Livery Company

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The Livery Companies are 110 English professional associations within the City of London . Almost all of them carry the designation "Worshipful Company of ..." ("venerable guild of ..."), followed by the name of their respective branch of industry or their craft. The medieval Livery Companies were guilds or guilds and thus responsible for the guild rules and their compliance. The name Livery Company is derived from the traditional clothing, the livery of the employees of a company, who had the right within the City of London to control the marketplaces and to prohibit non-members from carrying out their trade.

history

The first companies emerged as early as the 14th century and were recognized by the respective king through Royal Charter . Up until the Reformation , the Livery Companies were also involved in religious activities, above all they supported the church with choirs and took part in church ceremonies and mystery plays . Some Livery Companies are still active today in the original sense, e.g. B. the Scriveners (professional writers), but many others limit themselves to supporting the welfare work , e.g. B. the Bowyers (bow makers). Above all, the companies that have been founded in recent years are purely charitable organizations. You play an important role in the social life and network in the City of London.

In 1515 the Court of Aldermen , the assembly of councilors of the City of London, established a ranking for the then existing 48 Livery Companies, based on their economic and political power. The top twelve Livery Companies are called the Great Twelve City Livery Companies . The Merchant Taylors (tailors) and the Skinners (fur traders) fought over their placement right from the start, without reaching an agreement. It was therefore decided that both companies would switch between 6th and 7th place every Easter.

After the Fan Makers were founded in 1709 and recognized as Livery in 1809, no new companies were founded for over 100 years until the Master Mariners (Livery 1932) followed in 1926 . Companies incorporated after 1926 are also called the Modern Livery Companies . The Company of Arts Scholars (humanities scholars), founded in 2014, is the 110th and so far last new company . Her application for Livery was accepted by the Court of Aldermen of the City of London Corporation in February 2014.

Inner structure

The management level of the Livery Companies usually consists of a presiding master (also: Prime Warden or Bailiff ), a number of Warden (also: Upper, Middle, Lower or Renter Warden ) and a councilor who elects the Master and Warden. The company's chief executive officer is called a clerk .

Members generally fall into one of the categories Freeman or Liverymen . One can become a Freeman and achieve freedom of the company by fulfilling certain company requirements: one can be admitted via patrimony (origin) if one parent was Liveryman of the company, via servitude ( length of service) if one has served a required number of years as a contender, or through redemption if one pays a corresponding fee. Generally Freemen by the Beigeordnetenrat the Company to Liverymen selected.

Previously, only Liverymen could vote in the election of the Lord Mayor of London , the Sheriff of the City of London and the other traditional offices of the City of London. Hence, they had great influence over the City of London Corporation , the governing body of the City of London.

Livery halls

Many companies have their own assembly halls where members and guests can meet and internal matters can be dealt with. The oldest companies known to have their own halls were the Merchant Taylors and the Goldsmiths in the 14th century, but neither their halls nor any other halls have survived. The few halls that remained after the Great Fire of London in 1666 fell victim to German air raids during World War II . Today around 40 companies still have their own halls, which are also available for social or commercial events or are occasionally used by other companies without their own hall.

