A guild of pinmakers or pinners is first mentioned in 1376. From the late 15th century, they became associated with the guild of wire-workers, and later, in 1567/8, with the Girdlers' Company. However, in 1605, the Pinmakers' Company received their own charter of incorporation. In 1598, the Company left the Hall in Addle Street, which they had rented from the Plaisterers' Company. They removed to a site in St Mary at Hill, and eventually St Katherine Cree, which they abandoned in 1723.
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.
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.
There is a reference to a guild of pattenmakers in 1469. A patten was a type of undershoe which was fastened underneath a shoe with a leather strap. A charter was first granted to the company in 1670, and in 1717 it was granted a livery. The trade died out in the 19th century following the paving of streets.
The Fraternity of St Nicholas was incorporated by letters patent in 1233 and granted a charter under its later designation of Parish Clerks' Company in 1635/6. A bede roll of the fraternity, 1448/9-1521, survives today. Current membership is restricted to parish clerks of 150 qualifying parishes in and around the City.
From 1625, the Company was responsible for compiling and disseminating the bills of mortality, which record deaths within the bounds of the City. A decree of the Court of Star Chamber allowed the Company to maintain a printing press for this purpose.
The Company was initially associated with the Bishopsgate area, but later acquired a Hall in Wood Street, which was destroyed in the Great Fire. The Hall was rebuilt in Silver Street, housing the Company until its destruction by enemy action in 1940.
In the mediaeval period, the Painters applied colour to solid objects such as wood, stone and metal; the Stainers applied colour to woven fabrics. The painting of flags, streamers, banners and leather (and much later, wall paper) was the province of the Stainers; the Painters decorated interiors of buildings, particularly churches and painted saddle.
The earliest reference to the Stainers is of their involvement in a riot in Cheapside in 1268; the Painters were involved in a violent affray in the City in 1327. The first of the company's own records (other than deeds) is an inspeximus in 1466 by the mayor and aldermen of the Painters' new ordinances, which is kept at the hall (the Library has a photographic copy).
The Painters and Stainers united in 1502; the company is now 28th in precedence. The joint company was incorporated by charter in 1581, but unusually is now governed by the new charter of James II in 1685 which conferred powers of controlling the trade in the City, Westminster and six miles around.
Several prominent artists have been members including Sir Joshua Reynolds, Sir Godfrey Kneller and Sir Peter Lely.
The hall is on the west side of Little Trinity Lane and was left to the company in 1532 by Sir John Browne, serjeant-painter to Henry VIII. This building was destroyed in the Great Fire and rebuilt in 1670. With some alterations, additions and repair this hall survived until 1941. The post-war premises, re-opened in 1961, were extended to cover land on Huggin Hill.
The guild of needlemakers was incorporated by a charter granted in 1656. By the 19th century, the Company had dwindled and was revived by a group of enthusiasts in 1874.
Musicians were employed in the City from 1334, with charitable ordinances from 1350, but the first charter to City minstrels was in 1469 (applying to the whole of England, except the City of Chester, and open to women as well as men). The charter was renewed in 1604, giving the Company protection against foreign and itinerant minstrels, and again in 1950. The text of the 1469 charter is given in Rymer's 'Foedera', available in the Printed Books Section of Guildhall Library, and an 18th century copy of the 1604 charter is contained in Guildhall Library Ms 3101.
The Company now provides a number of grants to students of the major music colleges in London, and membership includes a number of well known professional musicians.
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).
Mercers were dealers in textiles, exporting wool and importing silks, linen and velvet. The Company received its royal charter in 1394. The Company has connections with many schools and makes grants to various educational bodies. The Company Hall is in Ironmonger Lane, built in 1694.
The company received its charter of incorporation in 1677, but had been in existence from at least the 14th century, as the first regulations were put forward in 1356 and Arms granted in 1472. There are, however, very few surviving records of the company before the Great Fire, although wardens' accounts survive from 1620. The company's hall, in Masons' Avenue off Basinghall Street, was leased from 1463 and was purchased by the company in 1563. The hall was destroyed in the Great Fire, and subsequently rebuilt. It was sold by the company in 1865. The modern company includes architects and members of the construction industry. Prizes are given to stonemason apprentices.
The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards was incorporated in 1628 to protect manufacturers of playing cards against the importing of cards from abroad and against inferior products in Britain. The Company was given power of search anywhere in England and Wales.
Loriners are craftsmen who make bits and bridles for horses. A medieval guild existed and issued ordinances in 1260, although they did not receive a charter until 1711. The Company's Hall in Wood Street, known as "La Lorinie", is first mentioned in the 13th century. By the 18th century, it had been let out to a number of tenants and was eventually demolished.
