five Chairs and other things in a Closet in the same Roome | In the little Chamber next ye best Chamber | 4 | 10 | 0 |
| Richard Ellis, (Whipmaker), 24.5.1682 Di 38/1/86 Appraised at £13.95 | ||||
| Chair and Cushion | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
| Cross stool | 0 | 0 | 6 | |
| Mr. Richard Winne, Alderman (Pewterer) St. Martins, 12.3.1683 L.C.C. Admon. 1683/127 Appraised at £59.22 | ||||
| One Draw table 3 Joynt stooles | In the parlor next ye street | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| 6 red leather Chaires | In the parlor next ye street | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| Window Curtaines and rods one pickture Close stool and pan | In the parlor next ye street | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| One draw table one forme 4 stooles Joint | In the hall or house | 0 | 13 | 4 |
| One smale white table 6 bast Chaires one wanded Chaire one little wooden Chaire | In the hall or house | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| One black and yellow low stoole and implyments | In the Inner parlor | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1 water mb 1 low stoole and other implyments | In the Kitchine | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| 2 Armd Chaires 5 wrought Chaires 10 stooles | In the best Chamber | 1 | 17 | 6 |
| 3 Joint Chaires and a little stoole | In the next chamber to ye best Chamber | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Thomas Eure, Gentleman (Farmer), 19.6.1684 Prob. Inv. 185A/194 Appraised at £947.57 | ||||
| One Long table one forme | In ye Hall | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Foure Chaires one wanded Chaire | In ye Kitchin | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Fifteene leather chaires | In the little parlour | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Two tables three wainscote chaires one bass chaire one forme | In ye parlour over ye cellar | 1 | 6 | 8 |
| One table one glascase one little Cupboard 2 Joynd stooles | In ye pantry | 0 | 6 | 8 |
| Six Chaires | In ye best Chamber | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| One table one livery cupboard three chaires | In ye pantry Chamber | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| One table one chaire one Lookeing glass | In ye little Chamber | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Five Chaires | In ye Kitchen Chamber | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| One skreene one stoole | In ye Kitchen Chamber | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| William Evison, Gentleman (Timber merchant), 16.5.1685 Prob. Inv. 186/237 Appraised at £381.00 | ||||
| Five Chares one Stoole | In the Chamber over the Hall | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| Five chares one Couch one Stoole | In the Parlor Chamber | 1 | 0 | (..) |
| Twelve Leather Chares | In the Parlor | 1 | 16 | 0 |
| One Forme and Stoole | In the Hall | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Five Wanded Chares | In the Hall | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| One great Wanded Chare | In the Hall | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Robert Burtons, Gardener (Weaver) St. Martins, 9.7.1688 Prob. Inv. 188/70 Appraised at £87.31 | ||||
| A Trundle Bedd and a paire of Blanketts five Chares Two Chests, one side board Table, Two Stooles | In the parlor | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| A Chest of Drawers and a wanded Chaire | In the parlor | 1 | 0 | (..) |
| Dresser Board and Two pewter Casses Two Tables six bast Chares Three paire of Scales and Weights with other lumber | In the House | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Thomas Hill, (Confectioner) St. Markes, 16.7.1688 Prob. Inv. 187/13 Appraised at £53.35 | ||||
| For a Liverrah Cuberd and a Table in ye Littell Chambr with Ten Chares | In ye Towe Chambers | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| One Wandin Chare and a Voyder | In ye Towe Chambers | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 1 Longe Table with a furme and Stoules Beloning | In ye Towe Chambers | 0 | 6 | (..) |
| Roger Wood, Glover St. Botolph, 29.8.1688 Prob. Inv. 188/163 Appraised at £20.63 | ||||
| One pres 1 pare of drawers and glascase 2 small tabels 5 chares one stoule one small glascase and a few bookes | In the house | 0 | 13 | 4 |
| William Houghton, The Castle of Lincoln, 13.1.1695 Prob. Inv. 191/16 Appraised at £485.16 | ||||
| One table, Six Chaires one Landime one Lookeing glass and Sevrall od things | Inn the Best chamber | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| One form and Large press | Inn the Dining Roome | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| Two beds and ye fumituer to 'em and foure Chaires | Inn the two Bed Chamber | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| One table foure Chairs and Severall od things | In the Great Chamber | 1 | 6 | 8 |
| Two tables one form one Landirn a dresor two Chairs a Kitt and severall od things | In the Kitihon | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Two tables one Bedstead and a Chist of drawers a press and Eight Chairs one Landime and Severall other od things | Inn the first Roome | 6 | 10 | 0 |
| One table and Six Chairs and Severall other od things | Inn the George | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Two bedsteads and a table and Chaire | Inn the Little Gaite | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Michael Drake, Clerk. St. Swithins, 31.3.1696 Prob. Inv. 192/368 Appraised at £38.30 | ||||
