# Livery company

A livery company is a type of guild or professional association that originated in medieval times in London, England. Livery companies comprise London's ancient and modern trade associations and guilds, almost all of which are styled the "Worshipful Company of" their craft, trade or profession. There are 113 livery companies as at March 2025. They play a significant part in the life of the City of London, not least by providing charitable-giving and networking opportunities. Liverymen retain voting rights for the senior civic offices, such as the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs and Common Council of the City Corporation, London's ancient municipal authority with extensive local government powers.
The term livery originated in the designed form of dress worn by retainers of a nobleman and then by extension to special dress to denote status of belonging to a trade. Livery companies evolved from London's medieval guilds, becoming corporations by royal charter responsible for training in their trades, as well as for the regulation of aspects such as wage control, labour conditions and industry standards. Early guilds often grew out of parish fraternal organizations, where numerous members of the same trade lived in close proximity often congregating at the same church. Like most organisations during the Middle Ages, these livery companies had close ties with the Roman Catholic Church (before the Protestant Reformation), endowing religious establishments such as chantry chapels and churches, observing religious festivals and hosting ceremonies as well as well-known mystery plays. Most livery companies retain their historical religious associations, although nowadays members are free to follow any faith or none.
Many, but not all, Livery companies established a guild or meeting hall. Though these halls faced destruction in the Great London Fire of 1666 and during the Blitz of World War II, over forty companies still own or share ownership of livery halls, some elaborate and historic, others modern replacements for halls destroyed or redeveloped. Most of these halls are made available for use by other companies not having a livery hall of their own.
Many ancient livery companies maintain contact with their original trade or craft. In some cases, livery companies have chosen to support a replacement industry fulfilling a similar purpose today, e.g. plastics replacing the use of horn or ivory in the case of the Horners' Company and fashion for the Haberdashers' Company. Modern companies (those created after 1926) are mainly representatives of today's professions and industries and operate in close association with these. Many ancient crafts remain as relevant today as when their guilds were originally established. Some still exercise powers of regulation, inspection and enforcement, e.g. the Goldsmiths' Company Assay Office, while others are awarding bodies for professional qualifications. The Scriveners' Company admits senior members of legal and associated professions, the Apothecaries' Society awards post-graduate qualifications in some medical specialities, and the Hackney Carriage Drivers' Company comprises licensed taxi drivers who have passed the "Knowledge of London" test. Several companies restrict membership to those holding relevant professional qualifications, e.g. the City of London Solicitors' Company and the Worshipful Company of Engineers. Other companies whose trade died out long ago, such as the Bowyers' Company, have evolved into being primarily charitable foundations. Many companies, for example the Pinmakers, have disappeared entirely since their creation.
After the Carmen's Company received City livery status in 1848 no new companies were established until 1926 when the Honourable Company of Master Mariners was founded (granted livery in 1932). Post-1926 creations are known as modern livery companies. The Worshipful Company of Communicators, the newest, was granted livery status in March 2025, making it the 113th City livery company in order of precedence.
The Honourable Company of Air Pilots is just one example of London's livery companies to have active overseas committees.

## Purpose
### Training and industry

London's Livery companies originally began to be established in the 12th century, to guarantee that a member was trustworthy and fully qualified, and that the goods they produced were of reputable quality, the two-fold aim being to protect the public and to protect members from charlatans. They continued to be established until the 17th century, when political upheaval in England, particularly the Civil War, as well as the growth of London outwards from the City rendered many such livery companies, which only controlled trade within the Square Mile, less competitive or viable. Following the Stuart Restoration many livery companies were revived, but with Britain taking a leading role in the expansion of global trade the City also adapted by establishing exchanges, some of which later became guardians of business conduct.
From the 1870s, there was a further revival of livery companies, with many extending their original educational purpose to technical education, supporting new industries and providing the necessary training, most notably through the City and Guilds of London Institute.

### Charity and education

From their inception, livery companies cared for their members in sickness and old age by the giving of alms. Today, they continue to support both their members, and wider charitable aims and activities such as education and training.
Numerous educational establishments in England were founded by and retain association with livery companies, among the best-known being the Haberdashers', Merchant Taylors' and Skinners' schools.

### Support for the Armed Forces

Most livery companies maintain proud affiliations with regular and reserve units of the British Armed Forces, providing links between civilian and military life.

### City of London governance

The livery companies have always been a constituent part of the governance of the City of London. The senior members of the livery companies, i.e. liverymen, elect the City's Sheriffs, Bridge Masters, Ale Conners, Auditors, members of the City Livery Committee, and approve the aldermanic candidates for election to the office of Lord Mayor of London.

