The makers of brown bread, known as brown bakers, were members of the Bakers' Company until they were granted their own charter, in 1621. They had been meeting in the basement of Founders' Hall, in Lothbury, since 1594 and only ended this arrangement in 1654, when it appears that they were being drawn back into the orbit of the Bakers' Company. This reunion was formally recognised in the charter of 1685.
The Company of Coachmakers was incorporated by charter in May 1677 and originally controlled its trade, whilst feasible, until 1804. It acquired a hall in Noble Street in 1703, which was destroyed by fire in 1940. Active trade participation ended during the First World War.
The organisation probably dates from 1311/12. Thereafter until 1438 there are references to the masters of the misteries of Cooks, Pastelers and Piebakers, later amalgamated into the Cooks of East Cheap and Bread Street. The first grant of arms was in 1461 and the first charter in 1482.
A guild of coopers, or makers of barrels for beer, wine and spirits, existed before 1396, and five charters were granted to the Company between the years 1501 and 1685. The Company had a hall in Basinghall Street from 1547 until 1666; rebuilt in 1670, it was pulled down in 1865; rebuilt in 1869, and eventually destroyed in 1940. Their present hall is in Devonshire Square.
An organisation of cordwainers appears to have existed at an early date; the first ordinances were granted in 1272. However, the company's charters only date from 1439, with the grant of arms not until 1579. Cordwainers worked with leather (especially cordwain or cordovan leather) to make shoes, bottles and harnesses.
A Fraternity of Curriers was known to be attached to the Priory of the Carmelites by 1389, and ordinances were entered into the City of London Corporation's Letter Book I (held amongst the City's own records) in 1415. In 1583 the Company received a Grant of Arms, and new ordinances were ratified in 1687. However their first charter was not granted until 1605; a further charter was granted by James II in 1686. Curriers dressed and treated tanned leather.The Company now supports technical colleges.
The Company originates from a medieval guild of farriers, but did not receive a charter until 1673/4. Farriers were responsible for the shoeing of horses and also for the early practice of equine veterinary medicine. The Company may have had a Hall in Aldersgate Street, in the 17th century.
The Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters were granted a charter in 1657. Their 1663 charter covered the whole of England and Wales and the Company established subsidiary courts at Nottingham and Leicester. The Company had a hall in Redcross Street which was sold in 1821. A framework knitter used machinery to create woollen clothing, principally hosiery.
The Framework Knitters' Company maintained almshouses in the City of London from 1770. They were sold in 1906, and new cottages were built in Oadby in Leicestershire.
A fellowship of those who practised the art of drawing wire and thread from precious metals existed in the 15th century. However, the Company's charter of 1623 was withdrawn and they were not incorporated until 1693. They enjoyed a close relationship with the Broderers' Company, supplying their members with cord and braid to be embroidered on clothing. For short periods in the 17th and 18th centuries, they lodged in other Companies' halls, but the expense became too great and they reverted to meeting in coffee houses.
The Haberdashers' Company was formed from a combination of the small wares business of the Mercers' Company and from the Fraternity of Hurers (the Cappers and Hatters). The first ordinances of the company date from 1371 and the first charter from 1448 (to the Fraternity of St Catherine the Virgin of Haberdashers of London, i.e. to the Fraternity created from the business of the Mercers' Company). The two fraternities were united by a charter of 1502. The company inherited the site of its hall on Gresham Street (formerly Maiden Lane) in 1478. The first hall was destroyed by fire in 1666 and rebuilt in 1668; damaged by fire and rebuilt in 1840; damaged by fire and rebuilt again in 1864; and completely destroyed by enemy action in December 1940. The present hall was completed in 1956.
Robert Aske (1619-89), a prosperous City merchant and member of the Haberdashers' Company, died without children. He left the bulk of his estate to the Haberdashers' Company for charitable purposes, including money to buy land in Hoxton, near the City of London, on which the Company was to build almshouses for 20 poor members of the Company, and a school for 20 sons of poor freemen of the Company. The remainder of the money formed the Haberdasher Aske's Foundation, a charity of which the Company is a trustee. Building work on the almshouses in Hoxton, Shoreditch, started in 1691, to designs by Robert Hooke, and the first pensioners entered in 1695. The almshouse buildings were demolished in 1824 and rebuilt in 1825. The almshouses were closed in 1873 to allow the school to expand, and become a school for girls and boys. The girls school was opened in 1875. At the same time land was purchased by the Foundation at Hatcham, and another boys school built. A girls school was added to this site in 1889. In 1944 these Hatcham schools became voluntary controlled grammar schools, in 1976 comprehensive schools, and combined in 1991 as a City Technology College. In 2004 the Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College and Haberdashers' Aske's Knights Academy were established. In 1898 the schools in Hoxton moved to two new sites, in Hampstead for boys, and in Acton for girls. In 1974 the two schools were reunited at a new site in Elstree. They became independent schools in 1976.
Thomas Aldersey established by letters patent a free grammar school in Bunbury, Cheshire, and endowed it with a preacher, master and usher, drew up the statutes of the school, and gave money to the poor of Bunbury and the Haberdashers' Company, who he entrusted with the running of the school. He also endowed the school with lands in Cheshire. The school was rebuilt in 1812. In 1902 it became a public elementary schol, and in 1958 a voluntary assisted primary school. It is now known as the Bunbury Aldersey Primary School, and has about 230 boys and girls. See the Charity Commissioners' Reports vol.X, pp.193-5.
William Adams, a wealthy London Haberdasher originally from Newport, founded a free grammar school in Newport in 1656. He appointed the Master and Wardens of the Haberdashers' Company to run it and provided estates in nearby Knighton to support it. It provided an education for 80 local boys, and it was equipped with an impressive library. The school currently has about 780 pupils. The Haberdashers' Company still maintains an active role, and nominates a significant number of the governing body.
In 1613 William Jones (d.1615), a prosperous merchant and Haberdasher, gave the Haberdashers' Company money for charitable works, and later bequeathed further sums. Monmouth Grammar school for boys was established, as well as an almshouse at Newland, Gloucestershire. The school was rebuilt in 1865, and the original foundation re-organised in 1891 to support a new girls' school and elementary school, as well as another boys' grammar school in Pontypool. The elementary school and the Pontypool school were transferred to County Council control in 1940 and 1955 respectively. In 1953 the almshouse was converted into 10 flats. Monmouth School and Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls acquired direct grant status in 1946. They became independent in 1976.