| Three Trunks, a wanded Chair a Table and a Stand | In ye Matted Chamber | 0 | 13 | 4 |
| Two Tables, five Chairs and four Stools with some other things | In ye Parlour | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| A Couch chair, six chairs, six cushions, a stool frame, eight woodden bowles, two small Tables and a Cupboard | In ye Kitchin | 0 | 13 | 4 |
| John Dring, Joyner. Saint peeters in ye arches, 4.12.1696 Prob. Inv. 192/362 Appraised at £174.62 | ||||
| The chist of drawers the cheeres the Looking glassees and pictures | Bed Chamber | 3 | 14 | 0 |
| The coffins and bedsteds cheere frames turning frames a still and pot to it | The garrat | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| The 2 sawes stoole feet black wood and molds staing stoole wheele rack Bird cage baskit and bock bocks all comes to | The garrat | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| The wallnut chist of drawers stooles pewter case a cooller washing tubs and other things | The hall | 9 | 7 | 0 |
| The tables and cheeres 3 guns one pair of wooden srewes glew a ston and half all | The Kichin | 3 | 11 | 0 |
| The stools and cheere feet and rales 2 gun stocks with other peicees | The Shop in ye Street | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| Robert Douce, Gentleman (Innholder) Angell in the Baile, 15.6.1698 Prob. Inv. 193/394 Appraised at £493.13 | ||||
| Seaven Chairs a Table Cupboard and stand two feather bedds boulsters and pillows two bedsteads Curtaines and Vallens with Ruggs blanketts Quilt hangings of the roome and other things | In the chamber called the Hart | 13 | 12 | 0 |
| Seaven Chairs one Table one bedd with the bedding thereunto belonging and hangings of the Room | In the Angell | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| Ten Chairs two Stooles Livery Cupboard two bedds with bedding Curtaines Vallens hangings of roome and other things | In the Crowne | (.. | .. | ..) |
| Six Caine Chairs two stools Table and Cupboard two bedsteads with beds and bedding belonging to them Ruggs blanketts hangings of the roome and other Utensilis | In the Damix | 10 | 4 | 9.5 |
| Two bedsteads two feather beds boulsters pillows curtains rods vallens ruggs and Curtaines two chairs a stool and Cupboard | In the black Swan | 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Three featherbeds boulsters and pillows ruggs blankets Counterpaines bedsteads and two Chaires a Stool Cupboard and other Utensilis intheroom | In the Bell | 8 | 19 | 7.5 |
| One bedstead featherbed boulster pillows curtains and vallens rug blanketts Counterpaine hangings of the roome eleaven chaires a slate Table and other things | In the great Sun | 13 | 17 | 9 |
| Three featherbeds boulsters pillows ruggs blankets three Bedsteads a table two formes two chairs with other utensils in the roome | In the little Sun | 11 | 5 | 3 |
| Twenty two Turky work Chairs four Tables and a Looking Glass | In the great Cross | (.. | .. | ..) |
| One featherbed boulster pillows hangings of the bed Counterpaine blankets hangings of the roome two Caine chairs a table and looking glass with other things | In the Little Cross | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Two feather beds Curtaines Vallens Rugg Coverlid blanketts two bedsteads three chaires a table and other goods | In the Nursery | 3 | 9 | 0 |
| One feather bed boulster Pillows Bedstead vallens curtaines six cane Chaires a Table 2 stands and other goods | In the Study | 9 | 5 | 5 |
| Nyne Chaires one Table one press bed Ironworke curtaines fringe feather bed boulster pillows and other things | In the Starr | 7 | 18 | 8.5 |
| Six cane chaires one Table one feather bed boulster pillows curtaines vallens bedstead counterpaine and blanketts and other things | In the office | 12 | 9 | 10 |
| Five chaires one Table bedstead flock bed boulster pillows blanketts and other things | In the new buildings | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Two feather beds two boulsters pillows bedsteads curtaines vallens rugs blanketts three chaires one Table with other things | In the Red Lyon | 4 | 10 | 6 |
| Nynne chaires one bench one table hangings of the roome with the two bedsteads two featherbeds Bolsters pillows ruggs blanketts Curtaines vallens and other things | n the Great Green | 12 | 10 | 10.5 |
| Two chaires a Table two bedsteads two featherbeds boulsters pillows blankets Rugg Quilt and other things | In the Little Green | 6 | 3 | 0.5 |
| One bedstead Shelves three tables and a chair | In the hall and Closet over the Porch | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| A particon one Table and one forme | In the Little Hall | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Seaven Spanish Tables two Dressers hen pen Troughs window Shutts three Close Stooles and other Utensilis | In the Drying Roome | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Sixteen Chaires and three Tables and other Things | In the further Parlour and Nearer Parlour | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Two Copper Canns two Sconces and 3 bras stool pans | In the Kitchin | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| A Table Bench and particon all the Knifes and forkes | In the Bowsers | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| Thomas Feris, Glover (Tanner and Brewer), 15.4.1700 Prob. Inv. 194/289 Appraised at £393.52 | ||||