## Entry

Entry to a livery company may be by one of four routes:
* By invitation to become an Honorary Freeman/Liveryman/Assistant. This is rare, and is considered a great honour.
* By apprenticeship or servitude. This is nowadays less common. In earlier days, someone wishing to enter a trade would bind himself as apprentice to a member of his chosen trade. As such, he was required to do as he was instructed, and in return for strict adherence to the master's rules the apprentice learned his trade, while his master was required to provide such training that, at the end of the apprenticeship (usually seven years) the apprentice would be sufficiently knowledgeable to become a member – and a Freeman of the City of London – free of the obligations of apprenticeship.
* By patrimony. Generally, a member's son/grandson (or now also a daughter/granddaughter) who was born after the parent became a member of a company are entitled to become a member by patrimony.
* By redemption. Redemption is the path to the freedom for all others who do not qualify for apprenticeship, patrimony or by invitation and requires the payment of a fine (fee) as well as an interview or other admission procedure.
Regardless of method of entry, membership carries the same duties, responsibilities and privileges. Membership of a livery company may combine with the freedom of the City of London, now an essential formality, though in the past the Freedom carried benefits, such as being able to drive a flock of sheep across London Bridge at no charge.

## Governance

Livery companies are governed by a Master (alternatively styled Prime Warden in some companies, or Upper Bailiff of the Weavers' Company), a number of Wardens (holding various titles such as the Upper, Middle, Lower, or Renter Wardens), and a court of Assistants (board of directors), responsible for company business and electing its Master and Wardens. The "Clerk to the Company" is the most senior permanent member of staff, who as chief executive officer runs its day-to-day activities.
The livery companies elect a majority of the members of the Livery Committee, a body administered at Guildhall. The committee oversees the elections of Sheriffs and the Lord Mayor, educates liverymen regarding the City Corporation's activities and represents the livery companies in communications with the City.
Membership generally falls into two categories: freemen and liverymen.

## Freemen

One may become a freeman, or be admitted to the "freedom of the company", upon fulfilling certain criteria: traditionally, by "patrimony", if either parent/grandparent were a liveryman of the company; by "servitude", if one has served a requisite number of years as an apprentice to a senior company member; or by "redemption", upon paying a fee. Most livery companies reserve the right to admit distinguished people, particularly in their sphere of influence, as Honorary Freeman/Liveryman/Assistant. Freemen may advance to become liverymen, after obtaining the Freedom of the City of London, and with their court of Assistants' approval. Only liverymen are eligible to vote in the annual election of the Lord Mayor of London, the Sheriffs and various other City civic offices, including the Ale Conners and Bridge Masters.

## Liverymen

A liveryman is a full member of his/her respective company.
When a freeman is promoted liveryman, the candidate is said to be 'clothed in the livery': indeed, a livery gown is placed on him at the Court meeting which he wears to the subsequent formal or social occasion. Thereafter only the Master, Wardens and Assistants wear livery gowns at company functions. Masters wear them at the City's formal events, e.g. the two Common Halls and the United Guilds Service, and Lord Mayor's Show, wherever they may participate. Ordinarily, liverymen wear ties or brooches at formal functions and each company differs by allowing men/women to wear distinct items subject to the occasion, such as a tie, scarf, badge or brooch.
Freemen are expected to advance to become liverymen by a vote of the court of each company. Liverymen no longer have any local government franchise in the City, but retain the exclusive right of voting in the election of the Lord Mayor (Michaelmas 'Common Hall' 29 September) and for the Sheriffs (Mid-Summer 'Common Hall' 24 June) held at Guildhall as a ceremonial occasion. The votes are made by 'acclamation' subject to a challenge/demand from the floor for a ballot which would be held a week later. Any two liverymen may nominate a candidate for the freedom of the City.

### Former parliamentary election rights

Before the Reform Act 1832 the liverymen had the exclusive right to elect the four Members of Parliament (MPs) representing the City. Between 1832 and 1918 being a liveryman was one of a number of possible franchises which could qualify a parliamentary elector in the City of London constituency, as it was a preserved ancient borough franchise under the terms of the 1832 Act.