By his will of 1663 Throckmorton Trotman bequeathed £2000 to the Haberdashers' Company to build and endow a school. The Company purchased land in Bunhill Row and built a school, but borrowed back much of the bequest as a mortgage to rebuild their Hall, burnt in the Great Fire. The school took boys from the parish of St Giles Cripplegate, and, after its establishment as a parish, from St Luke's Old Street. In 1819 there were only 12 boys being educated. In 1883 the Metropolitan Board of Works took possession of the site, and the school moved to City Road. It was closed in 1899, and money from the bequest diverted to other schools supported by the Company.
The first known reference to the Company is in 1284 although the earliest surviving ordinances date from 1391. Horners worked in horn making horn spoons, combs and so on. In 1476 the Bottlemakers (makers of leather bottles) joined with the Horners since both crafts were troubled by increasing competition from glassware. A note in the Company's ordinance book, Ms 6508, suggests the link was as early as 1368.
The Worshipful Company of Innholders was formed in the 15th century from the original mistery of hostelers and haymongers. Its charter was granted in 1514. The freehold of the hall in College Street was acquired in 1613 and has been rebuilt three times since.
The company received its charter of incorporation in 1463, but had been in existence from the 13th century. Very little is known about the organisation before 1463, as few records survive. The original hall, in Fenchurch Street, was bought in 1457, the company being situated there until the hall was destroyed by a bomb in 1917 (the only livery company to lose its hall during the First World War). In 1919 the decision was made to rebuild the hall on a new site and the old site was sold. The new hall, built in 1923, is situated in Shaftesbury Place, off Aldersgate Street.
Geffery's almshouses were founded by the bequest of Sir Robert Geffery. A site for the almshouses was purchased in 1712. In 1910 they were sold to London County Council and converted into a museum. A site was purchased at Mottingham Park, Eltham, and the new almshouses were completed in 1914. In 1974 these buildings were acquired by the Greater London Council and new almshouses were built at Hook in Hampshire.
By his will dated 1555, Thomas Lewin bequeathed four almshouses in St Nicholas churchyard to the Ironmongers' Company. After they burnt down in the Fire of London, the Company converted four old houses in the parish of St Luke Old Street into houses for four poor freemen. These houses burnt down in 1785 and were replaced by four new almshouses.
The Merchant Taylors' Company, originally the 'Fraternity of St John the Baptist...called the Tailors and Linen Armourers of London', is one of the 'Great Twelve' livery companies of the City of London. The tailors received their first royal charter in 1327, and their charter of incorporation in 1408. The Company has been known as the Merchant Taylors since a charter of Henry VII of 6 January 1503. The Company is believed to have lost all direct contact with its trade during the 17th century. The Company's Hall has occupied the same site in Threadneedle Street since at least the 1340s.
The Company appears always to have had a large membership, and the membership records are extensive. There was also within the Company from at least the early 15th century until the late 17th century a separate, but dependent organisation for the Company's freemen (also known as 'yeomen') who had not achieved livery status. This was known from 1488 as the 'Bachelors' Company'. For a surviving minute and memorandum book of the 'Bachelors' Company' see Ms 34020. Membership of the 'Bachelors' Company was automatic for freemen of the main Company, so there were never any separate membership records.
Over the years the Company acquired extensive landed estates, either for charitable purposes (Trust property) or in its own right (Corporate property). The Company established Merchant Taylors' School from its own funds in 1561, for 'bringing up of children in good manners and literature'. It was always for boys only. Richard Hilles, the Master of the Company in that year, gave £500 towards the new school, but was not its founder. The Company has continued to govern the school up to the present day. Until the mid 20th century, there was a specially close relationship between the school and St John's College, Oxford, founded in 1567 by Sir Thomas White, Master of the Merchant Taylors' Company in 1535-6 and Lord Mayor in 1553-4. In particular, there were a number of closed scholarships from the school to the college. The President and Fellows of the college would normally travel to the school on 11 June (St Barnabas' Day) each year to elect suitable candidates. The school's first premises were in Suffolk Lane, in the parish of St Lawrence Pountney, where the Company purchased the Manor of the Rose. The staff in the early years comprised a schoolmaster and three ushers. The first buildings were destroyed in the Great Fire and rebuilt. In 1874 the school moved to Charterhouse Square, to the former buildings of Charterhouse School, which had recently moved to Godalming. In 1933 it moved again, to Sandy Lodge, Northwood, Middlesex. Because the school was funded by the Company entirely from its own resources, it was excluded from the '17th Report' (1827) of the Charity Commissioners which covers the Company's charities.
In 1413 the Company built seven almshouses for decayed tailors and their wives, believed to be the earliest such foundation in London. These almshouses stood in Threadneedle Street, on the west side of the church of St Martin Outwich, and were financed by charitable grants from John Churchman and the Bishop of Norwich. They appear to have escaped the Great Fire, but to have been discontinued by the Company soon after. In 1593 the Company also built almshouses for fourteen women on Tower Hill, on the north side of Rosemary Lane (now Royal Mint Street). The number of places was increased in 1637 to 26, and in 1767 the almshouses were rebuilt. In 1825 they moved to Lee in Kent, to a site then immediately north of Christopher Boone's almshouses, where they continue. The number of places was again increased, to 30. These almshouses were always funded from Corporate income, and should not be confused with Christopher Boone's almshouses, founded at Lee in the late 17th century and for which the Company acted as a trustee. In 1876 the Company in its corporate capacity purchased the redundant 17th century buildings of Boone's almshouses, which had recently moved to new buildings on a new site in Lee. The redundant buildings were then demolished, and the site added to the garden of the Company's almshouses, with the exception of the former chapel of Boone's almshouses, which was preserved in the south east corner of the garden of the Company's almshouses. In 1928 the Company's almshouses were opened to men as well as women. Confusingly, it seems always to have been possible for residents of the almshouses to also receive, on an individual basis, other Company pensions to which no accommodation was ever attached: see Mss 34162-4. For surviving lists of residents see Ms 34159 (1826-47); Mss 34162-3 (1829-1960). Other names may be discoverable from general series such as the Court minutes. The lists of Company almsmen and almswomen 1622-5 in Mss 34018/1 may also include the names of residents of the almshouses. Note that Mss 34100 and 34101, the two series of miscellaneous documents, contain further documents about the almshouses in Rosemary Lane and at Lee: see Ms 34100/147 (no.10), 151, 160-1, 163 and Ms 34101/29 (bundle 298). For plans of the almshouses in Rosemary Lane and at Lee see Ms 34214/2, 19. Further plans may be in the plan books (Mss 34216-23).
