The 108
Livery Companies are trade associations based in the
City of LondonThe City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
, almost all of which are known as the "Worshipful Company of" the relevant trade or profession. The Livery Companies originally developed as
guildA guild is an association of craftsmen in a particular trade.The earliest guilds were formed as confraternities of workers. They were organized in a manner something between a trade union, a cartel and a secret society...
s and were responsible for the regulation of their trades, controlling, for instance, wages and labour conditions. Some Livery Companies (for example, the
ScrivenersThe Worshipful Company of Scriveners of the City of London is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. It is also known as the Mysterie of Writers of the Court Letter. The Company had been responsible for setting qualifications and regulations for scrivener notaries since its foundation...
) continue to have a regulatory role today, and some (for example, the
Longbow MakersThe Worshipful Company of Bowyers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London, England.- History :Originally, the Bowyers and Fletchers formed one organisation...
) have become inoperative except as
charitable foundationsA charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . The term is relatively general and can technically refer to a public charity or a private foundation. It differs from other types of NPOs in that its focus is centered around goals of a general philanthropic nature A charitable...
. Most Livery Companies, particularly those formed in recent years, are primarily charitable organizations. The active Livery Companies also play an important part in social life and networking in the City of London. They have a long history of cultural patronage.
After the
Fan MakersThe Worshipful Company of Fan Makers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company was incorporated by a Royal Charter in 1709. As fan making is now done by machines rather than by craftsmen, the Company is no longer a trade association for fan makers...
were established in 1709 (and later granted
LiveryA livery is a uniform or other insignia or symbol worn in a non-military context on a person or object to denote a relationship with a person or corporate body, often by using elements of the heraldry relating to that person or body, or a personal emblem, and normally given by them. It derives...
in 1809), no new companies were formed for over 100 years until the
Master MarinersThe Honourable Company of Master Mariners is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company was formed in 1926; it was made a Livery Company by the City of London in 1932, making it the first new Livery Company to be formed in over two centuries...
in 1926 (Livery in 1932). Post-1926 companies are called
Modern livery companies. Formed in 1999, The Company of Security Professionals became the 108th Livery Company on 19 February 2008 when the
Court of AldermenThe Court of Aldermen is an elected body forming part of the City of London Corporation. The Court of Aldermen is made up of the twenty five Aldermen of the City of London, presided over by the Lord Mayor. The court was originally responsible for the entire administration of the City, but most of...
of the City of London Corporation approved the Petition for Livery. In recent years, many professions (such as Solicitors and Chartered Accountants) have established new guilds with the aim of being granted Livery, the most recent being the Tax Advisers (formed as a Guild in 1995 and granted Livery in 2005). As of 2008 there are two old bodies which, for historical reasons, are recognized as City Companies without Livery; three further guilds (Educators, Public Relations Practitioners and Arts Scholars, Dealers and Collectors) aim to obtain a grant of Livery.
Governance
Livery companies are governed by a master (known in some companies as the prime warden), a number of wardens (who may be known as the upper, middle, lower, or renter wardens), and a court of assistants, which elects the master and wardens. The chief operating officer of the company is known as the clerk.
Members generally fall into two categories: freemen and liverymen. One may become a freeman, or acquire the "freedom of the company", upon fulfilling the company's criteria: traditionally, one may be admitted by "patrimony", if either parent was a liverymen of the company; by "servitude", if one has served as an apprentice in the trade for the requisite number of years; or by "redemption", if one pays a fee. (The company may also vote to admit individuals as honorary freemen.) Freemen generally advance to becoming liverymen by a vote of the court of the company. Historically, only liverymen could take part in the election of the Lord Mayor of the City of London, the sheriffs, and the other traditional officers of the City .
Many Livery Companies and their roles feature in the
City of London boardgame that supports the Lord Mayor's Appeal and Lord Mayor's Show. Players answer questions about the City, gain Wards and move up the ranks from Freeman, Councilman, Liveryman, Alderman to Sheriff. Sheriffs then compete to win by reaching the Mansion House to become Lord Mayor of the City of London. For more information see
http://www.lordmayorshow.org
Livery halls
Many companies still have a hall, where members and their guests can be entertained and company business transacted. Among the earliest companies known to have possessed halls were the Merchant Taylors and Goldsmiths in the 14th century, but neither their nor other companies' original halls remain; the few survivors of the
Great FireThe Great Fire of London was a major conflagration that swept through the central parts of the English city of London, from Sunday, 2 September to Wednesday, 5 September 1666. The fire gutted the medieval City of London inside the old Roman City Wall...