| 3 ovill tables 30s. 14 chares 10s. 12 pickters 9s. one fire iron and endirons and hookes and other irons belonging to it 16s 8d 2 spits and a pare of belowes 2s6d | In the Hall | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| One seeing glas 15s one chist of draures 15s 9 chares 16s one fire grate and shovell and tongs 5s | In the best Chameber | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| 6 chares in the same roume | In the seccond Chameber | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 2 flagons 5s., 5 candlesticks 6s., 1 frying pan 4s, one dreser 12s, one table and 3 stoules and 3 chares 5s | In the citching | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Elizabeth Manby, 7.5.1701 Prob. Inv. 195/20 Appraised at £861.38 | ||||
| In the same two Table Nine Chaires Eight wrought Cushons | The farthermost Chamber | 1 | 15 | 0 |
| In the same Roome five Chaires one Table one Dressing Box with Tapestry Hangings | In the Middle chamber | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| One lookeing Glass one Table one Squab tenn Chaires ten damask Cushons one damask Carpett and a Damask Couch Bed | In the Dineing Room | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| In the same Roome five Chaires covered with Velvet one Nest of Drawers one Trunk two Tables and one Box | In the best Chamber | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| Fourteen Turky work Chaires one Ovell Table | In the Hall | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| One Table Six Chaires with other Utensilis not seen | In the Kitchin | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Richard Green, (Brewer) St. Swithins, 14.6.1701 Prob. Inv. 195/245 Appraised at £670.80 | ||||
| One Ovel table and 18 Leather chares | In ye Hall | 3 | 10 | 0 |
| Two Little tables 6 chares and all other furniture there | In ye Kitchin | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| 7 Cain chares | The Chamber over ye hall | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| 4 Chares and other things there | The Chamber next | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| Some Chares and A Little table and Look. Glass | The Chamber over ye Kitchen | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| 1 Chest of drawers 1 table and 4 chares | The Chamber over ye Sellar | 1 | 11 | 6 |
| 1 Couch chare and other odd things | The back chamber | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| George Wright, Chandler Bale, 3/4.8.1702 L.C.C. Admon. 1702/1 Appraised at £356.71 | ||||
| For 6 turky work Chairs 2 tables 2 Stands pictures potts and other Small things | In ye Hall | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| 2 tables 9 Caine Chairs 1 turky Chair pictures and potts of ye Chimney peice | The Parlor | 2 | 8 | 8 |
| For hangings in ye Roome 6 Chairs Stooles and Stands and Glasses and things over ye Chimney 2 little glass and a side bord cloth | The Chamber next Street | 0 | 19 | 0 |
| Chest of drawers Cubbord 3 Chairs and white potts | The Green Room | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| Mr. William Norris, (Steward of the Choiristers The Close and Singing Master), 12.9.1702 D. & C. Wills 27/8 Appraised at £80.14 | ||||
| An ovall Table and nine Chairs | In ye Roome cald ye Hall | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| Six Cane Chairs and one arm'd Chair | The Parlour | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Two Cover'd Stooles | The Parlour | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| A little Table and Six Cane Chairs | The Best Chamber | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Six old Leathern Chairs | The Green Chamber | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| An old Table and Six chairs | The Best garrett | 0 | 3 | 8 |
| Dresser Pewter Case Tables forms Hen pen and Chairs | In the Kitchen | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| James Osburne, (Linen Draper) St. Peter Arches, 9.10.1702 L.C.C. Admon. 1702/50 Appraised at £864.80 | ||||
| 1 fier grate with fier Shufle and tongues 7 Chares 2 tabells and other odd things there to value | In the first low roome | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| 1 ovill tabell 6 Chares and some bottles an ould bed stead an ould chare and 5 beesoms some pitt coale a washing tub and an ould barrell | In the little Parler | 2 | 18 | 4 |
| 1 bedstead with hangings and a little fether bed and 6 Chares | In the middle Chamber | 2 | 15 | 0 |
| 4 paire window Curtins and an ould bed stead with ye beding 1 little tabell 1 stoole 2 boxes | In the best Chamber | 1 | 14 | 0 |
| Godfrey Hanson, Miller St. Michaels Mount, 2.10.1703 Prob. Inv. 197/44 Appraised at £53.40 | ||||
| One large Oake Table and three Stoles with a little furr Table 8 bass Chayres one bad wanded Chayre all in the house | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| Two bedds and bedding with 2 feather bedds all thereunto belonging 2 Chests one Screene with one bass Chayre | In the Little Chamber | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| One bedstead and featherbed and all thereunto belonging to the bedd one little stoole one Trunke six bass Chayres Coloured one wanded Chayre one press Cubbard | In the Large Chamber | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| William Pell, Victuler, 6.7.1706 L.C.C. Admon. 1706/92 Appraised at £80.85 | 0 | |||
