Complete Orgography
The Twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London are listed here in the order of precedence established in 1515. To serve as Lord Mayor, an Alderman had to be free (i.e., a member) of one
of these twelve companies.
Greater Livery Companies
-
Mercers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Mercers
The Mercers’ Company was one of the twelve great companies of London. The Mercers were first in the order of precedence established in 1515. The Worshipful Company of Mercers is still active and maintains a website at https://www.mercers.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company.![The coat of arms of the Mercers’
Company, from Stow (1633).[Full size
image]](graphics/Mercers_sm.jpg "The coat of arms of the Mercers’
Company, from Stow (1633).[Full size
image]")
The coat of arms of the Mercers’ Company, from Stow (1633).[Full size image] -
Ironmongers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Ironmongers
The Ironmongers’ Company was one of the twelve great companies of London. The Ironmongers were tenth in the order of precedence established in 1515. The Worshipful Company of Ironmongers is still active and maintains a website at http://www.ironmongers.org/ that includes a history of the company.![The coat of arms of the Ironmongers’
Company, from Stow (1633).
[Full size
image]](graphics/Ironmongers_sm.jpg "The coat of arms of the Ironmongers’
Company, from Stow (1633).
[Full size
image]")
The coat of arms of the Ironmongers’ Company, from Stow (1633). [Full size image] -
Grocers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Grocers
The Grocers’ Company (previously the Pepperers’ Company) was one of the twelve great companies of London. The Grocers were second in the order of precedence established in 1515. The Worshipful Company of Grocers is still active and maintains a website at https://grocershall.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company.![The coat of arms of the Grocers’
Company, from Stow (1633).
[Full size
image]](graphics/Grocers_sm.jpg "The coat of arms of the Grocers’
Company, from Stow (1633).
[Full size
image]")
The coat of arms of the Grocers’ Company, from Stow (1633). [Full size image] -
Drapers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Drapers
The Drapers’ Company was one of the twelve great companies of London. The Drapers were third in the order of precedence established in 1515. The Worshipful Company of Drapers is still active and maintains a website at https://www.thedrapers.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company and bibliography.![The coat of arms of the Drapers’
Company, from Stow (1633).
[Full size
image]](graphics/Drapers_sm.jpg "The coat of arms of the Drapers’
Company, from Stow (1633).
[Full size
image]")
The coat of arms of the Drapers’ Company, from Stow (1633). [Full size image] -
Fishmongers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Fishmongers
The Fishmongers’ Company was one of the twelve great companies of London, formed in 1536 out of the merger of the Stock Fishmongers and the Salt Fishmongers. The Fishmongers were fourth in the order of precedence established in 1515. The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers is still active and maintains a website at https://fishmongers.org.uk/ that includes a history of the company.![The coat of arms of the Fishmongers’
Company, from Stow (1633).
[Full size
image]](graphics/Fishmongers_sm.jpg "The coat of arms of the Fishmongers’
Company, from Stow (1633).
[Full size
image]")
The coat of arms of the Fishmongers’ Company, from Stow (1633). [Full size image] -
Goldsmiths’ Company
Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths
The Goldsmiths’ Company was one of the twelve great companies of London. The Goldsmiths were fifth in the order of precedence established in 1515. The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths is still active and maintains a website at https://www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company and explains the company’s role in the annual Trial of the Pyx.![The coat of arms of the Goldsmiths’
Company, from Stow (1633).
[Full size
image]](graphics/Goldsmiths_sm.jpg "The coat of arms of the Goldsmiths’
Company, from Stow (1633).
[Full size
image]")
The coat of arms of the Goldsmiths’ Company, from Stow (1633). [Full size image] -
Skinners’ Company
Worshipful Company of Skinners
The Skinners’ Company (previously the Fraternity of Taylors and Linen Armourers of St. John the Baptist) was one of the twelve great companies of London. Since 1484, the Skinners and the Merchant Taylors have alternated precedence annually; the Skinners are now sixth in precedence in even years and seventh in odd years, changing precedence at Easter. The Worshipful Company of Skinners is still active and maintains a website at http://www.theskinnerscompany.org.uk/ that includes a history of the company.![The coat of arms of the Skinners’
Company, from Stow (1633).
[Full size
image]](graphics/Skinners_sm.jpg "The coat of arms of the Skinners’
Company, from Stow (1633).
