Visit Historic London

The City is an ancient financial and trading district within London, home to the Bank of England, St Paul’s Cathedral and The Assay Office. Its unique constitution, built on ancient rights and privileges, allow it to run its own affairs with an elected Lord Mayor and assembly. Historically the City’s importance and wealth were rooted in trade and the City Trade Guilds, numbering over 100 at their peak, had a major say in the way the City was run. Even today the City retains many colourful traditions dating back across the centuries, not least of which is the annual Lord Mayor’s Show when the newly elected Mayor must leave the safety of the City, travel upriver to Westminster and swear loyalty to the King.

The London Silversmiths
The London goldsmiths’ prominent role in City affairs emanated from their numbers, wealth, and international reputation. A significant factor was their power, granted by the Throne, to supervise the quality of the country’s coinage and to superintend goldsmithing across the country.

The rich and eminent citizens of London have always created a constant demand for gold and silver objects. These decorative pieces not only signified wealth and status but also, prior to the start of banking in the 17^th century, were a form of monetary reserves which could be melted to generate funds, or simply to create modern pieces as fashions changed.

A fifteen minute stroll from our shop in the London Silver Vaults takes you to Cheapside. Throughout the Middle Ages this busy shopping thoroughfare was known as Goldsmiths Row, and packed with shops retailing fine gold and silverwares fashioned in workshops congregated in the adjoining back lanes. The Goldsmith’s Hall built in 1339 in the heart of the Goldsmith’s area was ideally situated to keep a watchful eye on the trade workshops and retail shops.

The Fortunes of the Silversmiths
The history of silver in London is as old as the city itself. The first silver coins were minted here during the Roman period and by the 12th century, there was a flourishing silver industry in London. Throughout the centuries the fortunes of London silversmiths have fluctuated, mirroring the continuous, often dramatic events in the capital.

16^th Century. The Dissolution (1536-1541) was one of the most momentous changes in London’s history when Henry VIII disbanded the monasteries, seizing their valuable treasuries and land. The Goldsmiths began to accumulate significant stocks of gold during this period; this was the first activity in what later came to be known as banking. Silverware remaining from this early date is rarely found outside major institutions and museums. The Goldsmiths Company’s fine collection, including rare pre-1600 examples is viewable to the public on Open Days.

During Elizabeth I’s reign (1558-1603) enormous sums of money were invested in the works of the goldsmiths when all chalices were replaced throughout the realm by Royal command. This resulted in mass destruction of old Church plate. Of the Elizabethan chalices remaining today we are proud to offer examples for sale from time to time such as the 1573 silver chalice in our archive.

17^th Century. A very turbulent time. The Civil War (1642-46) and resulting Commonwealth Period (1649-60) forced silversmiths to find alternative employment, many turning their skills to producing military wares, others becoming soldiers. The Restoration, when Charles II was crowned in 1660, resumed demand for fine quality silverwares by the King, aristocracy and gentry who needed to replace the amount of silverware destroyed by melting. Then followed three disastrous events for the goldsmiths’ trade namely the Plague (1665), the Fire (1666), and the closing of the Exchequer by the king in 1672, which ruined many of the banker-goldsmiths. The 1680’s saw the arrival of the Huguenot refugees in London, fleeing persecution in France and bringing such masters of their craft as Paul Lamerie, Paul Crespin, 
and Lewis Mettayer.

The 17^th century has left us a legacy of fine silverware of which we regularly offer good examples such as the 1617 James I Wine Cup, 1649 Commonwealth Porringer and 1667 Charles II Salver.

18^th Century. The turn of 18th century (1685-1714) was marked by the coronation of 5 successive monarchs, another revolution, and the Jacobite risings. The Georgian period (1714–1830) followed which saw the creation of great wealth and stability resulting from the expansion of the British Empire and Industrialisation. London was now the largest city in Europe and silver was freely available to wealthy gentry and merchant classes, the silver production was prolific and the grace and artistry of the designs became ever more exceptional. By now, fine gold and silverwares were viewed as objects to be enjoyed and passed down to further generations. A fine and proud legacy.

The exceptional master silversmiths from this period are far too numerous to be listed in this small space however we could not finish without mentioning the world famous Paul de Lamerie, Paul Storr and Rundell, Bridge & Rundell.  We are proud to have offered examples by these outstanding artists such as the 1732 George II Salver by Paul de Lamerie and the 1817 Wine Cooler by Paul Storr.

London is still home today to some of the world’s most renowned silversmiths and silver products. Silver is a major part of London’s history and culture, and it will continue to play a role in its future.

A short walk from Goldsmiths Hall, past St Pauls Cathedral, and down towards the river bank takes us to the attractive building which houses the Royal College of Arms, the oldest active heraldic institution in Europe. Silver and armorials have been linked together since heraldry evolved during the mid-12th century. The precious silver metal is soft and easily worked, and the sparkling background reflects the intricately engraved detail adding extra depth. It’s no surprise that historically silverwares have always been regarded as a perfect medium to display wealth and power.

