The City Of London, together with City and Hackney Teaching Primary Care Trust and other partner agencies, provides health and community care services for all residents and employees across the Square Mile.
Charitable giving is embedded in religious practice. In the early Middle Ages the Christian Church encouraged the wealthy to contribute to poor relief funds and the building of institutions which cared for the sick and aged. Later, monasteries took over the care of the poor in the distribution of alms and establishment of hospitals. Money was given with the afterlife in mind, in the hope that good works in this life would reap rewards in the next. In the later Middle Ages charity was not limited to the ecclesiastic, as guilds provided relief for their members, and individuals endowed schools and hospitals, fed prisoners, supported scholars and built bridges. Charity continued to become increasingly secular into the Tudor period. The government replaced monasteries with almshouses and houses of correction and made parishes responsible for the poor in their area. However, the poor-rate was levied only in times of great emergency: individual philanthropy undertook the main burden of social welfare and this continued to be the case until the twentieth century.
Abuses in the administration of charity were common despite the Statute of Charitable Uses (1601) which empowered Chancery to investigate the way charities and charitable trusts were managed. From 1818 onwards various regional commissions were set up to register charities and bring to the attention of the Attorney-General any which merited investigation. This exercise made obvious the need for a permanent body to oversee the administration of charities, which led to the creation of the Charity Commission in 1853. The Commission had full powers of investigation including the right to audit accounts. By the later nineteenth century changing societal needs led to the introduction of legislation allowing the terms of charitable trusts to be re-written. This legislation included the City of London Parochial Charities Act of 1883, which extended the scope of the hundreds of trusts in the City to include the Metropolis as a whole and enabled them to be applied to the general physical, social and moral condition of its poorer inhabitants.
The Corporation of London has long been associated with charity and charitable giving. The Corporation owned or maintained several hospitals, workhouses, schools, orphanages and almshouses. In addition, charitable funds have been created and maintained both for emergency relief (such as after a natural disaster or conflict) or as long term funds in support of various causes (such as support for education or the elderly).
The improvement of the streets, the location of trades, markets and common or open spaces and the regulation of buildings have always been within the purview of the Corporation of London and the Court of Commissioners of Sewers in particular. After the Great Fire an Act of Common Council of 1667 declared what streets were to be widened and to what proportions. Improvement Committees were appointed by the Common Council throughout the nineteenth century and the construction of Holborn Viaduct, King William Street, Cannon Street, Tower Bridge, Charterhouse Street, Princes Street, Moorgate, St Martins-le-Grand and numerous street widenings constituted a gradual replanning. Towards the end of the nineteenth century the City cooperated with the Metropolitan Board of Works and later with the London County Council in improvements such as the Victoria Embankment and Queen Victoria Street.
In 1932 the Corporation was constituted the authority in the City of London for implementing the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Acts. A town planning scheme was prepared but the outbreak of war in 1939 delayed the continuation of the plan. The extensive damage caused by enemy action during the Second World War facilitated more ambitious schemes, under the direction of the Improvements and Town Planning Committee who managed the Town Planning Department. The post-war plan aimed to improve office and warehouse buildings, improve traffic flows, preserve and improve sites of historic and architectural importance, provide more open space and pedestrian circulation and to improve car parking provision.
The Planning Department is now the Department of Planning and Transportation.
The office of Town Clerk can be traced back to 1274, when it was referred to as the office of Common Clerk. The Town Clerk was responsible for recording the minutes of the Common Council and all of its Committees as well as for general record keeping and administration.
In the present day, the Town Clerk and Chief Executive of the City of London has authority over all other City of London officers as is necessary for the efficient management and execution of the City of London's functions. He is also the City of London's principal advisor on matters of policy through the Policy and Resources Committee. The Town Clerk's department at the City of London is responsible for a number of areas of work, including servicing meetings of the Court of Common Council and Court of Aldermen, their committees, sub-committees and working parties. Other areas of work include taking responsibility for investigating complaints against the City of London from members of the public, acting as the Electoral Registration Officer and being responsible for the City of London's public relations, economic development and human resources.
The office of Town Clerk can be traced back to 1274, when it was referred to as the office of Common Clerk. The Town Clerk was responsible for recording the minutes of the Common Council and all of its Committees as well as for general record keeping and administration.
In the present day, the Town Clerk and Chief Executive of the City of London has authority over all other City of London officers as is necessary for the efficient management and execution of the City of London's functions. He is also the City of London's principal advisor on matters of policy through the Policy and Resources Committee. The Town Clerk's department at the City of London is responsible for a number of areas of work, including servicing meetings of the Court of Common Council and Court of Aldermen, their committees, sub-committees and working parties. Other areas of work include taking responsibility for investigating complaints against the City of London from members of the public, acting as the Electoral Registration Officer and being responsible for the City of London's public relations, economic development and human resources.
The London court of orphans was established in the middle ages, with the first recorded case heard in 1276. The mayor and aldermen, sitting in the Inner Chamber of the Guildhall, handled cases relating to the care of the orphans of freedmen. When a freedman died with children who were underage, the executor of his will was obliged to report the death at the Guildhall. He then agreed to produce an inventory of the dead man's estate, from which the worth of the dead man was calculated and then divided between the widow, any legitimate children and finally anyone else specified in the will of the deceased. The court appointed guardians, usually the widow or close relatives, to care for the orphans and their inheritance until the orphan reached the age of majority. The guardian had to give a recognizance, or promise, guaranteeing that they would pay the orphan their full inheritance when they came of age. The recognizance had to be confirmed by at least three sureties, people who would pay the monies owed in the event of the guardian becoming bankrupt. In 1492 the court began the custom of meeting on every second Monday during Lent and summoning all sureties to make sure they could still meet their obligations. Guardians were monitored to ensure that they did not cheat the orphan out of their money, and, in the case of female orphans, were not married inappropriately. Guardians who did not obey the court could be imprisoned or fined.
By 1560 the number of cases handled by the court had expanded rapidly although no single officer was ever responsible for the court. Instead several officers were responsible for seeing that court business took place: the mayor and aldermen heard cases; the common serjeant acted as advocate for the orphans; the common crier made inventories and ensured that new cases were reported; the chamberlain took recognizances and took deposit of the inheritance if it was decided not to give it to the care of a guardian, and the clerk of orphans performed a range of administrative duties in this, as well as other, courts. Tables and scales were introduced which determined how much a funeral could cost, how much a guardian could deduct from the inheritance to cover the cost of maintenance of the orphan, and what fees could be charged by the court.
The court of orphans played an important financial role within the City of London because inheritances were increasingly deposited with the chamberlain, who used the money as loan capital when borrowing to help shore up the city's worsening finances. The court therefore suffered a decline during the 1680s and 1690s, when the city experienced a financial collapse and money due to orphans could not be paid. Several orphans petitioned Parliament for payment of their inheritance, leading to the passing of the Orphans' Act in March 1694. This led to the formation of an Orphans' Fund which consolidated all the city's debts for ease of repayment. The incident marked the end of the traditional court of orphans and the government curtailed London's medieval legal practices in 1724, although some intestacy functions did continue until the 1850s. The legal functions of the court were taken over by Chancery.