[Full size
image]")
The coat of arms of the Skinners’ Company, from Stow (1633). [Full size image] -
Merchant Taylors’ Company
Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors
The Merchant Taylors’ Company was one of the twelve great companies of London. Since 1484, the Merchant Taylors and the Skinners have alternated precedence annually; the Merchant Taylors are now sixth in precedence in odd years and seventh in even years, changing precedence at Easter. The Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors is still active and maintains a website at http://www.merchanttaylors.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company and a list of historical milestones.![The coat of arms of the Merchant Taylors’
Company, from Stow (1633).
[Full size
image]](graphics/MerchantTaylors_sm.jpg "The coat of arms of the Merchant Taylors’
Company, from Stow (1633).
[Full size
image]")
The coat of arms of the Merchant Taylors’ Company, from Stow (1633). [Full size image] -
Haberdashers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Haberdashers
The Haberdashers’ Company was one of the twelve great companies of London. The Haberdashers were eighth in the order of precedence established in 1515. The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers is still active and maintains a website at http://www.haberdashers.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company and history of their hall.![The coat of arms of the Haberdashers’
Company, from Stow (1633).
[Full size
image]](graphics/Haberdashers_sm.jpg "The coat of arms of the Haberdashers’
Company, from Stow (1633).
[Full size
image]")
The coat of arms of the Haberdashers’ Company, from Stow (1633). [Full size image] -
Salters’ Company
Worshipful Company of Salters
The Salters’ Company was one of the twelve great companies of London. The Salters were ninth in the order of precedence established in 1515. The Worshipful Company of Salters is still active and maintains a website at http://www.salters.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company.![The coat of arms of the Salters’
Company, from Stow (1633).
[Full size
image]](graphics/Salters_sm.jpg "The coat of arms of the Salters’
Company, from Stow (1633).
[Full size
image]")
The coat of arms of the Salters’ Company, from Stow (1633). [Full size image] -
Vintners’ Company
Worshipful Company of Vintners
The Vintners’ Company was one of the twelve great companies of London. The Vintners were eleventh in the order of precedence established in 1515. The Worshipful Company of Vintners is still active and maintains a website at https://www.vintnershall.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company.![The coat of arms of the Vintners’
Company, from Stow (1633).
[Full size
image]](graphics/Vintners_sm.jpg "The coat of arms of the Vintners’
Company, from Stow (1633).
[Full size
image]")
The coat of arms of the Vintners’ Company, from Stow (1633). [Full size image] -
Clothworkers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Clothworkers
The Clothworkers’ Company was one of the twelve great companies of London, formed in 1528 out of the merger of the Fullers and the Shearmen. The Clothworkers were twelfth in the order of precedence. The Worshipful Company of Clothworkers is still active and maintains a website at https://www.clothworkers.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company.![The coat of arms of the Clothworkers’
Company, from Stow (1633).
[Full size
image]](graphics/Clothworkers_sm.jpg "The coat of arms of the Clothworkers’
Company, from Stow (1633).
[Full size
image]")
The coat of arms of the Clothworkers’ Company, from Stow (1633). [Full size image]
Lesser Livery Companies
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Apothecaries’ Company
Worshipful Society of Apothecaries
The Apothecaries’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries is still active and maintains a website at https://www.apothecaries.org/ that includes a history of the company. -
Armourers and Brasiers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers
The Armourers and Brasiers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers is still active and maintains a website at https://www.armourershall.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Bakers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Bakers
The Bakers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Bakers is still active and maintains a website at https://www.bakers.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Barbers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Barbers
The Barbers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Barbers is still active and maintains a website at https://barberscompany.org/ that includes a history of the company. -
Bowyers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Bowyers
The Bowyers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Bowyers is still active and maintains a website at https://www.bowyers.com/ that includes a history of the company. -
Brewers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Brewers
The Brewers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Brewers is still active and maintains a website at https://www.brewershall.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Butchers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Butchers
The Butchers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Butchers is still active and maintains a website at https://www.butchershall.com/ that includes a history of the company. -
Carpenters’ Company
Worshipful Company of Carpenters
The Carpenters’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Carpenters is still active and maintains a website at http://www.thecarpenterscompany.co.uk that includes a history of the company. -
Cooks’ Company
Worshipful Company of Cooks
The Cooks’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Cooks is still active and maintains a website at https://www.cooks.org.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Coopers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Coopers
The Coopers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Coopers is still active and maintains a website at https://upholders.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Cordwainers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Cordwainers
The Cordwainers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers is still active and maintains a website at http://cordwainers.org/ that includes a history of the company. -
Curriers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Curriers
The Curriers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Curriers is still active and maintains a website at https://www.curriers.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Cutlers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Cutlers
The Cutlers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Cutlers is still active and maintains a website at https://www.cutlerslondon.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Dyers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Dyers
