Alivery companyis a type ofguildor professional association that originated inmedievaltimes inLondon,England.[1]Livery companies comprise London's ancient and moderntrade associationsand guilds, almost all of which arestyledthe "Worshipful Company of" theircraft,tradeorprofession.[2][3]There are 111 livery companies in total. They play a significant part in the life of the City of London (i.e. the financial district and historic heart of thecapital), not least by providing charitable-giving and networking opportunities. Liverymen retain voting rights for the seniorcivic offices,such as theLord Mayor,SheriffsandCommon Councilof theCity Corporation,London's ancientmunicipal authoritywith extensive local government powers.[3]
The termliveryoriginated in the designed form of dress worn byretainersof anoblemanand then by extension tospecial dressto denote status of belonging to a trade. Livery companies evolved fromLondon'smedievalguilds,becomingcorporationsbyroyal charterresponsible for training in their trades, as well as for the regulation of aspects such as wage control, labour conditions and industry standards. Early guilds often grew out ofparishfraternal organizations,where numerous members of the same trade lived in close proximity often congregating at the samechurch.[4]Like most organisations during theMiddle Ages,these livery companies had close ties with theRoman Catholic Church(before theProtestant Reformation), endowing religious establishments such aschantrychapelsandchurches,observingreligious festivalsand hostingceremoniesas well as well-knownmystery plays.Most livery companies retain their historical religious associations, although nowadays members are free to follow any faith or none.
Livery companies invariably established aguildormeeting hallsuch as inDerry,a city in Northern Ireland founded and named after London livery companies in the 17th century. Though these halls faced destruction in theGreat London Fireof1666and duringthe BlitzofWorld War II,over forty companies still own or share ownership of livery halls, some elaborate and historic, others modern replacements for halls destroyed or redeveloped. Most of these halls are made available for use by other companies not having a livery hall of their own.[4]
Most ancient livery companies maintain contact with their original trade or craft. In some cases, livery companies have chosen to support a replacement industry fulfilling a similar purpose today, e.g.plasticsreplacing use of horn or ivory in the case of theHorners' Companyandfashionfor theHaberdashers' Company.Modern companies are mainly represented by today's professions and industry and operate in close association with these. Many ancient crafts remain as relevant today as when their guilds were originally established. Some still exercise powers of regulation, inspection and enforcement, e.g.the Goldsmiths' Company Assay Office,while others are awarding bodies for professional qualifications. TheScriveners' Companyadmits senior members of legal and associated professions, theApothecaries' Societyawards post-graduate qualifications in some medical specialities, and theHackney Carriage Drivers' Companycomprises licensed taxi drivers who have passed the "Knowledge of London"test. Several companies restrict membership to those holding relevant professional qualifications, e.g. theCity of London Solicitors' Companyand theWorshipful Company of Engineers.Other companies whose trade died out long ago, such as theBowyers' Company,have evolved into being primarilycharitable foundations.[3]Some companies, such as the Pinmakers, disappeared entirely in theVictorian era.[5]
After theCarmen's Companyreceived City livery status in 1848 no new companies were established for 80 years until theHonourable Company of Master Marinersin 1926 (granted livery in 1932).[3]Post-1926 creations are known asmodern livery companies.TheNurses' Company,the newest, was granted livery status in 2023, making it the 111th City livery company inorder of precedence.[6]The Honourable Company of Air Pilotsis exceptional among London's livery companies in having active overseas committees in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand and North America.
Purpose
editTraining and industry
editLivery companies were originally formed, starting in the 12th century, to guarantee that a member was trustworthy and fully qualified, and that the goods they produced were of reputable quality, the two-fold aim being to protect the public and to protect members from charlatans. After theMiddle Ages,they continued to be established until the 17th century, when political upheaval in England, thegrowth of Londonoutwards from the City rendered many such livery companies, which only controlled trade within theSquare Mile,less competitive. The City adapted with Britain's role in the expansion ofglobal tradeby establishingexchangeswhich later became guardians ofbusiness conduct.
From the 1870s however, there was a revival, with livery companies extending their original educational purpose to technical education, supporting new industries and providing the necessary training, most notably through theCity and Guilds of London Institute.[7]
Charity and education
editFrom their inception, livery companies cared for their members in sickness and old age by the giving ofalms.Today, they continue to support both their members, and wider charitable aims and activities such aseducationandtraining.[7]
Numerous educational establishments in England were founded by and retain association with livery companies, among the best-known being theHaberdashers',Merchant Taylors'andSkinners'schools.