| Two armed Chairs four bass chairs and some ordinary pictures | In the Hall | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| Two tables two stools and eight ordinary Chairs | In the Kitchin | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| One Chest of drawers one oake ovall table one other little table a small box and eight bass Chairs | In the best Parlour | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| One bed with all its furniture seven ordinary chairs and one draw bed | In the parlour Chamber | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| One bed with the furniture one Chest six ordinary chairs and a small table | In the house Chamber | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| John Hobman, (Butcher), 2.1.1707 Prob. Inv. 200/34 Appraised at £38.53 | ||||
| Thre Tables and twelve Chares | In the house | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Two Chists of drawers 9 Chares one stoole and hanging Shelves one Iron graite fire Shovell and tongues with other meterialls | In the Chamber over the house | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| Six Chares one Stoole one table 3 boxes 2 Cushons with other things | In the Chamber over the Shopp | 0 | 10 | 4 |
| Two wheeles one Chare 2 Stooles 2 boxes one Chist one Sidsadle one pillion Seate With other meterialls | In the Garrat | 0 | 13 | 6 |
| William Faux, Alderman (Mercer and Maltster), 10.5.1708 L.C.C. Admon. 1708/52 Appraised at £1,000.50 | ||||
| Seaven Cain Chairs | In ye Parlour | 0 | 17 | 6 |
| 6 bass Chairs | In ye Hall | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 6 Dutch Matted Chairs | In ye Chamber Over ye Hall | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| William Warriner, Cordwinder St. Martins, .. .. 1712 Prob. Inv. 203/381 Appraised at £36.55 | ||||
| One ovill table one other table 6 Chaires | In ye House | 0 | 16 | 8 |
| Charles Newcomen, Woollen Draper, (...). 1713 L.C.C. Admon. 1714/65 Appraised at £468.52 | ||||
| 13 bass botton Chaires att 8d | Goods in ye Hall | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 6 Chaires a pair of Bellows and some other things | Goods in ye Kitchen | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 12 Cane Chaires att 2s 6d | In the Dineing roome | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| 8 Cane Chaires att 4s | In the Best Chamber | 1 | 12 | 0 |
| 1 Easey Chaire | In the Best Chamber | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| 9 Bass Chaires | In ye other Chamber | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| A wanded Chair and 2 others | In the Nursery Chamber | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Margret Lees, St. Switterns, 20.7.1714 Prob. Inv. 204/153 Appraised at £1.63 | ||||
| One table Six chairs and a livery cupboard | In ye house | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Table 2 - Introduction & Summary
All entries were analysed according to content. 1,615 items of seating were identified. Where possible the chairs, forms and stools have been grouped according to broad similarity of type. Where a plural word is used but no number is specified I have assumed, for the purpose of analysis, that one or more means 2. Nearly half the items (739 or 45.8%) merely say "chair(s)" or "stool(s)" or lump chairs and stools together. Where it is clear which is which, the split is 80% chairs to 20% stools. That leaves 876 items (54.2%) which are somewhat better described. Of those, 662 (75.6%) are chairs, 55 (6.3%) are forms, 146 (16.7%) are stools, and 13 (1.4%) are chairs & stools lumped together.
Those items 876 have been counted and placed in groups as follows. Chairs: Rush, cane & wicker chairs, Leather chairs, Embroidered & covered chairs, Simple chairs, Joined & armchairs, Painted chairs, Couches, & Chair parts. Forms, settles and benches have been treated as a single group. Stools have been split between stools and stool parts.
The Description column follows the groups set out above with the individual sub-groups set under the appropriate heading. The legend shows which spelling variants (of which there are many) have been grouped together. Quantity is self-explanatory, subject to the assumption about unquantified plural words mentioned above. % of total for each group and sub-group shows % of the whole item group of 1,615 items. % of 876 shows the proportion only of the better described items, which is slightly more meaningful.
The broad picture, expressed as % of 876, that emerges is as follows: Rush, cane & wicker chairs amount to 33.8% (296); Leather chairs 16.7% (146), Embroidered & covered chairs 11.8% (103), Simple chairs 6.5% (57), Joined & armchairs 3.5% (31), Painted chairs 2.1% (18), Couches 0.6% (5), & Chair parts 0.7% (6). Forms, settle and benches amount to 6.5% (55). Stools amount to 16.7% (146) to which buffet stools 43 (4.9%), joined stools 42 (4.8%), and close stools 12 (1.4%) are the principal contributors.
Where values can be determined, 61 cane chairs averaging 3s 9¾d each were more valuable than 34 rush chairs averaging 8½d each with Dutch Matted chairs being worth double that (1s 6d) on a small sample of only 6. As to leather, 25 Rushia leather chairs average 5s 2¼d each and 44 lesser leather chairs average 4s 0½d each. Embroidery was worth more, as one might expect. 18 Turkey work chairs were valued at 8s 10½d each. 11 set work chairs were valued at 6s 6d each and 16 covered chairs valued at 4s 0d each.
A lone long settle was valued at 3s 4d.
Ordinary stools almost never warrant a separate entry (and therefore value) which probably shows how little they were worth. The only ones separately valued are a close stool (the 17th century portaloo without flush) at 4s 0d, 2 covered stools at 1s 6d each and 3 joined stools at 1s 0d each.
