If anyone finds the postings interesting, I'll send a few more. I've just spent two days in the British Library researching the Company so I've got a fair bit of material.

These samples are taken from "The Book of Ordinances", MS 2524 located in Goldsmiths Hall, London published 1478 (these entries are in modern English taken from a 1975 publication on the history of the Company).

D 28. That no man may work in the livery of the craft.

Also it is ordained that members of the craft shall not work in the livery and clothing of the craft for the year because, if they do, then when processions or assemblies are held for the king or for some other reason the clothing is apt to be spoiled and defiled to the dishonour of the craft and of all the worshipful folk belonging to the craft. Anyone, therefore, who works in his clothing shall pay 6s. 8d. as often as he does.

F 78 If any man reveals the secrets of his craft

If any member of the fellowship on being punished by the wardens for his offences, in accordance with the ordinances, complains to a stranger who does not belong to the same fellowship, and reveals the secrets and good regulations of the craft to him, he shall be deprived of all the benefits of St Dunstan until in the presence of the whole livery he acknowledges his misdeeds or else he shall pay a fine of 40s.

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I found it interesting that the livery of the company was to be kept only for ceremonial occasions - at least, in documents that early.

The forbidding of the revelation of craft secrets seem to be pretty standard. What got you looking into the Goldsmiths guild in particular? Have you read the saddler's guild history? That one is particularly interesting - "Hold Fast, Sit Sure", because it details some of the struggles between the saddler's guilld, and guilds originally subordinate to them, like the loriners guild.

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Plus I made a new years resolution to only speak to the public about subjects or facts I had researched myself from original documents (or facsimilies of such documents) and I felt the goldsmiths had a wealth of information to choose from. Heck you can even email their archive librarian and ask him questions if you need to!

I am always fascinated by the goldsmiths art, especially when applied to hollow ware. Do you have any recommendations as to any publications dealing with Medieval hollowware of precious metals?

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E 20 For working Gold and Silver to the Standard and how it shall be Delivered

Also it is ordained that no goldsmith from England or from anywhere else in the realm of England shall make any kind of ornament or gold or silver ware that is not of the true alloy according to the standard of England called sterling money, and that no silver ware may leave the workman's hands or be sold until is had been assayed by the wardens of the craft or their deputy, the assayer, and marked with the leopard's head crowned according to the acts of several parliaments and also with the maker's marks.