Ordinances were issued by a guild of paviors in 1479, although a charter was not granted until 1672. Thus the Company attained greater recognition as the practice of paving became more widespread. However, the Company languished in 1845 and was not revived until 1889.
A guild of pewterers [makers of pewter utensils], first mentioned in 1348, was granted a charter by Edward IV in 1473/4. The first hall was built in Lime Street in 1496. It was destroyed in the Great Fire and a new hall was built on the same site. This hall was demolished in 1932. The present hall is in Oat Lane.
The Company has been in existence from at least the 13th century, receiving charters in 1504, 1665, 1685, 1688 (two) and 1692. The Company also received a grant of arms in 1634. It was responsible for regulation of the trade in rabbits, pigeons, game, poultry and swans.
The Company appears to have used a tenement in Fenchurch Street as a hall from 1610, the premises being sub-let by the Company from 1630/1. The Company subsequently leased a property on the west side of Butcher Hall Lane. This hall was destroyed in the Great Fire. Since then the Company has held meetings at other company halls in the City and various coffee houses. In the period 1767-1951 the Company held meetings at Guildhall.
The Saddler's Company received its first charter in 1272 and was incorporated in 1395. The company retains close links with saddlery, giving prizes at horse shows and show jumping events. Their Hall in Foster Lane dated from the 14th century but was destroyed in the 1666 Great Fire. It was subsequently rebuilt only to be damaged again in another fire. The repaired building was again damaged by bombing in 1940. The present Hall was opened in 1958.
The Skinners received their first charter in 1327/8 as a result of the more general use of furs and the consequent growth of abuses in connection with the trade. Further charters were granted in 1393, 1437 and 1667. It is thought that the Company was formed from the consolidation of the two Fraternities of Corpus Christi and the Virgin some time between the granting of the first and second charters, the latter being the first to comprehend the whole craft. Ordinances for the regulation of the trade were drawn up immediately prior to the granting of the first charter and again in 1365/6 and 1676. The Company controlled the English fur trade until the eighteenth century. Skinners' Hall, at 8 Dowgate Hill, existed before 1295. It was burnt down in the Great Fire, rebuilt in 1670 and refaced in 1790
The Skinners' Irish estate in Londonderry was known as the Pellipar estate, after the Latin for skinners, pelliparii. It was divided into three divisions: the Dungiven, Ballinascreen and Banagher Divisions.
The following charities are associated with the Company:
Tonbridge School: Sir Andrew Judd, citizen and skinner, and former Lord Mayor of London, founded a school in Tonbridge, Kent in 1553. On his death in 1558, and in accordance with his will, the court of the Skinners' Company became governors, a role representatives of the court still perform. Judd endowed the school with land in Gracechurch Street in the City of London, and in St Pancras. It was a small and local institution until the 19th century when it expanded to become one of the leading public schools of England. The school was largely rebuilt from the 1860s-80s. It currently has some 750 pupils. For further information see A Holmes-Walker, Sixes and Sevens: A Short History of the Skinners' Company, London 2005, pp.50-60.
Skinners Company almshouses: By his will dated 1558, Sir Andrew Judd bequeathed to the Skinners' Company an almshouse in the parish of St Helen's for six poor freemen of the Company. Lewis Newberry (in his will dated 1683) provided for the purchase of land for almshouses at Mile End for six widows of freemen of the Company
Middle School for Boys, Tunbridge Wells: The school was opened by the Skinners' Company in 1887 from surplus profits from the Hunt and Atwell charities, as an addition to its school in Tonbridge, Kent. It was a day school until 1894, from which date boarders were admitted. By 1901 it had 145 pupils. In 1944 it became a voluntary aided school, and in 1992 grant maintained. It currently has about 750 pupils. The Skinners' Company maintains its role on the board of governors.
Sir Andrew Judd's Commercial School: The school was established by the Skinners' Company at Tonbridge, Kent in 1888, out of an endowment from Sir Andrew Judd's Foundation [q.v.]. It moved to its present site in Tonbridge in 1896. It soon after became known as the Judd School. In 1944 it became the first voluntary aided grammar school. It currently has about 850 pupils, including girls in the 6th form.
Middle School for Girls, Stamford Hill: The Skinners' Company founded a middle school for girls in Stamford Hill, North London in 1890 from surplus money from the Hunt and Atwell Charities. Its premises were expanded in 1892. In 1902 there were over 350 pupils. In 1944 it became a voluntary aided school, and in 1972 the first voluntary aided comprehensive. The Skinners' Company has maintained a close association. In 2004 it became a Business and Enterprise College.
A silk-thrower or silk-throwster was someone who converted raw silk into silk thread. The Company was formed in 1629 but is now defunct.
There is a reference to an organisation of candle makers in 1300, but the Tallow Chandlers' Company's charters date from 1462, with the grant of arms in 1456. In 1476 the Company purchased the site of its hall, near Cannon Street Station. The original hall was destroyed in the Great Fire, and the present Tallow Chandlers' Hall was built in 1672.
This Company is also known as the Wire Workers' Company, and there is evidence that these two separate crafts were joined by 1425. Although the Company did not receive a charter until 1670, the two crafts had previously sought protection from the Girdlers' and Ironmongers' Companies.
The Vintners', one of the "Great Twelve" livery companies of the City of London. The Company received its formal charter of incorporation in 1437, but the Vintners' as a group of traders had received charters from 1363. The Company's charters have been retained by the Clerk, although the Manuscripts Section has copies of many of them.The Company had a hall in Upper Thames Street in the City of London from at least 1446, which was destroyed in the Great Fire, but rebuilt betweeen 1667 and 1676.
By his will dated 1446, Guy Shuldham bequeathed 13 buildings and land to the Vintners' Company to be converted into almshouses. The almshouses were destroyed in the Great Fire and were replaced by 12 almshouses in Mile End. A bequest by Benjamin Kenton (d. 1802) paid for the almshouses to be pulled down and rebuilt. The almshouses were damaged by bombing in the Second World War and were replaced by new almshouses built at the "Vintry", Nutley, Surrey in 1957-1960.
