| Administrative History | The earliest records of the company date from 1573, although individual goldsmiths are recorded from the thirteenth century onwards. In 1687, the company decided to establish an assay office in Chester and appoint a master and wardens instead of an alderman and a steward. This was confirmed by an Act of 1700 and silver was assayed at Chester until the assay office closed in 1962. Its records were transferred to the Birmingham assay office; company records were deposited in the Chester City Record Office. There are still members of the company working in the jewellery trade. |