Mansion House has been the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London since 1753. It includes the Justice Room where the Mayor held a Magistrates' Court. To this end, incorporated into the fabric of the building are 11 holding cells, including 'the birdcage' for female prisoners.
The final sitting of the Mansion House Justice Room took place on 25 July 1991. It was then amalgamated with the Guildhall Justice Room to form the City of London Magistrates' court, with new premises at 1 Queen Victoria Street, EC4, opened by the Lord Chancellor on 13 Nov 1991.
Billingsgate Market is the oldest of the markets owned by the Corporation of London. The earliest reference to the market is found in a monastic chronicle which records laws for the regulation of the customs on ships at 'Blynesgate' made by King Ethelred in AD 976. The citizens of London were granted the right to collect tolls at Billingsgate in 1400 by Henry IV. In May 1699 an Act of Parliament conferred special privileges on the market, which was declared an open market for the sale of fish six days in the week, with mackerel to be sold on Sundays.
Originally fish was sold from stalls and sheds around the dock at Billingsgate. In 1850 a market building was constructed on Lower Thames Street but it proved to be inadequate and was demolished in 1873 to make way for the building which still stands today. Designed by Sir Horace Jones (who also designed Leadenhall and Smithfield markets), Billingsgate opened in 1876. The building is now a landmark Grade 2 listed structure.
The Billingsgate Market Acts of 1846 and 1871 and the City of London (Various Powers) Acts of 1973, 1979, 1987 and 1990, have confirmed the City's role as the Market Authority and laid down its responsibilities and rights, including the making of regulations, byelaws and the collection of tolls, rents and other charges. The Billingsgate and Leadenhall markets were controlled by the same superintendent who reported back to the Market Committee of the City of London.
Leadenhall Market is situated between Fenchurch Street, Gracechurch Street and Leadenhall Street. The land formed the Manor of Leadenhall, which belonged to Sir Hugh Neville who permitted a small fair or market to be held on the grounds in 1309. The market grew and became known for poulterers, and by 1397, cheesemongers. In 1408 Lord Mayor Richard Whittington acquired the leasehold title of the Manor of Leadenhall and in 1411 the freehold was given to the City of London. The market continued to be used for the sale of fish, meat, poultry and corn.
In 1463 a beam for the weighing of wool was fixed at the market. In 1488 it was assigned the sole right to sell leather and in 1622 the sole right to sell cutlery. However, the market expanded too rapidly and in 1871 the City of London sought parliamentary powers to abandon the hide and meat markets, and to erect a market for poultry alone. These powers were granted in 1879 and the present building was erected in 1881, designed by Sir Horace Jones (who also designed Billingsgate and Smithfield markets). Leadenhall market also sold fish, mostly supplied from nearby Billingsgate. The Billingsgate and Leadenhall markets were therefore controlled by the same superintendent who reported back to the Market Committee of the City of London.
The Mayor's Court developed as an adjunct to the Court of Husting (see CLA/023) as a result of business overflowing from that court. The first court roll dates to 1298 although proceedings were probably taking place before this, from around 1280. The Mayor's Court's main jurisdiction was to enforce the customs of London, including mercantile actions. The court could sit on any day.
London had two sheriffs who were elected in September of each year. Each Sheriff formerly held a court at his Compter, but in 1867 these were transferred to Guildhall and united into the City of London Court. The Mayor's and City of London Court is the result of the amalgamation of the Mayor's Court and the City of London Court in 1921. Under the Courts Act, 1971 it was designated a county court after which time its records were no longer deposited in the CLRO. The City of London Court acquired admiralty jurisdiction under the powers of the County Courts Admiralty Jurisdiction Act of 1868 .
The administration of prisons and compters in London was the responsibility of the two Sheriffs. They in turn reported to the Court of Aldermen who issued orders and decrees relating to prison management.
The conservancy of the River Thames was entrusted to the citizens of London by various charters from 1197 and continued to be exercised by the Corporation until 1857. The jurisdiction extended from the River Colne near Staines to Yantlett Creek, Kent. Jurisdiction over the Thames from Staines to the sea was transferred to the Thames Conservators in 1857, several of whom continued to be appointed by the Corporation. An Act of 1866 added responsibility for the Upper Thames, at the same time increasing the number of Conservators. The powers of the Conservators in respect of the lower river as far as Teddington were vested in the Port of London Authority by the Port of London Act 1908. At the same time a new Thames Conservancy Act reconstituted the Thames Conservancy Board which administered the Upper Thames until 1974 when the Thames Water Authority was created as one of a series of regional water authorities. The Thames Water Authority also has some responsibilities (e.g. for fresh-water fishing) in the lower river.
The Court of Judicature or 'Fire Court' was created by statute to settle disputes as to boundaries, old foundations, encroachments and so on, in connection with the rebuilding of the City after the Great Fire of 1666.
Southwark was granted to the citizens of London by a charter of Edward III in 1327, following a petition from the citizens because felons and thieves escaped the City into Southwark where they could not be followed. A further charter issued by Edward VI in 1550 aimed to ensure that Southwark was completely absorbed into the City by making the citizens lords of the three manors there - the Guildable Manor, the King's Manor and the Great Liberty.
On 1 July 1880 Sir Henry William Peek, MP for Mid Surrey and importer of spices, tea and other groceries conveyed East Burnham Common, Burnham Beeches and other waste lands of the Manor of Allerds to the Corporation.
The Finsbury and Halliwell Estates were leased by the Corporation of London from the Prebendary (a canon of a cathedral or collegiate church who obtained income from a prebend or estate) of St Paul's Cathedral between 1514 and 1867, at which date the Corporation was unable to renew the lease. In 1665 part of the land was set aside to create Bunhill Fields burial ground.
The Manor of Isleworth Syon was in the hands of Walter de St. Valery in 1086, having been granted to him by William the Conqueror as a reward for his support during the conquest of England. The family retained possession of the manor until 1227 when it escheated to the crown. In 1229 a full grant of the manor was made by Henry III to his brother, Richard, Earl of Cornwall, whose son Edward inherited it in 1272. In 1301, Edward's widow Margaret was assigned the manor by Edward I as part of her dower, but it reverted to the crown on her death in 1312. The manor was eventually granted for life by Edward III to his wife Queen Philippa in 1330. The reversion was included in a grant of lands to Edward, Duke of Cornwall, in 1337. In 1390 Queen Anne the wife of Richard II was given a life interest in the manor. Henry V held the manor, as Prince of Wales, but when king, separated the manor from the duchy of Cornwall by Act of Parliament in 1421 in order to bestow it upon his newly founded convent of Syon. It remained as part of the convent's possessions until the dissolution in 1539 when it fell into the hands of the Crown and was added to the Honour of Hampton Court. In 1604 James I granted the manor to Henry, Earl of Northumberland, in whose family it remained.
The Royal Contract Estates were leased by King James I to trustees for Prince Charles, who, when King, caused them to be assigned to trustees for the City in satisfaction of loans made by the City. The estates were situated in many counties including Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Carmarthenshire, Caernarvonshire, Cheshire, Cornwall, Cumberland, Denbighshire, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, County Durham, Essex, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Huntingdonshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Merioneth, Middlesex, Monmouthshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Pembrokeshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Somerset, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Sussex, Warwickshire, Westmorland, Wiltshire, Worcestershire and Yorkshire. Nearly all the estates were sold to pay off the King's creditors, except the Conduit Mead Estate in the Bond Street area of London.
