Hall marks on gold & silver plate

ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS,
THE following interesting notes relating to celebrated gold and
silver smiths, are taken from the " Gilda Aurif abrorum,"
written by the late Mr. William Chaffers, and first published
in 1883 by Messrs. Reeves and Turner.
Among the celebrated goldsmiths of a remote period* who,
it will be remembered, were frequently artists and designers of
architecture, as well as sculptors, painters, and workers in the
precious metals, and excelling in one or more of the fine arts we
shall include in our list several of foreign extraction, but who must
have resided for a lengthened period in England, judging from
the beautiful examples extant, and their elaborate workmanship,
many of which are still preserved in this country.
We give a probably imperfect record of their names and the
well-known specimens of their art which have rendered them famous
all over Europe, confining ourselves as much as possible to those of
our own country.
Saint Dunstan (Patron of English Goldsmiths).
Tenth century. Dunstan of Glastonbury, where he was born
A.D. 924. His father's name was Herstan; his mother's, Cynedrida.
He entered a monastery when young, and probably learned there
the goldsmith's art. When he left, he erected a cell in which was a
forge as well as an oratory, adjacent to the Church of Glastonbury;
employing his time partly in devotional austerities and partly in
the exercise of making ecclesiastical vessels and ornaments for the
church, such as crosses, censers and chalices, as well as goldsmith's
work in general, both for the clergy and laity. He instituted the
Order of Benedictine Friars, one of its rules being the prohibition
of marriage, which, it is said, originated from a disappointment in
love he met with in early life.
While working at his forge and anvil on one occasion, a mysterious
person entered his cell to give an extensive order for plate,
^^' ^' ^- Hilton Price has kindlv furnished us with his pamphlet of
Notes on the Early Goldsmiths and Bankers, to the Close of the XVII Century,"
to which we have made frequent reference. (Proceedings of the London
and Middlesex Archaeological Society, Vol. V.)