There is evidence that the City of London Corporation passed regulations in 1370 governing watermen. In 1585 a grant of arms was made to the Company. The lightermen, who had formerly been members of the Woodmongers' Company, were amalgamated with the watermen in 1700. Watermen were boatmen or licensed wherry-men who were available for hire on the river Thames. Lightermen owned and operated lighters, flat-bottomed barges which were used in 'lightening' or unloading ships that could not be unloaded at a wharf, and also used for transporting goods of any kind.
Almshouses at Penge in Kent were built in 1840-1 on land presented to the Watermen and Lightermen's Company by John Dudin Brown. The almshouses could accommodate sixty residents (retired freemen of the Company). They were closed in 1973. Almshouses at Ditchling in Sussex were founded in 1888 through the gift of William Vokins, a master lighterman.
There is evidence of a body of Wax Chandlers in 1330 when it collected money as a gift for the king. In 1348 four men were appointed to investigate the quality of wares, and in 1353 ordinances were entered into the Corporation's Letter Book G (held with the City of London Corporation's own records; also transcribed in Ms 9495). Their first charter was granted in 1484 and the grant of arms was made in 1485 and confirmed with supporters in 1530. The Company's operative charter was granted by Charles II in 1663 and, although it was lost during 'quo warranto' proceedings, a contemporary transcript survives in Ms 9498.
The Company is the oldest chartered livery company in the City of London, receiving its charter from King Henry II in ca. 1155-8 (Guildhall Library Ms 4621). It had control of weaving in the City of London, as well as Westminster and Southwark. The Company had a hall in Basinghall Street, in the parish of St Michael Bassishaw, until its demolition in the mid-19th century. The Company also held other properties in the City of London, as well as estates in Billericay and Shenfield in Essex.
Almshouses: William Watson (d. 1673) gave £200 towards the building of almshouses in Shoreditch. The almshouses (with 12 rooms) were opened in 1670. Richard Garrett of Wandsworth bequeathed £1,000 East India stock for the building of six almshouses at Elder Street, Porter's Fields for poor members of the Weavers' Company. In 1851 these almshouses were sold and new ones were erected at Wanstead. They comprised 24 dwellings (12 for men and 12 for women) and were ready for occupation in 1859.
The company was granted its charter in 1670 and its livery in 1773. By the late 18th century its control over the trade had ceased, but from 1882 onwards the company has been a firm supporter of general technical education, through grants and classes.
The City of London was divided into wards for the purpose of government as early as Norman times. The wards had responsibility to keep the peace, supervise trade and oversee sanitation, and each ward has the right to elect an Alderman and Commoners to sit in the Court of Common Council.
One of the twenty-six wards of the City of London, constituting the area to the north of the River Thames (Bridge Without Ward was in Southwark to the south of the River), between Billingsgate Ward in the east and Dowgate Ward in the west. The ward was associated with the area around London Bridge from a very early period.
The City of London was divided into wards for the purpose of government as early as Norman times. The wards had responsibility to keep the peace, supervise trade and oversee sanitation, and each ward has the right to elect an Alderman and Commoners to sit in the Court of Common Council.
One of twenty-six wards of the City of London, bounded on the north by Bassishaw Ward, on the south by Cordwainer Ward, on the west by Cripplegate Ward and on the east by Coleman Street Ward. The ward contained seven City parish churches: St Lawrence Jewry; St Pancras Soper Lane; St Benet Sherehog; St Mildred Poultry; St Martin Pomeroy; St Mary Colechurch; and All Hallows, Honey Lane.
The City of London was divided into wards for the purpose of government as early as Norman times. The wards had responsibility to keep the peace, supervise trade and oversee sanitation, and each ward has the right to elect an Alderman and Commoners to sit in the Court of Common Council.
One of the twenty-six wards of the City of London, bounded on the north by Aldgate, Lime Street and Bishopsgate wards, west by Bridge Ward, south by Billingsgate and Tower Wards and east by Aldgate Ward. The ward contained seven City parish churches: All Hallows Lombard Street, St Edmund the King and Martyr, St Dionis Backchurch, St Mary Woolnoth, St Gabriel Fenchurch, All Hallows Staining and St Nicholas Acons.
The City of London was divided into wards for the purpose of government as early as Norman times. The wards had responsibility to keep the peace, supervise trade and oversee sanitation, and each ward has the right to elect an Alderman and Commoners to sit in the Court of Common Council.
One of the twenty-six wards of the City of London, lying between Aldgate and Cornhill wards. It contained no City parish churches after the suppression of St Mary Axe and St Augustine Papey.
The City of London was divided into wards for the purpose of government as early as Norman times. The wards had responsibility to keep the peace, supervise trade and oversee sanitation, and each ward has the right to elect an Alderman and Commoners to sit in the Court of Common Council.
The coronership is an ancient county office concerned originally with pleas of the crown within the county. By 1689 the Coroner's duties had been reduced to the holding of inquests in cases of death under circumstances of suspicion and committing to trial persons against whom verdicts of murder or manslaughter had been returned by the inquest jury. Coroners were also empowered to hold inquests over 'treasure trove' and wrecks.
Under an Act of 1752 (26 Geo II c29) coroners were paid 20/- for every inquisition held and 9d for every mile travelled to view a body. These fees were paid out of the County rates by order of the justices. Coroners returned accounts of inquests held, usually in the form of a list, giving also the mileage travelled and total sum due, which were approved for payment, in Middlesex, by an Accounts Committee. Sometimes inquisitions and witnesses' depositions were returned instead of or in addition to the account.
Coroners were elected by county freeholders (except in certain liberties) and held the office for life. By the Local Government Act 1888 the power to appoint Coroners was transferred to the new County Councils.
Counties were usually divided into districts with a Coroner assigned to each. Sometimes, however, Coroners did act in the district of another Coroner. Coroner's districts changed in size and extent over time, often due to increased population and changes in local government boundaries.
Middlesex: From the 18th century the ancient county of Middlesex was divided into two main Coroner's districts - the Western and the Eastern. There were in addition two liberties having their own Coroner: the City and Liberty of Westminster, and the Liberty of the Duchy of Lancaster.