The Worshipful Company of Longbowstringmakers were recognised as a separate Guild in 1416. They were a Guild of Freemen, without Livery, and faded away in the 19th century.
The company received its charter of incorporation in 1571, but appears to have been in existence from at least the 14th century as the Guild of St James Garlickhithe. Other than title deeds, however, no records of the guild or company survive before the charter of incorporation in 1571. Joiners make wooden glued joints; while ceilers are wood carvers. The modern Company supports the Building Crafts Training School.
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 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 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 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.
Makers of guns were members of a number of livery companies (such as the Blacksmiths' Company), until the Gunmakers' Company was established by charter in 1637/8. Its jurisdiction covered London and a ten mile radius, and all persons making, using or selling small arms in that area were obliged to submit them to the Company for examination and marking. This process was known as "trial and proof" and was carried out at the Proof House established by the Company in Whitechapel. A Hall adjoining the Proof House was built in 1872 and sold in 1927.
The Grocers' Company was established in 1345 as the Fraternity of St Antonin, although the Pepperers' Guild, a forereunner of the Company, existed from at least the late 12th century. The Company received charters in 1428, 1447, 1607, 1640, 1675, 1688 (two), 1690, 1712 and 1723. The Company has had five halls on a site in Princes Street in the City of London, dated 1428, 1682, 1802, 1890 and 1966.
The Company is one of the "Great Twelve" City companies, ranking second.
Witney Free Grammar School: Henry Box, citizen and grocer, built a school in Witney, Oxfordshire in 1660, but died in 1662 before he had endowed it. His widow, Mary Box, completed this work, and transferred the governance of the school to the Grocers' Company in 1670, in accordance with his will. The school was endowed with estates in Longworth, Berkshire. It was established to provide classical education to thirty boys, giving priority to those of Witney or founder's kin. The Company acted as governors until 1902, but still maintains an active association. The school is now known as the Henry Box School.
Hackney Downs Grammar School: Hackney Downs Boys' School, also known as the Grocers' School, was established by the Grocers' Company in 1873, and declared open in 1876. It was always a boys school. In 1968 it became a comprehensive school. It was closed by the Government in 1995.
The Goldsmiths' Company is one of the twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London. It received its first charter in 1327 from Edward III. In 1339 a house in Foster Lane was purchased which became the site of the Company's hall. A second royal charter was granted in 1393. The hall was destroyed by the Great Fire in 1666 and rebuilt, and then rebuilt again in 1835. The Company had responsibility for the quality of gold and silver items. After 1478 these had to be marked in the Goldsmith's Hall (the origin of the term 'hallmark'). The Company founded Goldsmith's College.
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.
A medieval fraternity of glovers existed, governed by ordinances of 1349. In 1498, the glovers united with the guild of pursers and, in the early 16th century, this joint body merged with the Leathersellers' Company. The Glovers' Company emerged again as a separate entity under the charter of 1638, following a resurgence in trade as gloves became more elaborate and fashionable.
An organisation of glaziers was mentioned as early as 1368. The first charter was granted in 1637. The first mention of a hall (in Five Foot Lane off Queen Victoria Street) is dated 1601. It was destroyed in the Great Fire and not rebuilt. A new hall was opened in 1978. The modern Company gives prizes for stained glass design and assists churches with the repair of their stained glass.
The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London had a charter drawn up in 1635, but this was never enrolled and their operative charter dates from 1664.
The Company received a charter from Edward III in 1327, although it may have existed as as fraternity for many years before this date. The Company received additional charters in 1449, 1567, 1640, 1685 and 1937. The Company is recorded hiring Brewers' Hall in 1422/3, but has occupied the site of the present hall in Basinghall Street since 1431. The hall was rebuilt between 1680-7, destroyed in 1940 and the present hall rebuilt in 1961. A girdler manufactured girdles (a belt worn round the waist to secure or confine the garments).
There is a reference to an organisation of gardeners in 1345. By the time of the granting of the Company's first charter in 1605, it was fully in control of its trade. By the mid 19th century the company was in abeyance, but it revived in the 1890s. It received its grant of arms in 1905.
In recent years, the company has been notable for running a number of campaigns and competitions in the City of London including the Flowers in the City Campaign and the Winter Colour Competition. It also continues the tradition of providing bouquets and flowers for members of the Royal family and for Royal occasions.