, along with many reconstructions, were destroyed during
the BlitzThe Blitz was the sustained bombing of Britain by Nazi Germany between 7 September 1940 and 10 May 1941, in World War II. While the Blitz hit many towns and cities across the country, it began with the bombing of London for 57 consecutive nights...
. Today, only 40 companies have halls in London. Companies that do not have their own hall usually borrow one of the other companies' premises for social occasions.
Precedence
In 1515, the Court of Aldermen of the City of London settled an order of precedence for the forty-eight Livery Companies then in existence, which was based on the Companies' economic or political power. The first 12 Livery Companies are known as the
Great Twelve City Livery Companies. There are now one hundred and eight Livery Companies, some of recent formation, so the Order of Precedence is sometimes reviewed. However, the
Merchant TaylorsThe Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company, originally known as the Guild and Fraternity of St John the Baptist in the City of London, was first incorporated under a Royal Charter in 1327; the charter was confirmed by later charters...
and the
SkinnersThe Worshipful Company of Skinners is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. It was originally an association of furriers respectively skinners...
have always disputed their precedence, so once a year (at Easter) they exchange sixth and seventh place. This is one of the theories for the origin of the phrase "
at sixes and sevensTo be "at sixes and sevens" is an English phrase and idiom, common in the United Kingdom. It is used to describe a state of confusion or disarray. The similar phrase "to set the world at six and seven", used by Geoffrey Chaucer, seems, from its context, to mean "to hazard the world" or "to risk...
", as the master of the Merchant Taylors has asserted a number of times, although the first use of the phrase may have been before the Taylors and the Skinners decided to alternate their position
http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-six1.htm. Both companies had been founded before the birth of Chaucer, who was one of the first people to use the phrase, so this may have dated from before him.
List of Livery Companies, in order of precedence
- The Worshipful Company of Mercers
The Worshipful Company of Mercers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. It was incorporated under a Royal Charter in 1394. Its aim was to act as a trade association for general merchants, and especially for exporters of wool and importers of velvet, silk and other luxurious fabrics...
(General Merchants)
- The Worshipful Company of Grocers
The Worshipful Company of Grocers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London.-History:The Company was founded in the fourteenth century as the Guild of Pepperers, which was first known in the twelfth century . By 1373 , the Guild was known as the Company of Grocers of London.In 1428 ,...
- The Worshipful Company of Drapers
The Worshipful Company of Drapers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London; it has the formal name of The Master and Wardens and Brethren and Sisters of the Guild or Fraternity of the Blessed Mary the Virgin of the Mystery of Drapers of the City of London but is more usually known as...
(Wool and cloth merchants)
- The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers
The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London, being a guild of the sellers of fish in that city...
- The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths
The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company, which has origins in the twelfth century, received a Royal Charter in 1327. It ranks fifth in the order of precedence of Livery Companies. Its motto is Justitia Virtutum Regina, Latin for Justice...
- The Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors
The Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company, originally known as the Guild and Fraternity of St John the Baptist in the City of London, was first incorporated under a Royal Charter in 1327; the charter was confirmed by later charters...
(Tailors) (alternates with the Skinners)
- The Worshipful Company of Skinners
The Worshipful Company of Skinners is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. It was originally an association of furriers respectively skinners...
(Fur Traders) (alternates with the Merchant Taylors)
- The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers
The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation, which developed from the Mercers' Company, another Livery Company connected with clothing and haberdashery, received a Royal Charter in 1448...
- The Worshipful Company of Salters
The Worshipful Company of Salters is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company originated as the Guild of Corpus Christi, which was granted a Royal Charter of incorporation in 1559...
- The Worshipful Company of Ironmongers
The Worshipful Company of Ironmongers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Ironmongers, who were originally known as the Ferroners, were incorporated under a Royal Charter in 1463...
- The Worshipful Company of Vintners
The Worshipful Company of Vintners is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London, England.- History and origins :It probably existed as early as the twelfth century, and it received a Royal Charter in 1364. Due to the Royal Charter, the Company gained a monopoly over wine imports from Gascony...
(Wine merchants)
- The Worshipful Company of Clothworkers
The Worshipful Company of Clothworkers was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1528, formed by the amalgamation of its two predecessor Companies, the Fullers and the Shearmen...