The Dyers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Dyers is still active and maintains a website at https://www.dyerscompany.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Feltmakers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Feltmakers
The Feltmakers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Feltmakers is still active and maintains a website at https://www.feltmakers.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Fletchers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Fletchers
The Fletchers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Fletchers is still active and maintains a website at https://www.fletchers.org.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Founders’ Company
Worshipful Company of Founders
The Founders’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Founders is still active and maintains a website at https://www.foundersco.org.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Fruiterers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Fruiterers
The Fruiterers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers is still active and maintains a website at https://www.fruiterers.org.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Girdlers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Girdlers
The Girdlers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Girdlers is still active and maintains a website at https://girdlers.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Leathersellers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Leathersellers
The Leathersellers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Leathersellers is still active and maintains a website at https://leathersellers.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Loriners’ Company
Worshipful Company of Loriners
The Loriners’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Loriners is still active and maintains a website at https://www.loriner.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Masons’ Company
Worshipful Company of Masons
The Masons’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Masons is still active and maintains a website at https://www.masonslivery.org/ that includes a brief history of the company. -
Painter-Stainers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers
The Painter-Stainers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers is still active and maintains a website at https://painter-stainers.org/ that includes a history of the company. -
Paviors’ Company
Worshipful Company of Paviors
The Paviors’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Paviors is still active and maintains a website at https://www.paviors.org.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Pewterers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Pewterers
The Pewterers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Pewterers is still active and maintains a website at https://www.pewterers.org.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Plaisterers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Plaisterers
The Plaisterers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers is still active and maintains a website at https://plaistererslivery.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Plumbers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Plumbers
The Plumbers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Plumbers is still active and maintains a website at https://www.plumberscompany.org.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Poulters’ Company
Worshipful Company of Poulters
The Poulters’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Poulters is still active and maintains a website at https://poulters.org.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Saddlers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Saddlers
The Saddlers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Saddlers is still active and maintains a website at https://saddlersco.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Scriveners’ Company
Worshipful Company of Scriveners
The Scriveners’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Scriveners is still active and maintains a website at https://www.scriveners.org.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Shipwrights’ Company
Worshipful Company of Shipwrights
The Shipwrights’ Company did not become a livery company until 1782. However, a Shipwrights’ Company had been regulating shipbuilding in London for centuries before then. ShipwrightsBelow the Bridge
built seagoing ships, while ShipwrightsAbove the Bridge
built river craft. The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights is still active and maintains a website at https://www.shipwrights.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Stationers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Stationers
The Stationers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Stationers is still active (under the new title of the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers) and maintains a website at https://www.stationers.org/ that includes a history of the company. -
Tallow Chandlers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers
The Tallow Chandlers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers is still active and maintains a website at https://www.tallowchandlers.org/ that includes a history of the company. -
Tax Advisors’ Company
Worshipful Company of Tax Advisors
The Tax Advisors’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Tax Advisors is still active and maintains a website at https://www.taxadvisers.org.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Tylers and Bricklayers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers
The Tylers and Bricklayers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers is still active and maintains a website at https://www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Upholders’ Company
Worshipful Company of Upholders
The Upholders’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Upholders is still active and maintains a website at https://upholders.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Wax Chandlers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers
The Wax Chandlers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers is still active and maintains a website at http://www.weavers.org.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Weavers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Weavers
The Weavers’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Weavers is still active and maintains a website at http://www.weavers.org.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Woolmens’ Company
Worshipful Company of Woolmen
The Woolmens’ Company was one of the lesser livery companies of London. The Worshipful Company of Woolmen is still active and maintains a website at https://woolmen.com/ that includes a history of the company.