## Livery halls

Today 39 out of 112 City livery companies own premises in London, as well as the Watermen and Lightermen which although not strictly a livery company, retains headquarters still in regular use. Among the earliest companies known to have had halls are the Merchant Taylors and Goldsmiths in the 14th century, and, uniquely, the kitchen and the crypt of Merchant Taylors' Hall survived both the Great Fire of London and the Blitz, the kitchen now having been in uninterrupted use for over 600 years.
Besides part of Merchant Taylors' Hall kitchens, the oldest interiors extant of a livery hall proper are those of the Apothecaries' Society, most rooms of which date from 1668 to 1671; significant portions of the fabric of this building are also medieval, from the 13th-century priory, part of which became Apothecaries' Hall. Several companies that do not have a hall of their own share office premises within the hall of another company on a semi-permanent basis, examples being the Spectacle Makers' Company, which uses part of Apothecaries' Hall, and the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights, which co-habits with the Ironmongers. Many livery halls can be hired for business and social functions, and are popular for weddings, commercial and society meetings, luncheons and dinners.
Three livery companies (the Glaziers and Painters of Glass, Launderers and Scientific Instrument Makers) share a hall in Southwark, just south of and outside the City of London, while the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers has long been based at Proof House in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Companies without halls customarily book use of another livery hall for their formal gatherings, giving members and guests the opportunity to visit and enjoy different City livery halls by rotation.
Blue plaques throughout the City of London indicate where companies formerly had halls. Whilst several livery companies may aspire to owning or regaining their own hall it is appreciated that any increase in the overall number of livery halls would inevitably lead to some dilution of use of the existing halls. There is also attraction in belonging to a company which is peripatetic.

## Precedence

In 1515, the Court of Aldermen of the City of London settled an order of precedence for the 48 livery companies then in existence, based on those companies' contemporary economic or political power. The 12 highest-ranked companies remain known as the Great Twelve City Livery Companies. Presently, there are 111 City livery companies, with the newer companies generally being ranked by seniority of creation. The origins of some companies, and the granting of their liveries, are now obscure.
The Merchant Taylors and the Skinners have long disputed their precedence, so once a year (at Easter) they swap between sixth and seventh places. This mix-up is a favourite theory for the origin of the phrase "at sixes and sevens", as has been pointed out by at least one Master Merchant Taylor; however, it is possible that the phrase may have been coined before the dispute arose, as it comes from the companies both receiving their Charters in 1327 with no proof surviving as to which was granted first.