Support for the Armed Forces
editMost livery companies maintain proud affiliations withregularandreserve unitsof theBritish Armed Forces,[8]providing links betweencivilianandmilitarylife.
City of London governance
editThe livery companies have always been a constituent part of thegovernance of the City of London.The senior members of the livery companies, i.e.liverymen,elect the City'sSheriffs,Bridge Masters,Ale Conners,Auditors, members of the City Livery Committee, and approve thealdermaniccandidates for election to the office ofLord Mayor of London.[7]
Entry
editEntry to a livery company may be by one of four routes:
- By invitation to become anHonorary Freeman/Liveryman/Assistant.This is rare, and is considered a great honour.
- Byapprenticeshipor servitude. This is nowadays less common. In earlier days, someone wishing to enter a trade would bind himself as apprentice to a member of his chosen trade. As such, he was required to do as he was instructed, and in return for strict adherence to the master's rules the apprentice learned his trade, while his master was required to provide such training that, at the end of the apprenticeship (usually seven years) the apprentice would be sufficiently knowledgeable to become a member – and a Freeman of theCity of London– free of the obligations of apprenticeship.
- Bypatrimony.Generally, a member's son/grandson (or now also a daughter/granddaughter) who was born after the parent became a member of a company are entitled to become a member by patrimony.
- Byredemption.Redemption is the path to the freedom for all others who do not qualify for apprenticeship, patrimony or by invitation and requires the payment of afine (fee)as well as an interview or other admission procedure.
Regardless of method of entry, membership carries the same duties, responsibilities and privileges. Membership of a livery company may combine with thefreedom of the City of London,now an essential formality, though in the past the Freedom carried benefits, such as being able to drive a flock of sheep acrossLondon Bridge[9]at no charge.
Governance
editLivery companies are governed by a Master (alternatively styled Prime Warden in some companies, or Upper Bailiff of the Weavers' Company), a number of Wardens (holding various titles such as the Upper, Middle, Lower, or Renter Wardens), and acourt of Assistants(board of directors), responsible for company business and electing its Master and Wardens. The "Clerkto the Company "is the most senior permanent member of staff, who aschief executive officerruns its day-to-day activities.
The livery companies elect a majority of the members of the Livery Committee, a body administered atGuildhall.The committee oversees the elections of Sheriffs and the Lord Mayor, educates liverymen regarding the City Corporation's activities and represents the livery companies in communications with the City.[10]
Membership generally falls into two categories:freemenand liverymen.
Freemen
editOne may become a freeman, or be admitted to the "freedom of the company", upon fulfilling certain criteria: traditionally, by "patrimony", if either parent/grandparent were a liveryman of the company; by "servitude", if one has served a requisite number of years as anapprenticeto a senior company member; or by "redemption", upon paying a fee. Most livery companies reserve the right to admit distinguished people, particularly in their sphere of influence, asHonorary Freeman/Liveryman/Assistant.Freemen may advance to become liverymen, after obtaining theFreedom of the City of London,and with their court of Assistants' approval. Only liverymen are eligible to vote in the annual election of theLord Mayor of London,theSheriffsand various other City civic offices, including theAle ConnersandBridge Masters.
Liverymen
edit
A liveryman is a full member of his/her respective company.
When a freeman is promoted liveryman, the candidate is said to be 'clothed in the livery': indeed, alivery gownis placed on him at the Court meeting which he wears to the subsequent formal or social occasion. Thereafter only the Master, Wardens and Assistants wear livery gowns at company functions. Masters wear them at the City's formal events, e.g. the two Common Halls and the United Guilds Service, and Lord Mayor's Show, wherever they may participate. Ordinarily, liverymen wear ties or brooches at formal functions and each company differs by allowing men/women to wear distinct items subject to the occasion, such as a tie, scarf, badge or brooch.
Freemen are expected to advance to become liverymen by a vote of thecourtof each company. Liverymen no longer have any local government franchise in the City, but retain the exclusive right of voting in the election of theLord Mayor(Michaelmas 'Common Hall' 29 September) and for the Sheriffs (Mid-Summer 'Common Hall' 24 June) held at Guildhall as a ceremonial occasion. The votes are made by 'acclamation' subject to a challenge/demand from the floor for a ballot which would be held a week later. Any two liverymen may nominate a candidate for the freedom of the City.
