Livery Companies - an introduction

Livery companies or Craft Guilds began in medieval times as loose associations of tradesmen and grew into trade bodies. Members paid to belong, and the word guild means 'to pay'. They were the equivalent of trading standards today, they checked quality of goods, weight and measures, controlled imports, wages, working conditions and trained apprentices.

If you wished to work in a particular trade in the City, you had to begin as an apprentice and were accountable to a master.

The companies governed who could trade (only those awarded the status of a freeman) 

The word livery is associated with the distinctive clothing and badges worn - symbols of privelige and protection. 

Monarchs granted Royal Charters to livery companies, which meant that it was legally possible for them to own land. 

In 1516 companies were given an order of precedence, biased around the companies wealth and power in the city. At that time there were only 48 companies (now grown to 110) and out of these the 'Great 12’ were created, being the most powerful and influential. 

The Great 12 Livery Companies (in order of presedence) 

1. Mercers Company 

2. Grocers Company 

3. Drapers Company

4. Fishmongers Company

5. Goldsmiths Company

6/7 Merchant Taylor's Company alternating annually with Skinners Company 

8. Haberdashers Company

9. Salters Company

10. Ironmongers Company

11. Vintners Company

12. Clothworkers Company

Livery companies were governed by a master, various wardens (upper, middle, lower or renter) and a court of assistants. They had a clerk and a beadle.

Many companies have become defunct over the years, whilst others have adapted and developed. 

One must first become a freeman of the City to become a liveryman of a company. LIverymen take part in the election of The Lord  Mayor and sherrifs.