In 1862 a new district was formed, the Central District, by taking 23 parishes and liberties from the Western District. The Western District was further reduced in size in 1892, losing four parishes to the new County of London, and again in 1915 when six parishes were transferred to the Central District.
This Central District formed in 1862 was greatly reduced in size in 1892 by the transfer of most of its area to the new County of London. The situation was partly reversed in 1915 when it received six parishes from the Western District of Middlesex. The Central District vanished entirely in 1926 when it was amalgamated with the Eastern District of Middlesex.
The Eastern District of Middlesex remained intact until 1888 when it was divided into two separate districts - the South Eastern and the North Eastern Districts. Very shortly afterwards, in 1892, both districts were transferred to the new County of London, apart from the parishes of Wood Green and Tottenham. These were then formed into a new Eastern District of Middlesex which absorbed the Central District in 1926.
The City and Liberty of Westminster was a franchise Coroner's District and remained separate with its own Coroner until 1930, when it was merged with the Central District of the County of London.
The Liberty of the Duchy of Lancaster was likewise a franchise Coroner's District with two parts in Middlesex: the Liberty of the Savoy, and Edmonton with Enfield. In 1889 the Liberty of the Savoy was transferred to the County of London where it joined the Duchy of Lancaster (Clapham) remaining as a franchise district until 1930 when Clapham was merged with the Southern District of the County of London, and the Savoy with Westminster in the Central District. The Edmonton and Enfield part of the Duchy of Lancaster in Middlesex remained separate until 1932 when it was merged with the Eastern District of Middlesex.
For a guide on how to use Coroners' Records and information about access to confidential records please see the hard copy guide in the Information Area or consult a member of staff.
The Greater London Eastern District Coroner's Court was situated on Queen's Road, Walthamstow, E17. The jurisdiction of the court covered the boroughs of Barking, Havering, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest.
The coronership is an ancient county office concerned originally with pleas of the crown within the county. By 1689 the Coroner's duties had been reduced to the holding of inquests in cases of death under circumstances of suspicion and committing to trial persons against whom verdicts of murder or manslaughter had been returned by the inquest jury. Coroners were also empowered to hold inquests over 'treasure trove' and wrecks.
Under an Act of 1752 (26 Geo II c29) coroners were paid 20/- for every inquisition held and 9d for every mile travelled to view a body. These fees were paid out of the County rates by order of the justices. Coroners returned accounts of inquests held, usually in the form of a list, giving also the mileage travelled and total sum due, which were approved for payment, in Middlesex, by an Accounts Committee. Sometimes inquisitions and witnesses' depositions were returned instead of or in addition to the account.
Coroners were elected by county freeholders (except in certain liberties) and held the office for life. By the Local Government Act 1888 the power to appoint Coroners was transferred to the new County Councils.
Counties were usually divided into districts with a Coroner assigned to each. Sometimes, however, Coroners did act in the district of another Coroner. Coroner's districts changed in size and extent over time, often due to increased population and changes in local government boundaries.
For a guide on how to use Coroners' Records and information about access to confidential records please see the hard copy guide in the Information Area or consult a member of staff.
The County of London Northern District Coroner's Office was based at Saint Pancras Coroner's Court, Camley Street, NW1.
The coronership is an ancient county office concerned originally with pleas of the crown within the county. By 1689 the Coroner's duties had been reduced to the holding of inquests in cases of death under circumstances of suspicion and committing to trial persons against whom verdicts of murder or manslaughter had been returned by the inquest jury. Coroners were also empowered to hold inquests over 'treasure trove' and wrecks.
Under an Act of 1752 (26 Geo II c29) coroners were paid 20/- for every inquisition held and 9d for every mile travelled to view a body. These fees were paid out of the County rates by order of the justices. Coroners returned accounts of inquests held, usually in the form of a list, giving also the mileage travelled and total sum due, which were approved for payment, in Middlesex, by an Accounts Committee. Sometimes inquisitions and witnesses' depositions were returned instead of or in addition to the account.
Coroners were elected by county freeholders (except in certain liberties) and held the office for life. By the Local Government Act 1888 the power to appoint Coroners was transferred to the new County Councils.
Counties were usually divided into districts with a Coroner assigned to each. Sometimes, however, Coroners did act in the district of another Coroner. Coroner's districts changed in size and extent over time, often due to increased population and changes in local government boundaries.
London: The County of London was formed in 1889. At first there was no change to the existing Middlesex Coroners Districts now included, in part, within the new County. However, in 1892 the County was finally divided into districts which took in the former Middlesex parishes plus some from the former counties of Surrey and Kent. The new districts were: Eastern; Western; South Western; North Eastern; Central; Southern; Penge; South Eastern; and four franchise districts: Westminster; Duchy of Lancaster (Savoy/Clapham); Tower Liberty and Borough of Southwark.
In 1894 there were minor boundary changes to the Eastern, North Eastern and Central Districts. In 1900 Penge was transferred to Kent. 1912 saw further boundary changes between districts.
In 1930 the districts were reduced to six: Western; Eastern; Southern; Central; Northern; South Eastern; plus Southwark and Tower Liberty. In 1940 this was reduced to five, absorbing the franchise districts: Western; Northern; Eastern; South Western and South Eastern. In 1943 four districts were formed: Western, Southern; Eastern; Northern. These were reduced in 1956 to Western, Northern, Southern.
For a guide on how to use Coroners' Records and information about access to confidential records please see the hard copy guide in the Information Area or consult a member of staff.
The County of London Southern District Coroner's Office was based at Saint George's Churchyard, Borough High Street, SE1.
The coronership is an ancient county office concerned originally with pleas of the crown within the county. By 1689 the Coroner's duties had been reduced to the holding of inquests in cases of death under circumstances of suspicion and committing to trial persons against whom verdicts of murder or manslaughter had been returned by the inquest jury. Coroners were also empowered to hold inquests over 'treasure trove' and wrecks.
Under an Act of 1752 (26 Geo II c29) coroners were paid 20/- for every inquisition held and 9d for every mile travelled to view a body. These fees were paid out of the County rates by order of the justices. Coroners returned accounts of inquests held, usually in the form of a list, giving also the mileage travelled and total sum due, which were approved for payment, in Middlesex, by an Accounts Committee. Sometimes inquisitions and witnesses' depositions were returned instead of or in addition to the account.