Table 2
| Description | Qty | % of 1,615 | % of 876 | Notes on values & comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Chairs, forms, stools & other seating within 278 extracted entries | 1615 | |||
| Chairs & Stools with no additional type information | As % of all 1615 items | Notes on indicative values: most entries cover many items: approximate value only available where the chairs etc are separately itemised | ||
| (old) Chaire / Chayr / Chayre / cheere | 555 | 34.4% | ||
| stoole / stoule | 138 | 8.5% | ||
| Chayrs / Chairs and Stooles | 46 | 2.8% | ||
| Total with no additional type information | 739 | 45.8% | Range from £0 0s 6d to £0 6s 8d; 115 chairs & stools average 2s 6d each | |
| Chairs & Stools & Forms with additional description | 54.2% | 876 | ||
| As % of all 1615 items | As % of 876 better described items | Notes on indicative values | ||
| Rush, cane & wicker chairs | ||||
| (littell) (painted) (Coloured) bass bottomed / bas(-)bothom(e)d bast / with basse bottomes / bass bottam'd / bass botton / Bass and Wanded Cha(i)re / Chayre (armed) | 173 | 10.7% | 19.7% | Range from £0 0s 3½d to £0 1s 0d; 61 chairs average 8½d each |
| Cain(e) / cane Chair | 75 | 4.6% | 8.6% | Range from £0 2s 6d to £0 7s 1¾d; 34 chairs average 3s 9¾d each |
| (old) (Great) (bad) Wanded / Wandin Chaire | 26 | 1.6% | 3.0% | £0 0s 5½d for an ordinary one; £0 1s 0d for a great one |
| bumble Chaire | 13 | 0.8% | 1.5% | see under bass chairs |
| Dutch Matted Chair | 6 | 0.4% | 0.7% | 6 valued at 1s 6d each |
| Matted Chaire | 2 | 0.1% | 0.2% | |
| wicker Chaire | 1 | 0.1% | 0.1% | |
| Total rush, cane & wicker chairs | 296 | 18.3% | 33.8% | |
| Leather chairs | ||||
| (old) leather(n) / lether Chaire | 92 | 5.7% | 10.5% | Range from £0 1s 0d to £0 9s 0d; 44 chairs average 4s 0½d each |
| Rushia / Rush(e)y Leather Chaire | 31 | 1.9% | 3.5% | Range from £0 5s 0d to £0 5s 4½d; 25 chairs average 5s 2¼d each |
| Rushy chair | 16 | 1.0% | 1.8% | |
| red leather Chaire | 6 | 0.4% | 0.7% | 6 valued at 3s 0d each |
| great armed leather Chaire | 1 | 0.1% | 0.1% | |
| Total leather chairs | 146 | 9.0% | 16.7% | |
| Embroidered & covered chairs | ||||
| Turk(e)y worke Chaire | 61 | 3.8% | 7.0% | 18 valued at £0 8s 10½d each |
| (high) covered Chaire / chayr | 23 | 1.4% | 2.6% | 16 valued at 4s 0d each |
| set worke Chare | 11 | 0.7% | 1.3% | 11 valued at 6s 6d each |
| Chaires covered with Velvet | 5 | 0.3% | 0.6% | |
| Cloth Chaire | 3 | 0.2% | 0.3% | |
| Total embroidered & covered chairs | 103 | 6.4% | 11.8% | |
| Simple chairs | ||||
| ordinary Chair | 21 | 1.3% | 2.4% | |
| (little) wooden Chaire | 19 | 1.2% | 2.2% | 14 valued at 2s 0d each; 2 valued at 0s 6d each |
| plaine Chaire | 6 | 0.4% | 0.7% | |
| wrought Chaire | 5 | 0.3% | 0.6% | |
| High wooden (smale) Chaire / Chare for a Child | 3 | 0.2% | 0.3% | |
| lesser Chaire | 2 | 0.1% | 0.2% | |
| low Chaire | 1 | 0.1% | 0.1% | |
| Total simple chairs | 57 | 3.5% | 6.5% | |
| Joined & armchairs | ||||
| Joynid / joynt Chaire | 15 | 0.9% | 1.7% | |
| (ould) Arme(d) (wooden) Chaire | 8 | 0.5% | 0.9% | |
| wainscott / wainscote Chair | 4 | 0.2% | 0.5% | |
| seild Chaire | 2 | 0.1% | 0.2% | |
| Easey Chair | 1 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 1 valued at 15s 0d |
| Elbow Chare | 1 | 0.1% | 0.1% | |
| Total joined & armchairs | 31 | 1.9% | 3.5% | |
| Painted chairs | ||||
| red Chaire | 12 | 0.7% | 1.4% | 12 valued at 4s 0d each |
| green Chaire | 6 | 0.4% | 0.7% | 6 valued at 2s 0d each |
| Total painted chairs | 18 | 1.1% | 2.1% | |
| Couches | ||||
| Couch | 2 | 0.1% | 0.2% | |
| Couch Cha(i)re | 3 | 0.2% | 0.3% | |
| Total couches | 5 | 0.3% | 0.6% | |
| Chair parts | ||||
| Chare frames | 6 | 0.4% | 0.7% | 6 valued at 1s 6d each |
| All Chairs | 662 | 41.0% | 75.6% | |
| Forms, settles and benches | ||||
| (old) forme / furme / furm | 37 | 2.3% | 4.2% | |
| Joyned form | 2 | 0.1% | 0.2% | |
| long forme | 1 | 0.1% | 0.1% | |
| short form | 2 | 0.1% | 0.2% | |
| little forme | 2 | 0.1% | 0.2% | |
| (long) sett(e)le / sad(d)le | 8 | 0.5% | 0.9% | 1 valued at £0 3s 4d |
| longe settle bed | 1 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 1 valued at £0 4s 0d |
| bench | 2 | 0.1% | 0.2% | |
| All forms, settles and benches | 55 | 3.4% | 6.3% | |
| Stools | ||||
| Buffut / buffett / (low) buffet / buffit(t) Stool(l)e | 43 | 2.7% | 4.9% | |
| joyn(e)d / joynt / joint stoole | 42 | 2.6% | 4.8% | 3 valued at 1s 0d each |
| Close stool (Box) (pans) | 12 | 0.7% | 1.4% | 1 valued at £0 4s 0d |
| little(l) Stoole | 9 | 0.6% | 1.0% | |
| nedlework stoole | 6 | 0.4% | 0.7% | |
| turkey wrogt stooles | 6 | 0.4% | 0.7% | |
| leather Stoole | 5 | 0.3% | 0.6% | |
| (high) covered stoole | 4 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 2 valued at 1s 6d each |
| seelled stoole | 3 | 0.2% | 0.3% | |
| (yellow) low stoole | 2 | 0.1% | 0.2% | |
| Cloth Stoole | 2 | 0.1% | 0.2% | |
| foote stoole | 2 | 0.1% | 0.2% | |