The Finsbury and Halliwell Estates were leased by the Corporation of London from the Prebendary (a canon of a cathedral or collegiate church who obtained income from a prebend or estate) of St Paul's Cathedral between 1514 and 1867, at which date the Corporation was unable to renew the lease. In 1665 part of the land was set aside to create Bunhill Fields burial ground.
In 1442 John Carpenter, Town Clerk of London, bequeathed land to the Corporation of London intended to fund the maintenance and education of four boys born within the City, who would be called 'Carpenter's children'. Carpenter directed that that the boys should be schooled and clothed at the direction of the Chamberlain. The precise terms of the will were adhered to for about 2 centuries, after which time payments were made to friends of the children for them to provide the benefits. Prior to the foundation of the City of London School the Carpenter's Scholars were educated at Tonbridge School. Following an Act of Parliament of 1834 it was decided to charge the Carpenter Estates for the building and maintenance of a school, and the City of London School was opened in 1837. It was first built on the site of Honey Lane Market, Milk Street, Cheapside, but moved to Victoria Embankment in 1882. During the Second World War the school was temporarily moved to Marlborough. It moved again in 1986, when a new purpose-built building was opened in Queen Victoria Street, still within the City of London.
The school was founded by William Ward (1797-1881) of Brixton who was a prosperous manufacturer. Upon his death in 1881, Ward bequeathed £20,000 to the City of London for building and maintaining a high school for girls. An act of parliament, Ward's City of London School for Girls Act, received the Royal Assent in 1885 and a site was chosen in the City of London at Carmelite Street.
In 1892, a scheme was drawn up by in the High Court of Justice 'For the establishment of a High School for Girls...by the 'Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London'. The scheme set out that the Mayor Aldermen and Commons of the City of London 'shall exercise a general control over the Institution, and shall make such Rules and Regulations, for the conduct and management thereof'.
The school's first head mistress was Miss Alice Blagrave and the school was officially opened on 13 September 1894 with 53 students enrolled. By 1937, the school became overcrowded as enrolment increased to 360 students. In 1939, the school was extended into a building on Tudor Street. The expansion allowed an increase in accommodation to 400 students.
During the Second World War staff and pupils were evacuated to Ashtead, Surrey in September 1939 and then to Keighley, Yorkshire from October 1940 until 1943. The school re-opened in Carmelite Street in September, 1943.
In 1962, plans were made for the school to be moved to the proposed new Barbican development. A ceremony was held on 29 March 1965 for the laying of first foundation stone and the school was officially opened by HRH Princess Alexandra on 19 November 1969.
The school celebrated its centenary in 1994 with a visit from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who opened a new part of the building.
The first school leaver's decided to start an Old Girl's Association and on 29 July 1896, the first general meeting took place. The City of London Old Girl's Association also known as CLOGA, organises events such as school reunions and enables former students to maintain relationships with each other. It also raises scholarship funds for prospective students. The Old Girl's had a large reunion party as part of the schools centenary celebration, 1994 and about 600 former students attended. In the same year, the Old Girl's produced a cabaret about the history of the school entitled 'An Historical Extravaganza - The Talk of the City'.
Robert Orlando Morgan, F.G.S.M. (1865-1956). Born in Manchester in 1865, the son of Peter and Elizabeth Morgan, Robert Orlando Morgan entered the Guildhall School of Music at the age of 15 in 1880, where he won the Merchant Taylors' scholarship, and the Webster prize. By the time he was 22, he was a teacher and examiner at the School, and in 1894, he was awarded the first prize and gold medal at the Grand Concours Internationale de Composition Musicale at Brussels. His comic opera, 'Two Merry Monarchs', was produced at the Savoy Theatre in 1910. He composed a large number of songs and piano pieces, and undertook editions of the works of other composers, particularly J.S. Bach. Having been Professor of Pianoforte and Composition at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama 1887-1951, he retired in 1951 at the age of 86. He married the singer Annie Elizabeth Morley, who died in 1952, and they had two sons, Raymond and Cyril Douglas. Robert Orlando Morgan died in London on 16 May 1956, aged 91, and was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium on 19 May 1956.
Cyril Douglas Morgan was the second son of Robert Orlando Morgan, and was appointed to the post of junior clerk in the Chamberlain's Office of the Corporation of London on 21 April 1913. He was apprenticed to Percy Oswald Pickering, Clerk of the Chamberlain's Court 1901-1936, and became a City Freeman in November 1920. He remained in the Chamberlain's Office all his working life, being appointed Principal Clerk on 1 October 1946, from which post he retired in 1958. He became a Liveryman of the Merchant Taylors' Company on 20 May 1943. He served in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers during the First World War and was awarded the M.C., being severely wounded several times: he was a Lieutenant, acting Captain when last wounded, in 1918.
The London Workhouse was built by the Corporation of the Poor, a body active between 1647 and 1660 which established the first workhouses in London. The workhouse was primarily used for the housing of neglected and vagrant children.
The workhouse was closed after an Act of Parliament in 1829 allowed the Governors to sell leases owned by the workhouse and to reinvest the money in other estates for the education and apprenticing of poor children. The funds were put towards the building of the City of London Freemen's Orphan School.
A broker is a retailer of commodities or someone who acts as a middleman to transact business or negotiate bargains between different merchants or individuals. There are several types of broker including bill or exchange brokers, stockbrokers, ship brokers, insurance brokers, pawnbrokers. Those brokers who negotiate sales of produce between different merchants usually confine themselves to some one department or line of business such as cotton, tea, etc (Oxford English Dictionary).
Between 1285 and 1886 the Corporation of London had the power to license all brokers in almost every commodity operating in the City of London. This power was granted and confirmed by several Royal Charters and Acts of Parliament. Although the Corporation was keen to maintain its powers over brokers, many evaded being licensed - half the brokers on the Stock Exchange were found to be unlicensed in 1837. The powers of the Corporation were restricted by statute in 1870 and entirely abolished in 1884 by the London Brokers' Relief Act.
The Aldermen were responsible for the administration of Wards, and were elected by their Ward. The position of Alderman was held for life. In the 12th and 13th centuries the Wards in the City of London are still mainly identified by the name of their Alderman although the first full list of Wards under permanent names such as Dowgate or Cornhill is dated 1285. The roots of municipal government in the City of London are thus found in the activities of the Aldermen in their Wards which in the medieval period provided such public services as existed. Working individually, or in co-operation, the power of the Aldermen grew as the corporate unity of the City of London developed and they exercised both administrative and judicial functions in what became the Court of Aldermen.
The Gaol Committee of the Court of Aldermen was responsible for the administration of prisons in London, including staff appointments, supply, works, finances and enquiries into escapes.
The Aldermen were responsible for the administration of Wards, and were elected by their Ward. The position of Alderman was held for life. In the 12th and 13th centuries the Wards in the City of London are still mainly identified by the name of their Alderman although the first full list of Wards under permanent names such as Dowgate or Cornhill is dated 1285. The roots of municipal government in the City of London are thus found in the activities of the Aldermen in their Wards which in the medieval period provided such public services as existed. Working individually, or in co-operation, the power of the Aldermen grew as the corporate unity of the City of London developed and they exercised both administrative and judicial functions in what became the Court of Aldermen.
