The dean of Exeter [a] shewed the Society a large parchment roll, containing a list of new years gifts presented to queen Elizabeth at Greenwich, on the 1st January, A. R. 27, 1584–5, signed by the queen, and countersigned by John Astley, Esq; master and treasurer of the jewels; by which it appears, that the greatest part, if not all the peers and peeresses of the realm, all the bishops, the chief officers of state, and several of the queen's houshold servants, even down to her apothecaries, mastercook, serjeant of the pastry, &c. gave new years gifts to her majesty.