Former parliamentary election rights
editBefore theReform Act 1832the liverymen had the exclusive right to elect the fourMembers of Parliament(MPs) representing the City. Between 1832 and 1918 being a liveryman was one of a number of possible franchises which could qualify a parliamentary elector in theCity of London constituency,as it was a preserved ancient borough franchise under the terms of the 1832 Act.
Livery halls
edit
Today 39 out of 111 City livery companies own premises in London, as well as the Watermen and Lightermen which although not strictly a livery company, retains headquarters still in regular use. Among the earliest companies known to have had halls are theMerchant TaylorsandGoldsmithsin the 14th century, and, uniquely, the kitchen and the crypt of Merchant Taylors' Hall survived both theGreat Fire of Londonandthe Blitz,the kitchen now having been in uninterrupted use for over 600 years.
Besides part of Merchant Taylors' Hall kitchens, the oldest interiors extant of a livery hall proper are those of theApothecaries' Society,most rooms of which date from 1668 to 1671; significant portions of the fabric of this building are also medieval, from the 13th-century priory, part of which became Apothecaries' Hall. Several companies that do not have a hall of their own share office premises within the hall of another company on a semi-permanent basis, examples being theSpectacle Makers' Company,which uses part of Apothecaries' Hall, and theWorshipful Company of Shipwrights,which co-habits with theIronmongers.[3]Many livery halls can be hired for business and social functions, and are popular forweddings,commercialandsocietymeetings, luncheons and dinners.
Three livery companies (theGlaziers and Painters of Glass,LaunderersandScientific Instrument Makers) share a hall inSouthwark,just south of and outside the City of London, while theWorshipful Company of Gunmakershas long been based at Proof House in theLondon Borough of Tower Hamlets.Companies without halls customarily book use of another livery hall for their formal gatherings, giving members and guests the opportunity to visit and enjoy different City livery halls by rotation.[3]
Blue plaquesthroughout the City of London indicate where companies formerly had halls. Whilst several livery companies may aspire to owning or regaining their own hall it is appreciated that any increase in the overall number of livery halls would inevitably lead to some dilution of use of the existing halls. There is also attraction in belonging to a company which isperipatetic.[3]
Precedence
editIn 1515, theCourt of Aldermenof the City of London settled anorder of precedencefor the 48 livery companies then in existence, based on those companies' contemporary economic or political power.[3]The 12 highest-ranked companies remain known as the Great Twelve City Livery Companies. Presently, there are 111 City livery companies, with the newer companies generally being ranked by seniority of creation.[3]The origins of some companies, and the granting of their liveries, are now obscure.[11][12]
TheMerchant Taylorsand theSkinnershave long disputed their precedence, so once a year (at Easter) they swap between sixth and seventh places. This mix-up is a favourite theory for the origin of the phrase "at sixes and sevens",as has been pointed out by at least one Master Merchant Taylor; however, it is possible that the phrase may have been coined before the dispute arose,[13]as it comes from the companies both receiving theirChartersin 1327 with no proof surviving as to which was granted first.