- The Worshipful Company of Dyers
The Worshipful Company of Dyers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Dyers' Guild existed in the twelfth century; it received a Royal Charter in 1471...
- The Worshipful Company of Brewers
The Worshipful Company of Brewers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. London brewers are known to have organised as a group in the 13th century. Their first royal charter was granted by Henry VI in 1437....
- The Worshipful Company of Leathersellers
The Worshipful Company of Leathersellers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation originated in the latter part of the fourteenth century and received a Royal Charter in 1444. The Company, which originally regulated leather merchants, no longer retains a close...
- The Worshipful Company of Pewterers
The Worshipful Company of Pewterers is a livery company of the United Kingdom. It is 16th in the order of precedence of livery companies....
- The Worshipful Company of Barbers
The Worshipful Company of Barbers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation's records date as early as 1308, recording Richard le Barber as the first to hold the office of Master....
(Barbers, Surgeons, and Dentists)
- The Worshipful Company of Cutlers
The Worshipful Company of Cutlers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The trade of knife making and repairing was organised in the thirteenth century; the organisation received a Royal Charter later in 1416...
- The Worshipful Company of Bakers
The Worshipful Company of Bakers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Bakers' Guild is known to have existed in the twelfth century. From the Corporation of London, the Guild received the power to enforce regulations for baking, known as the Assize of Bread and Ale. The...
- The Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers
The Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation was established in 1358 by the granting of by-laws and ordinances by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen. New ordinances were issued in 1371...
- The Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers
The Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation, which engaged in not only tallow candle making but also in the trade of oils, received a Royal Charter in 1462. The Tallow Chandlers, were traditionally separate from Wax Chandlers;...
- The Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers
The Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Armourers' Guild was established in 1322; it received a Royal Charter in 1453. Other Companies, including the Armour Repairers, merged with the Armourers. In 1708, brass workers joined the...
(Armour Makers and Brass Workers)
- The Worshipful Company of Girdlers
The Worshipful Company of Girdlers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation was awarded the right to regulate Girdlers in 1327; it was granted a Royal Charter in 1449. The Girdlers, or makers of belts and girdles, are no longer closely related to their original trade...
(Sword Belt and Dress Belt Makers)
- The Worshipful Company of Butchers
The Worshipful Company of Butchers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London, England. Records indicate that an organization of Butchers existed as early as 975; the Butchers' Guild, the direct predecessor of the present company, received the right to regulate the trade in 1331. The...
- The Worshipful Company of Saddlers
The Worshipful Company of Saddlers is one of the most ancient of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Guild of Saddlers, the Company's predecessor, is thought to have been an Anglo-Saxon Craft Guild – it certainly existed at some point in the eleventh century. The Guild became a Company...
- The Worshipful Company of Carpenters
The Worshipful Company of Carpenters is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Carpenters were traditionally different from a fellow wood-crafting company, the Joiners' and Ceilers' Company, in that the Carpenters utilised nails while the Joiners used adhesives to attach wood.The...
- The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers
The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Cordwainers were workers in fine leather; the Company gets its name from "cordwain", the white leather produced from goatskin in Cordova, Spain...
(Fine Leather Workers)
- The Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers
The Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. An organisation of stainers, or painters of metals and wood, is known to have existed as early as 1268. A similar organisation of painters, who generally worked on cloth, existed as early as 1283...
- The Worshipful Company of Curriers
The Worshipful Company of Curriers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Curriers, or curers of leather, first formed an organization in 1272. The organisation become a Company under a Royal Charter of incorporation in 1605...
(Tanned Leather Dressers)
- The Worshipful Company of Masons
The Worshipful Company of Masons is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Masons were formed in mediæval times to regulate stonemasons. They were formally incorporated under a Royal Charter in 1677. Its members have taken part in the construction several famous structures,...
- The Worshipful Company of Plumbers
The Worshipful Company of Plumbers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation received the right to regulate mediæval plumbers, who were, among other things, responsible for fashioning cisterns, in 1365. It was incorporated under a Royal Charter in 1611. Today, the...
- The Worshipful Company of Innholders
The Worshipful Company of Innholders is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Innholders were originally known as Hostellers, but their name had changed by the time it was incorporated under a Royal Charter in 1514...
