Livery Companies of the City of London in the 18th Century
London Livery Companies grew out of earlier trade associations and guilds. Liveries (costumes, symbols and so forth) are granted by the Court of Aldermen of the City of London. Their history can be complicated with various associations merging and splitting at different times. For example, Barbers and Surgeons were a single entity in the early 14th century. In 1368, the Surgeons formed their own guild but merged with the Barbers to form the Company of Barber-Surgeons in 1540. In 1745, the Surgeons broke away to form their own Company which, in 1800, became the Royal College of Surgeons.
The Companies acted as regulators and inspectors for their constituencies, enforced apprenticeships and training, and lobbied the Crown fo special treatment. The Fanmakers Company, for example, fought a running battle throughout the 18th century against cheap fans printed in Canton in China and shipped to England in bulk by the East India Company. Fanmakers survived the latter half of the century while the fan was a must-have fashion item but thereafter declined rapidly.
There are currently 108 Livery Companies in the City of London but, of these, only 77 existed in the 18th Century - counting the Worshipful Company of Fanmakers who were incorporated in 1709. However, as the Barber-Surgeon example above shows, there were other Companies during that period. The granting of Liveries died out as a practice and it was not until the 20th Century that new Livery companies were again being created. Company names all begin with "The Worshipful Company of".
The passage of the 18th century saw the majority of these Companies losing their initial purpose as technology overtook craft and products that were once made by individuals were made by machines. This had already happened to older technologies such as the Bowyers and Fletchers Companies, overtaken by the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers. Most Livery Companies are now social and charitable organisations.
Recent Livery Companies
Purely for my own amusement, I note the following late additions:
Dear to my own heart is the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists in 1992 - ranked 100.
The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers did not become a Livery Company until 2004 and is ranked 104. The process apparently started in 1654 with instructions from Oliver Cromwell on the regulation of drivers but, given the speed of the average London cab, it clearly took a while to arrive.
Moving into the realm of the ridiculous we have the Worshipful Company of Management Consultants in 2004 - ranked 105.
Finally, bringing up the tail of the procession we have the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals - ranked 108.
Significant 18th Century Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1700 | Company of Watermen and Lightermen formed by an Act of Parliament |
| 1709 | Copyright Act of 1709 takes copyright control away from Printers and Stationers Company |
| 1713 | Livery granted to the Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters |
| 1745 | Surgeons split from the Company of Barber-Surgeons to form the Company of Surgeons |
| 1746 | Woodmongers' Company becomes defunct. |
| 1746 | Worshipful Company of Carmen receives a Royal Charter and takes over the regulation of Carmne (Carters) from the Woodmongers' Company. |
| 1763 | Livery is granted to the Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights |
| 1782 | Livery is granted to the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights |
| 1792 | Livery is granted to the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards |
| 1800 | Company of Surgeons becomes the Royal College of Surgeons |
List of Livery Companies in the 18th Century
Note that the dates below represent the date at which the Company was Incorporated (typically by Royal Charter), at which point it formally takes on its regulatory and other functions. Livery may not have been granted until much later at the whim of the Court of Aldermen. Trade associations usually existed well before incorporation - sometimes sufficiently far back that the exact origins are unknown.
Click on the Company name to go to the Company's website; click on more info to go to the relevant Wikipedia entry. The latter is a useful resource but, as always, use with caution. Companies are listed in order of precedence.
| Date | Company | Wikipedia | Motto | Responsibilities | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1394 | Mercers | more info | Honor Deo (Honour to God) | General merchants; exporters of wool; importers of cloth |
| 2 | 1345 | Grocers | more info | God grant Grace | Grocers; purity of spices; weights and measures |
| 3 | 1438 | Drapers | more info | Unto God only be Honour and Glory | Wool and cloth merchants |
| 4 | 1537 | Fishmongers | more info | All Worship Be To God Only | Fish-sellers |