The control exercised by the Court of Aldermen over the livery companies arose as a result of the recognition in the 14th century of the right of the companies to have a share in the government of the City, and because of the civic regulation of the freedom, apprenticeship and trade. Wearing of a livery became of great importance when in 1475 attendance at Common Hall was restricted to liverymen. From 1560 onwards a company wishing to adopt a livery had to obtain the consent of the Court of Aldermen. The Livery Cloth Committee was responsible for the supply of livery cloth to officers of the Crown and the Corporation.
The Aldermen were responsible for the administration of Wards, and were elected by their Ward. The position of Alderman was held for life. In the 12th and 13th centuries the Wards in the City of London are still mainly identified by the name of their Alderman although the first full list of Wards under permanent names such as Dowgate or Cornhill is dated 1285. The roots of municipal government in the City of London are thus found in the activities of the Aldermen in their Wards which in the medieval period provided such public services as existed. Working individually, or in co-operation, the power of the Aldermen grew as the corporate unity of the City of London developed and they exercised both administrative and judicial functions in what became the Court of Aldermen.
The Magistracy Committee of the Court of Aldermen was appointed by the Court of Aldermen on 22 Jan 1952 to replace the Gaol Committee.
The Aldermen were responsible for the administration of Wards, and were elected by their Ward. The position of Alderman was held for life. In the 12th and 13th centuries the Wards in the City of London are still mainly identified by the name of their Alderman although the first full list of Wards under permanent names such as Dowgate or Cornhill is dated 1285. The roots of municipal government in the City of London are thus found in the activities of the Aldermen in their Wards which in the medieval period provided such public services as existed. Working individually, or in co-operation, the power of the Aldermen grew as the corporate unity of the City of London developed and they exercised both administrative and judicial functions in what became the Court of Aldermen.
The City Police was set up under the City of London Police Act, 1839. The Police Committee of the Court of Aldermen was formed in the same year with responsibility for the administration of the police force.
The concept of the Court of Common Council grew from the ancient custom of the Folkmoot, when the assent of the citizens to important acts was obtained. This custom was continued by the Mayor who consulted the Commons several times during the 13th century. From 1376 the assembly began to meet regularly and was referred to as the Common Council. It was decided that the Council should be made up of persons elected from each Ward. By 1384 a permanent Common Council chosen by the citizens was established for all time. The Council assumed legislative functions and adopted financial powers, confirmed by Charters of 1377 and 1383. The Council has often used these powers to amend the civic constitution, regulate the election of Lord Mayor and other officials, and amend the functions of the City courts. The Council was judged so successful in the conduct of its duties that it was the only Corporation unreformed by Parliament following the Municipal Corporations Commission report of 1837, while the Corporation Inquiry Commission of 1854 suggested only minor reforms.
The work of the Council is conducted by a number of committees, while the whole Council has the right to approve policy, confirm major decisions and sanction expenditure. The committees handle many aspects of the running of the City including land and estates, finance and valuation, open spaces, street improvement and town planning, public health, police, Port of London, civil defence, airports, libraries, markets, education, and law. The Town Clerk has held responsibility for recording the minutes of the Council and its committees since 1274.
The concept of the Court of Common Council grew from the ancient custom of the Folkmoot, when the assent of the citizens to important acts was obtained. This custom was continued by the Mayor who consulted the Commons several times during the 13th century. From 1376 the assembly began to meet regularly and was referred to as the Common Council. It was decided that the Council should be made up of persons elected from each Ward. By 1384 a permanent Common Council chosen by the citizens was established for all time. The Council assumed legislative functions and adopted financial powers, confirmed by Charters of 1377 and 1383. The Council has often used these powers to amend the civic constitution, regulate the election of Lord Mayor and other officials, and amend the functions of the City courts. The Council was judged so successful in the conduct of its duties that it was the only Corporation unreformed by Parliament following the Municipal Corporations Commission report of 1837, while the Corporation Inquiry Commission of 1854 suggested only minor reforms. The work of the Council is conducted by a number of committees, while the whole Council has the right to approve policy, confirm major decisions and sanction expenditure. The committees handle many aspects of the running of the City including land and estates, finance and valuation, open spaces, street improvement and town planning, public health, police, Port of London, civil defence, airports, libraries, markets, education, and law. The Town Clerk has held responsibility for recording the minutes of the Council and its committees since 1274.
The Assessment (City of London Union) Committee was formed under the Union Assessment Committee Act of 1862, to consider the establishment of one assessment of all property in the City for Imperial, local and municipal taxation.
The concept of the Court of Common Council grew from the ancient custom of the Folkmoot, when the assent of the citizens to important acts was obtained. This custom was continued by the Mayor who consulted the Commons several times during the 13th century. From 1376 the assembly began to meet regularly and was referred to as the Common Council. It was decided that the Council should be made up of persons elected from each Ward. By 1384 a permanent Common Council chosen by the citizens was established for all time. The Council assumed legislative functions and adopted financial powers, confirmed by Charters of 1377 and 1383. The Council has often used these powers to amend the civic constitution, regulate the election of Lord Mayor and other officials, and amend the functions of the City courts. The Council was judged so successful in the conduct of its duties that it was the only Corporation unreformed by Parliament following the Municipal Corporations Commission report of 1837, while the Corporation Inquiry Commission of 1854 suggested only minor reforms. The work of the Council is conducted by a number of committees, while the whole Council has the right to approve policy, confirm major decisions and sanction expenditure. The committees handle many aspects of the running of the City including land and estates, finance and valuation, open spaces, street improvement and town planning, public health, police, Port of London, civil defence, airports, libraries, markets, education, and law. The Town Clerk has held responsibility for recording the minutes of the Council and its committees since 1274.
Blackfriars Bridge was constructed in 1769. The bridge had to be extensively repaired in 1833 but was still not satisfactory and eventually it was decided to construct a new bridge.
The new Blackfriars Bridge was designed by Joseph Cubitt to be wider than the old bridge, less steep, and with fewer arches to allow water flow. Work began in 1865 and was finished by 1870.
The Barbican Centre Committee was established by the Court of Common Council on 19 May 1978. Later in that year, its Executive Sub Committee was appointed, with particular powers delegated to it by the Court of Common Council, and responsibility for the management of the Barbican Centre. With effect from 7 February 1985, the then current Barbican Centre Committee (comprising 22 Members, appointed by various Committees and Common Council, with up to 6 outside Members) and the Barbican Centre Executive Sub Committee were discontinued, and a new Barbican Centre Committee was established, with a maximum limit of only 12 Members (appointed by Common Council and fewer Committees than originally, with only 2 outside Members) and a quorum of 5, which was considered would be more efficient and responsive to the Centre's needs. The Committee's financial powers were also altered at that time. The Committee was again reconstituted with effect from 24 January 1996, with the same number of Members, but more of them being appointed directly by Common Council, and the 2 non-Corporation Members being appointed by the Barbican Centre Committee itself.
