Livery company

The livery companies of the City of London are various historic trade associations almost all of which are known as the "Worshipful Company of..." their relevant trade, craft or profession. The medieval companies originally developed as guilds and were responsible for the regulation of their trades, controlling, for instance, wages and labour conditions. Until the Protestant Reformation, they were closely associated with religious activities, notably in support of chantry chapels and churches and the observance of ceremonies, notably the mystery plays. Livery companies retain a religious connection today, although they admit members of any faith or none.

Most of the livery companies continue to have a trade, craft or professional role today: for example, the Scriveners' Company admits senior members to that profession, the Apothecaries' Company awards post-graduate qualifications in some medical specialties, and the Hackney Carriage Drivers' Company comprises licensed London taxicab drivers who have learnt the "knowledge of London". Several companies restrict membership to those holding professional qualifications in their trade, craft or profession such as the City of London Solicitors' Company and the Worshipful Company of Engineers. A few companies have become primarily charitable foundations, such as the Longbow Makers' Company.

The livery companies, which currently number 110, play an important part in civic, social life and networking in the City and have a long history of cultural and education patronage. They retain voting rights for the City of London Corporation, the local authority with extensive local government powers.

After the Worshipful Company of Carmen was accepted in 1746 no new companies were formed for 180 years until the Master Mariners in 1926 (granted livery in 1932). Post-1926 companies are described as modern livery companies. The most recent livery company is The Worshipful Company of Art Scholars which achieved livery status on 11 February 2014 making it the 110th livery company of the City of London.

The Honourable Company of Air Pilots is unique in having active regional committees in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand and the United States.

Governance

Livery companies are governed by a master (known in some companies as the prime warden or bailiff), a number of wardens (who may be known by various titles such as the upper, middle, lower, or renter wardens), and a court of assistants, which elects the master and wardens. The chief executive officer of the company is known as the clerk and is the senior employee of the company.

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 liveryman of the company; by "servitude", if one has served the requisite number of years as an apprentice to the company; or by "redemption", by paying a fee. The company may also vote to admit individuals as honorary freemen. Freemen are generally entitled to advance to becoming liverymen by a vote of the court of the company. Only liverymen can take part in the election of the Lord Mayor, the Sheriffs, and the other several other traditional officers of the City including the Ale Conners and the Bridge Masters.

Livery halls

See also: Mottos and halls of the Livery Companies

Grocers' Hall, in Princes Street, is the home of the Worshipful Company of Grocers.

Many companies still operate a livery hall where members and their guests can be entertained and company business transacted. Among the earliest companies known to have had halls are the Merchant Taylors and Goldsmiths in the 14th century, but neither theirs nor any other companies' original halls remain: the few that survived the Great Fire of London were destroyed in the Blitz of the Second World War.

Today, 39 out of the 110 livery companies have halls in London, in addition to that of the Watermen and Lightermen which is not strictly a livery hall but in regular use. Most are commonly available for business and social functions, such as weddings, commercial and society meetings, luncheons and dinners. The oldest hall now extant is that of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries, dating from 1672. Several companies that do not have their own hall share office premises within a hall of another company on a semi-permanent basis, and examples are the Spectacle Makers' Company, which uses part of Apothecaries' Hall, and the Shipwrights, which co-habit with the Ironmongers.

Three livery companies (the Glaziers and Painters of Glass, Launderers, and Scientific Instrument Makers) share a hall in Southwark, just south of but outside of the City of London, while the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers is based at Proof House, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and the Master Mariners' "hall" is an historical ship, HQS Wellington, moored in the Thames and shared with the Scriveners' Company. Companies without their own hall will customarily book use of another hall for their formal livery functions, thus giving their members the opportunity to visit and appreciate a large number of livery halls by rotation.

Many blue plaques in the City of London indicate where companies used to have halls. Whilst several livery companies may aspire to eventually owning, or again owning, 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 some attraction in belonging to a company which is peripatetic.

Precedence

In 1515, the Court of Aldermen of the City of London settled an order of precedence for the 48 livery companies then in existence, which was based on the companies' economic or political power. The first 12 companies are known as the Great Twelve City Livery Companies. There are now 110 companies, with modern companies ranked by seniority.

The Merchant Taylors and the Skinners have always disputed their precedence, so once a year (at Easter) they exchange sixth and seventh place in the order. This alternation is one of the theories for the origin of the phrase "at sixes and sevens", 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. The dispute is due to their both receiving their charters in 1327 but there is no proof as to which was the first.

List of companies in order of precedence

The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers, whose hall is pictured, ranks fourth in the order of precedence of 1515.

Vinters' Hall is the home of the Worshipful Company of Vintners, 11th in the order of precedence.

The Worshipful Company of Gunmakers, which is positioned 73rd in the order of precedence, has been based at Proof House for over 300 years.