Playing Companies
Other Early Modern Organizations and Offices
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Archdeaconry of London
The Archdeaconry of London was the office of the Archdeacon of London, responsible for the administration of parishes within London. -
Austin Friars (Augustinians)
The Austin Friars were a mendicant order that adhered to the teachings of Augustine of Hippo. Founded in the thirteenth century, the Austin Friars arrived in England in 1248 and occupied Austin Friars until King Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538. -
Bishop of London
The Bishop (or Lord Bishop) of London was an office occupied by an ordinary responsible for representing the Church of England within the Diosece of London. MoEML distinguishes between the office of the Bishop and the person elected to the office for a term. -
Black Friars (Dominicans)
The Blackfriars, named for their customaryblack mantle and hood,
were an order of mendicant friars founded by St. Dominic in France in 1216 (Dominican Order). Intent on spreading Catholicism, St. Dominic sent members of his order to England, where, no later than 1247, the order had bases in Oxford and London (Jarrett 2-3). In the wake of the Reformation, members of the order fled the country or remained in England andeither drifted into poverty, or else entered the ranks of the secular clergy
(Jarrett 169). -
Bladers’ Company
The Bladers’ Company was a company in early modern London. -
Burellers’ Company
The Burellers’ Company was a company in early modern London. -
Church of England
The Church of England first came into being in 1534 when King Henry VIII seceded from Rome and declared himselfSupreme Head of the Church of England
by the Act of Supremacy. Queen Mary I repealed this act in 1555. In 1559, as part of what is now known as the Elizabethan Religious Settlement, parliament restored the act and made Queen Elizabeth ISupreme Governor of the Church of England,
a role still held by the British monarch today. The Church of England has been the official Christian church in England since 1559. Its doctrinal position was set out in theThirty-Nine Articles
of 1563 and finalized in 1571, at which point they were incorporated into the Book of Common Prayer that had governed the liturgical form of Church of England services since 1549. -
Corders’ Company
The Corders’ Company was a company in early modern London. -
Corporation of London
The Corporation of London was the municipal government of London, made up of the Mayor of London, the Court of Aldermen, and the Court of Common Council. It exists today in largely the same form. -
Council of the Regency
The Council of the Regency was established by King James VI and I in 1617 to govern England while he visited Scotland. -
Court of Aldermen
The Court of Aldermen was composed of senior officials known asaldermen,
who were each elected to represent one ward of London. The Mayor of London oversaw the Court of Aldermen and was himself an alderman. Historically, the Court of Aldermen was the primary administrative body for the Corporation of London; however, by the early modern period, many of its responsibilities had been transferred to the Court of Common Council. The Court of Aldermen exists today in a somewhat modified form. -
Court of Arches
The Court of Arches was the highest court of appeal for ecclesiastical matters in the province of Canterbury and fell under the jurisdiction of the archbishop of Canterbury (Noorthuock 579-587). The Court of Arches was named after its location in St. Mary Le Bow, which wasbuilt over arches
(Baker 136). After the Great Fire of 1666, the Court of Arches often met at the Doctors’ Commons, Knightrider Street (Keene and Harding 199-212). For an accessible overview, see Wikipedia. An extensive archive of Court of Arches cases is held at the Lambeth Palace Library. -
Court of Common Council
The Court of Common Council was comprised of men elected from each ward. It was distinct from the Court of Aldermen. -
Court of Husting
According to John Stow, the Court of Husting was located in the Guildhall (Stow 1633, sig. F6r). The word,husting,
comes from the Icelandic,hus-ping,
meaning a court or council held in a house, a description meant to contrast courts that wereheld in the open air
(Harben). At one time, the Court of Husting wasthe sole court for the settlement of disputes between citizens
of London, evidenced by it being called the Husting of London of the Common Pleas in 1305 (Harben). The court’s specific purview wasthe enrolment of deeds and wills relating to the property of the citizens
(Harben). -
Court of King’s Bench
The Court of King’s Bench was the senior court of English common law. Originally, it travelled with the King. From 1318 to 1882, it met at the south end of Westminster Hall (Baker 42). For an accessible overview, see Wikipedia. The records surviving from King’s Bench cases are held at the National Archives. -
Courts of Pie Poudre
Also known ascourts of pie powder,
courts of pie poudre settled disputes that occurred during fairs and markets (Halsbury 678). Stanley Giffard Halsbury notes that[t]hese courts, which are courts of record, had jurisdiction to decide as to all manner of contracts, trespasses, covenants, and debts done within the time of fairs or markets and within their precincts
(Halsbury 678). For an accessible overview, see Wikipedia. -
Crossed Friars (Bretheren of the Holy Cross)
The Bretheren of the Holy Cross, also known as the Crossed Friars, Crutched Friars, or Crouched Friars, were an order of preaching canons who were commonly assumed to be friars in late-medieval and early modern England. Arriving in England in the mid-thirteenth century, the Crossed Friars occupied a site on Hart Street from the 1260s until King Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538. -