| 5 | 1327 | Goldsmiths | more info | Justitia Virtutum Regina (Justice is the Queen of Virtues) | Goldsmiths, Silversmiths and Jewellers; hallmarking platinum, gold and silver |
| 6 | 1327 | Merchant Taylors | more info | Concordia Parvae Res Crescunt (In Harmony Small Things Grow) | Tailors (by the 18th century it was purely a philanthropic and social organisation) |
| 7 | 1327 | Skinners | more info | To God Only Be All Glory | Furriers (by the 18th century it was mostly general merchants) |
| 8 | 1448 | Haberdashers | more info | - | Haberdashers |
| 9 | 1559 | Salters | more info | Sal Sapit Omnia (Salt Savours All) | Trades involving salt and chemical preparations used in foods |
| 10 | 1463 | Ironmongers | more info | God is Our Strength | Iron Merchants |
| 11 | 1364 | Vintners | more info | Vinum Exhilarat Animum (Wine Cheers the Mind) | Wine Sellers |
| 12 | 1528 | Clothworkers | more info | My Trust is in God Alone | Fullers, Shearmen and Clothworkers |
| 13 | 1471 | Dyers | more info | Da Gloriam Deo (Give Glory to God) | Dyers |
| 14 | 1437 | Brewers | more info | In God Is All Our Trust | Brewers |
| 15 | 1444 | Leathersellers | more info | Soli Deo Honor et Gloria (Honour and Glory to God Alone) | Leather Merchants |
| 16 | 1474 | Pewterers | more info | - | Pewterers |
| 17 | 1462 | Barbers | more info | De Praescientia Dei (From the Foreknowledge of God) | Barbers. At the beginning of the 18th century they were the Company of Barber-Surgeons. Surgeons left the group in 1745 to form the Company of Surgeons which became the Royal College of Surgeons in 1800. |
| 18 | 1416 | Cutlers | more info | Pour parvenir a bonne foy (To succeed through good faith) | Knife Makers and Repairers |
| 19 | 1509 | Bakers | more info | Praise God For All | Bakers; Enforcing baking regulations. |
| 20 | 1484 | Wax Chandlers | more info | Truth Is The Light | Merchants of beeswax products, including beeswax candles. |
| 21 | 1462 | Tallow Chandlers | more info | Ecce Agnus Dei Qui Tollit Peccata Mundi (Behold the Lamb of God, Who Takes Away the Sins of the World) | Makers of tallow candles; Makers of and Dealers in oils |
| 22 | 1453 | Armourers and Brasiers | more info | We Are One | Armour repairers and Brass workers. Brass workers joined the Armourers in 1708. |
| 23 | 1449 | Girdlers | more info | Give Thanks to God | Makers of Belts and Girdles |
| 24 | 1605 | Butchers | more info | Omnia Subiecisti Sub Pedibus, Oves Et Boves (Thou Hast Put All Things Under Man's Feet, All Sheep and Oxen) | Butchers |
| 25 | 1363 | Saddlers | more info | Hold Fast, Sit Sure; Our Trust Is In God | Saddle makers |
| 26 | 1477 | Carpenters | more info | Honour God | Carpenters (woodworking involving nails rather than joinery) |
| 27 | 1439 | Cordwainers | more info | Corio et Arte (Leather and Art) | Workers of fine leather |
| 28 | 1581 | Painter-Stainers | more info | Amor Queat Obedientiam (Love Can Compel Obedience) | Painters of metal, wood and cloth |
| 29 | 1605 | Curriers | more info | Spes Nostra Deus (Our Hope is in God) | Curers of Leather |
| 30 | 1677 | Masons | more info | God Is Our Guide | Stonemasons |
| 31 | 1611 | Plumbers | more info | Justicia Et Pax (Justice and Peace) | Plumbers |
| 32 | 1514 | Innholders | more info | Hinc Spes Affulget (Hence Hope Shines Forth) | Innkeepers |
| 33 | 1614 | Founders | more info | God, The Only Founder | Workers of brass and bronze |
| 34 | 1665 | Poulters | more info | Remember Your Oath | Regulates sale of poultry, together with swans and pigeons, and rabbits and small game |
| 35 | 1482 | Cooks | more info | Vulnerati Non Victi (Wounded not Conquered) | Cooks |
| 36 | 1501 | Coopers | more info | Love as Brethren | Coopers (Barrel-makers) |
| 37 | 1568 | Tylers and Bricklayers | more info | In God Is All Our Trust | Bricklayers; Layers of roof and floor tiles. |
| 38 | 1371 | Bowyers | more info | Crecy, Poitiers, Agincourt | Longbow makers |
| 39 | 1371 | Fletchers | more info | True and Sure | Fletchers (Arrow-makers) |
| 40 | 1571 | Blacksmiths | more info | By Hammer and Hand All Arts Do Stand | Blacksmiths; the rights to regulate blacksmiths diminished over time until, in 1785, the Company did not bother to renew the lease on its hall. |
| 41 | 1571 | Joiners and Ceilers | more info | Join Loyalty With Liberty | Woodworkers using glues and joinery rather than nails; the motto was created by John Wilkes in 1774. |
| 42 | 1180 | Weavers | more info | Weave Truth With Trust | Weavers |
| 43 | 1522 | Woolmen | more info | Lana Spes Nostra (Wool is Our Hope) | Wool winders and sellers |
| 44 | 1617 | Scriveners | more info | Littera Scripta Manet (the Written Word Remains) | Scrivener notaries; also known as the Mysterie of Writers of the Court Letter |
| 45 | 1605 | Fruiterers | more info | Deus Dat Incrementum (God Gives the Increase) | Fruit sellers; quality inspection of fruit |
| 46 | 1501 | Plaisterers | more info | Let Brotherly Love Continue | Plasterers |
| 47 | 1557 | Stationers and Newspaper Makers | more info | Verbum Domini Manet in Eternum | Printers and Stationers; until Copyright Act of 1709 had a monopoly on copyright and book production |