| Cross stool | 1 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 1 valued at £0 0s 6d |
| Long stoole | 1 | 0.1% | 0.1% | |
| staing stoole | 1 | 0.1% | 0.1% | |
| Total stools | 139 | 8.6% | 15.9% | |
| Stool parts etc | ||||
| stool frame | 1 | 0.1% | 0.1% | |
| stoole feet | 1 | 0.1% | 0.1% | |
| stools and cheere feet and rales | 2 | 0.1% | 0.2% | |
| bras stool pan | 3 | 0.2% | 0.3% | |
| Total stool parts etc | 7 | 0.4% | 0.8% | |
| All stools | 146 | 9.0% | 16.7% | |
| Grouped chairs & stools | ||||
| reeded wrought Chares and stooles | 13 | 0.8% | 1.4% | |
| Total better described chairs, forms & stools | 876 | 54.2% | 100.0% |
Johnston's observations at p. lxxii on chairs are as follows:
"In ordinary homes the chair had lost its symbolic status as the seat of the greatest in the room though the presence in some halls of one chair distinguished from the others by its higher valuation and sometimes described as ‘armed’ or ‘leather’ shows that tradition still lingered, as it does today. The highest valued chairs in general use were those upholstered in turkey work, most of which by 1661 came from Norwich. These were valued at £0.40 - £0.45 a piece. The cane chairs which became fashionable in the early Restoration period were worth £0.20 - £0.25 each. The clergy round the Cathedral and inn keepers made great use of them. They were fashionable, light, unattractive to moths and easy to dust. Leather upholstered chairs were appraised at £0.15, wickerwork or wanded chairs at £0.1 and the rush bottomed or bass chairs at £0.05. These last were the most common kinds of chairs appraised in the inventories. By comparison there was one appraisal of a flowered satin armchair with a matching set of stools (not included in the selection printed - JP). Settles and stools, especially the buffet stools for use at table, were numerous."
Table 3 - Introduction
The entries were also totalled by group type for each of the 55 persons and the results are shown in Table 3 sorted from most to least.
If your legs needed a rest in late 17th century Lincoln, the place to go was Robert Douce's inn at the Angell in the Baile where you had the choice of nigh on 150 chairs, forms and stools.
Johnston's observations on Robert Douce at p. lv are as follows:
"One symbol of urban status was the presence of inns. The fourteen miles that separated Lincoln from the Great North Road were sufficient to deprive the city of inns as munificent and vast as those in the towns along the road at Newark, Grantham and Stamford. There were however two or three which could have satisfied the most demanding of guests. The most prestigious Lincoln inn was the Angel in the Bail. The earlier of the two inventories that describe it is printed (45). It must have fulfilled all the necessary functions of a major inn though an inventory will give evidence of only a few of them. It had thirty three rooms offering accommodation, with the best, the Little Cross, having furnishings valued at £14.00. Its cellars contained a good quantity of ale, beer and wines, including Canary the most expensive and fashionable drink of the time. Its bowling green and cockpit are evidence of the social life that would have centred upon such an inn but the inventory can give no indication of the entertainments that would have taken place. Some rooms, for example the Mitre with its elegant furnishings, can indicate the meetings that would have been held for horse and land sales, electioneering and legal business. The rooms too must have provided the setting for discreet marketing in all manner of agricultural produce.
Douce’s inventory for the Angel in 1698 was one of seventeen inventories describing inns. His successor in 1704 had managed the establishment with few changes to its layout since Douce’s death except that a stable of coach horses worth £50 had been added. The Angel’s nearest rival seems to have been the Reindeer. One of its rooms with furniture and furnishings valued at £28.00 was the most expensively equipped room in any of the Lincoln inns. The inventories of the Angel, the Reindeer and five other inns have the distinctive characteristics of a first rate establishment. All have carefully chosen names for their main rooms. Many of these names provided the names of public houses in the next two centuries, the Lion, the Bull, the Half Moon, Rose and Crown and Fleur de Lys. They all had guest rooms in which appraisers saw furnishings worth more that £10.00. Most had a heavy investment in pewter and linen, most had seating for a hundred or more. All but two had their own brewhouse but only in three was a stock of wine valued. All these inventories were valued at more than £200. Two of the innholders were described as gentlemen."
It is no surprise, therefore that Robert Douce tops the table for chairs. If you were after a stool Mr Edward Fawkes, Upholster, would doubtless have sold you one or two, as he had 50.
