Livery Company

Livery Companies are trade associations based in the City of London. They originally developed as guilds. They were responsible for the regulation of their trades, controlling, for instance, wages and labour conditions. At present, some Livery Companies continue to have a regulatory role. For instance, the Scriveners' Company regulates and oversees Notaries Public of the City of London. Other companies, where the profession has become obsolete, exist as charitable foundations. Still others, such as the Longbow Stringmakers' Company and the Hatbandmakers' Company, have become inoperative. Some recently founded groups such as the Information Technologists have been charitable in nature for the whole of their existence. Livery Companies are governed by a Master (known in some Companies as the Prime Warden), a number of Wardens (who may be known as the Upper, Middle, Lower, or Renter Wardens), and a Court of Assistants, which elects the Master and Wardens. The chief executive officer of the Company is known as the Clerk. Members generally falls into two categories: freemen and liverymen. One may become a freeman, or acquire the "Freedom of the Company", upon fulfilling the Company's criteria; traditionally, one may be admitted by "patrimony" if either parent was a liverymen of the company, by "servitude" if one has served as an apprentice in the trade for the requisite number of years, or by purchase. (The Company may also vote to admit individuals as honorary freemen.) Freemen generally advance to becoming liverymen by a vote of the Court of the Company. Only liverymen may take part in the election of the Lord Mayor of London. There are currently one hundred and four Livery Companies in the City of London. In 1515, after years of dispute, an order of precedence was settled for the Livery Companies of the time based on the Companies' economic or political power. The Merchant Taylors and Skinners dispute their precedence, and so annually alternate between sixth and seventh place, the change occurring each Easter. This gives rise to the phrase "at sixes and sevens".

Table of contents

1 List of Companies, in order of precedence 2 See also 3 External links

List of Companies, in order of precedence

1. The Worshipful Company of Mercers (General Merchants)\n#The Worshipful Company of Grocers \n#The Worshipful Company of Drapers\n#The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers\n#The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths\n#The Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors (Tailors) (alternates with the Skinners)\n#The Worshipful Company of Skinners (Fur Traders) (alternates with the Merchant Taylors)\n#The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers\n#The Worshipful Company of Salters\n#The Worshipful Company of Ironmongers\n#The Worshipful Company of Vintners\n#The Worshipful Company of Clothworkers\n#The Worshipful Company of Dyers\n#The Worshipful Company of Brewers\n#The Worshipful Company of Leathersellers\n#The Worshipful Company of Pewterers\n#The Worshipful Company of Barbers (Barbers, Surgeons, and Dentists)\n#The Worshipful Company of Cutlers\n#The Worshipful Company of Bakers\n#The Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers \n#The Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers \n#The Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers (Armour Makers and Brass Workers)\n#The Worshipful Company of Girdlers (Girdle and Belt Makers)\n#The Worshipful Company of Butchers\n#The Worshipful Company of Saddlers\n#The Worshipful Company of Carpenters\n#The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers (Fine Leather Workers)\n#The Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers\n#The Worshipful Company of Curriers (Tanned Leather Dressers)\n#The Worshipful Company of Masons\n#The Worshipful Company of Plumbers\n#The Worshipful Company of Innholders\n#The Worshipful Company of Founders\n#The Worshipful Company of Poulters\n#The Worshipful Company of Cooks\n#The Worshipful Company of Coopers (Barrel Makers)\n#The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers \n#The Worshipful Company of Bowyers (Longbow Makers)\n#The Worshipful Company of Fletchers (Arrow Makers)\n#The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths\n#The Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers (Wood Craftsmen)\n#The Worshipful Company of Weavers\n#The Worshipful Company of Woolmen\n#The Worshipful Company of Scriveners (Court Document Writers and Notaries Public)\n#The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers\n#The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers (Plasterers)\n#The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers\n#The Worshipful Company of Broderers (Embroiders)\n#The Worshipful Company of Upholders (Upholsterers)\n#The Worshipful Company of Musicians\n#The Worshipful Company of Turners (Lathe Operators)\n#The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers\n#The Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass\n#The Worshipful Company of Horners\n#The Worshipful Company of Farriers (Horseshoe Makers and Veterinarians for Horses)\n#The Worshipful Company of Paviors (Road and Highway Pavers)\n#The Worshipful Company of Loriners (Harness Makers)\n#The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries (Pharmacists)\n#The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights\n#The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers\n#The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers\n#The Worshipful Company of Glovers\n#The Worshipful Company of Feltmakers (Hat Makers)\n#The Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters\n#The Worshipful Company of Needlemakers\n#The Worshipful Company of Gardeners\n#The Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers\n#The Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights\n#The Worshipful Company of Distillers\n#The Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers (Wooden Shoe Makers)\n#The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers\n#The Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers\n#The Worshipful Company of Gunmakers\n#The Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers \n#The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards\n#The Worshipful Company of Fanmakers\n#The Worshipful Company of Carmen\n#The Honourable Company of Master Mariners\n#The City of London Solicitors' Company\n#The Worshipful Company of Farmers\n#The Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators\n#The Worshipful Company of Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Blenders\n#The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers\n#The Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers\n#The Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors\n#The Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales\n#The Worshipful Company of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators\n#The Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants\n#The Worshipful Company of Launderers\n#The Worshipful Company of Marketors\n#The Worshipful Company of Actuaries\n#The Worshipful Company of Insurers\n#The Worshipful Company of Arbitrators\n#The Worshipful Company of Engineers\n#The Worshipful Company of Fuellers\n#The Worshipful Company of Lightmongers\n#The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners\n#The Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects\n#The Worshipful Company of Constructors\n#The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists\n#The Worshipful Company of World Traders\n#The Worshipful Company of Water Conservators\n#The Worshipful Company of Firefighters\n#The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers

Some Companies are recognised by the Corporation of London as "City Companies Without Grant of Livery":

• The Company of Parish Clerks\n*The Company of Watermen and Lightermen

Others are in the process of obtaining livery status:

• The Company of Management Consultants\n*The Guild of Tax Advisers\n*The Guild of International Bankers

See also

\n*UK topics

External links

\n*Corporation of London: City livery companies\n*Alphabetical list of livery companies Category:London Government