What the Butler Saw: The Romain Collection
When Frederick Romain died in 1929, he had served as Chief Butler at Lincoln’s Inn for 38 years. He was described in his obituary in The Times, as ‘an interesting and unusual character’, with the writer recalling that ‘There is not a Bencher of the Inn throughout that period who did not regard him as something more than a familiar figure, almost an intimate.’
This perception of Romain is reflected in his collection of records, which he left to the Inn. He had collated numerous folios of scrapbook records: a mixture of eclectic ephemera; historical records; photographs; and noteworthy autographs, most of which concerned the history of the Inn, or reflected his unique experience of working there.
Frederick Romain was hired by the Inn in 1891, after he applied for the post of ‘First Butler’, which had been advertised in The Times on 28 April 1891. The minutes for the Finance and Dinners Committee, 11 May 1891, reported ‘Frederick Romain was chosen as Head Butler out of nearly 100 candidates after advertisement in the Times and Morning Post.
His application form for the role at the Inn survives in the Archive and contains details of his past employment, as well as his role at the time which was recorded as ‘Butler and house steward to Earl Fitz William’ at 4 Grosvenor Square, Mayfair. Prior to that he had worked as a footman to Mrs Frankland Russell Astley at Chequers Court (or ‘Chequers’ as it is more commonly known, now the country home of the serving Prime Minister).
On 5 September 1891 Frederick Romain married Lavinia Criswick at Christ Church, Mayfair. When he took the role up at Lincoln’s Inn, Lavinia came with him and they resided onsite. They are recorded in the 1901 and 1911 census as living at ‘Lincoln’s Inn Hall.’
The Romain collection is often the place where aspects of the Inn’s history, which are not documented elsewhere in the archive, are revealed. Fencing tournaments, Elizabethan fetes and a member of staff playing the bagpipes for local children are some of the more whimsical occurrences revealed in the material.
Romain appears to have assisted with administrative duties, maintaining various lists and accounts, as well as serving at events. The records and ephemera produced appealed to his collector’s instinct, and were often subsequently added to his collection. From event tickets, lists of those Called to the Bar, wine accounts and even lists of wounded soldiers entertained at the Inn during World War I, the collection covers a broad spectrum of events in the Inn’s history.
According to a memorandum of duties (which was produced in 1929, after the death of Romain) the First Butler role required the individual in post to be ‘in constant attendance at the Hall, except when required to attend Chapel’ and the hours of duty during term time are noted as being ‘from 9.30am until all Benchers shall have left the premises in the evening.’ They were also in charge of the wine cellar, decanting for the Bench and Bar tables and keeping a record of the wines and spirits issued. In addition, they oversaw the Society’s plate, as well as the china, glass and cutlery.
One man who can relate to some of those responsibilities is Tony Payne, who was Butler at the Inn for 26 years, retiring in 2020. On speaking to him about his time at the Inn, whilst he was quick to point out that he was not around at the Inn as far back as 1891, some of the challenges and experiences of Romain’s time as Butler were familiar to him.
Tony was not responsible for the cellar, but he did oversee the Inn’s silver collection. Grand Day, and the choosing of, and displaying of the silver for the occasion, was one of his favourite parts of the role.
Tony had worked in catering for 25 years before starting at the Inn. He learnt on the job, picking up details of the traditions, protocols and hierarchies as he went. As a result, after many years of service, he was the one people turned to with trickier queries. He knew how things were done, with all the details in his head. Subsequent members of staff working with him insisted on capturing his knowledge and recording it for prosperity. Likewise, when discussing options for Romain’s replacement in 1929 the Under Treasurer reported to Council that Romain’s, ‘long service, his devotion to the Inn and knowledge of its affairs’ meant that he was ‘literally irreplaceable from outside.’
Frederick Romain’s collection is embedded with a deep appreciation of the Inn’s history, as well as an awareness of history in the making. This is reflected in the mementos relating to the earliest women admitted and Called at Lincoln’s Inn after the passing of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act in 1919. This includes a Call list recording Mithan Tata and Mercy Ashworth as the first women Called at Lincoln’s Inn, as well as photographs and other material signed by Mercy Ashworth, Mithan Tata, Cornelia Sorabji and Elizabeth Clifton, amongst others.
His collection also includes photographs and articles relating to key events in the life of the Inn during this time, such as the restoration of the Old Hall (which was completed in 1928), and a separate volume he compiled, of material relating to the quincentenary anniversary of Lincoln’s Inn in 1922.
Respect and diplomacy were key skills that Tony found fundamental to fulfilling his role as Butler. He would look to tackle any challenging situations that could arise, calmly and positively. For Fredrick Romain such skills were particularly pertinent when, according to a story highlighted in his obituary, he had to entertain King George V (or the Prince of Wales as he was at the time) when he arrived half an hour too early for dinner with the Bench. The writer recalls that ‘No doubt he fulfilled the duties of the occasion worthily, for he was not in awe of the great and had as natural a sense of propriety as he had a deep regard for it.’
In 1929, at the age of 74, and still in post at the Inn, Frederick Romain became unwell and had to spend time at St. Peters Hospital, Covent Garden. He died there on 30 May. In his will he stated that ‘My collection and records of the Inn as well as my book of the Quincentenary celebrations I leave to the Society of Lincoln’s Inn.’ The Inn’s Council minutes record his death and his funeral service, which was held at the Chapel at the Inn. He was buried at Brompton Cemetery. The minutes note that ‘many Benchers and others attended the funeral service and the Treasurer and the Under Treasurer were present at the burial.’
The Romain collection is unique in showing us the Inn through the eyes of a long serving member of staff, a perspective not usually reflected in the Inn’s archive. His deep love and respect for the Inn come across in this personal treasure trove, and it is clear that Romain saw the material as acting as his lasting legacy when he left it to the Inn in his will.
An exhibition of material from the Romain collection will be on display in the Library from 13 May. There is also a selection of Romain material available to view on our Rare Books and Manuscript website.