Coroners were elected by county freeholders (except in certain liberties) and held the office for life. By the Local Government Act 1888 the power to appoint Coroners was transferred to the new County Councils.
Counties were usually divided into districts with a Coroner assigned to each. Sometimes, however, Coroners did act in the district of another Coroner. Coroner's districts changed in size and extent over time, often due to increased population and changes in local government boundaries.
London: The County of London was formed in 1889. At first there was no change to the existing Middlesex Coroners Districts now included, in part, within the new County. However, in 1892 the County was finally divided into districts which took in the former Middlesex parishes plus some from the former counties of Surrey and Kent. The new districts were: Eastern; Western; South Western; North Eastern; Central; Southern; Penge; South Eastern; and four franchise districts: Westminster; Duchy of Lancaster (Savoy/Clapham); Tower Liberty and Borough of Southwark.
In 1894 there were minor boundary changes to the Eastern, North Eastern and Central Districts. In 1900 Penge was transferred to Kent. 1912 saw further boundary changes between districts.
In 1930 the districts were reduced to six: Western; Eastern; Southern; Central; Northern; South Eastern; plus Southwark and Tower Liberty. In 1940 this was reduced to five, absorbing the franchise districts: Western; Northern; Eastern; South Western and South Eastern. In 1943 four districts were formed: Western, Southern; Eastern; Northern. These were reduced in 1956 to Western, Northern, Southern.
For a guide on how to use Coroners' Records and information about access to confidential records please see the hard copy guide in the Information Area or consult a member of staff.
The County of London South Eastern District Coroner's Office was based at 77 Watson Street, New Cross Road, SE8.
The coronership is an ancient county office concerned originally with pleas of the crown within the county. By 1689 the Coroner's duties had been reduced to the holding of inquests in cases of death under circumstances of suspicion and committing to trial persons against whom verdicts of murder or manslaughter had been returned by the inquest jury. Coroners were also empowered to hold inquests over 'treasure trove' and wrecks.
Under an Act of 1752 (26 Geo II c29) coroners were paid 20/- for every inquisition held and 9d for every mile travelled to view a body. These fees were paid out of the County rates by order of the justices. Coroners returned accounts of inquests held, usually in the form of a list, giving also the mileage travelled and total sum due, which were approved for payment, in Middlesex, by an Accounts Committee. Sometimes inquisitions and witnesses' depositions were returned instead of or in addition to the account.
Coroners were elected by county freeholders (except in certain liberties) and held the office for life. By the Local Government Act 1888 the power to appoint Coroners was transferred to the new County Councils.
Counties were usually divided into districts with a Coroner assigned to each. Sometimes, however, Coroners did act in the district of another Coroner. Coroner's districts changed in size and extent over time, often due to increased population and changes in local government boundaries.
London: The County of London was formed in 1889. At first there was no change to the existing Middlesex Coroners Districts now included, in part, within the new County. However, in 1892 the County was finally divided into districts which took in the former Middlesex parishes plus some from the former counties of Surrey and Kent. The new districts were: Eastern; Western; South Western; North Eastern; Central; Southern; Penge; South Eastern; and four franchise districts: Westminster; Duchy of Lancaster (Savoy/Clapham); Tower Liberty and Borough of Southwark.
In 1894 there were minor boundary changes to the Eastern, North Eastern and Central Districts. In 1900 Penge was transferred to Kent. 1912 saw further boundary changes between districts.
In 1930 the districts were reduced to six: Western; Eastern; Southern; Central; Northern; South Eastern; plus Southwark and Tower Liberty. In 1940 this was reduced to five, absorbing the franchise districts: Western; Northern; Eastern; South Western and South Eastern. In 1943 four districts were formed: Western, Southern; Eastern; Northern. These were reduced in 1956 to Western, Northern, Southern.
For a guide on how to use Coroners' Records and information about access to confidential records please see the hard copy guide in the Information Area or consult a member of staff.
Fulham Bridge was built in 1729 under the terms of Acts of 1726 and 1727. It was administered by its proprietors until 1880 when it was acquired by the Metropolitan Board of Works and freed from tolls. Records of the bridge company, however, continued until 1882.
Services commenced at the Baptist Mission Hall, Pownall Road on 5 November 1885. A temporary iron building was erected in Dawes Road in February 1887 and used until the opening of the permanent building in 1889. Alterations were carried out in July 1977 and the Church was rededicated on 29 October 1977. Further alterations were carried out in 1989.
Oaklands Congregational Church was originally known as Oaklands United Congregational Church and was based at Uxbridge Road, Shepherds Bush. The church was initially a Union Church of Baptists and Congregationalists, including some from Becklow Road Mission. A meeting was held in July 1856 at Oaklands at which it was decided to erect a United Church. The church was formed on 1 January 1858. In 1868 the Baptist members left to establish a new church in Avenue Road. Ten years later in 1878 another group left the original church and began to hold services at Coningham Road School where they were known as Coningham Road Free Church. They opened an iron chapel in Askew Road in September 1885 and renamed themselves Starch Green Congregational Church.
Oaklands United Congregational Church closed and was sold on 30 April 1890 to Starch Green Congregational Church. The Starch Green congregation made alterations to the building and reopened it on 21 September 1890 as Oaklands Congregational Church. The iron chapel in Askew Road remained a mission hall.
The church was renovated during 1903 and again in 1920. The church closed in March 1972 and merged with Askew Road Methodist Church to form Askew Road Church (Methodist/United Reformed). The Uxbridge Road building became derelict and was demolished in March and April 1980.
Oaklands had a strong history of encouraging the social, intellectual and spiritual life of its members through literature and music. Annual Eisteddfods began in 1905.
Wandsworth Circuit was created in 1864 out of the old Hammersmith Circuit. It comprised churches in Putney, Wandsworth High Street and Wandsworth Bridge Road. In 1951 it was renamed the Wandsworth and Fulham circuit and was joined by Methodist churches in Munster Park and Fulham. In 1968 a new church was opened in Roehampton. The circuit closed in 1969 and the constituent churches redistributed to the Hammersmith, Richmond and Hounslow, and Broomwood and Clapham circuits.