The Committee's terms of reference were to set the general principles within which the Barbican Centre would operate, and to operate it (except for Barbican Library and, until 1998, Barbican Art Gallery) within those constraints. It was also to allocate premises between Centre users and co-ordinate the activities of its various occupants, to be responsible for both day-to-day and long-term maintenance of the Centre and to act as the controlling Committee in respect of the Arts Centre Administrator (later the Managing Director) and his or her staff. The Music Committee continued to have responsibility for the administration of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, subject to the overall allocation of premises by the Barbican Centre Committee.
Initially the Library Committee continued to have responsibility for the administration of Barbican Library and Barbican Art Gallery, subject only in the case of the latter to the overall allocation of premises by the Barbican Centre Committee. However, from 2 April 1998, responsibility for the Barbican Art Gallery was transferred from the Libraries, Guildhall Art Gallery and Archives Committee (successor to the Library Committee) to the Barbican Centre Committee. Responsibility for the Barbican Phase V (which included the Barbican Centre), were passed to the Barbican Centre Committee with effect from January 1984 from the abolished Barbican Development Committee.
The Barbican Committee was established by the Court of Common Council on 3 October 1957 and was renamed the Barbican Development Committee from 16 January 1975. The Committee was disbanded by resolution of the Common Council of 3 November 1983, with effect from January 1984. When it was first set up in 1957, the Committee's remit was to implement the redevelopment by the Corporation of London of the 25.05 acres of land south of the former street known as Barbican (which became Beech Street following redevelopment). Initial instructions to the Corporation's project architects, Chamberlin, Powell and Bon, were limited to preparing detailed proposals for this area, but subsequently the firm was instructed to collaborate closely with the City Planning Officer in the development of the area to the north of what became Beech Street as well. Large portions of both areas were then still derelict following enemy action during the Second World War. Chamberlin, Powell and Bon reported to Common Council on 28 May 1959 on both areas, and the report was referred to the Barbican Committee for consideration, with input from other Corporation Committees. From then on, the Barbican Committee was responsible for the redevelopment of both areas. From the Committee's renaming in 1975, its responsibilities were confined to the completion of the building work, and its responsibility for the management of all the completed residential premises was passed to the newly formed Barbican Management Committee with effect from 1 April 1975.
On the abolition of the Barbican Development Committee, its responsibilities for the Barbican Phase V (including the Barbican Centre) construction passed to the Barbican Centre Committee (COL/CC/BRC) with effect from January 1984. At the same time, the Barbican Development Committee's responsibilities relating to the final accounts relating to Barbican Phase V and other unresolved building contracts were transferred to the Barbican Contracts Working Party (COL/CC/BRW).
The Barbican development included large blocks of residential flats, as well as new premises for the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the City of London School for Girls, Barbican Trade Centre and the Barbican Centre (referred to in the Committee records as the Barbican Arts Centre). The residency at the Barbican Centre of the Royal Shakespeare Company (1982-2002) and the London Symphony Orchestra was envisaged from an early stage, and both organisations were involved with the Committee in the planning of the Barbican Centre.
The Barbican Contracts Working Party arose from a conference of deputations of the Policy and Resources Committee, the Coal, Corn and Rates Finance Committee, and the Barbican Development Committee in 1981, which met to consider aspects of the development of Barbican Phase V (including the Barbican Centre). Authority was subsequently sought from the Grand Committees for the Conference to be constituted as a Working Party, with the Chairman of the Barbican Centre Committee added as a member.
On 15 April 1982 the Committee of the Whole Court of Common Council agreed to the Barbican Development Committee's report and authorised the Barbican Contracts Working Party to act in all matters respecting litigation and the Barbican. The Working Party was also empowered to reach and accept the best available settlement in respect of the then current legal actions relating to Barbican Phases I-IV and V (A) and in respect of the withheld fees on Barbican Phase V. By resolution of Common Council of 3 November 1983, the Barbican Development Committee was abolished as from January 1984, and certain of its responsibilities were transferred to the Working Party. It was authorised to take reports to Common Council respecting the final accounts relating to Barbican Phase V and such other unresolved building contracts as had previously been dealt with by the Barbican Development Committee. On 24 May 1984, Common Council agreed to a report of the Policy and Resources Committee recommending that the Barbican Contracts Working Party be re-named the Barbican Contracts Joint Sub-Committee of the Policy and Resources Committee and its delegated powers were assigned to the Joint Sub Committee (this was done because powers could be delegated to a sub-committee, but not a working party, under Standing Order 47(A)). To maintain confidentiality, its work was to be excluded from Standing Orders 63 (A), which permitted all Corporation Members to attend any Committee or Sub-Committee meeting of the Corporation, whether they were members of them or not, and Standing Order 63, which ordered all agendas to be available in the Members' Room at Guildhall.
The Barbican Contracts Joint Sub-Committee was disbanded by Common Council on 17 July 1986 as it had discharged its responsibilities. Any future matters fitting the Sub Committee's terms of reference were to be referred to the Policy and Resources Committee.
The concept of the Court of Common Council grew from the ancient custom of the Folkmoot, when the assent of the citizens to important acts was obtained. This custom was continued by the Mayor who consulted the Commons several times during the 13th century. From 1376 the assembly began to meet regularly and was referred to as the Common Council. It was decided that the Council should be made up of persons elected from each Ward. By 1384 a permanent Common Council chosen by the citizens was established for all time. The Council assumed legislative functions and adopted financial powers, confirmed by Charters of 1377 and 1383. The Council has often used these powers to amend the civic constitution, regulate the election of Lord Mayor and other officials, and amend the functions of the City courts. The Council was judged so successful in the conduct of its duties that it was the only Corporation unreformed by Parliament following the Municipal Corporations Commission report of 1837, while the Corporation Inquiry Commission of 1854 suggested only minor reforms. The work of the Council is conducted by a number of committees, while the whole Council has the right to approve policy, confirm major decisions and sanction expenditure. The committees handle many aspects of the running of the City including land and estates, finance and valuation, open spaces, street improvement and town planning, public health, police, Port of London, civil defence, airports, libraries, markets, education, and law. The Town Clerk has held responsibility for recording the minutes of the Council and its committees since 1274.
The Civil Defence Committee incorporated the Special (Air Raid Precautions) and the Air Raid Precautions Committees. In 1969 its duties were transferred to the General Purposes Committee. When this was disbanded in 1982 civil defence functions were transferred to the Policy and Resources Committee.
The concept of the Court of Common Council grew from the ancient custom of the Folkmoot, when the assent of the citizens to important acts was obtained. This custom was continued by the Mayor who consulted the Commons several times during the 13th century. From 1376 the assembly began to meet regularly and was referred to as the Common Council. It was decided that the Council should be made up of persons elected from each Ward. By 1384 a permanent Common Council chosen by the citizens was established for all time. The Council assumed legislative functions and adopted financial powers, confirmed by Charters of 1377 and 1383. The Council has often used these powers to amend the civic constitution, regulate the election of Lord Mayor and other officials, and amend the functions of the City courts. The Council was judged so successful in the conduct of its duties that it was the only Corporation unreformed by Parliament following the Municipal Corporations Commission report of 1837, while the Corporation Inquiry Commission of 1854 suggested only minor reforms. The work of the Council is conducted by a number of committees, while the whole Council has the right to approve policy, confirm major decisions and sanction expenditure. The committees handle many aspects of the running of the City including land and estates, finance and valuation, open spaces, street improvement and town planning, public health, police, Port of London, civil defence, airports, libraries, markets, education, and law. The Town Clerk has held responsibility for recording the minutes of the Council and its committees since 1274.