1. Worshipful Company of Mercers (general merchants)
2. Worshipful Company of Grocers
3. Worshipful Company of Drapers (wool and cloth merchants)
4. Worshipful Company of Fishmongers
5. Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths
6. Worshipful Company of Skinners* (fur traders)
7. Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors* (tailors)
8. Worshipful Company of Haberdashers (traders of sewing articles)
9. Worshipful Company of Salters (traders of salts and chemicals)
10. Worshipful Company of Ironmongers
11. Worshipful Company of Vintners (wine merchants)
12. Worshipful Company of Clothworkers
13. Worshipful Company of Dyers
14. Worshipful Company of Brewers
15. Worshipful Company of Leathersellers
16. Worshipful Company of Pewterers
17. Worshipful Company of Barbers (and surgeons and dentists)
18. Worshipful Company of Cutlers (knife, sword and cutlery makers)
19. Worshipful Company of Bakers
20. Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers (wax candle makers)
21. Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers (tallow candle makers)
22. Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers (armour makers and brass workers)
23. Worshipful Company of Girdlers (swordbelt and dressbelt makers)
24. Worshipful Company of Butchers
25. Worshipful Company of Saddlers
26. Worshipful Company of Carpenters
27. Worshipful Company of Cordwainers (fine leather workers)
28. Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers
29. Worshipful Company of Curriers (tanned leather dressers)
30. Worshipful Company of Masons
31. Worshipful Company of Plumbers
32. Worshipful Company of Innholders (inn-keepers)
33. Worshipful Company of Founders (brass and tinplate cast work)
34. Worshipful Company of Poulters
35. Worshipful Company of Cooks
36. Worshipful Company of Coopers (barrel and cask makers)
37. Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers
38. Worshipful Company of Bowyers (long bow makers)
39. Worshipful Company of Fletchers (arrow makers)
40. Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths
41. Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers (wood craftsmen)
42. Worshipful Company of Weavers
43. Worshipful Company of Woolmen
44. Worshipful Company of Scriveners (court document writers and notaries public)
45. Worshipful Company of Fruiterers
46. Worshipful Company of Plaisterers (plasterers)
47. Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers
48. Worshipful Company of Broderers (embroiderers)
49. Worshipful Company of Upholders (upholsterers)
50. Worshipful Company of Musicians
51. Worshipful Company of Turners (lathe operators)
52. Worshipful Company of Basketmakers
53. Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass
54. Worshipful Company of Horners (horn workers and plastics)
55. Worshipful Company of Farriers (horseshoe makers and horse veterinarians)
56. Worshipful Company of Paviors (road and highway pavers)
57. Worshipful Company of Loriners (bit, bridle and spur makers)
58. Worshipful Society of Apothecaries (medical practitioners and pharmacists)
59. Worshipful Company of Shipwrights
60. Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers
61. Worshipful Company of Clockmakers
62. Worshipful Company of Glovers
63. Worshipful Company of Feltmakers (hat makers)
64. Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters
65. Worshipful Company of Needlemakers
66. Worshipful Company of Gardeners
67. Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers
68. Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights
69. Worshipful Company of Distillers
70. Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers (wooden shoe makers)
71. Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers
72. Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers
73. Worshipful Company of Gunmakers
74. Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers (makers of thread for uniforms)
75. Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards
76. Worshipful Company of Fanmakers
77. Worshipful Company of Carmen (cart drivers)
78. Honourable Company of Master Mariners
79. City of London Solicitors' Company
80. Worshipful Company of Farmers
81. The Honourable Company of Air Pilots
82. Worshipful Company of Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Blenders
83. Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers
84. Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers
85. Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors
86. Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
87. Worshipful Company of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
88. Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants
89. Worshipful Company of Launderers
90. Worshipful Company of Marketors
91. Worshipful Company of Actuaries
92. Worshipful Company of Insurers
93. Worshipful Company of Arbitrators
94. Worshipful Company of Engineers
95. Worshipful Company of Fuellers
96. Worshipful Company of Lightmongers
97. Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners
98. Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects
99. Worshipful Company of Constructors
100. Worshipful Company of Information Technologists
101. Worshipful Company of World Traders
102. Worshipful Company of Water Conservators
103. Worshipful Company of Firefighters
104. Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers (licensed London taxicab drivers)
105. Worshipful Company of Management Consultants
106. Worshipful Company of International Bankers
107. Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers
108. Worshipful Company of Security Professionals
109. Worshipful Company of Educators
110. Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars

Note: *The Skinners' and Merchant Taylors' Companies alternate position once per year.

City companies without grant of livery

• Worshipful Company of Parish Clerks
• Company of Watermen and Lightermen
• Guild of Public Relations Practitioners

Neither the Company of Parish Clerks nor the Company of Watermen intend ever to apply for livery; this is a long-standing tradition. The Company of Watermen and Lightermen was established by Act of Parliament in 1555 to control the watermen on the River Thames responsible for the movement of goods and passengers and remains the only ancient City Guild to be formed and controlled by Act of Parliament.

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 name 'Worshipful Company of ... '.

Other guilds aiming to obtain a grant of livery

• Company of Entrepreneurs

Neither the 'City Livery Club' nor 'The Guild of Freemen of the City of London' is recognised as a 'guild' by the City; they are merely social clubs. The three City of London Manors in Southwark (Guildable, King's and Great Liberty) are manorial courts and their associations of Jurors and are not guilds but are legally institutionalised under the Administration of Justice Act 1977.

See also

• Liveryman
• Mottos and halls of the Livery Companies
• City and Guilds of London Institute

Further reading

• Robert Seymour (1735). "Twelve Principal Companies of the City of London". Survey of the Cities of London and Westminster. Vol. 2. London: J. Read. {{cite book}}: External link in |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help)
  • Of 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. {{cite book}}: External link in |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help)
  • Account of the Companies of the City of London, Alphabetically Arranged, pages 376-429
• Paul Jagger (2014). The City of London Freeman's Guide. The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists.

External links

• City of London Corporation: City Livery Companies