The Record Office

"THE RECORD OFFICE. This building, for the safe custody of important state documents, formerly kept in the Tower, Chapter House, Westminster, and the Riding School, Carlton House Gardens, was erected by Mr. Pennithorne between 1851 and 1866, in Fetter Lane, but has lately been very much extended by the deplorable destruction of the Old Chapel of the Rolls and the residence of the Master of the Rolls, there being a new front now to Chancery Lane. Within its fire proof recesses are preserved the Doomsday Book, the Pipe Rolls, the deeds of surrender of the Monasteries, important treaties, &c. &c., the records of the nation. The public can inspect these legal and historical documents under certain restrictions."

• George Birch, The Descriptive Album of London, c.1896; from The Victorian Dictionary

Unlike SomersetHouse, the Record Office charges for its services:

"TABLE OF FEES

• For authenticated copies per folio of seventy-two words:
• Documents to the end of the reign of George II., 1s.
• Documents after the reign of George II., 6d.
• Authenticated copies of plans, drawings, &c., per hour, 2s. 6d.
• Attendance at either House of Parliament to be sworn, £1 1s.
• Attendance at either Home of Parliament, or elsewhere, to give evidence, or with ten records or less number, per diem, £2 2s
• For each additional record each day, 2s.
• Attendance on the Master of the Rolls as a Vacatur, £1 1s.
• Attendance to receive mortgage-money, 5s.
• Attendance on payment of mortgage-money, 10s. 6d."
  • Charles Dickens, Jr., Dickens's Dictionary of London, 1879; from The Victorian Dictionary

-- ChrisLehrich^? - 29 Dec 2004

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