We thought the old Guildhall even more interesting than the Cathedral, the old Icknield Way, which entered the city by the High Street, passing close to it; and in fact, it seemed as if the Hall, which formed the centre of the civic life of the city, had encroached upon the street, as the four huge pillars which supported the front part were standing on the outside edge of the footpath.  These four pillars had the appearance of great solidity and strength, as also had the building overhead which they supported, and which extended a considerable distance to the rear.  The massive entrance door, dated 1593, thickly studded with large-headed nails, showed that the city fathers in former times had a lively sense of self-protection from troublesome visitors.  But the only besiegers now were more apparent than real, as the covered footpath formed a substantial shelter from a passing shower.  Behind this a four-light window displayed the Arms of France as well as those of England; there were also emblazoned in stained glass the arms of the mayors, sheriffs, and recorders from 1835 to 1864.

The city arms were ratified in 1564, and in the Letters Patent of that date they are thus described: 

Uppon a wreathe golde and sables, a demye-lyon gules, armed and langued azure crowned, supportinge a bale thereon a crosse botone golde, mantelled azure doubled argent, and for the supporters two pagassis argent, their houes and mane golde, their winges waney of six argent and azure.

[Illustration:  PRINCESS HENRIETTA. (From the painting by Lely, in the Guildhall.)]

The motto “Semper Fidelis” (ever faithful) had been bestowed on the city by Queen Elizabeth, and Exeter has ever since been described as “The Ever-Faithful City.”  There were a number of fine old paintings in the Hall, but the one which attracted the most attention was that of the Princess Henrietta by Sir Peter Lely.  In the turret above was hung the old chapel bell, which served as an alarm in case of fire, and bore an inscription in Latin, “Celi Regina me protege queso ruina,” or “O Queen of Heaven, protect me, I beseech thee, from harm.”  The insignia case in the Guildhall contained four maces, two swords of state, a cap of maintenance, a mayor’s chain and badge, four chains for the sergeants-at-mace, a loving cup, and a salver.  The mayor’s chain dated from 1697.  The older sword of the two was given to the city by Edward IV on the occasion of his visit in 1470, “to be carried before the mayor on all public occasions.”  The sheath is wrapped in crape, the sword having been put in mourning at the Restoration; it was annually carried in the procession to the cathedral on the anniversary of the death of Charles I until the year 1859, when the service in commemoration of his death was removed from the Prayer-Book.  The other sword was given to the city by Henry VII on his visit in 1497, after his victory over Perkin Warbeck, when “he heartily thanked his citizens