Note 125 — II THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD

For the white dresses, cf. App. F; Sydney Papers, ii. 170; S. P. D. Eliz. cclxxxii. 48 (vol. iv, p. 114); L. Cust in Trans. Walpole Soc. iii. 12; for the lodging in the Coffer Chamber, doubtless where the 'sweet coffers' were kept, Sydney Papers, ii. 38. Elizabeth's predecessors, at least from the reign of Edward II (Tout, 280; cf. H. O. 44), had maintained some of the young lads who were royal wards at court under the name of Henchmen, but on 11 Dec. 1565 Francis Alen wrote to Lord Shrewsbury (Lodge, i. 438), 'Her Highness hath of late, whereat some do much marvel, dissolved the ancient office of the Henchmen'.