Damned Crew
The Damned Crew was a group of disaffected young gentlemen known for intimidation and assault. It was permanently disbanded in 1600. -
Doctors’ Commons
The Doctors’ Commons was a group of men from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge who practiced civil law (Baker 180). G.R. Elton claims that this society was formed in 1511 and was modelled after the Inns of Court (Elton 155). Sir John Baker claims that this society was already established in the fifteenth century by thedoctors of the Arches
(Baker 180). Encyclopaedia Britannica states that the society leased a building near Paternoster Row from 1565 until their dissolution in the nineteenth century; however, most scholars agree that the Doctors’ Commons moved from their Paternoster Row location to a building in Knightrider Street early in Elizabeth I’s reign (Doctors’ Commons
; Thornbury; Harben). A motion to dissolve the Doctors’ Commons was put forth in 1858 and by 1865 they had sold both their library and building (Baker 181). Most of the records surviving from the Doctors’ Commons are housed at the Lambeth Palace Library. For an accessible overview, see Wikipedia. -
Duke of Shoreditch’s Men
Duke of Shoreditch’s Men was a bowshooting fraternity in early modern London. -
East India Company
The East India Company was a joint-stock company formed to trade in the Indian Ocean region. -
Fraternity of Sireniacal Gentlemen
The Fraternity of Sireniacal Gentlemen was an early modern drinking club that met at the Mermaid Tavern (Bread Street) on the first Friday of every month. The fraternity was named after the french word for mermaid (sirene). Many literary figures, including Ben Jonson, John Donne, John Fletcher, Francis Beaumont, Thomas Coryat, John Selden, Sir Robert Cotton, Richard Carew, Richard Martin, and William Strachey, participated in the club. -
Fraternity of the Trinity
The Fraternity of the Trinity was, according to Stow, established in 1466 under King Edward IV. A History of the Country of London contends that the fraternity was founded at the request of Elizabeth Woodville and must have been already in existence in 1422, prior to its association with Leadenhall. From 1466, the Fraternity of the Trinity was in order in Leadenhall until the brief reign of King Edward VI when, under the counsel of Thomas Cranmer, the King signed the Abolition of the Chantries Act in 1547 (Colleges: Fraternity of the Holy Trinity). -
Friday Street Club
The Friday Street Club was an early modern drinking club that met at the Mermaid Tavern (Bread Street). -
Fullers’ Company
The Fullers’ Company was the precursor of the Clothworkers’ Company, into which it merged with the Shearmens’ Company in 1528. -
Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber
The Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber were a group of gentle-born courtiers who had access to the private section of the king’s royal residence. While all of the Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber enjoyed royal favour, the courtier who served as thegroom of the stool
held the most intimate relationship with the king (Riordan). -
Grey Friars (Franciscans)
The Grey Friars, named for their grey habits or cowls, were an order of franciscan friars founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209 and arrived in England from Italy in 1224 (Holder 66). Devoted to following the teachings of St. Francis, the Grey Friars occupied Greyfriars until King Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538 (Kingsford 2). -
Hanseatic League
The Hanseatic League was a confederation of German merchant guilds and market towns with outposts throughout Northern Europe, including England. -
High Court of Admiralty
In the reign of Henry VIII, England’s admiralty courts were combined into the High Court of Admiralty (Elton 155). The High Court of Admiralty presided over cases that occurred out at sea (Baker 132). Although most courts in England practiced common law, the High Court of Admiralty used a form of civil law based on theuniversal law of the sea
(Baker 132). For an accessible overview, see Wikipedia. Records surviving from the High Court of Admiralty are held at the National Archives. -
Honourable Artillery Company
The Honourable Artillery Company was a guild of archers in early modern London. Note thatarchery
was considered to be a form ofartillery
in early modern usage. -
Knighten Guild
The Knighten Guild was a guild in London that originated as an order of chivalry founded by King Edgar for loyal knights. -
Knights Hospitallers
The Knights Hospitallers was a Roman Catholic military order that originated in the Mediterranean region during the eleventh century. It was also known as the Order of the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem. -
Knights Templar
The Knights Templar was an organization of Christians who wanted to protect European travelers who visted sites across the Holy Land. The organization was granted land from King Henry II, including a site near Castle Baynard Ward on which they built a round church. In 1184, the Knights Templar built a new round church at Temple Bar which was consecrated a year later. -
Marshalsea Court
Also known as theCourt of the Steward and Marshal
and theCourt of the Verge,
the Marshalsea Court was a royal court that fell under the jurisdiction of the Knight Marshal and the Lord Steward of the Household (Jones 1). The Marshalsea Court held civil and criminal authority over actions involving a member from the royal household (Lord steward
). Only cases that occurred within twelve miles of the royal residence could be tried in the Marshalsea Court (Lord steward