The Air Raid Precautions (Emergency) Committee was appointed from 20 Apr 1939. It was designated the Civil Defence (Emergency) Committee from 18 Dec 1941.
The concept of the Court of Common Council grew from the ancient custom of the Folkmoot, when the assent of the citizens to important acts was obtained. This custom was continued by the Mayor who consulted the Commons several times during the 13th century. From 1376 the assembly began to meet regularly and was referred to as the Common Council. It was decided that the Council should be made up of persons elected from each Ward. By 1384 a permanent Common Council chosen by the citizens was established for all time. The Council assumed legislative functions and adopted financial powers, confirmed by Charters of 1377 and 1383. The Council has often used these powers to amend the civic constitution, regulate the election of Lord Mayor and other officials, and amend the functions of the City courts. The Council was judged so successful in the conduct of its duties that it was the only Corporation unreformed by Parliament following the Municipal Corporations Commission report of 1837, while the Corporation Inquiry Commission of 1854 suggested only minor reforms. The work of the Council is conducted by a number of committees, while the whole Council has the right to approve policy, confirm major decisions and sanction expenditure. The committees handle many aspects of the running of the City including land and estates, finance and valuation, open spaces, street improvement and town planning, public health, police, Port of London, civil defence, airports, libraries, markets, education, and law. The Town Clerk has held responsibility for recording the minutes of the Council and its committees since 1274.
In 1860 Smithfield market was reorganised and renamed following the passing of the Metropolitan Meat and Poultry Market Act. The principal meat market buildings were opened as the Metropolitan Meat and Poultry Market on 1 December 1868. An additional building was opened as the Poultry and Provisions Market on 30 November 1875. A few months earlier the market complex had been renamed the London Central Markets. The Central Markets Committee is responsible for the administration of the market. In 2002 the Billingsgate and Leadenhall Markets Committee, the Central Markets Committee and the Spitalfields Market Committee were amalgamated under the Markets Committee.
The concept of the Court of Common Council grew from the ancient custom of the Folkmoot, when the assent of the citizens to important acts was obtained. This custom was continued by the Mayor who consulted the Commons several times during the 13th century. From 1376 the assembly began to meet regularly and was referred to as the Common Council. It was decided that the Council should be made up of persons elected from each Ward. By 1384 a permanent Common Council chosen by the citizens was established for all time. The Council assumed legislative functions and adopted financial powers, confirmed by Charters of 1377 and 1383. The Council has often used these powers to amend the civic constitution, regulate the election of Lord Mayor and other officials, and amend the functions of the City courts. The Council was judged so successful in the conduct of its duties that it was the only Corporation unreformed by Parliament following the Municipal Corporations Commission report of 1837, while the Corporation Inquiry Commission of 1854 suggested only minor reforms. The work of the Council is conducted by a number of committees, while the whole Council has the right to approve policy, confirm major decisions and sanction expenditure. The committees handle many aspects of the running of the City including land and estates, finance and valuation, open spaces, street improvement and town planning, public health, police, Port of London, civil defence, airports, libraries, markets, education, and law. The Town Clerk has held responsibility for recording the minutes of the Council and its committees since 1274.
The City of London Schools Committee administered the City of London School and the City of London School for Girls; while the Freemen's School Committee administered the City of London Freemen's School and the Freemen's Houses, also known as the Reform or London Almshouses, and Rogers Almshouses. In January 1970 the City of London Schools and Freemen's School Committees were amalgamated as the City of London Education Committee. In April 1973 this Committee was replaced by the Schools Committee which rarely met and was disbanded with effect from January 1980. The Committee also appointed a Board of Governors for each of the schools, the minutes of which are included in these two volumes of minutes. From May 1973 there are separate minutes for each Board of Governors, who took over the administration of the schools.
The Corporation of London also acts through its officers, some of whose offices originate in the medieval period. The earliest known holders of the office of Town Clerk (now the Chief Executive) and the Chamberlain (the chief financial officer), for example, both date from the 13th century although the offices themselves may date from the 12th century. Others, such as that of the Comptroller and City Solicitor (the head of the legal department), result from the amalgamation of different offices originating from medieval and Elizabethan times.
The City Marshal acts as the peacekeeper to the Lord Mayor of London, leads processions and represents the Lord Mayor at all Entries of Troops into the City.
The Swordbearer is a ceremonial role dating back to 1420; and is the most senior of the Lord Mayor's three personal staff officers. The Swordbearer supervises the protocol of ceremonial events, wearing a fur hat which was known as Cap of Maintenance and carrying the Lord Mayor's Sword of State which dates to 15th century.
Holloway Prison was built by the Corporation of London as the City House of Correction for men and women. It was opened in 1852. The prison was taken over by the government in 1877. It become female only in 1903 and was well known for the imprisonment of suffragettes and for internments during the Second World War.
The prison finally closed in 2016.
The Charity was incorporated by charter dated 1 July 1678, at the instigation of a group of loyalist Anglicans who were concerned to alleviate the lot of needy dependants of Anglican clergy who had suffered for their orthodoxy during the time of the Commonwealth. The incorporation marked a stage in the consolidation of charitable efforts directed to that end, and the primary class to benefit from the activities of the Corporation were the widows of sequestered clergy. Formally named "The Charity for the Relief of poor Widows and Children of Clergymen", the Corporation gradually came to extend its benevolence more widely within that general heading as the years passed.
The popular title "Sons of the Clergy" is an indication of the large proportion of sons of clergymen who were active in the Charity, but also probably shows a sense of "pietas" felt by orthodox laity toward the faithful clergy. The phrase was inherited from the Festival of the Sons of the Clergy.
The Corporation and the Festival: The circle of Anglicans whose efforts led to the incorporation of the Charity had for many years previously been pursuing the aims formulated in the Charter of 1678 by means of the annual Festival of the Sons of the Clergy. This enabled the raising of money at a solemn service, held in a prominent church in the Capital, and a grand feast to follow, at which the liberal benefactions of the wealthy were solicited. The origins of the Festival are obscure, the first extant Sermon preached on such an occasion being dated 1655.
The Festival, with its organisers and administrators, must be regarded as the parent of the Corporation. No doubt practical experience showed the creation of a Corporation to be the best means of ensuring orderliness and continuity in the administration of such a Charity. If the annual benevolence of the Festival attracted offers of endowment by estates, which would yield a regular and permanent income, the creation of a body corporate would be the only way of avoiding the tiresome necessity of continual renewal of trustees to make up for depletions by death. It was just this legal difficulty which led eventually to the vesting in the Corporation of the Sons of the Clergy of a number of private charities with similar objects. One such was Palmer's Charity, which brought the Corporation some lands in rural Holloway; and these with the growth of London, became the Corporation's principal landed estate.
The purchase of estates was, indeed, one of the early concerns of the Charity, once incorporated, and its landed interests eventually came to extend over many parts of England and Wales.