List of Livery Companies in order of priority

  1. Worshipful Company of Mercers (general dealers)
  2. Worshipful Company of Grocers (grocer)
  3. Worshipful Company of Drapers (wool and cloth dealer)
  4. Worshipful Company of Fishmongers (fishmongers)
  5. Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths (goldsmith)
  6. Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors (tailor; alternating with the Skinners)
  7. Worshipful Company of Skinners (fur trader; alternating with the Merchant Taylors)
  8. Worshipful Company of Haberdashers (haberdashery)
  9. Worshipful Company of Salters
  10. Worshipful Company of Ironmongers ( Ironmongers' Guild )
  11. Worshipful Company of Vintners (wine merchant)
  12. Worshipful Company of Clothworkers
  13. Worshipful Company of Dyers (dyers)
  14. Worshipful Company of Brewers
  15. Worshipful Company of Leathersellers (leather merchants)
  16. Worshipful Company of Pewterers (pewter makers)
  17. Worshipful Company of Barbers (barbers, surgeons and dentists)
  18. Worshipful Company of Cutlers (cutlers)
  19. Worshipful Company of Bakers (Baker)
  20. Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers (wax pullers)
  21. Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers (tallow candle makers)
  22. Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers (armor and brass smiths)
  23. Worshipful Company of Girdlers (belt makers)
  24. Worshipful Company of Butchers
  25. Worshipful Company of Saddlers (saddlers)
  26. Worshipful Company of Carpenters (carpenter)
  27. Worshipful Company of Cordwainers (fine leather fabricators)
  28. Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers (Beizer)
  29. Worshipful Company of Curriers (tanners)
  30. Worshipful Company of Masons (stonemasons)
  31. Worshipful Company of Plumbers (plumbers)
  32. Worshipful Company of Innholders (hosts)
  33. Worshipful Company of Founders (metal workers)
  34. Worshipful Company of Poulters (Poultry Merchants)
  35. Worshipful Company of Cooks (cooks)
  36. Worshipful Company of Coopers (Fassbinder)
  37. Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers (Ziegler)
  38. Worshipful Company of Bowyers (Bogner)
  39. Worshipful Company of Fletchers (Arrow Makers)
  40. Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths (smithy)
  41. Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers (wood carvers)
  42. Worshipful Company of Weavers
  43. Worshipful Company of Woolmen (wool processor)
  44. Worshipful Company of Scriveners (scribes and notaries)
  45. Worshipful Company of Fruiterers (fruit merchants)
  46. Worshipful Company of Plaisterers
  47. Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers (papermakers and journalists)
  48. Worshipful Company of Broderers (Sticker)
  49. Worshipful Company of Upholders (upholsterer)
  50. Worshipful Company of Musicians (musicians)
  51. Worshipful Company of Turners (wood turner)
  52. Worshipful Company of Basketmakers
  53. Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass (glaziers and glass painters)
  54. Worshipful Company of Horners (horn processor)
  55. Worshipful Company of Farriers (farriers and horse veterinarians)
  56. Worshipful Company of Paviors (road builders)
  57. Worshipful Company of Loriners (Riemer)
  58. Worshipful Society of Apothecaries (Medicines and Pharmacists)
  59. Worshipful Company of Shipwrights (shipbuilders)
  60. Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (Opticians)
  61. Worshipful Company of Clockmakers (watchmaker)
  62. Worshipful Company of Glovers (Glovers)
  63. Worshipful Company of Feltmakers
  64. Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters (Stricker)
  65. Worshipful Company of Needlemakers (masterminds)
  66. Worshipful Company of Gardeners (gardeners)
  67. Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers
  68. Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights (wheelwright)
  69. Worshipful Company of Distillers (Distillers)
  70. Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers (clog makers)
  71. Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers
  72. Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers
  73. Worshipful Company of Gunmakers (gunsmiths)
  74. Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers (gold and silver thread makers)
  75. Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards
  76. Worshipful Company of Fanmakers
  77. Worshipful Company of Carmen (coachman)
  78. Honorable Company of Master Mariners (Seafarers)
  79. City of London Solicitors' Company (Lawyers)
  80. Worshipful Company of Farmers (farmers)
  81. Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (pilots and navigators)
  82. Worshipful Company of Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Blenders (pipe and cigar makers)
  83. Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers
  84. Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers (Scientists)
  85. Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors
  86. Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (accountant)
  87. Worshipful Company of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
  88. Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants
  89. Worshipful Company of Launderers (Launderers)
  90. Worshipful Company of Marketors (Marketing Professionals)
  91. Worshipful Company of Actuaries
  92. Worshipful Company of Insurers
  93. Worshipful Company of Arbitrators
  94. Worshipful Company of Engineers
  95. Worshipful Company of Fuellers
  96. Worshipful Company of Lightmongers (Electricians)
  97. Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners
  98. Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects (Architects)
  99. Worshipful Company of Constructors (builders)
  100. Worshipful Company of Information Technologists (IT professionals)
  101. Worshipful Company of World Traders (international traders)
  102. Worshipful Company of Water Conservators (water purifiers)
  103. Worshipful Company of Firefighters
  104. Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers (taxi drivers)
  105. Worshipful Company of Management Consultants (Management Consultant)
  106. Worshipful Company of International Bankers
  107. Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers
  108. Worshipful Company of Security Professionals
  109. Worshipful Company of Educators
  110. Worshipful Company of Art Scholars (humanities scholars)

Web links

See also

Individual evidence

  1. Archived copy ( memento of the original from October 6, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. The City of London - City Livery Companies @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
  2. Archived copy ( memento of the original from June 13, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. The City of London - Sheriffs & Aldermen @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.cityoflondon.gov.uk