Catalogue description Lord Steward's Department: Accounts of Salaries Chargeable to the Civil List

These Lord Steward's Department accounts of salaries are made out quarterly and show the salaries chargeable to the Civil List. The officers and servants of the Household are arranged under the several departments and included amongst the salaries are those of the chaplains and others officiating at the Chapels Royal.

There are, in addition, payments for particular services, and payments in lieu of food and other necessaries. Also included are payments noted for boardwages (payments in lieu of food and drink allowances, whilst in attendance on household duties), but only for the chamber (ie the Lord Chamberlain's Department, and including secretaries of state), and the chapels royal.

After 1816 the books are noted as being statements of accounts of monies received and paid in the Department, as prepared by the auditor of the Civil List from the accounts of the Department after an examination of supporting vouchers.

These records give charges (monies in hand) and discharges (monies spent out). The discharges are still by office, with the individual named, but are now set out in tabular form with two, later four quarters' payments noted together. The voucher paybook numbers are given. It should be noted that vouchers themselves have not been preserved. The classes of payment according to the Civil List categorisation begin to appear from this date also.

These are noted initially as fourth class for household expenses (including garden bills) and fifth class for salaries. The former are detailed, with tradesmen's names and also include creditors. These classifications were later changed to second class for salaries (titled officers) and third class for tradesmen's bills (names, and articles supplied). All the offices are still accounted for; there are no specific headings for boardwages here though. Allowances, bounties and compensations are also still presented, but in less detailed form than previously. Boardwage payments may be incorporated in the compensations.

From 1843 there is one volume per quarter year. Chapel boardwages re-appear here (generally), and gardeners' salaries are included (also, generally). Otherwise, there is no change in the information given. Prior to 1843 there is a volume per year, except for the earliest years (to 1781; LS 2/1-8) which cover several years.