Table 3
| No | Name | Total Chairs | Total Forms | Total Stools | Total Mixed | Sum Total | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert Douce, Gentleman (Innholder) Angell in the Baile, 15.6.1698, Prob. Inv. 193/394 Appraised at £493.13 | 131 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 148 | 9.2% |
| 2 | Mr. Edward Fawkes, Alderman and Upholster, 29.3.1679, L.C.C. Admon. 1679/79 Appraised at £141.61 | 36 | 0 | 50 | 0 | 86 | 5.3% |
| 3 | William Browne, Goldsmith, 21.1.1680, Prob. Inv. 180/252 Appraised at £643.55 | 65 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 70 | 4.3% |
| 4 | Benjamin Marshall, Mercer, 18.1.1665, L.C.C. Admon. 1667/131 Appraised at £1,203.77 | 45 | 0 | 17 | 7 | 69 | 4.3% |
| 5 | John Featley, Doctor of Divinity. In his Dignity house of the Close of Lincoln, 21.3.1667, Di 38/2/10 Appraised at £207.80 | 44 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 58 | 3.6% |
| 6 | Charles Newcomen, Woollen Draper, (...). 1713, L.C.C. Admon. 1714/65 Appraised at £468.52 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 3.2% |
| 7 | Henry Corbet, Doctor of Physick. St. Margaret in Close, 9.11.1680, Di 37/3/112 Appraised at £893.92 | 49 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 51 | 3.2% |
| 8 | William Peart, Gentleman (Coffee House Proprietor) St. Mary Magdalene, 21.3.1682, Di 39/2/53 Appraised at £157.76 | 29 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 50 | 3.1% |
| 9 | Elizabeth Manby, 7.5.1701, Prob. Inv. 195/20 Appraised at £861.38 | 49 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 3.0% |
| 10 | Joh Glen, Barber, 28.5.1662, L.C.C. Admon. 1661/74 Appraised at £133.79 | 25 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 48 | 3.0% |
| 11 | Mr. Richard Winne, Alderman (Pewterer) St. Martins, 12.3.1683, L.C.C. Admon. 1683/127 Appraised at £59.22 | 24 | 1 | 21 | 0 | 46 | 2.8% |
| 12 | Thomas Eure, Gentleman (Farmer), 19.6.1684, Prob. Inv. 185A/194 Appraised at £947.57 | 39 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 44 | 2.7% |
| 13 | Thomas White, (Wool Merchant) St. Mark, 3.2.1674, Prob. Inv. 174/228 Appraised at £244.49 | 23 | 4 | 16 | 0 | 43 | 2.7% |
| 14 | Richard Green, (Brewer) St. Swithins, 14.6.1701, Prob. Inv. 195/245 Appraised at £670.80 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 2.6% |
| 15 | Mr. William Norris, (Steward of the Choiristers The Close and Singing Master), 12.9.1702, D. & C. Wills 27/8 Appraised at £80.14 | 36 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 40 | 2.5% |
| 16 | Eden Williams, (Bookseller) St. Martins, 11.12.1671, Prob.Inv. 173/387 Appraised at £153.71 | 26 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 37 | 2.3% |
| 17 | William Pell, Victuler, 6.7.1706, L.C.C. Admon. 1706/92 Appraised at £80.85 | 35 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 37 | 2.3% |
| 18 | William Evison, Gentleman (Timber merchant), 16.5.1685 , Prob. Inv. 186/237 Appraised at £381.00 | 29 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 33 | 2.0% |
| 19 | William Houghton, The Castle of Lincoln, 13.1.1695, Prob. Inv. 191/16 Appraised at £485.16 | 31 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 2.0% |
| 20 | John Hobman, (Butcher), 2.1.1707, Prob. Inv. 200/34 Appraised at £38.53 | 28 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 32 | 2.0% |
| 21 | William Kent, Gentleman (Maltster) St. Swithins, (.. ..) 1672 , Prob. Inv. 175/29 Appraised at £951.23 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 29 | 1.8% |
| 22 | Thomas Feris, Glover (Tanner and Brewer), 15.4.1700, Prob. Inv. 194/289 Appraised at £393.52 | 26 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 29 | 1.8% |
| 23 | Mary Nickinson, Widow. St. Swithins, 29.5.1673, Prob. Inv. 174/21 Appraised at £106.44 | 9 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 28 | 1.7% |
| 24 | John Leach, Gentleman (Grocer & Brewer), 7.1.1682, Prob. Inv. 182a/230 Appraised at £299.50 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 26 | 1.6% |
| 25 | George Wright, Chandler Bale, 3/4.8.1702, L.C.C. Admon. 1702/1 Appraised at £356.71 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 25 | 1.5% |
| 26 | Charles Clarke, Blacksmith The Bail, 14.1.1664, Prob. Inv. 162/61 Appraised at £63.12 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 22 | 1.4% |
| 27 | William Norton, Maltster. St. Swithin, 17.3.1670, Prob. Inv. 172/264 Appraised at £452.91 | 13 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 21 | 1.3% |
| 28 | James Osburne, (Linen Draper) St. Peter Arches, 9.10.1702, L.C.C. Admon. 1702/50 Appraised at £864.80 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 1.3% |
| 29 | Godfrey Hanson, Miller St. Michaels Mount, 2.10.1703, Prob. Inv. 197/44 Appraised at £53.40 | 17 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 21 | 1.3% |
| 30 | Henry Wanleste, The Close, 6.9.1679, Prob. Inv. 180/248 Appraised at £23.11 | 15 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 20 | 1.2% |
