Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 9.djvu/189

 ON THE ASSAY MAKKS UN GOLD AND S1L Ki! I'LATK. 1:35 tlic first, and giving tlicni power to clioosc wardens and otlicr officers. In 1423, 2nd Henry VI., another statntc ordained that no goldsmith or jeweller should sell any article unless it was as fine as sterling, nor before it was " touched Avith the touch," and marked with the workman's mark ; and the cities of York, Newcastle, Lincoln, Norwich, Bristol, Salisljury and Coventry, were authorised to have " touches ; " and no goklsmith was to sell any gold or silver but as was ordained in the city of London. Edward IV. not only confirmed the charter of Richard II. but constituted the Goldsmiths' Company a body corporate and politic, with perpetual succession, power to use a common seal, hold lands, &c., and by this charter invested them with a privilege of inspecting, trying, and regulating all gold and silver wares, not only in the City of London, but also in all other parts of the kingdom, with power to punish offenders for w^orking adulterated gold or silver. These powers were continually exercised ; and from the records of the company it appears that periodical progresses through the country were made by the assay wardens for that purpose. Several kings at various times gave them new cliartcrs, enlarging and confirming the older ones. The latest is an "Inspeximus" of James I., which recites and confirms all those previously granted. The records of the company commence about the 5th of Edward III., 1331, and continue to the present day. They consist of the wardens' accounts, which begin the year above-mentioned, and amount to many large volumes — the iUuminated MS. volumes of their ordinances, and some other books relating to their estates. They contain some very curious and interesting particulars, many of which are detailed by Mr. Herbert in his history of the company. This company, as might be expected, formerly possessed a considerable quantity of ancient plate, especially a large figure in silver-gilt, of their patron saint, St. Dunstan ; but their books show that to supply the necessity of the time, a vast quantity was sold in 1637; and, though some was re-made after the Restoration, their finances being at a very low ebb after the Great Fire of London, it was nearly all sold to raise funds for the rebuilding of their Hall. This company is one of the most wealthy, munificent, and hospitable in the City of London ; and I must lierc take