59-780: The Worshipful Company of Skinners (also known as the Skinners' Company ) is one of the Great Twelve Livery Companies of the City of London . Originally formed as an association of those engaged in the trade of skins and furs , the Company was granted a Royal Charter in 1327. The Company's motto is To God Only Be All Glory . The Master Skinner for 2024/25 is the Earl of Woolton and, since 2015, Major-General Andrew Kennett CB CBE serves as Clerk to
118-491: 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
177-732: A guild or meeting hall such as in Derry , a city in Northern Ireland founded and named after London livery companies in the 17th century. 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
236-412: A lord gathered around himself in his service; it has been described by one modern historian as "the servants, retainers, and other followers of a lord", and as "part of the normal fabric of society". It is considered a fundamental aspect of bastard feudalism , and acted as a means of tying magnates to the lower nobility, just as feudalism had done in a different way. One form of the relationship
295-451: 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 respective 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
354-531: 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. 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
413-451: A corps rather than a guild. City Livery Club , founded in 1914, is a livery-oriented organisation of over 1000 members based at Bell Wharf Lane near Southwark Bridge. The club's motto is uniting the livery, promoting fellowship . The Guild of Young Freemen and the Guild of Freemen of the City of London , whilst not being livery companies, are popular associations amongst the freemen of
472-764: A livery hall of their own. Most 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 use of horn or ivory in the case of the Horners' Company and fashion for the Haberdashers' Company . Modern companies are mainly represented by today's professions and industry 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.
531-460: A more sympathetic account that acknowledges the affinity as an essential element in the mechanics of good lordship . For example, a lord would recruit into his affinity some who could provide him with military service, but others who did not; some who were formally retained and some who were not; and ultimately every individual was recruited with mutual benefit at the heart of their relationships. The affinity itself would change depending on whether it
590-464: A noble affinity was the lord's indentured retainers, and beyond them was a more amorphous group of general supporters and contacts. The difference, K. B. McFarlane wrote, was that the former did the lord "exclusive service" but the latter received his good lordship "in ways both more and less permanent" than the retainers. Christine Carpenter has described the structure of the earl of Warwick 's affinity as "a series of concentric circles" with him at
649-574: 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
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#1732801238276708-413: 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. Company without Livery is a status which applies during
767-470: 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 respective craft , trade or profession . There are 111 livery companies in total. They play a significant part in the life of the City of London (i.e.
826-520: 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 . 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
885-711: The Lord Mayor ( Sir David Brewer ) for 2005/06 was a member of the Merchant Taylors' Company they kept precedence. The Merchant Taylors retained precedence in 2006/07, their regular turn. In the present day the Skinners' Company is primarily an educational and charitable institution , supporting the following schools: Other leather-related City livery companies: 51°30′40″N 0°05′28″W / 51.51111°N 0.09119°W / 51.51111; -0.09119 Livery company A livery company
944-462: The Administration of Justice Act 1977 , being in no way guilds never having been related to trading and occupational activities. Guilds which at one point attained the status of livery companies and have since ceased to exist include the following: Affinity (medieval) In post-classical history , an affinity was a collective name for the group ( retinue ) of (usually) men whom
1003-459: The City and Guilds of London Institute . 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
1062-716: 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 . Some companies, such as the Pinmakers, disappeared entirely in the Victorian era . After the Carmen's Company received City livery status in 1848 no new companies were established for 80 years until
1121-586: The City of London constituency , as it was a preserved ancient borough franchise under the terms of the 1832 Act. Today 39 out of 111 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
1180-565: The Company of Parish Clerks nor the Company of Watermen have applied or intend to apply for livery status, which remains a long-standing City tradition. This is granted by the City Corporation in effect to control a company. The Watermen and Parish Clerks are governed by statutes and royal charters with responsibilities outside the City. The Company of Watermen and Lightermen was established by Act of Parliament in 1555 to regulate