List of companies in order of precedence
edit
Notes
editCoats of arms of the Great Twelve Livery Companies
edit| Name; Type of business |
Date of establishment; Order of precedence |
Image of arms | Blazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worshipful Company of Mercers (General merchants) |
1394 1st |
 |
Gules, issuant from a bank of clouds a figure of the Virgin couped at the shoulders proper vested in a crimson robe adorned with gold, the neck encircled by a jeweled necklace crined or and wreathed about the temples with a chaplet of roses alternately argent and of the first, and crowned with a celestial crown, the whole within a bordure of clouds also proper. |
| Worshipful Company of Grocers (Spice merchants) |
1345 2nd |
 |
Argent, a chevron gules between nine cloves six in chief and three in base proper |
| Worshipful Company of Drapers (Wool and cloth merchants) |
1361 3rd |
 |
Azure, three clouds radiated proper each adorned with a triple crown or |
| Worshipful Company of Fishmongers (Fish and seafood mongers) |
1272 4th |
 |
Azure, three dolphins embowed in pale between two pairs ofsea lucessaltirewise proper crowned or on a chief gules six keys in three saltires ward ends upwards of the second |
| Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths (Bullion dealers) |
1327 5th |
 |
Quarterly gules and azure, in the first and fourth quarters a leopard's face or in the second and third quarters a covered cup and in chief two round buckles the tongues fesse-wise, points to the dexter all of the third |
| Worshipful Company of Skinners (Fur traders) |
1327 6th |
 |
Ermine, on a chief gules three crowns or with caps of the field |
| Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors (Tailors) |
1327 7th |
 |
Argent, a royal tent between two parliament robes gules lined ermine the tent garnished or with pennon and flagstaff of the last on a chief azure a lion passant guardant or |
| Worshipful Company of Haberdashers (Silk merchants, i.e. clothiers in sewn and fine materials) |
1448 8th |
 |
Barry nebulée of six argent and azure, on a bend gules a lion passant guardant or |
| Worshipful Company of Salters (Traders of salts and chemicals) |
1394 9th |
 |
Per chevron azure and gules, three covered salts argent garnished or overflowing of the third |
| Worshipful Company of Ironmongers (Iron merchants) |
1463 10th |
 |
Argent, on a chevron gules between three gads of steel azure, three swivels Or |
| Worshipful Company of Vintners (Wine merchants) |
1364 11th |
 |
Sable, a chevron between three tuns argent |
| Worshipful Company of Clothworkers (Wool traders) |
1528 12th |
 |
Sable, a chevron ermine between in chief two havettes argent and in base a teazel cob Or |
City companies without grant of livery
editCompany without Liveryis a status which applies during the period between when aguildis recognised by theCourt of Aldermenand when it is granted the rights of a livery. A guild initially applies to be aLondon Guild,and may later apply to the Court to become aCompany of the City of London.After an indefinite period, such aCompany of the City of Londoncan apply to the Aldermen for livery status; if granted, they can thereafter use the honorific prefixWorshipful Company.
- Company of Entrepreneurs(recognised as a City Company in 2020)
- Company of Communicators(recognised as a City Company in 2022)[31]
Guilds and companies aiming to obtain the grant of Livery
editOther companies and organisations
editNeither theCompany of Parish Clerksnor theCompany of Watermenhave applied or intend to apply for livery status, which remains a long-standing City tradition. This is granted by the City Corporation in effect to control a company. The Watermen and Parish Clerks are governed by statutes and royal charters with responsibilities outside the City. The Company of Watermen and Lightermen was established byAct of Parliamentin1555to regulate thewatermenon theRiver Thamesresponsible for the movement of goods and passengers and remains the only ancient City guild to be formed and governed by Act of Parliament. They are then strictly not 'companies without livery' at all but simply 'companies'.
TheWard Beadles of the City of London[32]are the elected officials, not representatives, of theCity Wardsso have constitutional standing. They are associated together for mainly communications and social activities; they are a corps rather than a guild.
City Livery Club,[33]founded in 1914, is a livery-oriented organisation of over 1000 members based at Bell Wharf Lane near Southwark Bridge. The club's motto isuniting the livery, promoting fellowship.
TheGuild of Young Freemenand theGuild of Freemen of the City of London,whilst not being livery companies, are popular associations amongst the freemen of the City, with the young freemen being open to those under the age of 40.
TheHonourable Company of Freemen of the City of London of North America(headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) represents Freemen and Liverymen of the City of London living in North America.
The Southwark Manors
editThe City Corporation of London retains thelordshipof threemanorsinSouthwark(Guildable,King'sandGreat Liberty).
Now membership organisations, members are eligible to serve as ceremonialofficersorjurorsin their relevantmanorialjurisdiction.These courts retain legal-standing under theAdministration of Justice Act 1977,being in no wayguildsnever having been related to trading and occupational activities.
Former livery companies
editGuilds which at one point attained the status of livery companies and have since ceased to exist include the following:[11]
- Combmakers
- Silk Throwsters
- Silkmen
- Pinmakers
- Soap Makers
- Hatband Makers
- Long Bowstring Makers
Gallery
edit-
TheArmourers' and Brasiers' Company:We Are One -
TheCutlers' Company:Pour Parvenir A Bonne Foy(To Succeed Through Good Faith) -
TheDyers' Company:Da Gloriam Deo(Give Glory to God) -
TheHaberdashers' Company:Serve and Obey -
TheInnholders' Company:Hinc Spes Affulget(Hence Hope Shines Forth) -
TheLeathersellers' Company:Soli Deo Honor et Gloria(For Honour and Glory to God alone) -
TheSkinners' Company:To God Only Be All Glory -
TheTallow Chandlers' Company:Ecce Agnus Dei, Ecce Qui Tollit Peccata Mundi(Behold the Lamb of God, Who Takes Away the Sins of the World)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"What is a Livery Company?".
