it was the symbol of the Virgin Mary, and that it forms the crest of the Innholders’ Company; but it is very probable that in Essex the sign of the STAR often represents the _mullet argent_ which formed one of the chief badges of the De Veres, Earls of Oxford, and also the most prominent charge in the family arms (see p. 70).[93] It was probably first adopted by Robert, the third Earl, who died in 1221. It appears on his seals and on his monument at Hatfield Broad Oak. Thenceforth it was borne by all his descendants. Mr. Elliot, in the interesting article already quoted (p. 70), says that at the Battle of Barnet, in 1471, the defeat of the Lancastrians is attributed to a mistake made by the Earl of Warwick’s men; who, in the morning mist, took the badge of the Earl of Oxford’s men for the Yorkist badge of the Sun in Splendour. They accordingly shot at their friends, who, suspecting treachery, cried “Treason!” and fled from the field. Mr. Elliot adds that “this badge is frequently found on houses and churches in this county and Suffolk.” It is in every way probable that it was often put upon the former as a sign. In Heraldry the star, or _étoile_, is represented with six wavy points and not pierced in the centre, as here shown, thus distinguishing it from the mullet, which has five straight points and is usually pierced. The latter is said originally to have represented, not a star, but a spur-rowel. It appears from the parish registers,[94] that there was also a STAR at Grays in 1724. At Ilford there is a coffee-shop with the sign of the MORNING STAR, probably to indicate that it is open early for working men. A beer-house at Witham, however, has the same sign. Mr. King finds in ancient deeds mention of a STAR--either inn, shop, or tenement--at Rochford in 1693. There are now beer-shops of the same name at Ingatestone, Woodham Ferris, and elsewhere, while a NORTHERN STAR exists at Romford. At Brightlingsea there is a STAR OF DENMARK (whatever that might be), and an OLD STAR occurs at Good Easter. Twice, also, as elsewhere mentioned (p. 79), we meet with the STAR AND FLEECE, namely, at Kelvedon and Romford; while the STAR AND GARTER, representing the Insignia of the Order of the Garter, occurs at Chelmsford and at Newport. An advertisement in the _Chelmsford Chronicle_ for February 10, 1786, refers to the STAR at Writtle, and another in the same journal for March 31st following refers to the STAR at Dunmow, at both of which places the sign still exists. The STAR at Kelvedon, perhaps identical with the STAR AND FLEECE now existing there, is mentioned in the issue for the 29th of December in the same year. The *STAR AND ANCHOR which appeared at Colchester sixty years ago was in all probability an impalement. Mr. E. W. Bingham of Castle Hedingham is in possession of documentary evidence showing that during the latter part of last century the present vicarage at that place was known as the BLACK MULLET. It may