Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey tankard

A silver tankard engraved with the Royal Arms of Charles II and below, those of Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey, flanked by panoramic scenes of the Great Plague of 1665 and the Great Fire of 1666 with related inscriptions in Latin. There are London hallmarks for 1675 with the maker's mark IN in a mullet below. The inscription in translation for the Great Plague reads: 'The gift of Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey, an active and upright magistrate who, after having rendered invaluable service in checking the progress of the Plague, received from King Charles II with the consent of his Privy Council, a silver flagon to perpetuate the memory of his patriotic efforts.' Beneath this: 'By the Grace of God and the favour of King Charles II. Others' woes were his weal. E.B.G.1665'. On the other side, the inscription accompanying the scene of the Great Fire is: 'A man truly born for his country. When a terrible fire devastated the City, by the Providence of God and his own merit he moved in safety through the flames. Afterwards at the express desire of the King (but deservedly so), Edmund Berry Godfrey was created a Knight in September 1666. For the rest, let public report speak.' King Charles II was so impressed with Godfrey’s firefighting efforts at the Temple that he knighted him and gave him 800 ounces of silver. Godfrey probably used the silver to have this tankard, and several others, made.
Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey was a Westminster magistrate and fuel merchant who was famous for being tough on criminals. He was knighted by the king in September 1666 for his services during the Great Plague (1665) and the Great Fire. Godfrey's record was rather tarnished after being accused, in January 1667, of raising the price of his coal - 'a very great Extortion and Oppression, especially to poor People.' As his coal stock was in Westminster it hadn't been destroyed during the Great Fire (whereas many City coal stocks had been burnt), a fact which he seems to have tried to exploit.