The Worshipful Company of Fuellers is a modern livery company which was established in 1981 and granted livery status in 1984. It represents all sectors of the energy industry although its origins are in coal. Various bodies represented the interests of the coal trade until the combined efforts of The Society of Coal Merchants of London, The Society of Coal Factors, and the Coal Meters formed a City Livery Company - the Fuellers - in 1981. Many members of the Fuellers' Company work in the energy industry. The Company continues to support and promote that industry, but its activities are predominantly charitable.
The original fellowship existed before 1300 and the Guild obtained ordinances in 1463. The Company was granted its charter of incorporation in 1606. The Company role was to inspect fruit being sold in the City and assess duties to be paid on imported fruit.
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.
The Company has been in existence from at least 1365, receiving charters in 1614 and 1686. The Company also received a grant of arms in 1590. In 1531 the Company purchased a hall in Lothbury, which was destroyed in the Great Fire and rebuilt by 1672. In 1845 the Company opened a new hall in Founders' Court and the old hall was let. In 1853 the new hall was in turn let, the Company purchasing a new property in St Swithin's Lane in 1854. The Company sold the freehold of the Lothbury site in 1864. Founders cast brass and bronze items including candlesticks and water pots.
The Fraternity, or brotherhood, of St Clement has been described by Parsloe as 'the [Founders'] Company in its social and religious aspects'. It is first mentioned by name in accounts for the years 1513-16 as being founded and kept in the parish church of St Margaret Lothbury. There is evidence, however, for its having been in existence from at least 1497. All members of the craft or mystery of Founders were obliged to obey the rules and ordinances of the brotherhood and to contribute one penny per quarter. This money was used to relieve poor, sick or elderly members, and to meet funeral costs. Ordinances granted to the Company in 1516 suggest that the brotherhood of St Clement had its own masters, but scarcity of evidence makes it difficult to clarify the relationship between Company and brotherhood. The brotherhood of St Clement is thought to have disappeared as a result of the suppression of the chantries during the reign of Edward VI.
The Company has been in existence from at least 1371 when it separated from the Bowyers' Company (bowyers make bows, while fletchers make arrows). In 1467 the Company received a grant of arms. The Company was founded by prescription and not by grant of charter. By the beginning of the 16th century the Company had a hall in St Mary Axe. Later references to the hall are not complete, but it appears to have been rented out from the 18th century. In 1893 the hall burnt down and was rebuilt. This hall was sold in 1933.
The guild of Fishmongers is first mentioned in 1154, but may well have been long established then. The Fishmongers were an important mediaeval company and are the fourth in precedence of the "Great Twelve" companies. The Stockfishmongers were a separate association, granted a charter in 1508, but the two companies were united in 1536. The site of the hall, between Thames Street and the river, was occupied by prominent fish merchants from the 14th century and was secured for the Company in 1444. The hall was destroyed in the Great Fire and a replacement, built in 1671 was demolished in1828 to allow for the rebuilding of London Bridge. It was rebuilt in 1834, damaged by bombing in 1940 and restored in 1951.
The Company's charities include Gresham's School at Holt, Norfolk, established in 1555 which is still largely run and supported by the Fishmongers; almshouses at Newington (St Peter's Hospital, now at Wandsworth), at Harrietsham, Kent and Bray, Berkshire (Jesus Hospital). The Company's estates include several properties around Thames Street in the City, an estate at Walworth, Southwark and an Irish estate in County Londonderry. There is still a strong connection with the fish trade and the Company has the right to inspect all fish sold at Billingsgate Market, as well as advising the fish and shellfish trade.
Sir John Gresham, later Lord Mayor of London, founded a school at Holt in Norfolk in 1555. It was established on a firmer footing by letters patent in 1562, with the Fishmongers' Company being appointed governors. The Company retains close links with the school. Gresham granted the school estates in London and Norfolk for its maintenance. The school was rebuilt in 1859, and again in 1903 when it expanded into new buildings on the edge of Holt. Until 1971 it was boys only, but it became fully co-educational in the 1980s. For more information see Rev CLS Linnell, Gresham School's History and Register, 1555-1954, Ipswich 1955.
Sir Thomas Hunt, by his will dated 1615, gave £20 a year to the Fishmongers' Company for the foundation and maintenance of a hospital. Licence to erect the hospital in Newington (to be called St Peter's Hospital) was granted in 1618 by letters patent of James I. There were 42 almspeople housed in the hospital in 1824.
Mark Quested (d. 1642), Citizen and Fishmonger, bequeathed his estate to the Fishmongers' Company for various charitable uses, including the building of 12 almshouses. The almshouses in Harrietsham, Kent, were completed in 1651. They were rebuilt by the company in 1770 and 1772.
