Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
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.