York was also renowned for the work of its gold-and silver-smiths. Much of the church plate is York made, and is principally of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. It bears the York mark—half fleur de lys and half leopard head. Amongst the makers of church plate were George Mangy, William Busfield, and Marmaduke Best who made the gold loving-cup which belongs to the Corporation.
Scattered over the city are mansions of the Georgian period. These houses are built of red brick in Flemish bond and have stone quoins and doorways. The cellar areas were protected from the rough pavements by beautiful wrought-iron railings, whilst hammered scroll-work brackets supported torch extinguishers and the circle for the oil lamp. The rain-water conductors were of lead of rectangular shape, with spout-heads of elaborate workmanship, which bore heraldic devices, monograms, or dates. The leaden cisterns were similarly treated. The interiors of these houses have panelled walls with dentilled cornices and carved plaster ceilings, pedimented doorways, and chimney-pieces with oil paintings framed in the overmantel.
As the city was lighted by a few oil lamps, and watchmen were scarce, it was necessary for ladies in their sedans to be attended by torch-bearers. In Petergate, Gillygate, and Duncombe Street extinguishers still hang by the side of doors.
A residence for the Lord Mayor was built from the design of the Earl of Burlington, who was also the architect for the Assembly Rooms. The assemblies were originally held in the King’s Manor, but larger premises being required, Sir William Wentworth promoted a company and raised five thousand pounds to build the Assembly Rooms. Lady Wentworth was so proficient at shuttlecock that she broke one of the high windows. During a race week in 1735 there was paid for candles used at the assemblies the sum of thirty-six pounds five shillings.
The Theatre Royal was built by Joseph Baker on the remains of St. Peter’s Hospital. It became famous under the management of Tate Wilkinson, who was patentee of the theatres at York and Hull,
