Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 9.djvu/309

ON THE ASSAY MARKS ON GOLD AND SILVER PLATE. 233 manner of people, as well merchants, clerks, as strangers, that none send or carry away gold or silver in money, bullion, plate, or vessel, without special licence, upon pain of forfeiting the same. A.D. 1402, 4th Henry IV., cap. 16. — Enacts again that no person shall carry gold or silver out of the realm without the King's licence. A.D. 1404, 5th Henry IV., cap. 13. — In order to prevent frauds it was enacted that no artificer should gild or silver any locks, rings, beads, candlesticks, harness for girdles, chalices, hilts, pomels of swords, powder-boxes, nor covers for cups made of copper or latten, on pain to forfeit to the King 100/. ; but that chalices excepted, artificers may work ornaments for the Church of copper and latten, and the same gild and silver, so that at the foot, or some other part, the copper and latten shall be plain. A.D. 1414, 2nd Henry V., cap. 4. — It is enacted for that the goldsmiths of England, of their covin and ordinances, will not sell the wares of their m3'stery gilt, but at the double price of the weight of the silver of the same, which seemeth to the King very outrageous, and too excessive a price : the King, for the ease of his people, hath ordained that all goldsmiths of England shall gild no silver w^ares but of the English sterling ; and that they take for a pound of Troy gilt but 46 shillings and 8 pence at the most ; and of greater weight and less, according to the quantity and weight of the same ; and that which shall be by them gilt from henceforth shall be of a reasonable price, and not excessive ; and if any goldsmith do contrary to this Statute, he shall forfeit to the King the value of the thing sold. A.D. 1420, 8th Henry V., cap. 3.— It Avas by this Statute forbidden to gild any sheaths, or any metal but silver, and the ornaments for churches ; or to silver any metal but Knights' spurs, and all the apparel that pertaincth to a baron, and above that estate. A.D. 1423, 2nd Henry VI., cap. 14. — It was ordained by this Statute that no goldsmith or jeweller should sell any article of silver unless it was as fine as sterling, nor before it be touched with the Touch, and marked with the work- man's mark or sign, under penalty of forfeiting double the value. And if the keeper of the Touch shall touch any harness with the leopard's head, except it be as fine as