ABSTRACT
By Burke’s Act2 which came into effect in April 1783 the office of the Great Wardrobe was abolished and its functions were taken over by the Lord Chamberlain’s office. From this date bills were settled quarterly and fees were no longer charged to tradesmen who were consequently required to provide goods of the former quality at much cheaper rates. From April 1783 the full 7 ½% was added to the totals of bills and paid by the Crown. At the same time expenditure on materials for various purposes was curtailed.3