). Established in the reign of Edward I, the Marshalsea Court operated as a highly specialized household court until it was abolished in the nineteenth century (Lord steward
). For more information, see Encyclopaedia Britannica. -
Mayor of London
The Mayor (or Lord Mayor) of London was an office occupied annually by a new mayor. For the purposes of recording the authorship of mayoral proclamations, MoEML distinguishes between the office of the mayor and the person elected to the office for the year. -
Merchant Adventurers’ Company
The Merchant Adventurers’ Company was a trading company founded in 1407. -
Merchant Venturers’ Company
The Merchant Venturers’ Company funded the voyage of John Cabot to Canada in 1497. It was granted a monopoly on Bristol’s sea trade in a 1552 Royal Charter from King Edward VI. -
Merchants of the Haunce of Almaine
The Merchants of the Haunce of Almaine was a group of German merchants who worked at the Steelyard. -
Merchants of the Staple
The Merchants of the Staple was one of the mercantile corporations of England. The Company of Merchants of the Staple of England is still active and maintains a website at http://merchantsofthestapleofengland.co.uk/ that includes a history of the company. -
Muscovy Company
The Muscovy Company was a company of English merchants created for trade with Russia. -
Order of Carthusian Monks
The Order of Carthusian Monks was a Catholic religious order housed at the Charterhouse from 1371-1541. -
Parish Clerks’ Company
The Parish Clerks’ Company was a company in early modern London. While it never technically applied for livery status, it largely acted as a livery company. The Parish Clerks’ Company is still active and maintains a website at http://www.londonparishclerks.com/ that includes a history of the company. -
Parliament of England
The Parliament of England was a legislative branch of the Kingdom of England, founded by William the Conquerer in 1066. -
Pepperers’ Company
The Pepperers’ Company was the precursor of the Grocers’ Company. -
Prince Arthur’s Men
Prince Arthur’s Men was a bowshooting fraternity in early modern London. -
Privy Council
The Privy Council advised the reigning monarch on important judicial and political issues. The council still exists today, altough with considerably less authority. -
Salt Fishmongers’ Company
The Salt Fishmongers’ Company was the precursor of the Fishmongers’ Company, into which it merged with the Stock Fishmongers’ Company in 1536. -
Shearmens’ Company
The Shearmens’ Company was the precursor of the Clothworkers’ Company, into which it merged with the Fullers’ Company in 1528. -
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus was a religious order of the Catholic Church headquartered in Rome and founded in 1534. -
Spicers’ Company
The Spicers’ Company was a company in early modern London. -
Stock Fishmongers’ Company
The Stock Fishmongers’ Company was the precursor of the Fishmongers’ Company, into which it merged with the Salt Fishmongers’ Company in 1536. -
Watermens’ and Lightermens’ Company
The Watermens’ and Lightermens’ Company was a company in early modern London. While it never technically applied for livery status, it largely acted as a livery company. The Watermens’ and Lightermens’ Company is still active and maintains a website at https://watermenscompany.com/ that includes a history of the company. -
White Friars (Carmelites)
The White Friars were an order of carmelite friars with uncertain orgins. Generally associated with St. Bernard, the White Friars occupied a church on Fleet Street until King Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538. -
Woodmongers’ Company
The Woodmongers’ Company was a company in early modern London. With the transition to coal as a primary fuel source, the Woodmongers became defunct by 1731. -
Woodstaplers’ Company
The Woolstaplers’ Company was a company in early modern London.
Modern Organizations
-
The British Library
The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom. Website. -
Centre for Metropolitan History
The Centre for Metropolitan History is an educational organization in the United Kingdom. Website. -
Digitization Centre at the University of Victoria Libraries
The Digitization Centre at the University of Victoria Libraries supports the production and delivery of online digital collections at the University of Victoria. Website. -
Humanities Computing and Media Centre
HCMC staff have collaborated in the project as programmers, graphics editors, and administrators. The mandate of the HCMC is to further research, teaching, and learning in the faculty of Humanities, in particular the fields of Humanities Computing and Language Learning. We host a research and development office and manage a room of bookable computer workstations for use by faculty, research assistants etc. participating in projects supported by the HCMC. -
JCURA Scholars
The Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Award (JCURA) is an annual scholarship at the University of Victoria, awarded to outstanding undergraduate students who wish to pursue a large research project. For more information, see UVIC’s Learning and Teaching Centre. -
The Law Society
The Law Society is the independent professional body for solicitors thatexists to represent, promote and support all solicitors, so they in turn can help their clients.
Website. -
The Law Society Library
The Law Society Library has a collection of legal reference material and collects primary legislation from the early modern period, focusing on Ireland. Website. -
The MoEML Team
These are all MoEML team members since 1999 to present. To see the current members and structure of our team, seeTeam.
