These Goldsmiths have commonly (besides Plate) dealt in Jewels and precious Stones. And in former Times, there being no great store of them, not of Gold and Silver, nor Artists in the Company, in making Vessels of Gold and Silver, or in setting of Stones artificially into Jewels, they were fain to send for them upon Occasion from France, and other Places beyond Sea: As appears by these Letters Patents granted to Sir Edmund Shaw, Kt. and some time Maior, Goldsmith to King Richard III. "To al Maiors, &c. That for great Considerations Us specially moving, We wol and charge you, that yee suffer our trusty and welbeloved Edmund Shaw, Kt. Alderman of our City of London, and Rauf Latham, or any other his menial Servants or Apprentices, to bring out of the Obeisance of France, and out of the Parts beyond the Sea, to this our Realm of England, al maner of Metal of Gold, and al maner Mettal of Silver; and also al gilt, as wel as party gilt, as otherwise, be they the said Mettals in Weight or in any maner of Fashion, what it be; and al maner of Pearls and precious Stones, set or unset, polished or unpolished: Without any Custom or other Devoir for Us, or for our Right or Duty to be demanded of the said Edmund or Rauf. Dated the 25 Fevrier."

An Act was made in the 8th and 9th Years of the Reign of his late Majesty King William, which enacted, That no Silver Vessel, Plate or Manufacture should be wrought or made less in Fineness than 11 Ounces, 10 Peny-weight of fine Silver, in every Pound Weight Troy; nor sold or exchanged, until the same had been marked with the two first Letters of the Surname of the Worker, and with the Marks of the Company of Goldsmiths, London, being a Lyon's Head erased, the Figure of a Woman, commonly called Britannia; and a Mark denoting the Year, under the Penalty of Forfeiture thereof.

Accordingly, in September, Anno 1717, the Wardens of the said Company did issue forth a Declaration, that they were resolved to prosecute with the utmost Rigour of the Law all such as should work, or expose to sale any Vessel or Manufacture contrary to the said Act.

The Goldsmiths that came to be Maiors of the City were these following.

Nicolas Faringdon, Maior An. 1309, 1314, 1321, and 1324. Buried at St. Peter's at the Cross in Chepe. Of him did Faringdon Ward take its Name.

Richard Bretayne, Maior 1326, and 1327. His Arms stood long after, for some Hundred Years in the Glass Windows in Christ's Church: Which was Gules, a Salteir, Or, between four Flowers de Lys of the same.

John Chichester, Maior 1370.

Sir Nicolas Twiford, Maior 1387. Buried at St. John Zachary's by the Goldsmiths Hall, An. 1390.

Sir Adam Bamm, Maior 1391, and 1397. In which Year he died. Buried at St. George's in Botolph-Lane. His Issue remaineth yet, or not long since did, in Kent.

Sir Drew Barentine, Maior 1399, and 1409. Buried at St. John Zachary's. He dwelt in FosterLane, over-against Goldsmiths Hall. From whence he made a Gallery over the same to his House.

Sir John Fraunces, Maior 1401. Buried at St. John Zachary's.

Sir John Paddesley, Maior 1441. Buried at St. Michael's in Crooked-Lane.

Sir Matthew Philip, Maior 1464. In which Year he was made Knight of the Bath.

Sir Humfrey Heiford, Maior 1478. He was descended of the ancient Family of Herford in Northamptonshire.

Sir Edmund Sha, or Shaa, or Shaw, Maior 1483. Buried at the Mercers Chappel. He was King Richard III. his Goldsmith.

Sir Hugh Brice, Maior 1486. Buried at St. Mary Woolnoth in Lumbard-street, An. 1496.

Sir John Sha, Maior 1502. He dwelt in the upper End of Wood-street, in St. Peter's Parish.

Sir Bartholomew Read, Maior 1503. Buried at the Charter-House. But his Wife was buried at St. John Zachary's.

Sir Thomas Exmew, Maior 1518. Buried in St. Mary Magdalen in Milk-street.

Sir John Mundy, Maior 1523. Buried at St. Peter's in Chepe, An. 1537. The Family remained afterwards in Darbyshire.

Sir Martin Bowes, Maior 1546. And died 1566. Buried at St. Mary Woolnoth in Lombard-street, in which Parish he dwelt, over-against Abchurch-Lane End.

Sir John Langley, Maior 1577. Buried in Guild-Hall Chappel.

Sir Richard Martin, Maior 1589, in place of Sir Martin Calthorp deceased. And in the Year 1594, for Sir Cutbert Buckle. He was living in the Year 1605, and was then the oldest Alderman.

The present Wardens of this Company are,

Mr. John Egleton,
Mr. Roger Hudson,
Mr. Jeremiah Lammas,
Mr. John Emes.

THE Company of SKINNERS were incorporated in the first Year of King Edward III. Anno Dom. 1327. And made a Brotherhood in the 18th Year of King Richard II. The Crest and Supporters were granted by William Harvey, who was free of the same Company, Anno Dom. 1561.

In a Visitation Book of London, there is no Helmet, and the Leopard in the Crest is passant upon the Wreath, and not seiant. And the Ermins in the Coat are only three, two, three. And the