- The Worshipful Company of Founders
The Worshipful Company of Founders is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London, England. The Founders, or workers in brass and bronze, were incorporated under a Royal Charter in 1614. However, with the development of technology, the ancient craft grew obsolete. Now, the Company exists,...
(Metalworkers)
- The Worshipful Company of Poulters
The Worshipful Company of Poulters is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. In 1368, the organisation received the power to regulate the sale of poultry, swans, pigeons, rabbits and small game...
- The Worshipful Company of Cooks
The is the smallest of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company traces its origins back to the 12th Century, founded from two guilds of cooks in medieval London - the Cooks of Eastcheap and the Cooks of Bread Street...
- The Worshipful Company of Coopers
The Worshipful Company of Coopers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation of Coopers existed in 1422; it received a Royal Charter of incorporation in 1501...
(Barrel Makers)
- The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers
The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation of Tylers and Bricklayers existed in 1416; it was incorporated by a Royal Charter in 1568. Originally, the Company possessed a monopoly over bricklaying within the City of London...
- The Worshipful Company of Bowyers
The Worshipful Company of Bowyers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London, England.- History :Originally, the Bowyers and Fletchers formed one organisation...
(Longbow Makers)
- The Worshipful Company of Fletchers
The Worshipful Company of Fletchers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London, England. Originally, the Bowyers and Fletchers formed one organisation. However, in 1371, the Fletchers petitioned the Lord Mayor of the City of London to divide into their own Company...
(Arrow Makers)
- The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths
The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation was recognised as a Company "by prescription," i.e., by established usage of the title for several years, in 1325. A Royal Charter officially granting it the status of Company was granted in...
- The Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers
The Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers is one of the Livery Companies in the City of London. The Guild of St James Garlickhythe, the Company's predecessor, named after the church where it was founded, was formed in 1375...
(Wood Craftsmen)
- The Worshipful Company of Weavers
The Worshipful Company of Weavers is the most ancient of the Livery Companies in the City of London. It existed in the year 1130, and was perhaps formed earlier. The Company received a Royal Charter in 1180. At present, the Company retains a connection to textiles through its contributions to the...
- The Worshipful Company of Woolmen
The Worshipful Company of Woolmen is one of the Livery Companies in the City of London. It is known to have existed in 1180, making it one of the older Livery Companies of the City. It was officially incorporated in 1522. The Company's original members were concerned with the winding and selling of...
- The Worshipful Company of Scriveners
The Worshipful Company of Scriveners of the City of London is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. It is also known as the Mysterie of Writers of the Court Letter. The Company had been responsible for setting qualifications and regulations for scrivener notaries since its foundation...
(Court Document Writers and Notaries Public)
- The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers
The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London originally and presently concerned with the fruit trade, and a notable charitable institution.-History:...
- The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers
The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers is one of the Livery Companies in the City of London. It was incorporated under a Royal Charter in 1501. The spelling used in the charter was "plaisterer," and, though a future charters uses the spelling "plasterer", the original spelling is retained.The...
(Plasterers)
- The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers
The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Stationers' Company was founded in 1403; it received a Royal Charter in 1557...
- The Worshipful Company of Broderers
The Worshipful Company of Broderers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. Broderers were workers in embroidery; the organization of Broderers existed in at least 1376, and was officially incorporated by a Royal Charter in 1561. As the craft of embroidery has lost its importance as a...
(Embroiders)
- The Worshipful Company of Upholders
The Worshipful Company of Upholders is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. "Upholder" is an archaic word for "Upholsterer". In past times upholders carried out not just the manufacture and sale of upholstered goods but were cabinet makers, undertakers, soft furnishers, auctioneers...
(Upholsterers)
- The Worshipful Company of Musicians
The Worshipful Company of Musicians is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. In 1500, the Fellowship of Minstrels was granted incorporation as the Musicians' Company by the Lord Mayor of the City of London; the Company was given the right to regulate all musicians within the City....
- The Worshipful Company of Turners
The Worshipful Company of Turners is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Guild of Turners, or operators of the lathe, the predecessor of the Company, existed in 1310. In 1435, it received the power to oversee and regulate turners in the City of London; it retained the power until...
(Lathe Operators)
- The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers
The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company was constituted in 1569. It was recognised as a Livery Company in 1825, and received a Royal Charter in 1937. The Company has recently instituted Yeoman memberships for working basketmakers and...