-
Former Student Contributors
We’d also like to acknowledge students who contributed to MoEML’s intranet predecessor at the University of Windsor between 1999 and 2003. When we redeveloped MoEML for the Internet in 2006, we were not able to include all of the student projects that had been written for courses in Shakespeare, Renaissance Drama, and/or Writing Hypertext. Nonetheless, these students contributed materially to the conceptual development of the project.
-
PLACEHOLDER ORGANIZATION
The purpose of this item is to allow encoders to link to an organization when they cannot add a new one to the ORGS1 file for some reason. When linking to this item, please include a comment explaining the details of the item the link should really point to. -
Rylands Collection
The Rylands Collection is a special collection at the John Rylands Library at the University of Manchester. Website. -
Spencer Collection
The Spencer Collection was purchased from John Poyntz Spencer by Enriqueta Augustina Rylands in 1892 for the John Rylands Library. Website. -
University of Victoria
The University of Victoria, writ large. Located in Victoria, BC, Canada. Website.
Pedagogical Partnership Project Groups
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Albion College Spring 2015 Students
Student contributors at Albion College in Spring 2015, working under the guest editorship of Ian MacInnes.Student Contributors
-
Albion College Summer 2017 Students
Student contributors at Albion College in Summer 2017, working under the guest editorship of Ian MacInnes.Student Contributors
-
American University Literature 434 Fall 2014 Students
Student contributors enrolled in Literature 434: Revenge Drama and City Comedy at American University in Fall 2014, working under the guest editorship of Anita Sherman.Student Contributors
-
Fairfield University English 213 Fall 2014 Students
Student contributors enrolled in English 213: Shakespeare I at Fairfield University in Fall 2014, working under the guest editorship of Shannon Kelley.-
Fairfield University English 213 Fall 2014 Student Group 1
Student contributors enrolled in English 213: Shakespeare I at Fairfield University in Fall 2014, working under the guest editorship of Shannon Kelley.Student Contributors
-
Fairfield University English 213 Fall 2014 Student Group 2
Student contributors enrolled in English 213: Shakespeare I at Fairfield University in Fall 2014, working under the guest editorship of Shannon Kelley.Student Contributors
-
Fairfield University English 213 Fall 2014 Student Group 3
Student contributors enrolled in English 213: Shakespeare I at Fairfield University in Fall 2014, working under the guest editorship of Shannon Kelley.Student Contributors
-
Fairfield University English 213 Fall 2014 Student Group 4
Student contributors enrolled in English 213: Shakespeare I at Fairfield University in Fall 2014, working under the guest editorship of Shannon Kelley.Student Contributors
-
Fairfield University English 213 Fall 2014 Student Group 5
Student contributors enrolled in English 213: Shakespeare I at Fairfield University in Fall 2014, working under the guest editorship of Shannon Kelley.Student Contributors
-
-
Laurentian University English 4687 Spring 2014 Students
Student contributors enrolled in English 4687: Honours Seminar II at Laurentian University in Spring 2014, working under the guest editorship of Patricia Brace.Student Contributors
-
Marylhurst University English 386 Summer 2014 Students
-
Marylhurst University English 386 Fall 2014 Student Group 2
Student contributors enrolled in English 386: The Eternal City: Rome in the Western Literary Imagination at Marylhurst University in Summer 2014, working under the guest editorship of Meg Roland.Student Contributors
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Marylhurst University English 386 Summer 2014 Student Group 1
Student contributors enrolled in English 386: The Eternal City: Rome in the Western Literary Imagination at Marylhurst University in Summer 2014, working under the guest editorship of Meg Roland.Student Contributors
-
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Medicine Hat College English 300/2210 Fall 2017 Students
Student contributors enrolled in English 300: Survey of English Literature and English 2210: English Literature to the Restoration at Medicine Hat College in Fall 2017, working under the guest editorship of Mark Kaethler.Student Contributors
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Medicine Hat College English 300/2210 Fall 2018 Students
Student contributors enrolled in English 300: Survey of English Literature and English 2210: English Literature to the Restoration at Medicine Hat College in Fall 2018, working under the guest editorship of Mark Kaethler.Student Contributors
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New Mexico Highlands University English 422/522 Fall 2014 Students
Student contributors enrolled in English 422/522: Shakespeare: From the Globe to the Global at New Mexico Highlands University in Fall 2014, working under the guest editorship of Donna Woodford-Gormley. -
Ohio State University English 4523 Spring 2015 Students
Student contributors enrolled in English 4523: Renaissance London: Literature, Culture, and Place, 1540-1660 at the Ohio State University in Spring 2015, working under the guest editorship of Chris Highley.Student Contributors
-
Ohio State University English 4523 Spring 2018 Students