1239-642: The Honourable Company of Master Mariners in 1926 (granted livery in 1932). Post-1926 creations are known as modern livery companies . The Nurses' Company , the newest, was granted livery status in 2023, making it the 111th City livery company in order of precedence . The Honourable Company of Air Pilots is exceptional among London's livery companies in having active overseas committees in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand and North America. Livery companies were originally formed, starting in
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#17328012382761298-617: 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
1357-479: 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
1416-471: The Square Mile , less competitive. The City adapted with Britain's role in the expansion of global trade by establishing exchanges which later became guardians of business conduct . From the 1870s however, there was a revival, with livery companies extending their original educational purpose to technical education, supporting new industries and providing the necessary training, most notably through
1475-601: 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. 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
1534-612: The watermen on the River Thames responsible for the movement of goods and passengers and remains the only ancient City guild to be formed and governed by Act of Parliament. They are then strictly not 'companies without livery' at all but simply 'companies'. The Ward Beadles of the City of London are the elected officials, not representatives, of the City Wards so have constitutional standing. They are associated together for mainly communications and social activities; they are
1593-521: 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. After the Middle Ages , they continued to be established until the 17th century, when political upheaval in England, the growth of London outwards from the City rendered many such livery companies, which only controlled trade within
1652-403: The 1420s, for example, Cardinal Beaufort maintained an affinity in many English counties , although, as a churchman, his affinity was political rather than military. They were not also confined to men: Edward II 's consort , Isabella , had an affinity whose "collective influence was as powerful as the most powerful lords," even if with less of a military. They could also be expanded through
1711-542: 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
1770-477: 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 to a livery company may be by one of four routes: Regardless of method of entry, membership carries the same duties, responsibilities and privileges. Membership of a livery company may combine with
1829-713: The City, with the young freemen being open to those under the age of 40. The Honourable Company of Freemen of the City of London of North America (headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) represents Freemen and Liverymen of the City of London living in North America. The City Corporation of London retains the lordship of three manors in Southwark ( Guildable , King's and Great Liberty ). Now membership organisations, members are eligible to serve as ceremonial officers or jurors in their relevant manorial jurisdiction . These courts retain legal-standing under
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1888-642: 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.
1947-503: 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
2006-472: 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. 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
2065-525: 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
2124-806: The Roses , the earl of Salisbury gathered the closest members of his affinity to him in Middleham Castle and took their advice before publicly coming out in support of the rebellious duke of York . The lord would often include men in positions of local authority, for example Justices of the peace , within his affinity. On the other hand, he might, as John of Gaunt did in the later fourteenth century, recruit people into his affinity regardless of their social weight, as an expression of his "courtly and chivalric ambitions", as Anthony Goodman said. A contemporary described these as "kin, friendis, allys and parttakaris" ("kin, friends, allies, and partakers") to
2183-557: The Skinners' Company. Under an order issued by the Lord Mayor of London on 10 April 1484 (known as the Billesdon Award), the Company ranks in sixth or seventh place (making it one of the "Great Twelve City Livery Companies") in the order of precedence of City Livery Companies, alternating annually with the Merchant Taylors' Company ; these livery companies have borrowed Chaucer 's phrase " at sixes and sevens " to describe their rivalry over precedence – specifically which company
2242-489: The affinity as being effectively synonymous with the lord's household , and little more than his personal thugs. The only connection noted between members of the affinity and the retaining lord was a military one. This then led them to see the emergence of noble affinities as directly responsible, in part at least, for the decline in social order in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. But as Simon Walker has put it, their unfavourable judgements have largely been replaced by
