Hi Listers My ancestors will mentions his son William to be Master of his Majesties (looks like) Tents Toyles Halls Pavillions. (I think they are T's ) It appears that my ancestor Sir Wm. Bowles of St. James Clerkenwell, had held the office previously . He speaks of submitting papers to the Lord Commissioner, Would this be a purchased office? He mentions he paid out great sums of money. Any suggestions? Thanks Mary

In message <001e01c3fd35$00f731c0$3c759a8e@home>, Mary <murcon@allstream.net> writes >Hi Listers > My ancestors will mentions his son William to be Master of his >Majesties (looks like) Tents >Toyles Halls Pavillions. (I think they are T's ) >It appears that my ancestor Sir Wm. Bowles of St. James Clerkenwell, had >held the office previously . He speaks of submitting papers to the Lord >Commissioner, >Would this be a purchased office? yes. sounds like this was the way he hoped to get close to the royals, by organising their accommodation for entertainments, masques etc. Gratitude for a show well done could get you a knighthood and valuable monopolies, if the monarch was in a good mood. -- Eve McLaughlin Author of the McLaughlin Guides for family historians Secretary Bucks Genealogical Society