Hall-marks. The Goldsmiths of London formed their company in 1327, and were incorporated by charter in 1392. The hall-marks, in the order of their introduction, are as follows:—1. The leopard’s head, called the king’s mark. 2. The maker’s mark, originally a rose, crown, or other emblem with or without initials. 3. The annual letter, in the order of the alphabet from A to V, omitting J and U. This mark is changed every twenty years. 4. The lion passant, added in 1597. 5. Instead of the leopard’s head (1) for the king’s mark, the lion’s head erased, introduced in 1697 when the standard was changed, and, 6, a figure of Britannia substituted for the lion passant (4) at the same time. Plate with this mark is called Britannia plate. The old standard (of 11 oz. 2 dwt. pure gold in the lb.) was restored in 1719. 7. The head of the reigning sovereign in profile, ordered in 1784, when a fresh duty was laid upon plate.
Halling, O. E. Tapestry.
Hallowmas, Chr. The feast of All Souls, or the time about All Souls’ and All Saints’ Days, viz. the 1st and 2nd of November; and thence to Candlemas, or the 2nd of February.
Halmos, Gr. and R. A vessel of round form, supported on a raised stand entirely distinct from the vessel itself; it was used as a drinking-cup.
Halmote or Halimote. The Saxon name for a meeting of tenants, now called a court baron.
Halteres (Gr. ἁλτῆρες), in the gymnastic exercises of the Greeks and Romans, were masses of lead, iron, or stone held in the hands to give impetus in leaping, or used as dumb-bells.
Ham (Scotch hame). A Saxon word for a place of dwelling, a home; hence “HAMLET.” “This word,” says Stow, “originally meant the seat of a freeholder, comprehending the mansion-house and adjacent buildings.”
Hama, Gr. and R. (ἄμη or ἅμη). A bucket used for various purposes.
Hamburg White. (See Carbonate of Lead, Barytes.)
Hames or Heames, Her. Parts of horses’ harness.