Although inexpensive, they were badly burned, and not very durable; and the German stoneware with a salt glaze was eagerly sought after throughout the 16th century, and imported in large quantities. These stone pots were usually impressed with the arms of German towns; a rose or other device in front, and a ferocious bearded visage under the spout. They were derisively called bellarmines, after the celebrated Cardinal Bellarmin, who in the 16th century made himself so conspicuous by his zealous opposition to the Reformed religion. These bellarmines were in general use throughout England in the 16th and beginning of the 17th century at inns and public-houses for serving ale to the customers. The importation of these stone pots was always monopolised by the potters of Cologne, near which city they were made. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth we find one William Simpson presenting a memorial that he may be allowed to bring "the drinking stone pottes made at Culloin" into this country, and requesting permission to make similar stone pots in England; but he was not successful in his suit. In 1626, however, two other potters, named Rous and Cullyn, merchants of the city of London, obtained the exclusive privilege of making stone pots and jugs in this country, and a patent was granted them for fourteen years; the preamble states that "heretofore, and at this present, our kingdom of England has been served with stone pottes, stone jugges, and stone bottells, out of foreign parts, from beyond the seas." STAFFORDSHIRE When Dr. Plot wrote his natural history of this county in 1686 there were very few manufactories of pottery; he only speaks of one at Amblecott and another at Wednesbury; but he says: "The greatest pottery they have in this country is carried on at Burslem, near Newcastle-under-Lyme." The earthenware made here towards the end of the 17th century was of a very coarse character, and the decoration extremely rude, consisting merely of patterns trailed over the surface in coloured clay, technically termed _slip_, diluted to the consistence of syrup, so that it could run out through a quill. The usual colours of these slips were orange, white, and red, the orange forming the ground and the white and red the paint. After the dishes had been thus ornamented they were glazed with lead ore beaten into dust, finely sifted, and strewed over the surface, which gave it the gloss but not the colour. The vessels remained twenty-four hours in the kiln, and were then drawn for sale, principally to poor cratemen, who hawked them at their backs all over the country. [Illustration: FIG. 234.--TYG. _With four handles. Dated_ 1621.] [Illustration: FIG. 235.--MUG. _With two handles. Dated_ 1682.] [Illustration: FIG. 236.--PLATEAU. _With Charles II. and his Queen, in relief. By_ RALPH TOFT. 1677.]