Traditionally, as silver was viewed as a form of currency, the additional expense of armorial engraving would only be undertaken when a piece was specifically intended as a family heirloom or to be given to a church/institution. Accordingly, it was normal practice for goldsmiths to produce new pieces with blank shields which could be hand engraved later with a coat of arms.

There was a heightened interest in heraldry during the Tudor and early Stuart periods (1500-1625) as new families rose to power and wished to show off the family’s distinguished lineage. John Guillim’s monumental work “A Display of Heraldry” was published in 1610, an immensely popular work which was reprinted many times and continued the popularity for heraldic silver engraving, but it was not until the Restoration in 1666 that the production of high value silverwares resumed and the beautiful and elaborate armorial engravings that we admire so much today started to appear.

Heraldry
Heraldry evolved during the mid-12th century, when fighting men became unrecognisable inside their suits of armour to both friend and foe alike, and the practice soon emerged of decorating the armour and shield with a design that was unique to that particular person. Heraldry grew into a science with its own unique language and system of laws to regulate and record it accurately which has continued to the present day by the heralds of the Royal College of Arms. New coats of arms have been granted since the fifteenth century to individuals and corporate bodies by the senior heralds.

In medieval times, heralds were part of the royal household and from 1420 the royal heralds had a common seal and acted in some ways like a corporation. In 1555 Queen Mary granted the charter under which they now operate together with a building just a 3 minute walk from St Pauls Cathedral. The original building was destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666 but thanks to the College’s close proximity to the River Thames the world famous library archive was evacuated by river barge into safe keeping. The present College stands on the same site and dates from the 1670s.

Function of the Royal College of Arms
The Royal College of Arms, or Herald’s College, is the official heraldic authority for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and some Commonwealth realms. The heralds are appointed by the Royal Sovereign and have the power to act on behalf of the Crown in all matters of heraldry. Their work includes the granting of new coats of arms, genealogical research and the recording of pedigrees. The College maintains meticulous registers of all heraldic activities, Royal Licences, changes of name, and flags. Besides having ceremonial duties, it advises on all matters relating to the peerage and baronetage, precedence and honours.

The College comprises thirteen officers or heralds plus seven officers extraordinary who take part in ceremonial occasions (such as the recent funeral of Queen Elizabeth II) but are not part of the College. The entire corporation is overseen by the Earl Marshal, a hereditary office always held by the Duke of Norfolk.

Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, built by William the Conqueror in 1078, lies on the eastern edge of the Square Mile of the City of London on the banks of the River Thames.

This iconic castle has served as a royal palace, a political prison, a royal mint, a fortified jewel house, a place of execution, an arsenal, a menagerie, and a public records office.

Lovers of early silver should not miss the opportunity to view the Royal Banqueting Plate on show in this spectacular castle protected night and day by the Yeoman Guard.

The Jewel House
The Jewel House was purpose built to house the royal regalia, a lavish collection of jewels, silverwares, and symbols of royalty such as the crown, sceptre, and sword. In 1649, following Charles I’s execution, the contents of the Jewel House were disposed of and the metal items were melted down and re-used.

On the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660, the only surviving items of the coronation regalia were the exquisite 12th-century Annointing Spoon and three swords. Ritual feasting with a dazzling display of silver was regarded as an important assertion of the king’s wealth and status so Charles II immediately commissioned new banqueting and ceremonial church plate from the London goldsmiths. These items, together with the regalia used by the monarch during the coronation service, are all considered part of the Crown Jewels.

The Collection’s important Church silver includes altar dishes and chalices in gold and silver-gilt which together form one of the most ornate collections of seventeenth-century church plate today.

The Crown Jewels are the most powerful symbols of the British Monarchy and hold deep religious and cultural significance in our nation’s history. They are still regularly used by the Monarch for important national ceremonies, such as the State Opening of Parliament.

The Royal Mint
The Romans invaded Britain in AD 43 and started to mint coinage in London (and elsewhere). After the end of the 4^th century, when Roman rule came to an end, minting didn’t resume in London until circa AD 650. In AD 886 Alfred the Great issued silver pennies with his portrait and this is generally regarded as the start of the continuous history of the Royal Mint.

Edward I installed a centralised Mint within the safety of the Tower’s walls in c1279 and most of the coins of the realm were made there in a dedicated area that became known as Mint Street. In 1810 the Mint moved out of the Tower to a new building on Tower Hill, then to its present home in Wales in the 1960s.

Once a year The Trial of the Pyx is performed, a traditional procedure held since the 12th century. The jury is composed of freemen of the Company of Goldsmiths, who assay the coins provided to decide whether they have been minted within the criteria determined by the relevant Coinage Acts.

Today
The Tower is the ceremonial regimental headquarters of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in addition to the resident governor and the yeoman warders, or “beefeaters,” who still wear a Tudor uniform and live within the Tower. The Yeomen guard the Crown Jewels and guide tours for the two to three million annual visitors. At least 6 ravens are kept at all times, they have clipped wings following a tradition dating from the time of King Charles II (1660–85) which said “should the ravens leave the Tower, the fortification and the state will fall”.