- ^"Alphabetical list".City of London. Archived fromthe originalon 18 April 2012.
- ^abcdefghiEngel, Matthew."British institutions: livery companies".Financial Times.Archived fromthe originalon 10 December 2022.Retrieved22 December2012.
- ^ab"The Worshipful Company of Bowyers".bowyers.Retrieved21 January2018.
- ^"Worshipful Company of Pinmakers, London",The National Archives
- ^"Why a Livery Company? - The Worshipful Company of Nurses".companyofnurses.co.uk.4 January 2016.
- ^abc"Livery companies".City of London.
- ^"Livery Company Affiliations with the Armed Forces (Regular and Reserve)".Stepping Forward London.
- ^"Mary Berry leads flock of sheep over London Bridge to promote wool industry – Farming UK News".farminguk.Retrieved21 January2018.
- ^"Livery Committee".City of London.Retrieved12 March2015.
- ^abcVine, John Richard Somers.The Municipal corporations companion, diary, directory, and year book of statistics for 1886,Waterlow and Sons Ltd., pp. 11-19.
- ^abHazlitt, William Carew.The Livery Companies of the City of London: Their Origin, Character, Development, and Social and Political Importance,S. Sonnenschein & Company, 1892.
- ^"World Wide Words: At sixes and sevens".World Wide Words.
- ^"700 years timeline | Mercers".mercers.co.uk.Retrieved19 November2024.
- ^"History of Grocers' Hall | The Grocers' Company".grocershall.co.uk.Retrieved19 November2024.
- ^"Heritage – The Drapers".Retrieved16 November2024.
- ^"Our History - The Fishmongers' Company".13 August 2019.Retrieved16 November2024.
- ^"History".The Goldsmiths' Company.Retrieved19 November2024.
- ^"Our History".The Skinners' Company.Retrieved19 November2024.
- ^"Company | Merchant Taylors".Merchant Taylors' Company.Retrieved19 November2024.
- ^"Company History | The Haberdashers' Company".haberdashers.co.uk.Retrieved19 November2024.
- ^Salters, The Worshipful Company of."Company History".The Salters' Company.Retrieved19 November2024.
- ^"About us".Ironmongers' Company.Retrieved16 November2024.
- ^"Introduction & Origins".The Vintners Company.Retrieved19 November2024.
- ^"History of the Company and Hall - The Worshipful Company of Pewterers".pewterers.org.uk.Retrieved29 October2024.
- ^"History".tallowchandlers.org.Retrieved29 October2024.
- ^"Our History page".The Girdlers' Company.Retrieved19 November2024.
- ^"1100 – The Company Emerges".The Weavers' Company.Retrieved16 November2024.
- ^"Framework Knitters | Company Heritage".framework-knitters.naked.dev.Retrieved19 November2024.
- ^"The Needlemakers' Company | Company History".needlemakers.org.uk.Retrieved19 November2024.
- ^"Home".companyofcommunicators.
- ^"City of London Ward Beadles".cityoflondonwardbeadles.org.
- ^"City Livery Club".Retrieved23 July2024.
Further reading
edit- Robert Seymour (1735)."Twelve Principal Companies of the City of London".Survey of the Cities of London and Westminster.Vol. 2. London: J. Read.
- Robert SeymourOf the Other Companies Following the Twelve
- Thomas Allen;Thomas Wright (1839)."Companies of the City of London".History and Antiquities of London, Westminster, Southwark, and Parts Adjacent.London.hdl:2027/hvd.hwh1uq.
- Edward Mayer andDonald Adamson,The Curriers' Company: A Modern History,2000.
- Paul Jagger (2014).The City of London Freeman's Guide.The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists.
- William Carew Hazlitt (1892).The livery companies of the city of London: their origin, character, development, and social and political importance(PDF).Swan Sonnenschein & Co. p. 692.
External links
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