In 1616 letters patent of James I licensed the Company to establish almshouses to be known as Jesus Hospital in Bray, Berkshire. They were to be maintained from the revenue of property in Bray, the parish of St Katharine Creechurch and elsewhere in the City of London, bequeathed by William Goddard in 1607 for that purpose. William Goddard had stipulated that that the hospital was to be made of brick and that there should be rooms with chimneys fit for 40 poor people. There should also be a chapel, and a kitchen and bakehouse. The Fishmongers Company were to be Governors of the hospital and should choose the poor people, six of which should be of the most aged and poorest decayed persons of the company. The remainder should come from the parish of Bray and should be 50 years old at least. No married couples were to be admitted. The brethren of the hospital had use of all the lands in Bray to be employed in keeping cows to give them milk, and to grow crops or to plant orchards for their own sustenance. The building was finished in 1628.
There are references to an organisation of feltmakers in the 16th century; however it was not until 1604 that the Feltmakers Company was incorporated by letters patent from James I. A further charter was granted in 1667. Many members were previously members of the Haberdashers Company.
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 foundation of the Company can be traced back to the Red Cross Agriculture Fund which raised over £8 million from the agricultural and horticultural industries during World War II. On 23 September 1946 the Company of Agriculturalists was formed, but the name was changed to the Company of Farmers in the following year. The Company received its grant of livery in 1952 and charter of incorporation in 1955.
One of the Company's initiatives is the advanced course in Agricultural Business Management (originally called Farm Business Management), which started in 1963. The course is administered by Wye College (which became Imperial College Wye in 2000), University of London, and is held at Ashford in Kent. A leading role was likewise undertaken by the Company in the establishment of the Centre for European Agricultural Studies at Withersdane, near Ashford, which opened in 1975. The Company also maintains two trust funds: the Lord Lonsdale Fund, set up in 1985, and the Geoffrey and Isla Parsons Fund, in 1987, which offer grants to students on the courses.
A site was purchased for a livery hall in 1970 and 1976 in Newbury Street and Middle Street. In 1983 it was decided to build a joint hall with the Fletchers. The foundation stone of the hall was laid in 1986 and it was opened in 1987 at 3 Cloth Fair.
The Worshipful Company of Fanmakers received its charter on 19 April 1709 and was formed to protect English fanmakers from an influx of immigrant French fanmakers. The modern company gives prizes for fan design and supports research in fan engineering and aeronautical design.
The Worshipful Company of Engineers was formed in 1983 and incorporated by Royal Charter in 2004. Its members are all Chartered Engineers or Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering. The Company works to promote and develop all aspects of the science, art and practice of engineering.
The Dyers' Company is long established in the City with mediaeval origins in the trade of cloth and leather dyeing. Hazlitt's "Livery Companies of the City of London" mentions a reference to the company in 1362 and also says that the Dyers are held to rank as the first of the Minor livery companies. The Dyers' Company shares the distinction, with the Vintners' Company, of being the only institution, apart from the Crown, which may keep swans on the Thames. The company's original hall was in Upper Thames Street and was destroyed in the Great Fire. A subsequent hall was also seriously damaged by fire in 1681 and the company suffered in the bombing raid of December 1940 when many records were destroyed (though Hazlitt commented in 1892 on the scarcity of Dyers' Company historical documents).
The Dyers' Company had almshouses at Ball's Pond Road, Islington (1851-1938) and at Crawley in Sussex (1938-).
The Distillers' Company received their charter in 1638 and their grant of arms in 1638/9. The guild regulated the trade and manufacture of "artificial and strong waters" such as spirits and vinegars. A site was acquired for a Hall, but one was never built.
The Company was granted its first charter in 1415 and had jurisdiction over the manufacture of general cutlery as well as swords and surgical instruments. It occupied a Hall on a site in Cloak Lane from the 1450s until 1882, when the Company removed to new accommodation in Warwick Lane.
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.
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 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.
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.
The Worshipful Company of Combmakers was incorporated by charter on 16th July 1635. It is now defunct.
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 Coachmakers and Coach Harnessmakers Company was granted a charter by King Charles II in 1677. It was soon established as the governing body of the trade and undertook a certain amount of policing within the trade. The company survived the trials of history and developed new interests alongside its traditional ones, particularly in the motor trade.
Large clocks for churches were made by blacksmiths, therefore early clockmakers belonged to the Blacksmiths' Company. A separate Clockmakers Company received their charter in 1631. The Company also has ordinances dating from 1631/2. A prize is given annually to the best horological student.
The Board of Longitude had been established in 1714 by Act of Parliament to award a prize for the reliable judgement of longitude, and John Harrison (with the help of his son William, 1728-1815) completed a number of longitude time keepers and watches to ultimately win the prize.