Livery Companies
¶The Twelve Great Livery Companies
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.
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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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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.
¶Lesser Companies Mentioned in MoEML
For a complete list of companies still active in London, see The Livery Companies Database.
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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. -
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. -
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.
References
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Citation
Stow, John, The survey of London contayning the originall, increase, moderne estate, and government of that city, methodically set downe. With a memoriall of those famouser acts of charity, which for publicke and pious vses have beene bestowed by many worshipfull citizens and benefactors. As also all the ancient and moderne monuments erected in the churches, not onely of those two famous cities, London and Westminster, but (now newly added) foure miles compasse. Begunne first by the paines and industry of Iohn Stovv, in the yeere 1598. Afterwards inlarged by the care and diligence of A.M. in the yeere 1618. And now completely finished by the study and labour of A.M. H.D. and others, this present yeere 1633. Whereunto, besides many additions (as appeares by the contents) are annexed divers alphabeticall tables; especially two: the first, an index of things. The second, a concordance of names. London: Printed by Elizabeth Purslovv for Nicholas Bourne, 1633. STC 23345. U of Victoria copy.This item is cited in the following documents: