ABSTRACT
There are occasional gaps in the series, since at the death of a monarch the Court went into mourning for a year, during which the usual liveries were not issued. The method of supply in this department was unchanged throughout the periods of tabulation since materials with the exception of shoes, were always bought direct from tradesmen, Contracts were verbal. From 1660 bills were numbered as received and then entered in the Bill Books. Settlement was made at from two to four dates in a year so that some bills were paid more promptly than others of the same year. In normal periods tradesmen’s bills were usually settled within nine months of the delivery of goods, but in times of financial stringency payment was delayed and prices rose. Delays occurred at the same times and from the same causes as in the Lord Steward’s Department. As tradesmen expected some delay before payment prices were only affected when the interval became abnormal and any tendency to demand increased rates was modified by the desire of the contractors to continue their supply. When payment was greatly delayed, however, prices either rose or remained stationary when otherwise they might have been reduced. The following table shows the usual interval between presentation and payment of bills 1660-18303 :—
