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LIVERY COMPANIES of the City of London
City of London Guilds,
The Livery Companies
There are 111 livery companies at the time of this update (July 2023), the latest being the Worshipful Company of Nurses. This number will slowly increase as more trades are recognised and qualify. The origins of the companies go back much further than their actual official beginnings. There were guilds, sometimes known as ”mysteries”, all over Europe. They existed well before the Normans invaded England. The word “mystery” comes from the Latin “misterium”, which meant “professional skill”. There are active guilds all over Great Britain but the City of London must have the oldest and most ceremonial assortment of all cities. Centuries ago, traders and craftsmen tended to stick together, working and living in close proximity to each other. The names of some of the streets leading off Cheapside give credibility to this. Milk Street, Ironmonger Lane, Bread Street and many more show us that certain places dealt with certain commodities and for this reason they had to come to some arrangement that would ensure fair trade for all. There were no official rules or societies, they just got together and agreed to regulate prices and keep to certain standards of their wares. This mutual agreement ensured they could all earn a decent living without worrying about the man on the next corner selling goods at cut down price or supplying sub standard goods, giving the trade a bad name. As time passed, these guilds became larger and more official, eventually being granted a Royal Charter. The first recorded charter was in 1155, granted to the Weavers’ Company and there were many active guilds by that time. The word “guild” comes from the Saxon word “gilder”, meaning “to pay”, and the craftsmen and traders had to pay to be a part of these professional bodies.Greater control
The emergence of these early guilds would help both members and consumers by being able to control to a certain extent the trading practices of their members. It prevented there being too much competition within the City, thereby allowing members to make a fair living, and it ensured the work was not inferior and goods not sub standard, protecting the consumer. Anyone found providing below standard services or selling underweight goods could be fined or, worse, expelled from the guild losing their livelihood. This is how the “baker’s dozen” became 13 instead of 12. They did not wish to be found underweight and face a penalty. Disputes were also arbitrated at the relevant guild’s meeting hall.
Origin of the livery
The word “livery” originally meant the items supplied to you that you needed to live whilst in the employment in a rich household or official residence. Clothing, food and drink were included. As time went on the use of the term was associated with more uniform like, and distinctive dress and badges. As the members of these guilds were required to wear ceremonial robes and insignia they became known for their livery, which led to the term “livery company” being adopted when referring to them. The regalia is still worn today at ceremonies and functions.Order of precedence
Their origins probably existed before the Norman invasion of 1066. In 1515 there were 48 in existence. Some guilds merged with others, while some split into different branches. All this caused fierce disputes about the order of importance of the guilds. The Lord Mayor of the time settled this by creating an order of precedence. The first twelve places have since been known as “The Great Twelve”. An earlier dispute between the Merchant Taylors and Skinners had resulted in them exchanging positions 6 and 7 each year, and this still remains today. Probably where the phrase "All at sixes and sevens" comes from.The Great Twelve
The dates given below are the first known official records of the guilds. Many were formed long before these dates. 1. The Worshipful Company of Mercers 1394 Originally exporters of woollen cloth and importers of expensive fabrics. The name is derived from the French word for merchants. 2. The Worshipful Company of Grocers 1345 Originally importers of spices, they developed into wholesaler merchant traders dealing “in gross”. They eventually became known as “Grossers” 3. The Worshipful Company of Drapers 1364 Originally merchants in woollen cloth. 4. The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers 1272 Has strong links with the fish trade, fishing, fisheries and regulations.
5. The Worshipful
Company of
Goldsmiths 1327
Still tests and marks
gold, silver and
platinum in the assay
office.
6/7.* The Worshipful
Company of
Merchant Taylors
1327
Craft association of
taylors and linen
armourers.
7/6.* The
Worshipful
Company of
Skinners 1327
Traders in pelts
and treated animal
skins. Controlled
the English fur
trade until the 18th. century.
8. The Worshipful
Company of
Haberdashers 1371
Originally cloth worn
beneath armour,
haberdashery
developed into general
clothing.
9. The Worshipful
Company of Salters
1394
Originally dealing in
salt and the dry
salting of fish.
10. The Worshipful
Company of
Ironmongers 1463
Originally iron
merchants.
11. The Worshipful
Company of Vintners
1364
For those in the wine
trade.
12. The Worshipful
Company of Cloth
workers 1528
Originally involved in
the finishing of
woven woollen cloth.
*For many years the Skinners and
Merchant Taylors were in dispute about
who was most senior. In 1515 this was
resolved by allowing them to exchange
places each year. It is thought that this is
probably where the phrase "at sixes and
sevens" came from.