The Hammersmith Circuit was constituted in 1969 by the union of Askew Road Church and Old Oak Church, both of which had formerly belonged to the Bayswater Circuit, Munster Park Church from the Wandsworth and Fulham Circuit, and Rivercourt Church and Shepherds Bush Road Church, which had previously formed the Rivercourt and Shepherds Bush Road Circuit.
Services commenced at Baptist Mission Hall, Pownall Road on 5 November 1885. A temporary iron building was erected in Dawes Road in February 1887 and used until the opening of the permanent building in 1889. Alterations were carried out in July 1977 and the Church was rededicated on 29 October 1977. Further alterations were carried out in 1989.
Munster Park Wesleyan Church was founded in 1880. In 1932, following a vote taken at a meeting of the United Methodist Church, it changed its name to Munster Park Methodist Church. For many years it was highly attended, and became a centre of community life in Hammersmith, hosting meetings of the Munster Park Wesley Guild, the Munster Park Cycling Club and the 6th Fulham Girl Guides among others. During the Second World War, the roof of Munster Park Church suffered severe bomb damage, and the congregation was temporarily transferred to the Methodist church at Munster Road. The Munster Park church organ was rescued and rebuilt in the 1950s, when the church re-opened for worship.
As the years progressed, however, the congregation dwindled, and Munster Park Church became too large to serve the Methodist community's needs and too costly to maintain. In the late 1960s, the community took the decision to sell the old church and much of the land, and to convert the existing assembly halls into a new church. The sale was completed in 1971, and the new church opened for worship in 1972. It continued to provide a venue for community groups, and in subsequent decades other local church communities also used the premises for worship. At the same time, the Methodist congregation at Munster Park became involved in an ecumenical project at St. Barnabas Anglican Church in Kensington. The Anglican-Methodist Experiment, as it became known, began in 1966 and was formalised in 1969. In the 1980s, however, the Anglican community was considerably increased by the closure of nearby Anglican churches, while the cost of maintaining St. Barnabas placed a greater strain on Anglican finances. The Methodist community consequently felt under-represented at St. Barnabas, and began to question the feasibility of the Experiment. In 1985, the Anglican and Methodist communities jointly decided to terminate the project.
Munster Park Methodist Church saw a severe decline in attendance throughout the 1980s. The Hammersmith and Fulham Methodist Circuit, taking into account Munster Park's ageing congregation and lack of religious engagement with the local community, decided to close the church, and in 1995 Munster Park's remaining assets were sold.
The Metropolitan Railway opened from Farringdon Street to Bishop's Road (now part of Paddington Station) in 1863. It was extended to Hammersmith by the Hammersmith and City Railway, a separate company backed and operated by the Great Western Railway and the Metropolitan Railway, vested in them jointly in 1867.
The line to Hammersmith opened on 13 June 1864, with stations initially at Hammersmith, Shepherds Bush (Railway Approach) and Notting Hill (now Ladbroke Grove). The station at Hammersmith was moved 150 yards south to its present site in 1868 and was reconstructed in 1908. Shepherds Bush Station, Railway Approach, was replaced by two new stations in 1914, Shepherds Bush (Uxbridge Road) and Goldhawk Road. The Railway Approach site was taken over by Shepherds Bush Market.
The Metropolitan Railway Company was vested in the London Passenger Transport Board in 1933 which took over the management of the passenger service, although the Hammersmith and City Line remained a joint undertaking. Upon nationalization of the railways in 1948 the Hammersmith and City Railway was incorporated in the London Transport Railway System.
The diocese of London was first established in the Roman period, the first known bishop being Bishop Resitiutus who attended a Council in Arles in 314. London reverted to paganism following the Saxon invasions and the diocese was reconstituted in 604 with the first Saint Paul's as its Cathedral. The medieval diocese continued its jurisdiction over the area established in the 7th century: namely the City of London and the ancient counties of Essex and Middlesex and the greater part of Hertfordshire. The diocese lay entirely north of the Thames River.
The area served by the diocese remained unchanged until the 19th century, apart from a short period between 1540, when the diocese of Westminster, founded by Henry VIII, was taken out of the diocese of London (covering Westminster, the county of Middlesex with the exception of Fulham), and 1550 (when the appointed Bishop Thirlby resigned and the bishopric reverted back to London).
The administration of the diocese was originally split into the Archdeaconry of London and Archdeaconry of Middlesex. In 1708 there were 5 churches and chapels subject to the archdeacon of London, 52 subject to the archdeacon of Middlesex, 14 subject to the bishop directly and 4 subject to the Archbishop of Canterbury and outside the jurisdiction of the diocese of London.
The Bishop's highest court was the Consistory Court. The Consistory Court's jurisdiction was diocese-wide. It heard primarily civil suits, but it also dealt with criminal and testamentary matters. The Commissary Court was the Bishop's lower court. Its jurisdiction appears to have been restricted to the City of London, the county of Middlesex and Deanery of Barking in Essex. There was no clear distinction between the jurisdiction of the Consistory and Commissary Court. The latter dealt mostly with criminal cases and probate.
The growth of population in the 19th and 20th centuries demanded rearrangements of the boundaries of the diocese. Up until 1845 the diocese comprised of most parishes in Middlesex (except part of Stanwell which lay in the diocese of Oxford), the City of London parishes (excluding the thirteen parishes in the peculiar of the Arches), a substantial number of parishes in Hertfordshire and four parishes in Buckinghamshire (namely Aston Abbots, Grandborough, Little Horwood, and Winslow).
The abolition of the Peculiar jurisdictions of the Archbishop of Canterbury (the ecclesiastical units within the Middlesex area which were exempt from the administrative control of the diocese) in 1845 added the thirteen parishes in the City of London, some parishes in Middlesex, and those in the Deanery of Croydon in the ancient county of Surrey (Barnes, Mortlake, Newington, Putney, Walworth and Wimbledon). The diocese retained nine Essex parishes (Barking, Chingford, East and West Ham, Little Ilford, Low Leyton, Walthamstow, Wanstead and Woodford). The rest of Essex was temporarily transferred to the see of Rochester and the parishes in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire were removed from the diocese. At the same time parishes in the ancient county of Kent (Charlton, Deptford, Eltham, Greenwich, Lee, Lewisham, Plumstead and Woolwich) just south of the Thames were brought into the diocese.