| 31 | Mr. John Towndrow, (Baker), 26.11.1668, Prob. Inv. 168/76 Appraised at £58.07 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 19 | 1.2% |
| 32 | George Biron, (Farmer) St. Martins, 23.5.1681, Prob. Inv. 182/33 Appraised at £108.17 | 17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 19 | 1.2% |
| 33 | William Faux, Alderman (Mercer and Maltster), 10.5.1708, L.C.C. Admon. 1708/52 Appraised at £1,000.50 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 1.2% |
| 34 | William Atkinson, Tayler, 11.1.1676, Prob. Inv. 177/144 Appraised at £30.64 | 13 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 1.1% |
| 35 | Michael Drake, Clerk. St. Swithins, 31.3.1696, Prob. Inv. 192/368 Appraised at £38.30 | 13 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 18 | 1.1% |
| 36 | Katerne Sewell, Widow (Dyer), 9.8.1664, Prob. Inv. 164/90 Appraised at £219.74 | 10 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 17 | 1.1% |
| 37 | Henery Mitchell, (Haberdasher), 14.4.1679, Di 39/1/134 Appraised at £379.33 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1.0% |
| 38 | John Dawsons, (Farmer) St. Peters Parish in Eastgate , 24.4.1672, Prob. Inv. 175/234 Appraised at £159.42 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 14 | 0.9% |
| 39 | Sissie Peacock, St. Benedicts, 31.12.1673, L.C.C. Admon. 1673/85 Appraised at £25.61 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 14 | 0.9% |
| 40 | Abigaile Watson, Widow. (Saddler) St. Peter Arches, 1.9.1679, Prob. Inv. 180/242 Appraised at £288.04 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 14 | 0.9% |
| 41 | Robert Burtons, Gardener (Weaver) St. Martins, 9.7.1688, Prob. Inv. 188/70 Appraised at £87.31 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 0.9% |
| 42 | Thomas Hill, (Confectioner) St. Markes, 16.7.1688, Prob. Inv. 187/13 Appraised at £53.35 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 14 | 0.9% |
| 43 | John Wignall, (Brickmaker) St. Buttolph, 19.12.1677, Prob. Inv. 219A/183 Appraised at £317.15 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 13 | 0.8% |
| 44 | John Langforth, Whitesmith St. Martins, 7.10.1676, Prob. Inv. 179/222 Appraised at £72.01 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0.7% |
| 45 | George Shoosmith, Glaissyar, 8.4.1672, Prob. Inv. 175/201 Appraised at £38.85 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0.7% |
| 46 | Elixabeth Bate, St. Michael on Mount, 28.2.1674, L.C.C. Admon. 1673/7 Appraised at £10.73 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 0.7% |
| 47 | John Dring, Joyner. Saint peeters in ye arches, 4.12.1696, Prob. Inv. 192/362 Appraised at £174.62 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 11 | 0.7% |
| 48 | Robert Pearson, Waterman - St. Swithins, 28.8.1679, Prob. Inv. 180/236 Appraised at £46.33 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0.6% |
| 49 | Thomas Lewis , Labourer , 9.1.1667, Prob. Inv. 166/43 Appraised at £12.72 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 0.6% |
| 50 | Richard Hazelteine, (Labourer) St. Michaels in the Mount, (.. ..) 1670, Prob. Inv. 172/321 Appraised at £5.46 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0.5% |
| 51 | Roger Wood, Glover St. Botolph, 29.8.1688, Prob. Inv. 188/163 Appraised at £20.63 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0.4% |
| 52 | William Warriner, Cordwinder St. Martins, .. .. 1712, Prob. Inv. 203/381 Appraised at £36.55 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0.4% |
| 53 | Margret Lees, St. Switterns, 20.7.1714, Prob. Inv. 204/153 Appraised at £1.63 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0.4% |
| 54 | Jefre Wood, (Labourer) St. Martins, (.. ..) 1675, L.C.C. Admon. 1675/111 Appraised at £4.06 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 55 | Richard Ellis, (Whipmaker), 24.5.1682, Di 38/1/86 Appraised at £13.95 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0.1% |
| Overall totals | 1217 | 55 | 284 | 59 | 1615 | 100% |
Whilst the vagaries both of inventory survival and selection mean that a comprehensive picture can never be established, it is nonetheless interesting to note that chairs were 5 times more common than stools. One sometimes gets the impression from auction catalogues that it is more frequently stools that have survived the intervening 300 to 350 years. Some chairs, notably wainscot chairs and embroidered chairs and a handful of leather chairs do survive. It is perhaps unsurprising that the commonest chairs, of rush and cane and wicker, since either their value tended be lower or the materials from which they were crafted less long-lasting, do not survive in any quantity. But a good Restoration settle is a glorious rare thing.
My thanks go to J.A. Johnston and the Lincoln Record Society/The Boydell Press for the original transcriptions of the probate inventories upon which this analysis has been carried out.
© Julian Parker 2020
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