Banks purchased the manuscript at the auction of the library of Marquis of Donegall. I am not aware how he was able to assign it to 1605 but he was very careful in all he did in antiquarian and many other fields.
The spelling has been modernized in the following transcription.
“A Breviat touching the Order and Government of a Nobleman's house, with the Officers, their places and charge, as particularly apeareth. Viz.
1605.
The Office of a Steward.
FIRST, the steward of household is to make all foreign1 provisions whatsoever, and to see them brought into the house and then to acquaint the comptroller therewith, as his charge.
He is further to see what demesne2 of his lord's is most meet to be taken into his hands so well for meadow, pasture, as arable, and those to be employed to his lord's best profit.
He is also to make choice of such bailiffs3 of husbandry for his lord's profit, as shall be able to buy and sell with good discretion."
He is likewise to disburse to the said bailiffs, all such sums of money, as is to be bestowed, as well to buy corn, as cattle, and sheep, and to direct such grounds, for these cattle and sheep bought, as by his discretion shall be thought meet, and the said corn to be delivered to the yeoman of the garner, who shall bee accountable for the re-delivery of the same forth of his charge.
He is to receive all sums of money of the receiver general, for the making of all provisions, so well ordinary as extraordinary4, and for reparations, to pay bills of allowances, and servants' wages, and to disburse for all impresses5, besides his hand is warrant to the receiver for what sums soever, for his lord's affairs, and he is forthwith to acquaint his lord, so often as conveniently he may, with the state of his household, and of his treasure, and how it is laid forth, and what he hath in remain.
He is to make all bargains and sales, or at the least be made privy thereunto, and also to acquaint his lord therewith, and to take his lord's opinion therein, and to call the comptroller, or other capital officers, and to take their opinions therein, as his assistants, for his lord's better service to be done. He is to see so well into every man's deserts, as he is to make his lord acquainted therewith, whose honorable mind, is by his steward's report, to recompense good service, so well as to punish evil, for by that means, he shall be the better obeyed, when the servants do see he may so well reward deserts, as punish offenses.
The steward and comptroller are to sit in council upon any capital cause, committed, and for the better assistance, may call unto them, or either of them, what capital officers else they will make choice of, for the hearing such causes, and so to proceed to reformation if it may be, if not, making their lorde privy to the fault committed, to discharge the party, or parties, so offending, as unworthy that place they serve in.
The lord if he keep a hall, then the steward and comptroller are to marshal that place, bearing their white staves in their hands, and to countenance the meat from the surveying place6, or dresser7, to the lord's table, and likewise all other services belonging or appertaining whatsoever in that place.
1 foreign provisions] Purchases of provisions from outside the manor.
2 demesne] Lands or portions of lands comprising a manor or estate.
3 bailiff] manager, custodian
4 so well ordinary as extraordinary] ordinary as well as extraordinary
5 impresses] This would appear to refer to orders for payment delivered to the steward under the lord's official seal.
6 surveying place] station from which the steward oversees service of the lord's meals
7 Dresser] I am not aware of having seen this term so early before. It is being used here in place of “sideboard”.
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