- The Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass
The Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Guild of Glaziers, or makers of Glass, the Company's forerunner, existed as early as 1328. It received a Royal Charter of incorporation in 1638...
- The Worshipful Company of Horners
The Worshipful Company of Horners is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. It existed in at least 1284. In 1475, the Leather Bottlemakers merged with the Horners. The Company received its Royal Charter of incorporation in 1638....
- The Worshipful Company of Farriers
The Worshipful Company of Farriers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Farriers, or horseshoe makers, organised in 1356. It received a Royal Charter of incorporation in 1674. Over the years, the Company has evolved from a trade association for horseshoe makers into an...
(Horseshoe Makers and Veterinarians for Horses)
- The Worshipful Company of Paviors
The Worshipful Company of Paviors is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Paviors were formed at some point prior to 1276; they were responsible for the paving and maintenance of London's streets. It received a Royal Charter in 1672...
(Road and Highway Pavers)
- The Worshipful Company of Loriners
The Worshipful Company of Loriners is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation was originally a trade association for makers of metal parts for harnesses, bridles, spurs, and other horse apparel; hence the company's name, which comes from the Latin word lorum, through the...
(Harness Makers)
- The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries
The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. Originally, apothecaries, or pharmacists, were members of the Grocers' Company...
(Medical Practitioners and Pharmacists)
- The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights
The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London.The Shipwrights have not, unlike other Livery Companies, ever received a Royal Charter. Instead, it is considered incorporated "by prescription" because the body has for a long time used the title...
- The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers
The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London, UK.The Company was founded by a Royal Charter of Charles I in 1629 AD; it was granted the status of a Livery Company in 1809...
- The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers
The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Clockmakers were formed by a Royal Charter in 1631. Originally, no person was allowed to sell clocks unless they were a member of the Company. However, such requirements have since been relaxed and later...
- The Worshipful Company of Glovers
The Worshipful Company of Glovers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. Glovers were originally classified as Cordwainers, but eventually separated to form their own organization in 1349. They received a Royal Charter of incorporation in 1639...
- The Worshipful Company of Feltmakers
The is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Feltmakers, or makers of felt hats, were incorporated by Letters patent in 1604. They received a Royal Charter in 1667. The Company gradually lost its role as a trade association for felt hat makers, due to both advancements in...
(Hat Makers)
- The Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters
The Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. It was incorporated by Oliver Cromwell in 1657 and was granted livery status in 1713...
- The Worshipful Company of Needlemakers
The Worshipful Company of Needlemakers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Needlemakers received a Royal Charter in 1656. The Company gradually lost its role as a trade association, now acting as a supporter of the needle industry instead...
- The Worshipful Company of Gardeners
The Worshipful Company of Gardeners is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. An organisation of Gardeners existed in the middle of the fourteenth century; it received a Royal Charter in 1605. The Company no longer exists as a regulatory authority for the sale of produce in London;...
- The Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers
The Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers alias Wire Workers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. Tin craftsmen were originally part of the Ironmongers' Company, while the wire workers, who made wire objects such as cages, animal traps and fishhooks, were part of the Girdlers'...
- The Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights
The Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London, England. An organisation of Wheelwrights and Coachmakers petitioned for incorporation in 1630. The petition was granted forty years later, in 1670, when a Royal Charter was granted to the Wheelwrights...
- The Worshipful Company of Distillers
The Worshipful Company of Distillers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Distillers were incorporated under a Royal Charter in 1638. They were empowered to regulate and supervise the production of spirits and liquors. Now, however, it does not retain such powers...
- The Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers
The Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Pattenmakers, who were incorporated by Royal Charter in 1670, were makers of wooden-soled overshoes. Pattens were helpful in walking through the muddy streets of London. However, with the advent of...
(Wooden Shoe Makers)
- The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers
The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Glass Sellers received a Royal Charter of incorporation in 1664...
- The Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers
The Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. An organisation of Coachmakers and Wheelwrights petitioned for incorporation in 1630. The petition was granted almost fifty years later, in 1677, when a Royal Charter was granted to...
- The Worshipful Company of Gunmakers
The Worshipful Company of Gunmakers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Gunmakers' Company received a Royal Charter of incorporation in 1637. The Company was, and still is, responsible for proof testing various gun barrels/actions for safety. Thus, unlike most Livery...
- The Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers
The Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers were incorporated by Royal Charter in 1693; the City granted it the status of a Livery Company in 1780...
