Vintners Company - 11

Origins in the import, regulation and sale of wine in the City. Wine made up one third of England's entire import trade in medieval times. The Vintners had the privilege of selling wine without licence in London and within three miles of its walls. 

In 1553 the Vintners lost the right to sell wine in England. The Great Fire in Pudding Lane, 600 yards away destroyed its hall in Upper Thames Street and many vintners properties, including 13 almshouses which have since been rebuilt in Eastbourne. Reconstruction of the hall on the same site took place in 1670s.

The vintners companies ownership of swans, shared with the Dyers and the Crown is celebrated in the annual census of the swan population, known as Swan Upping on the River Thames 

Statue in Upper Thames street opposite Vintners Hall of the Barge Master and Swan Marker. The Vintners Company annual procession takes place with the Company's Wine Porter sweeping the path en route.

A new charter was granted in 1973 and the company regained its importance as part of the wine trade.