Worshipful Company of Shipwrights

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Guild coat of arms for shipbuilders of the City of London

The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights (also short: Shipwrights' Company ) is the professional association ( Livery Company ) of shipbuilders ( Ahd. Guild of Shipwrights ) of the City of London . The guild- like association has existed since before 1199. In the ranking of the London Livery Companies it is 59th.

history

Little is known about the beginnings of a shipbuilding association; However, such an association can be proven in 1199, even if the first written evidence of London shipbuilding does not exist until the 13th century. The plague, which also raged among the shipbuilders in the late Middle Ages, prevented the official recognition of this organization, as the surviving shipbuilders did not feel strong enough for this status. Therefore, and because London shipbuilding was never exclusively located in the area of ​​the market miles, this guild has never been confirmed by a royal charter (until today) , which distinguishes this company from others of this kind.

Nevertheless, shipbuilding in London increased steadily, especially under the Tudors . During this time, the Krone built its own shipyards, so-called “Royal Dockyards”, which were located downstream on the Thames and supported these administrators, who in 1612 became the “Master "Wardens, and Commonalty of the Art or Mystery of Shipwrights of Redriff (now Rotherhithe ) in the County of Surrey " and named Phineas Pett their first master. Since this company had received a Royal Charter, there was a legal dispute between the two associations over the shipbuilding monopoly in England. This dispute ended in 1684 when the Royal Charter was withdrawn.

Since the society was not one of the recognized livery companies, members of the guild could not obtain London citizenship for a long time afterwards. It was not recognized until 1782, which is why it is sometimes seen as the year the corporation was founded. It lost influence when wooden shipbuilding declined in favor of steel ships. Nevertheless, this guild is closely linked to the royal family, which was able to provide some members and still has them today. The British Queen Elizabeth II is the patroness of the guild.

aims

According to its own statements, the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights aims to promote traditional handicrafts in the City of London as well as the traditional naval and shipbuilding industries and to offer a forum for exchange about them. Various educational programs and charity events are also carried out for this purpose:

Internal organization

In the absence of a royal statute, the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights is constituted through so-called ordinances , which appeared for the first time in 1482. These were fundamentally revised in 1990. The revision was accepted in 1992 and has formed the basis of the Worshipful Company's operations ever since .

The corporation is run by a so-called Court of Assistants . This committee has permanent Master (currently Charles, Prince of Wales ) held the line, his deputy has the title of Prime Warden (currently Deputy Douglas Barrow ). The remaining members of the board are four Wardens , 25 Assistants and all former Prime Wardens .

The executive management is held by another body, the so-called Wardens Committee . This body consists of the current Prime Warden, the current Warden, the last two Prime Warden and the Treasurer. This committee has committees, one on education and charity and one on finance. In contrast to the Court of Assistants, which meets five times a year, it meets four times a year.

The guild has two clerks , one of them full-time.

Significant members

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b http://www.shipwrights.co.uk/company/history/shipwrights-history
  2. ↑ http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person.php?LinkID=mp03527
  3. ↑ http://www.se16.info/#History
  4. ↑ http://www.shipwrights.co.uk/company/company-aims
  5. ↑ http://www.shipwrights.co.uk/company/governance
  6. ↑ a b http://www.shipwrights.co.uk/company/governance/present-officers
  7. ↑ http://announcements.telegraph.co.uk/other/132615/worshipful-company-of-shipwrights-installation-dinner