- The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards
The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company was incorporated by a Royal Charter in 1628; the City granted it the status of a Livery Company in 1792. As cards have evolved from objects made by craftsmen to mechanically produced...
- The Worshipful Company of Fanmakers
The Worshipful Company of Fan Makers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company was incorporated by a Royal Charter in 1709. As fan making is now done by machines rather than by craftsmen, the Company is no longer a trade association for fan makers...
- The Worshipful Company of Carmen
The Worshipful Company of Carmen is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. Carmen, or drivers of carts, organised into a fraternity in 1517. However, they were not empowered to regulate themselves, that task being done by the Woodmongers' Company...
- The Modern Livery Companies ...
- The Honourable Company of Master Mariners
The Honourable Company of Master Mariners is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company was formed in 1926; it was made a Livery Company by the City of London in 1932, making it the first new Livery Company to be formed in over two centuries...
- The City of London Solicitors' Company
The City of London Solicitors' Company is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company was formed in 1908; the City granted it Livery status in 1944. The Company received a Royal Charter in 1958. Prior to 1969, when the City of London Law Society was formed, the Company functioned...
- The Worshipful Company of Farmers
The Worshipful Company of Farmers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company became a Livery Company in 1952, and was granted a Royal Charter three years later. The Farmers' Company supports farming students, and otherwise promotes education in agriculture.The Farmers'...
- The Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators
The Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Guild was established in 1929 and was granted the status of a Livery Company in 1956. The Guild is responsible for advising the government on air safety and aeronautics.The Guild ranks eighty-first...
- The Worshipful Company of Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Blenders
The Worshipful Company of Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Blenders is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company was at first incorporated by a Royal Charter in 1619. The Company was forced to dissolve when it failed to offer monetary support to the King prior to the English...
- The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers
The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation was formed in 1951, and the City granted it Livery status in 1963. The Company generally promotes the trade by awarding scholarship to students of the craft.The Company ranks...
- The Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers
The Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation was formed in 1956, and the City granted it Livery status in 1964. The Company promotes science by offering scholarships to science students.The Company ranks eighty-fourth...
- The Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors
The Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation was granted Letters Patent in May 1977. The Company promotes surveying by awarding scholarships....
- The Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
The Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation became a Livery Company in 1977. The Company promotes the practice of accounting by awarding prizes to students in the field. It also supports general...
- The Worshipful Company of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
The Worshipful Company of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation became a Livery Company in 1977. The Company promotes the profession by awarding grants to students aspiring to become Chartered Secretaries.The Company ranks...
- The Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants
The Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation, founded in 1961, became a Livery Company in 1977. The Company promotes the profession by awarding grants to institutions related to building....
- The Worshipful Company of Launderers
The Worshipful Company of Launderers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation, founded in 1960, became a Livery Company in 1977. The Company promotes the profession of the launderers by awarding scholarships to laundry students....
- The Worshipful Company of Marketors
The Worshipful Company of Marketors is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company was founded in 1975. It became a Livery Company in 1978. It supports marketing by awarding scholarships in the field....
- The Worshipful Company of Actuaries
The Worshipful Company of Actuaries is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company was founded and became a Livery Company in 1979, on the same day as the Insurers' Company...
- The Worshipful Company of Insurers
The Worshipful Company of Insurers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company was formed and became a Livery Company in 1979, on the same day as the Actuaries' Company...
- The Worshipful Company of Arbitrators
The Worshipful Company of Arbitrators is the 93rd Livery Company of the City of London. The organisation became a Livery Company on 17 March 1981. The Company supports education in the field of arbitration. It also functions as a charitable institution. Its motto is Law and Custom.There are two...
- The Worshipful Company of Engineers
The Worshipful Company of Engineers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company was founded and became a Livery Company in 1983 and was incorporated by Royal Charter in 2004...
- The Worshipful Company of Fuellers
The Worshipful Company of Fuellers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. It is now associated with the whole energy sector, but has its roots in coal : The Fuellers, or coal traders, were originally members of the Woodmongers' Company, which became defunct in the eighteenth century....
- The Worshipful Company of Lightmongers
The Worshipful Company of Lightmongers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Lightmongers, or sellers of electric lights, were organised into the Guild of Lightmongers in 1967. The Guild became a Livery Company in 1984. The Company promotes the lighting industry by awarding...
