Legal Definitions - foregoer

A foregoer was a historical figure, specifically an individual tasked with acquiring supplies for the royal household in medieval and early modern England.

This person held unique authority to purchase necessary provisions, such as food, drink, animal feed, and other essentials, at a specially appraised, often reduced, price. This role was particularly crucial when the monarch and their retinue were traveling through various parts of the country, ensuring the royal court was continuously provisioned without disruption.

Here are some examples illustrating the role of a foregoer:

• Imagine King Henry VIII embarking on a royal progress across England. A designated foregoer would ride ahead of the main procession into a town. This individual would then, by royal decree, purchase large quantities of fresh bread, meat, and local produce from the market vendors at a pre-determined, lower price, ensuring the hundreds of people in the King's retinue had ample food upon their arrival.

  This illustrates a foregoer acquiring provisions (food) for the Crown (King Henry VIII's retinue) at a reduced price (pre-determined, lower price) while the royal household travels (royal progress).

• When Queen Elizabeth I decided to spend a week at a nobleman's country estate, a foregoer would be dispatched days in advance. Their task would be to negotiate and acquire substantial amounts of wine, candles, and firewood from local merchants and farmers, paying a government-set, non-market rate to ensure the estate was fully stocked and prepared for the Queen's extended visit.

  Here, the foregoer is purchasing provisions (wine, candles, firewood) for the Crown (Queen Elizabeth I) at a reduced price (government-set, non-market rate) during a period when the royal household is traveling and temporarily residing.

• During a large-scale royal hunting expedition that moved through several counties, a foregoer would precede the hunting party into each new district. Their duties would include securing vast quantities of hay and oats for the royal horses and hounds, as well as arranging for temporary lodging and meals for the accompanying servants, all at a mandated, lower cost imposed on the local populace.

  This example shows a foregoer obtaining provisions (animal feed, lodging, meals) for the Crown's retinue (horses, hounds, servants) at a reduced price (mandated, lower cost) as the royal household (hunting party) travels.