| 48 | 1561 | Broderers | more info | Omnia Desuper (All From Above) | Embroiderers |
| 49 | 1626 | Upholders | more info | Sustine Bona (Uphold the good) | Upholsterers |
| 50 | 1604 | Musicians | more info | Preserve Harmony | Musicians |
| 51 | 1604 | Turners | more info | By Faith I Obteigne (By Faith I Obtain) | Lathe operators |
| 52 | 1937 | Basketmakers | more info | Let Us Love One Another | Basketmakers; the Company was created in 1569 and became a livery company in 1825 although it did not receive a Royal Charter until 1937 |
| 53 | 1638 | Glaziers and Painters of Glass | more info | Lucem Tuam Da Nobis Deo (O God, Give Us Your Light) | Glass craftsmen including glass makers and glass painters |
| 54 | 1638 | Horners | more info | no motto | Horn-workers and Leather Bottlemakers |
| 55 | 1674 | Farriers | more info | Vi Et Virtue (By Strength and by Virtue) | Farriers (horseshoe-makers) |
| 56 | 1672 | Paviors | more info | God Can Raise to Abraham Children of Stone | Road pavers and maintainers |
| 57 | 1711 | Loriners | more info | - | Makers of metal parts for harnesses, bridles, spurs, and other equine equipment |
| 58 | 1617 | Apothecaries | more info | Opiferque Per Orbem Dicor (I Am Called a Bringer of Help Throughout the World) | Apothecaries |
| 59 | none | Shipwrights | more info | Within The Ark Safe For Ever | The Shipwrights are the only Livery Company never to receive a Royal Charter although an ancient shipwrights association dates back to the 12th century. It was made a Livery Company in 1782. |
| 60 | 1629 | Spectacle Makers | more info | A Blessing to the Aged | Spectacle makes; regulation of optical devices. |
| 61 | 1631 | Clockmakers | more info | Tempus Rerum Imperator (Time is the commander of (all) things) | Clockmakers |
| 62 | 1639 | Glovers | more info | True Hearts and Warm Hands | Glove-makers |
| 63 | 1667 | Feltmakers | more info | Decus Et Tutamen (An Ornament and a Safeguard) | Makers of Felt Hats |
| 64 | 1663 | Framework Knitters | more info | Speed, Strength and Truth United | Knitters; granted livery status in 1713. |
| 65 | 1656 | Needlemakers | more info | They Sewed Fig Leaves Together and Made Themselves Aprons | Needlemakers |
| 66 | 1605 | Gardeners | more info | In The Sweat Of Thy Brows Shalt Thow Eate Thy Bread | Gardeners |
| 67 | 1670 | Tin Plate Workers alias Wire Workers | more info | Amore Sitis Uniti (Love Thirsts for Unity) | Makers of Tin Plate work; Makers of Cages, Animal Traps and Fishhooks |
| 68 | 1670 | Wheelwrights | more info | God Grant Unity | Wheelwrights; the Wheelwrights became a Livery Company in 1763. |
| 69 | 1638 | Distillers | more info | Drop as Rain, Distil as Dew | Producers of spirits and liquors |
| 70 | 1670 | Pattenmakers | more info | Recipiunt Foeminae Sustentacula Nobis (Women Receive Support from Us) | Makers of Pattens (wooden overshoes) |
| 71 | 1664 | Glass Sellers | more info | Discordia Frangimur (Discord Weakens) | Glass makers and sellers |
| 72 | 1677 | Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers | more info | Surgit Post Nubila Phoebus (The Sun Rises after the Clouds) | Makers of Coaches and Coach Equipment |
| 73 | 1637 | Gunmakers | more info | - | Gunmakers; the Company was (and still is) also responsible for proofing guns for safety. |
| 74 | 1693 | Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers | more info | Amicitiam Trahit Amor (Love Draws Friendship) | Makers of Gold and Silver Threads |
| 75 | 1628 | Makers of Playing Cards | more info | Corde Recto Elati Omnes (With an Upright Heart All Are Exalted) | Makers of Playing Cards; became a Livery company in 1792 |
| 76 | 1709 | Fanmakers | more info | Arts and Trade United | Fan-makers; made a Livery company in 1809 |
| 77 | 1946 | Carmen | more info | Scite, Cite, Certo (Skilfully, Swiftly, Surely) | Drivers of Carts; although they didn't received a Royal Charter until 1946, the Company dates back to 1517; they did not acquire the power to regulate Carmen until 1746 with the demise of the Woodmongers' Company. |
| 82 | 1619 | Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Blenders | more info | Producat Terra (Out of the Earth) | Tobacconists; strictly the Tobacconists are a modern Livery Company as it only dates to 1954; however, there was an older Company, incorporated in 1619 that went bankrupt in 1868; in the 18th century it was therefore a functioning Company and so is included here. |
Companies without LiveryThere are two Companies, functionally equivalent to the above Livery Companies, which have no Livery and have no intention of applying for it. They are the Worshipful Company of Parish Clerks and the Company of Watermen and Lightermen. |
|||||
| - | 1441 | Parish Clerks | more info | Unitas societatis stabilitas | Parish Clerks |
| - | 1700 | Watermen and Lightermen | more info | Barge operators who transferred goods between ship and shore. Formed by an Act of Parliament in 1700. | |