The Festival, with its Stewards & Secretary, and the Corporation, with its Court of Assistants and Registrar, continued as separate, though closely linked, entities, and the same people were often active in both. The funds raised at the Festival were administered separately until in the 1830's they were handed over to the Corporation to administer though still as a separate fund.
The Organisation of the Corporation: The Charter of Incorporation, whose text was copied out at the beginning of more than one Court Book, lays down the organisation of the Charity which it has retained ever since, and which still continues to function. The Corporation consists of a large number of Governors who meet at a General Court held on the second Thursday in each November. The first Governors, men of substance and standing, were nominated by Charter, and all subsequent appointments were made at the General Court.
The Charter also nominated the first Court of Assistants, composed of a President, Vice-President, three Treasurers and 42 Assistants. This court is responsible for the conduct of business of the Charity, it meets at varying intervals throughout the year, and appointments to it lie with the Governors.
At the first meeting of the Court of Assistants on 15th July 1678, choice was made of a Register, later called Registrar, to be the principal permanent official of the Corporation. Unlike the abovementioned officers, the Register received payment for his services, which required legal knowledge, and approximated to the functions of a general secretary and solicitor.
Amongst other minor officials was the Messenger, who convened meetings and probably at times acted as a rent collector. There was never a large staff of permanent officials. Unlike the Messenger, the Registrar still continues to function at the head of the permanent administration.
There seems to have been a permanent accountant at least since 1726, but this official is less easy to trace in the records. Apart from the Treasurers' Accounts, the Ledger of 1771 is the first survivor of any series of financial records. Before 1726 this work seems to have been in the hands of a Committee for Methodizing the Books.
Various Committees were appointed from time to time, but in the 17th and 18th centuries they generally give an impression of informality, and were often appointed ad hoc. It was not until about 1840 that any considerable reorganisation took place within the Corporation, and at that time the three principal permanent Committees of Estates, Finance & Petitions were formed.
The Charity was incorporated by charter dated 1 July 1678, at the instigation of a group of loyalist Anglicans who were concerned to alleviate the lot of needy dependants of Anglican clergy who had suffered for their orthodoxy during the time of the Commonwealth. The incorporation marked a stage in the consolidation of charitable efforts directed to that end, and the primary class to benefit from the activities of the Corporation were the widows of sequestered clergy. Formally named "The Charity for the Relief of poor Widows and Children of Clergymen", the Corporation gradually came to extend its benevolence more widely within that general heading as the years passed.
The popular title "Sons of the Clergy" is an indication of the large proportion of sons of clergymen who were active in the Charity, but also probably shows a sense of "pietas" felt by orthodox laity toward the faithful clergy. The phrase was inherited from the Festival of the Sons of the Clergy.
The Corporation and the Festival: The circle of Anglicans whose efforts led to the incorporation of the Charity had for many years previously been pursuing the aims formulated in the Charter of 1678 by means of the annual Festival of the Sons of the Clergy. This enabled the raising of money at a solemn service, held in a prominent church in the Capital, and a grand feast to follow, at which the liberal benefactions of the wealthy were solicited. The origins of the Festival are obscure, the first extant Sermon preached on such an occasion being dated 1655.
The Festival, with its organisers and administrators, must be regarded as the parent of the Corporation. No doubt practical experience showed the creation of a Corporation to be the best means of ensuring orderliness and continuity in the administration of such a Charity. If the annual benevolence of the Festival attracted offers of endowment by estates, which would yield a regular and permanent income, the creation of a body corporate would be the only way of avoiding the tiresome necessity of continual renewal of trustees to make up for depletions by death. It was just this legal difficulty which led eventually to the vesting in the Corporation of the Sons of the Clergy of a number of private charities with similar objects. One such was Palmer's Charity, which brought the Corporation some lands in rural Holloway; and these with the growth of London, became the Corporation's principal landed estate.
The purchase of estates was, indeed, one of the early concerns of the Charity, once incorporated, and its landed interests eventually came to extend over many parts of England and Wales.
The Festival, with its Stewards and Secretary, and the Corporation, with its Court of Assistants and Registrar, continued as separate, though closely linked, entities, and the same people were often active in both. The funds raised at the Festival were administered separately until in the 1830's they were handed over to the Corporation to administer though still as a separate fund.
The Organisation of the Corporation: The Charter of Incorporation, whose text was copied out at the beginning of more than one Court Book, lays down the organisation of the Charity which it has retained ever since, and which still continues to function. The Corporation consists of a large number of Governors who meet at a General Court held on the second Thursday in each November. The first Governors, men of substance and standing, were nominated by Charter, and all subsequent appointments were made at the General Court.
The Charter also nominated the first Court of Assistants, composed of a President, Vice-President, three Treasurers and 42 Assistants. This court is responsible for the conduct of business of the Charity, it meets at varying intervals throughout the year, and appointments to it lie with the Governors.
At the first meeting of the Court of Assistants on 15th July 1678, choice was made of a Register, later called Registrar, to be the principal permanent official of the Corporation. Unlike the abovementioned officers, the Register received payment for his services, which required legal knowledge, and approximated to the functions of a general secretary and solicitor.
Amongst other minor officials was the Messenger, who convened meetings and probably at times acted as a rent collector. There was never a large staff of permanent officials. Unlike the Messenger, the Registrar still continues to function at the head of the permanent administration.
There seems to have been a permanent accountant at least since 1726, but this official is less easy to trace in the records. Apart from the Treasurers' Accounts, the Ledger of 1771 is the first survivor of any series of financial records. Before 1726 this work seems to have been in the hands of a Committee for Methodizing the Books.
Various Committees were appointed from time to time, but in the 17th and 18th centuries they generally give an impression of informality, and were often appointed ad hoc. It was not until about 1840 that any considerable reorganisation took place within the Corporation, and at that time the three principal permanent Committees of Estates, Finance and Petitions were formed.
The Corporation of Trinity House was incorporated by royal charter in 1514. There is a tradition which dates the existence of Trinity House from the thirteenth century but there is no firm evidence to support this. When the charter was granted, Trinity House had a hall and almshouses at Deptford. Premises were acquired in Ratcliff and Stepney in the seventeenth century and meetings were held at all three sites. The Corporation bought a property in Water Lane in the City of London in 1660 which they then used as their hall. The Hall at Water Lane twice burnt down and was rebuilt, in 1666 and 1714. When it proved too cramped for proposed improvements in the 1790s, the Corporation bought land at Tower Hill on which Trinity House was built 1793-6. The present building retains the 1790s facade but a bomb on 30 December 1940 destroyed most of the rest of the original building which was sympathetically rebuilt in 1952-3.
The Corporation of Trinity House has had three main functions for most of its history:
1) General Lighthouse Authority for England and Wales;
2) Principal Pilotage Authority for London and forty other districts;
3) Charitable organisation for the relief of mariners.
These three functions are described in more detail in the introductory notes to the lighthouse, pilotage and estates and charities records.
The Corporation of Trinity House has had many other functions, largely carried out by the Board of 10 Elder brethren. Elder brethren are elected (for life) from the pool of around 300 Younger brethren who are normally Merchant Navy captains, though a few Royal Navy officers are also admitted as Younger brothers. These other functions have included the supply of ballast to ships in the Thames; sitting in the Court of Admiralty to hear collision cases; examining Royal Naval navigation officers in pilotage; and the examination of Christ's Hospital mathematical scholars in navigation.