Student contributors enrolled in Medieval and Renaissance Studies 4217: Early Modern London: Urban Spaces and Popular Culture at University of Ohio in Fall 2018, working under the guest editorship of Christopher Highley.Student Contributors
-
Oxford College of Emory University English 311Q Fall 2014 Students
Student contributors enrolled in English 311Q: Shakespeare at Oxford College of Emory University in Fall 2014, working under the guest editorship of Kevin Quarmby.Student Contributors
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San Diego State University English 534 Spring 2014 Students
Student contributors enrolled in English 534: Historicizing Shakespeare and the Blackfriars Theater at San Diego State University in Spring 2014, working under the guest editorship of Peter C. Herman.Student Contributors
-
Stonehill College English 343 Winter 2017 Students
Student contributors enrolled in English 343: A Rogue’s Progress: Mapping Kit Marlowe’s Social Networks at Stonehill College in Winter 2017, working under the guest editorship of Kristen Abbott Bennett.Student Contributors
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Stonehill College Learning Community 304 Spring 2014 Students
Student contributors enrolled in Learning Community 343: Pop Culture andBibliodigigogy
in Early Modern England at Stonehill College in Spring 2014, working under the guest editorship of Kristen Abbott Bennett.Student Contributors
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Stonehill College Learning Community 343 Fall 2015 Students
Student contributors enrolled in Learning Community 343: Pop Culture andBibliodigigogy
in Early Modern England at Stonehill College in Fall 2015, working under the guest editorship of Kristen Abbott Bennett.Student Contributors
-
Stonehill College Learning Community 343 Fall 2016 Students
Student contributors enrolled in Learning Community 343: Pop Culture andBibliodigigogy
in Early Modern England at Stonehill College in Fall 2016, working under the guest editorship of Kristen Abbott Bennett.Student Contributors
-
University of Alabama English 500 Spring 2015 Students
Student contributors enrolled in English 500: Digital Humanities at the University of Alabama in Spring 2015, working under the guest editorship of Jennifer Drouin. Students in this class participated in MoEML’s first encoding partnership.Student Contributors
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University of Auckland English 783/Drama 727 Spring 2014 Students
Student contributors enrolled in English 783/Drama 727: Studies in English Renaissance Drama at the University of Auckland in Spring 2014, working under the guest editorship of Tom Bishop.Student Contributors
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University of Exeter English 124 Fall 2014 Students
Student contributors enrolled in English 124: Country, City and Court: Renaissance Literature, 1558-1618 at University of Exeter (Exon.) in Fall 2014, working under the guest editorship of Briony Frost.Student Contributors
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University of Guelph English 4240 Winter 2016
Student contributors enrolled in English 4240: Medieval and Early Modern Literature at the University of Guelph in 2016, working under the editorship of Mark Kaethler.Student Contributors
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University of Melbourne History 30073 2018 Students
Student contributors enrolled in History 30073: Crime, Punishment and the Media, 1500-1800 at University of Melbourne in 2018, working under the guest editorship of Una McIlvenna. -
University of Texas, Arlington English 5308 Fall 2014 Students
Student contributors enrolled in English 5308: Shakespeare and Early Modern Urban/Rural Nature at the University of Texas, Arlington in Fall 2014, working under the guest editorship of Amy Tigner.Student Contributors
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University of Victoria English 362 Fall 2015 Students
Student contributors enrolled in English 362: Popular Literature in the Renaissance at the University of Victoria in Fall 2015, working under the guest editorship of Janelle Jenstad.Student Contributors
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University of Victoria Humanities 295 Fall 2020 Students
Student contributors enrolled in HUMA 295: The Dean’s Seminar: Discovering Humanities Research at University of Victoria in Fall 2020, working under the supervision of Janelle Jenstad.Student Contributors
-
University of Windsor English 412 Fall 2002 Students
Student contributors enrolled in English 412: Representations of London at the University of Windsor in Fall 2002.Student Contributors
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Université de Montréal Études anglaises 6470 Spring 2020 Students
Student contributors enrolled in Études anglaises 470: Text to Hypertext at Université de Montréal in Spring 2020, working under the guest editorship of Joyce Boro.Student Contributors
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Utah Valley University English 463R Spring 2014 Students
Student contributors enrolled in English 463R: Shakespeare’s Histories and Comedies: Original Practices? at Utah Valley University in Spring 2014, working under the guest editorship of Kate McPherson.Student Contributors
-
Washington College English 312 Fall 2014 Students
Student contributors enrolled in English 312: Renaissance Drama at Washington College in Fall 2014, working under the guest editorship of Kathryn Moncrief.Student Contributors
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