London’s Livery Companies

Current Master of the Leathersellers Company and journalist for The Times, Michael Binyon takes a look in these ancient institutions that play a vital role in the life of the City.

They date back to medieval days, they own large tracts of central London and many are very wealthy. Yet London’s livery companies, which play a vital role in the life of the City of London, the capital’s oldest quarter, are little known to the outside world. They are generally only seen at ceremonial functions, where their pageantry is on rich display, and to most people they remain a mystery.

Indeed, they are a ‘mystery’ – for the word also has the ancient meaning of a ‘professional skill’, which is how these companies began. In medieval times, they were the guilds that represented and controlled all the main trades of London: the grocers, fishmongers, goldsmiths, leathersellers, vintners, carpenters, dyers and so on. Nowadays these ancient trade unions, where membership is often passed on from father to son, still retain a link to their industries. But many have also become extremely important charities, running schools, training colleges and apprenticeships, supporting universities and research institutes and giving away millions of pounds each year to help the poor and underprivileged in London and throughout Britain.

There are some 107 livery companies in London, as well as others in old trading towns in Britain such as Bristol, York, Sheffield, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Most were founded more than 600 years ago, receiving royal charters from the monarch that gave them a monopoly right to control their trade, regulate standards and impose fines on anyone cheating, falsifying the product or selling shoddy goods. Most trades in medieval London were concentrated in certain streets, some of which still bear the name of the original activity: Bread Street, Poultry, Milk Street, Ironmonger Lane and so on. And when the tradesmen met together, they established a centre or ‘hall’ where they would regularly meet, feast together and discuss their businesses.

Although many of these halls were burnt down during the Great Fire of London in 1666 or destroyed by the bombing in the Second World War, 36 still exist. Some of those remaining are large, sumptuously decorated and often still used for their original purpose – as meeting places for members of the guild. The members wear formal costumes or ‘liveries’ on ceremonial occasions and regularly entertain each other at rich banquets. Some companies also lend their halls to charities or hire them out for formal dinners held by business and finance companies in the City of London.

In olden days, the livery companies were responsible for the welfare of their members. A grocer, weaver, brewer or clothworker who fell on hard times was supported with money from his fellow tradesmen and in old age was accommodated in the company’s almshouses. From their earliest days they also gave generously to the poor, the sick and those in debt, and this charitable giving continues today. The wealthier companies have a budget of more than £1m a year to support hundreds of charities and social causes – for example, mentoring prisoners, sheltering the homeless, treating alcoholics and drug addicts, tracing runaway children, offering respite for the dying and their carers, and providing vital funds for those working with refugees, autistic and handicapped children, and inner city youth groups. They also contribute financially to museums, the arts and heritage projects such as the rescue of the Tudor ship the Mary Rose or the restoration of Chatham’s historic dockyard.

The wealth of the livery companies originates from their land. Hundreds of years ago, they bought sites in the City of London for their halls, as well as the surrounding fields. Nowadays this land is immensely valuable, forming the prime real estate on which banks, trading houses and office blocks are built. The rent may be considerable – and livery companies earn many millions a year from this and other investments.

Much of this money has been invested in education. The companies built schools to educate the poor, some of which have become famous and influential. Companies such as the Haberdashers, the Mercers, the Skinners and the Leathersellers still have strong links with private or state schools in and around London. They also used to give scholarships to apprentices, and still give money for specialised university courses. And although many liveries now have little direct connection with modern industry (the trade of loriners, who made metal stirrups and spurs for horses, or tallow chandlers, who rendered animal fat, has largely disappeared), some companies are still deeply involved in their ancient industries. The Goldsmiths still sponsor skilled jewellers, the Fishmongers still regulate the fishing industry and the Gunmakers are still responsible for testing and proofing all guns sold in Britain.

Many livery companies also have informal links with Britain’s armed services – adopting a regiment in the army or a ship in the navy and offering support to regimental charities. They also play a role behind the scenes in the government of London. They have a vote in the election of the Lord Mayor of London, the representative of the capital’s financial services industry, and once a year they all assemble in robes and badges for this ceremony in Guildhall. They contribute to charitable funds and organisations in the City. They are consulted over local government issues in London. And they are able to sponsor ‘Freeman of the City of London’, an honour offered to men and women who have served the country or the capital with distinction. There are other customs associated with the liveries: once a year the Vinters’ and the Dyers’ companies carry out a survey of the number of swans on the River Thames, counting and marking the birds (which are all nominally owned by the Queen) and ensuring a healthy environment for the birds. The colourful ceremony on a Sunday in July is known as ‘Swan-upping Sunday’.

Most livery companies went through a period of slow decline after the Middle Ages, as the trades expanded beyond London and the guilds no longer had a monopoly in their regulation. They were also forced to lend or give much of their wealth, including their silver and gold, to the kings who saw the companies as a useful way of raising taxes – especially during the English civil war. But about 100 years ago the companies began a revival, re-establishing links with their trades or seeking new links with more modern ones. The Barber Surgeons, for example, are now closely linked to the medical profession; the Salters (who once used to salt meat) now sponsor education and innovation in the chemical industry.

Recently, almost all liveries have opened their membership to women as well as men. After the Second World War, some 25 new companies were formed to represent new professions, such as Actuaries, Engineers, Scientific Instrument Makers, Tax Advisers and Chartered Surveyors. These do not have their own halls, are not so wealthy and come last in the ancient order of precedence. But they are equally committed to education and charity and many have established links with equivalent bodies overseas.

Since ancient days, the Master of each company has been elected once a year, to hold office for a year. This is more a ceremonial and honorary position: each company is run by its paid chief executive, known as the Clerk. The Masters, however, as the heads of their companies, have a busy year, especially if they are still working full-time in their jobs. But, as I have found, the traditions are strong, the charitable work rewarding and the re-interpretation of these ancient bodies to play a useful role in today’s society a stimulating challenge.