- The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners
The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. It was stablished in 1972 as the Guild of Cleaners, and was later known as the Guild of Master Cleaners. The Guild became a Livery Company in 1986, changing its name again, this time to the...
- The Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects
The Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London.The company was established in 1984 and was granted Livery status in 1988. The Company promotes architecture in the City of London particularly - primarily through its annual New City Architecture...
- The Worshipful Company of Constructors
The Worshipful Company of Constructors is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company aims to bring together those professionally qualified individuals concerned with aspects of building design, execution, management, vision and economic appraisal.The Company's origins date from...
- The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists
The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists is the 100th Livery Company of the City of London. The Company was granted Livery status by the Court of Aldermen in 1992 and has over 750 members — all currently or formerly senior practitioners in the IT profession, who have joined the Company...
- The Worshipful Company of World Traders
The Worshipful Company of World Traders is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Guild of World Traders was founded in 1985, became a Company in 1993, and was granted Livery status by the Court of Aldermen with effect from 2000...
- The Worshipful Company of Water Conservators
The Worshipful Company of Water Conservators is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. In 1988, some members of the Institution of Water and Environmental Management decided to found the Guild of Water Conservators; it was recognised as a Company in 1994...
- The Worshipful Company of Firefighters
The Worshipful Company of Firefighters is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company aims to promote the development and advancement of the science, art and the practice of firefighting, fire prevention and life safety....
- The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers
The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Fellowship of Hackney Carriage Drivers was recognised by the City of London Corporation in 1990, and became a Livery Company in 2004. The process started with an instruction from Oliver...
- The Worshipful Company of Management Consultants
The Worshipful Company of Management Consultants is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. It started as a Guild of the City of London in 1993 and became a Company without Livery in 1999. On 4 May 2004, the Court of Aldermen granted the Company’s petition to become the 105th Livery...
- The Worshipful Company of International Bankers
- The Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers
The Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers is a Livery Company of the City of London. It was started as a Guild of the City of London by some members of the Chartered Institute of Taxation in 1995 and became a Company without Livery in 2000. On 18 January 2005, the Court of Aldermen granted the...
- The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals
The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals 'is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The company is a charitable organization providing education and health services to members of the security professional community...
City Companies Without Grant of Livery
- The Company of Parish Clerks
The Worshipful Company of Parish Clerks is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. For historical reasons it has no livery, originally because Parish Clerks were Minor clerics, that is, in Holy Orders....
- The Company of Watermen and Lightermen
Both of these are never intending to apply for Livery due to ancient status and custom.
A guild which is recognised by the Court of Aldermen as a 'London Guild' applies to the Court to become 'A Company without Livery'. After a term of years the Company applies to the Court for Livery status, at which point it adopts the style 'Worshipful Company of ... '.
Many Livery Companies feature in the
City of London boardgame that supports the Lord Mayor's Appeal and Lord Mayor's Show.
Players answer questions about the City, gain Wards and move up the ranks from Freeman, Councilman, Liveryman, Alderman to Sheriff. Sheriffs then compete to win by reaching the Mansion House to become Lord Mayor of the City of London. For more information see:
http://www.lordmayorshow.org
Other guilds aiming to obtain a Grant of Livery
- The Guild of Public Relations Practitioners
The Guild of Public Relations Practitioners is a guild in the City of London. The Guild was formed in 2000 to represent the public relations profession and for charitable purposes.The Guild aims to achieve a grant of livery to become a Livery Company....
- The Guild of Arts Scholars, Dealers & Collectors
See also
- Liveryman
In Livery Companies within the City of London, a liveryman is a full member of the Company.Livery Company members fall into two categories: freemen and liverymen. One may join as a freeman, and acquire the "Freedom of the Company", upon fulfilling the Company's criteria...
- Mottos of the Livery Companies of the City of London
The Livery Companies are listed in alphabetical order, rather than by precedence. Note that most are double entendres or puns about their Company's purpose....
- City and Guilds of London Institute
The City and Guilds of London Institute is a United Kingdom examining and accreditation body for vocational, managerial and engineering training, offering over 500 qualifications in 28 industry areas, spanning from entry level to the equivalent of a postgraduate degree.Incorporated in 1880, the...
NB Neither the 'City Livery Club' and 'The Guild of Freemen of the City of London' are recognised as a 'guild' by the City, they are merely social clubs.
External links