### List of companies in order of precedence

| Order | Company | Granted livery status |
| 1 | Worshipful Company of Mercers (general merchants) | 1394 |
| 2 | Worshipful Company of Grocers (spice merchants) | 1428 |
| 3 | Worshipful Company of Drapers (wool and cloth merchants) | 1364 |
| 4 | Worshipful Company of Fishmongers | 1272 |
| 5 | Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths (bullion dealers) | 1327 |
| 6 | Worshipful Company of Skinners (fur traders) | 1327 |
| 7 | Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors (tailors) | 1327 |
| 8 | Worshipful Company of Haberdashers (silk merchants and clothiers in sewn and fine materials, e.g. velvet) | 1448 |
| 9 | Worshipful Company of Salters (salt and chemical traders) | 1394 |
| 10 | Worshipful Company of Ironmongers | 1463 |
| 11 | Worshipful Company of Vintners (wine merchants) | 1363 |
| 12 | Worshipful Company of Clothworkers | |
| 13 | Worshipful Company of Dyers | |
| 14 | Worshipful Company of Brewers | 1438 |
| 15 | Worshipful Company of Leathersellers | |
| 16 | Worshipful Company of Pewterers (pewter and metal manufacturers) | |
| 17 | Worshipful Company of Barbers (surgeons and dentists) | |
| 18 | Worshipful Company of Cutlers (knife, sword and utensil makers) | |
| 19 | Worshipful Company of Bakers | |
| 20 | Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers (wax candle-makers) | 1473 |
| 21 | Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers (tallow candle-makers) | 1462 |
| 22 | Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers (armour makers and brass workers) | |
| 23 | Worshipful Company of Girdlers (belt and girdle makers) | 1449 |
| 24 | Worshipful Company of Butchers | |
| 25 | Worshipful Company of Saddlers | |
| 26 | Worshipful Company of Carpenters | |
| 27 | Worshipful Company of Cordwainers (fine leather workers and shoemakers) | |
| 28 | Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers (artists; historically, painters of metal, wood and cloth) | |
| 29 | Worshipful Company of Curriers (leather dressers and tanners) | |
| 30 | Worshipful Company of Masons (stonemasons) | |
| 31 | Worshipful Company of Plumbers | |
| 32 | Worshipful Company of Innholders (innkeepers) | |
| 33 | Worshipful Company of Founders (metal casters and melters) | |
| 34 | Worshipful Company of Poulters (poultry dealers) | |
| 35 | Worshipful Company of Cooks | |
| 36 | Worshipful Company of Coopers (barrel and cask makers) | |
| 37 | Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers (builders) | |
| 38 | Worshipful Company of Bowyers (long-bow makers) | |
| 39 | Worshipful Company of Fletchers (arrow makers) | |
| 40 | Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths | |
| 41 | Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers (wood craftsmen) | |
| 42 | Worshipful Company of Weavers | 1155 |
| 43 | Worshipful Company of Woolmen | |
| 44 | Worshipful Company of Scriveners (court scribes and notaries public) | |
| 45 | Worshipful Company of Fruiterers | |
| 46 | Worshipful Company of Plaisterers (plasterers) | |
| 47 | Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers (journalists and publishers) | |
| 48 | Worshipful Company of Broderers (embroiderers) | |
| 49 | Worshipful Company of Upholders (upholsterers) | |
| 50 | Worshipful Company of Musicians | |
| 51 | Worshipful Company of Turners (lathe operators) | |
| 52 | Worshipful Company of Basketmakers | |
| 53 | Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass | |
| 54 | Worshipful Company of Horners (horn workers and plasticians) | |
| 55 | Worshipful Company of Farriers (horseshoe makers and equine veterinarians) | |
| 56 | Worshipful Company of Paviors (road and highway pavers) | |
| 57 | Worshipful Company of Loriners (equestrian bit, bridle and spur suppliers) | |
| 58 | Worshipful Society of Apothecaries (physicians and pharmacists) | |
| 59 | Worshipful Company of Shipwrights (shipowners and maritime professionals) | 1782 |
| 60 | Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers | 1809 |
| 61 | Worshipful Company of Clockmakers | 1766 |
| 62 | Worshipful Company of Glovers | 1638 |
| 63 | Worshipful Company of Feltmakers (hat makers) | |
| 64 | Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters | 1657 |
| 65 | Worshipful Company of Needlemakers | 1656 |
| 66 | Worshipful Company of Gardeners | |
| 67 | Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers alias Wire Workers | 1766 |
| 68 | Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights | 1773 |
| 69 | Worshipful Company of Distillers | 1672 |
| 70 | Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers (wooden-shoe makers) | 1717 |
| 71 | Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers | 1712 |
| 72 | Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers | 1687 |
| 73 | Worshipful Company of Gunmakers | 1728 |
| 74 | Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers (threadmakers for military and society clothing) | 1780 |
| 75 | Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards | 1792 |
| 76 | Worshipful Company of Fan Makers | 1806 |
| 77 | Worshipful Company of Carmen (vehicle drivers) | 1848 |
| 78 | Honourable Company of Master Mariners | 1932 |
| 79 | City of London Solicitors' Company (lawyers) | 1944 |
| 80 | Worshipful Company of Farmers | 1952 |
| 81 | Honourable Company of Air Pilots | 1956 |
| 82 | Worshipful Company of Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Blenders | 1960 |
| 83 | Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers | 1963 |
| 84 | Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers | 1963 |
| 85 | Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors | 1977 |
| 86 | Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales | 1977 |
| 87 | Worshipful Company of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators | 1977 |
| 88 | Worshipful Company of Builders' Merchants | 1977 |
| 89 | Worshipful Company of Launderers | 1977 |
| 90 | Worshipful Company of Marketors | 1978 |
| 91 | Worshipful Company of Actuaries | 1979 |
| 92 | Worshipful Company of Insurers | 1979 |
| 93 | Worshipful Company of Arbitrators | 1981 |
| 94 | Worshipful Company of Engineers | 1983 |
| 95 | Worshipful Company of Fuellers (energy traders) | 1984 |
| 96 | Worshipful Company of Lightmongers (electric lighting suppliers and installers) | 1984 |
| 97 | Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners | 1986 |
| 98 | Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects | 1988 |
| 99 | Worshipful Company of Constructors | 1990 |
| 100 | Worshipful Company of Information Technologists | 1992 |
| 101 | Worshipful Company of World Traders | 2000 |
| 102 | Worshipful Company of Water Conservators | 2000 |
| 103 | Worshipful Company of Firefighters | 2001 |
| 104 | Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers (licensed taxicab drivers) | 2004 |
| 105 | Worshipful Company of Management Consultants | 2004 |
| 106 | Worshipful Company of International Bankers | 2004 |
| 107 | Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers | 2005 |
| 108 | Worshipful Company of Security Professionals | 2008 |
| 109 | Worshipful Company of Educators | 2013 |
| 110 | Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars | 2014 |
| 111 | Worshipful Company of Nurses | 2023 |
| 112 | Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs | 2025 |
| 113 | Worshipful Company of Communicators | 2025 |