Under the London Diocese Act 1863 and Diocese of Saint Albans Act 1875, provisions were made for the removal of Essex, Kent and Surrey parishes. In 1877 Surrey and Kent parishes were transferred to the diocese of Rochester, and then Surrey parishes to the diocese of Southwark in 1905.
The appointment of Suffragan bishops was also revived in the 19th century with officials holding the titles of Bishop of Stepney, Islington and Kensington. Further reorganisations were designed to link the ecclesiastical boundaries with that of county administration. In 1912 the Archdeaconry of Hampstead was carved out of the Archdeaconry of Middlesex. In 1951 parishes East of the City of London formed the Archdeaconry of Hackney. By 1964 the diocese of London consisted of the archdeaconries of London, Middlesex, Hampstead and Hackney with a total of 28 deaneries and 500 parishes.
In 2001 the diocese was made up of five areas, Edmonton, Kensington, London, Stepney and Willesden, 4 of which had an Area Bishop, to whom the Bishop of London delegated responsibilities. It covered 277 square miles and 17 boroughs of Greater London north of the Thames, from Staines in the West to the Isle of Dogs in the East serving a population of 3.5 million people.
The medieval diocese of Rochester consisted of Kent west of the Medway. It was divided into the rural deaneries of Rochester, Dartford and Malling, which together formed the archdeaconry of Rochester. The rural deanery of Shoreham was a peculiar jurisdiction of the archbishop of Canterbury. The boundaries of the diocese were radically changed in 1845 when the rural deaneries of Dartford, Malling and Shoreham, with the except for a few parishes, were absorbed into the diocese of Canterbury, and the rural deanery of Rochester with a few neighbouring parishes were joined with the counties of Essex and Hertfordshire to form a new diocese of Rochester. There were further boundary alterations in 1877, when Essex and Hertfordshire were formed into the new diocese of St. Albans, and Rochester comprised the north-western part of Kent together with London south of the Thames. In 1905 the London section of the diocese was separated to form a new diocese of Southwark and the boundaries between the diocese of Canterbury and Rochester adjusted so that since that date the diocese has covered roughly the same area as that which it covered in 1845.
The Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Church of England Diocese of Rochester is the second oldest Cathedral Foundation in England and was founded in 604 by Bishop Justus. The present building was built in 1077 by Bishop Gundolf, who also designed the Tower of London and Rochester Castle.
Parishes in east and mid Surrey in the Dioceses of London and Winchester were transferred to Rochester in 1878.
A church in West Drayton first appears in sources in 1181. The present church of Saint Martin is situated in Church Road. It dates largely to the 15th century, with some surviving earlier fragments. The church was restored and refitted in 1850 and again in 1831. A National Day-school was built in 1859. Saint Martin's Church of England Secondary Modern School was built in 1958.
Source of information: A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 3: Shepperton, Staines, Stanwell, Sunbury, Teddington, Heston and Isleworth, Twickenham, Cowley, Cranford, West Drayton, Greenford, Hanwell, Harefield and Harlington (1962) (available online).
The parish of Hanwell ran alongside the eastern bank of the Brent river. The northern, western and southern borders of the parish were formed by the Brent and Thames rivers, while the eastern border was composed of fields and commons. The parish was 1209 acres in size, with a further 74 acres of detached land to the north-west which belonged to the parish as it was owned by Hanwell Manor. New Brentford was part of Hanwell parish until the eighteenth century, but had a separate chapel. The original parish of Saint Mary was reduced in size between 1908 and 1951, when several new parishes were created: Saint Mellitus, Saint Mark, Saint Thomas and Saint Christopher. The patronage of the parish rested with the Abbot of Westminster, and later the Bishop of London.
The Vestry were responsible for a number of local administrative functions, although they shared poor relief with a local charity. There was no parish workhouse, rather, some small houses were available at low or no rent.
The church of Saint Mary is first mentioned in the 12th century, although it is probably older. The medieval church was demolished in 1781 as it was too small; while its replacement was demolished in 1841 for the same reason. The church was reopened in 1842.
Source of information: A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 3: Shepperton, Staines, Stanwell, Sunbury, Teddington, Heston and Isleworth, Twickenham, Cowley, Cranford, West Drayton, Greenford, Hanwell, Harefield and Harlington (1962) (available online).
The parish of Pinner was originally a chapelry within the parish of Harrow which was a peculiar of the Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1546 the advowson and tithes passed to Christ Church, Oxford. Pinner was served by the Vicar of Harrow or his curate. During the 17th century benefactions of land established an income for a curate at Pinner. Although Pinner achieved some measure of independence from Harrow by the end of the 17th century, it was not until 1766 after a grant from the Queen Anne's Bounty, that Pinner became an independent parish.
A chapel was in existence at Pinner by 1234-40 and the plan and part of the North East wall of the Church may be 13th century. However, most of the building dates from the early 14th century as the chapel was rebuilt before its consecration in 1321. The tower was added in the 15th century and alterations and repairs were carried out in the 19th and earlier 20th centuries. The renovation of 1880 was carried out by JL Pearson.
Source of information: A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 4: Harmondsworth, Hayes, Norwood with Southall, Hillingdon with Uxbridge, Ickenham, Northolt, Perivale, Ruislip, Edgware, Harrow with Pinner (1971). Available online.
The parish of Edgware lay on the northern boundary of Middlesex, covering 2,089 acres before 1931. The old parish was bordered on the north by Elstree, on the west by Little Stanmore, and on the east by Hendon. At various times the parish has also included parts of Little Stanmore and Elstree. The church is first mentioned in the mid 13th century, when it was stated to be appropriated to the use of the Knights Hospitallers. From the 14th century the advowson belonged to the owner of the manor of Edgware Boys. The church of Saint Margaret is situated on Station Road near the junction with High Street. The earliest surviving parts of the building date to the 15th century and has been rebuilt several times during its history, in 1763, 1845 and 1908, with enlargements added in 1927.
The parish vestry, first mentioned in 1817, was concerned mainly with poor relief which took the form of allowance payments as there was no workhouse. Able-bodied poor were set to work in gravel pits or on road maintenance.
Source of information: A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 4: Harmondsworth, Hayes, Norwood with Southall, Hillingdon with Uxbridge, Ickenham, Northolt, Perivale, Ruislip, Edgware, Harrow with Pinner (1971), pp. 151-166. Available online.