Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 9.djvu/408

314 a Roman D. On these there are other marks, probably those of the maker, such as a sun with rays, a trefoil, or some other emblem. I have in my possession a spoon with the Norwich mark, which has been stamped in the bowl with a rose surmounted by a crown, just in the place where the leopard's head is usually found, from which it may be supposed that that was used as the standard mark. There is also on the stem a lion rampant. A similar rose and crown is found on a piece of plate at Norwich of the date 1631, which is about the date of my spoon; in 1634, a crown without the rose was used, and seems to have continued for some time, as it is found on a piece of plate of 1684. A rose sprig, with stalk and leaves, is also found on the piece of plate of 1634. In the court books of the Corporation of Norwich, is an entry dated "1624, ult., July," which states, that by the authority of the Mayor a mark, viz. the castle and lion, was delivered to the wardens and searcher of the trade of goldsmiths; and in 1702, July 1, Mr. Robert Hartstonge was sworn assayer of gold and silver to the company of goldsmiths of the city. The assaying of plate in Norwich, seems, however, to have been long discontinued, as there is now neither Goldsmiths' Company nor Hall, nor has there been within the recollection of any one now living. A hall, however, is mentioned by Bloomfield; but no part of it remains.

In 1700, York, Exeter, Bristol, Chester, and Norwich, where mints had lately been erected for recoining the silver monies of the realm, were by statute appointed for the assaying and marking of wrought plate. Goldsmiths' Companies were incorporated in each; no plate was to be made less in fineness than the standard of the kingdom, and the following marks were appointed—the worker's mark to be expressed by the two first letters of his surname, the lion's head erased, the figure of Britannia, and the arms of such city where such plate shall be assayed, and a distinct and variable letter in Roman character, which shall be annually changed upon the election of new wardens, to show the year when such plate was made. In 1701, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, having been omitted in the Act of the previous year, was added, the Goldsmiths' Company there having existed "time out of mind." Of these cities, Bristol alone appears never to have exercised the power of assaying plate, though Norwich seems soon to have abandoned the privilege. The other