Queen Mary and Westfield College London University PhD Thesis ...

and servants. During the seventeenth century, appointments were somewhat less cut and dry.
For at least five of the six elections which took place between 1633 and 1700, there was an
average of between three and four candidates, while only three of those elected were promoted
from inferior positions in the hospitals 50. For the seven elections which occurred from 1700-74,
when promotion was almost invariably the rule, there was an average of only two candidates
recorded for each election51 . This should not be interpreted simply as a sign of decreased
compet tion, nevertheless. It is evident that a good deal of the canvassing for governors' votes
that went on prior to elections remains hidden from the historian. William Brandling, who
filled-in as Porter for a few months during 1713, was given 'liberty to goe for Tenn dayes to
Solicite the Governours of Bridewell &. . .[Bethlem] in order to succeed Mr Pooler' (provided he
find 'some p[er]son to officiate for him during his absence) 52 . Being given this helping hand and
being praised and rewarded 'for his good service' by the Committee, was not enough, however,
to sway the entire Court and to prevail over the electioneering of Benjamin Brockden53.
Despite the (seemingly) greater competitiveness of elections in the seventeenth century,
Porters seem to have been drawn from lowlier ranks than they were in the next century.
Humphrey Withers, who referred to himself in his will as a merchant tailor, had, on hIs election
in 1633, merely been in charge of the Bridewell sieve makers and had plainly looked upon the
prospect of returning to his old trade as a decline in status, a resumption of his 'poore condi-
tion'54 . Indeed, the Governors were encountering considerable difficulty in filling the post at this
50 As many basketmen were failed candidates as were successful in this period. The basketman, Thomas Cooke,
was a failed candidate in 1657; likewise, Edward Lloyd in 1663. In the eighteenth century, while the basketman
James Male lost out to Humphry Pooler in the election of 1709, his candidacy was ultimately successful two
elections later, in 1715. The Court Minutes are not extant and, thus, the numbers of candidates unknown, for
the vacancy of 1662, when John Wrenn was elected.
Only 2 of the 7 elected as Porters, Humphrey Pooler and Benjamin Brockden, were not already in inferior
posts at either hospital. The occupations of Pooler and Brockden are not, however, recorded in the Court
Minutes. As I have suggested for Stewards' elections, the decline in candidates for the Porter's place may be
merely apparent, the consequence of the Grand Committee having taken over the recruitment of staff
52 See BSCM, 7 March & 23 May 1713, fols 114 & 122. Brandling officiated at Rethlem during the sidmess
and immediately after the death of Humphrey Pooler, c7 March 18 June 1713.
J6sd, 11 July 1713, fol. 127 & BCCM, 19 June 1713, loIs 710-11. Brandling was lauded in particular
by the Committee for his management of the poor.' box, as Buckler had been before him, in 1709, implying
embezzlement by previous occupier, of the office. See chap. 6.
See BCGM, 20 Dec. 1636, fol. 100, where as a result of contentions between the Wither.'. and the Langley.,
since Richard Langley. appointment as Steward 10 months earlier, Wither. announces his intention to resign.
For his will, see P.C.C. Prob. 1i/59, qn. 329, fol. 212
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