PEWTER AND TTTE TtEVIVAT. OE TTS USE. ()*.)'.) 



tho wnrdons to purchase hxvgo ([uaiilitios of (in from tho stannaries in 

 l>iilk and to retail the same at a small ])r()fit to the members, a i)lan 

 doubtless advantageous to all parties, as the profit was applietl to the 

 ])a_vnient of the general expenses of the guild. During the building 

 of the hall, however, which necessarily caused a great drain on their 

 resources, this practice was discontinued, but was resumed on the com- 

 pletion of tlie work. Part of the site was occupied by tenements built 

 at the same time by tlie comi)any, and the rents of these and sums 

 received for the hire of (he hall for wedding parties appear to have 

 materially increased its income. 



Tn l.'it)! a statute of the rarliament of King Henry VII abrogated 

 the right of any guild or company to make ordinances without the 

 same having received the assent of the chancellor, treasurer, or othei- 

 officers of the realm, and at the same time rendered illegal the ])artic- 

 ular by-law which forbade members of such a fraternity from suing 

 one another in the King's courts. In the same Parliament an act was 

 passed in the interest of the jDewterers to suppress hawking by ped- 

 dlers, the adulteration of metal, and the use of false scales and 

 Aveights. This statute was confirmed in the fourth year of the reign 

 of Henry VIII. 



In accordance Avith the first-named act of 1504, the ordinances of 

 the company Avere, after eighteen j^ears' delay, submitted to the King 

 for confirmation in 1522, and duly assented to after the usual presents 

 and gratifications to courtiers and ministers. About this time the 

 importation of foreign pewter was seriously competing with the 

 English trade, and after a considerable amount of lobbying and 

 briber}^ in Parliament an act was passed in 1533 totally prohibiting 

 the importation of foreign pewter, any so smuggled to be forfeited, 

 together with a fine to the amount of the value. The right of search 

 was again confirmed, and no foreigner was to be employed in the 

 trade under any circumstances and under heavy penalties, and no per- 

 son of foreign birth to be apprenticed. It was also forbidden for an 

 Englishman to exercise the craft anywhere beyond sea, and thereby 

 teach it to foreigners. HaAvking Avas again forbidden, even when 

 exercised by duly qualified pewterers, none to be sold except in a shop 

 attached to a dAvelling house, or in open fairs and markets. It is 

 curious to note here that the PeAvterers' Company republished these 

 acts in a book form so late as 1741. 



As an instance of the tight hold kept by the company on its mem- 

 bers, it may be mentioned that at a court held in March, 1559, it Avas 

 decreed that Robert AVest should bring his Avife upon Friday next 

 to " reconcile herself to Mr. Cacher and others of the company for her 

 naughty misdemeanor of her tongue toAvard them." 



Xo man Avas alloAved to set up in business Avithout first submitting 

 to the master and Avardens a specimen of his Avork. In case of dis- 