Thames watermen and other groups of river tradesmen had voluntarily formed associations of River Fencibles in 1798, the same year that the Corps of Sea Fencibles was established as a coastal home guard. Fencibles were service personnel liable only for defensive service, an early version of the Home Guard.
The River Fencibles were officially established in 1803, and by 1804 had uniformed commissioned officers. Members of the London Corps in small boats escorted the barge carrying the body of Nelson along the Thames during his state funeral in 1806. The force was disbanded in 1813.
Thames watermen and other groups of river tradesmen had voluntarily formed associations of River Fencibles in 1798, the same year that the Corps of Sea Fencibles was established as a coastal home guard. The River Fencibles were officially established in 1803, and by 1804 had uniformed commissioned officers. Members of the London Corps in small boats escorted the barge carrying the body of Nelson along the Thames during his state funeral in 1806. The force was disbanded in 1813.
Corrie MacColl and Son Limited was formed in 1919 to reconstitute Corrie MacColl and Company, a firm of produce dealers and agents originally registered in 1902. Harrisons and Crosfield Limited (CLC/B/112-001) invested in the Company in 1919, and Corrie MacColl & Son Limited took over Harrisons and Crosfield's rubber dealing and Eastern produce departments. Archibald MacGregor MacColl was on the board of Harrisons and Crosfield, 1919-25.
No information could be found at the time of compilation.
Philip and Bartholomew Corsini were merchants from Florence, based in Gracechurch Street, London.
Born, 1925; Cadet, Royal Navy, 1943; Midshipman, 1944; Lieutenant, 1945; Destroyer Gunnery Officer, 1949; Lieutenant Commander, 1953; Commander, 1959; died 2007.
Born, 1924, educated at Sedbergh School, St Andrews and London Universities; served in the Royal Air Force (RAF), 1943-1947 after which he joined the Foreign Office; held posts in Singapore, 1950-1951, Tokyo, 1951-1954, 1961-1965, 1966-1970, Britain 1954-1958, 1965-1966, Bonn, 1958-1960, Royal College of Defence Studies, 1971-1972, and Washington, 1972-1975; appointed, 1975, Deputy Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 1975-1980; and Ambassador to Japan, 1980-1984; after retiring from diplomatic service, Cortazzi held office as Director, Hill Samuel & Co., later Hill Samuel Bank, 1984-1991; Senior Adviser: NEC Corporation, Japan, 1992-; Dai-ichi Kangyo Bank, Japan, 1992-; Bank of Kyoto, 1992-; Wilde Sapte, solicitors, 1992-; PIFC Consulting Plc, 1993;; Director: Foreign and Colonial Pacific Trust, since 1984; GT Japan Investment Trust plc, since 1984; Thornton Pacific (formerly Pacific) Investment Trust, since 1986; Member of the Economic and Social Research Council, 1984-1989; President, Asiatic Society of Japan, 1982-83; Chairman of The Japan Society 1985-1995; Member of the Council and Court, Sussex University, 1985-1992; Hon. Fellow, Robinson College, Cambridge, 1988; Hon. Dr Stirling, 1988. Grand Cordon, Order of the Sacred Treasure (Japan), 1995; appointed GCMG 1984 (KCMG 1980; CMG 1969).
Publications: Translated from Japanese, Genji Keita: The Ogre and other stories of the Japanese Salarymen, 1972; The Guardian God of Golf and other humorous stories, 1972, reprinted as The Lucky One, 1980; (ed) Mary Crawford Fraser, A Diplomat's Wife in Japan: sketches at the turn of the century, 1982; Isles of Gold: antique maps of Japan, 1983; Higashi No Shimaguni, Nishi No Shimaguni (collection of articles and speeches in Japanese), 1984; Dr Willis in Japan, 1985; (ed) Mitford's Japan, 1985; Victorians in Japan: in and around the Treaty Ports, 1987; For Japanese students of English: Thoughts from a Sussex Garden (essays), 1984; Second Thoughts (essays), 1986; Japanese Encounter, 1987; Zoku, Higashi no Shimaguni, Nishi no Shimaguni, 1987; (ed with George Webb) Kipling's Japan, 1988; The Japanese Achievement: a short history of Japan and Japanese culture, 1990; (ed) A British Artist in Meiji Japan, by Sir Alfred East, 1991; (ed) Building Japan 1868-1876, by Richard Henry Brunton, 1991; (ed with Gordon Daniels) Britain and Japan 1859-1991, 1991; Themes and Personalities, 1991; Modern Japan: a concise survey, 1993; (ed with Terry Bennett) Caught in Time: Japan, 1995; articles on Japanese themes in English and Japanese publications.
Francis Newton sailed from Gravesend to Madeira in 1745 and began trading there, at first while employed as a bookkeeper but from 1747-1748 on his own account. In the 19th century his successors, Cossart, Gordon and Company, claimed the year of foundation as 1745 (see printed circular issued in 1867, in Ms 32992/151). The earliest document among the papers now held at Guildhall Library is dated 1749.
The company has traded under the following names: Francis Newton -1758; Newton and Gordon, 1758-77; Newton, Gordon and Johnston, 1777-91; Newton, Gordon and Murdoch, 1791-1801; Newton, Gordon, Murdoch and Company, 1802-5, Newton, Gordon, Murdoch and Scott, 1805-c 1833; Newton, Gordon, Murdoch and Company, c 1833-1839; Newton, Gordon, Cossart and Company, [1839-1864]; Cossart, Gordon and Company c 1864-1953; Cossart, Gordon and Cia. Lda 1953-
Although originally established in Madeira, from its earliest days the business maintained close links with London, and its principals were always British. In 1758 Francis Newton entered into partnership with Thomas Gordon. Newton returned from Madeira to London c 1767 (according to an account written in 1773, in Ms 32992/11) and thereafter appears to have acted in London as the company's senior partner. By the mid nineteenth century the company had a substantial presence in both London and Madeira, with a "London house" as well as the original "Madeira house". The "London house" traded as Webster Gordon, Cossart and Company in the 1840s, when it was based at 6 New Broad Street (1846). The name Cossart, Gordon and Company was used in London before it was used in Madeira, being applied to the London house from 1851. From c 1864, both houses traded under the same name.
The primary business of Cossart, Gordon and Company was the purchase of wine from local suppliers and its export to Britain, the United States, India and the West Indies. In the 18th and early 19th centuries it also traded in a range of other commodities such as cotton, soap, sugar, rice, grain, flour, meat, fish, fruit and dairy products. During the 19th century, however, as the demand for Madeira wines grew, Cossart, Gordon and Company withdrew from trading in general merchandise in order to concentrate on wines.
In 1913 a small group of Madeira wine shippers decided to work together and formed the Madeira Wine Association Limitada. The numbers in this group grew as the benefits of co-operation became clear. Cossart, Gordon and Company joined the Association as a partner in 1953. At the same time, the Madeira assets of the London company were put into a Portuguese company, Cossart, Gordon and Cia. Lda. which supplied the London company's requirements through the Madeira Wine Association (later the Madeira Wine Company).
Costa del Sol Anglican Chaplaincy was founded in February 1967.