2301-467: The affinity of William, Lord Hastings ) to being based more on blood and marital connections, as with the House of Neville . Recently it has been questioned whether a royal affinity could actually work in the same way as a noble one. It has been suggested that since the king had to be a lord to his retainers and provide good lordship, but also king to the entire people, a contradiction existed, resulting in
2360-612: The annual election of the Lord Mayor of London , the Sheriffs and various other City civic offices, including the Ale Conners and Bridge Masters . 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
2419-502: The best-known being the Haberdashers' , Merchant Taylors' and Skinners' schools. Most livery companies maintain proud affiliations with regular and reserve units of the British Armed Forces , providing links between civilian and military life. 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
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2478-453: The centre. It has been noted that a lord only had to gather a relatively small number of people around in areas where he was strong, as members of his affinity supported not only him but also each other; thus, the number of men who could come to his aid was often far greater than the number of men he actually knew. These were men the lord trusted: for example, in 1459, on the verge of the Wars of
2537-550: 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
2596-468: The course of events; Edward IV 's covert marriage to Elizabeth Woodville brought an important Midlands family and their retainers directly into the royal household. The traditional view among historians was that the affinity was a thirteenth-century construction that arose out of the nobility and crown's need to recruit armies, against a backdrop of declining feudal service failing to provide troops. Victorian historians, such as Charles Plummer , saw
2655-535: The early 1390s and cost him far greater sums than the 10% of income that magnates generally expended on their retinues. Gaunt used it to defend his position against the crown as Richard II's reign became increasingly erratic, and his son, Henry of Bolingbroke , inherited it in 1399, and found it a ready-made army that allowed him to overthrow Richard. In very similar circumstances, in 1471, Edward IV, returning from exile to reclaim his throne, gathered his affinity with him as he marched south, and it has been said that "it
2714-401: The estate officials, treasurer, stewards, and often more than one lawyer. By the late Middle Ages, kings such as Richard II and Henry IV had created their own affinities within the regional gentry , for political as well as martial motives. They were therefore at a greater distance from the royal court , but they were also more numerous than the household knights of earlier kings. By
2773-475: 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
2832-428: The fifteenth century, most regional agents of the crown were considered to be in the king's affinity, as they had a closer connection to the crown than ordinary subjects. By the reign of Henry VI, E. F. Jacob estimated that the number of squires employed by the king in the localities increased from 150 to over 300. In Richard's case, it has been suggested it was for the purpose of building up royal power to counteract
2891-511: The financial district and historic heart of the capital ), 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
2950-481: The lord. Members of the affinity could usually be identified by the livery the lord would distribute for their identification with him; this could range from simple armbands to "a more exclusive form of livery—exclusive metal mounted riband bands"; high-ranking members of John of Gaunt's retinue—a "highly prized" position—wore the Collar of Esses . The members of the affinity closest to the lord were those of most use:
3009-506: The period between when a guild is recognised by the Court of Aldermen and when it is granted the rights of a livery. A guild initially applies to be a London Guild , and may later apply to the Court to become a Company of the City of London . After an indefinite period, such a Company of the City of London can apply to the Aldermen for livery status; if granted, they can thereafter use the honorific prefix Worshipful Company . Neither
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#17328012382763068-523: The pre-existing affinities of the nobility and strengthen his own power. Indeed, they were at the heart of the army Richard took to Ireland on his 1399 campaign, prior to his deposition. This could include several hundred 'King's knights' and esquires, retained with hard cash. In fact, the amounts the crown spent on its regional affinity were the cause of much of the discontent over royal expenditure that Richard II, for example, faced in 1397. Likewise, John of Gaunt's affinity increased by half between 1381 and
3127-739: 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. Livery companies invariably established
3186-508: The security of Pembroke's proximity to the king . Historian Michael Hicks has described it as a "personal, not feudal" connection, which David Crouch called an early example of a bastard feudal relationship. On the other hand, a hundred years later, the earl of Lincoln gathered bodies of men—often from among his tenants—from his estates in Lincoln, who were still linked to the earl feudally through their tenure of his land. Central to
3245-417: Was a time of war or peace, or whether it was in an area where the lord was strong. Seen in the context of playing multiple roles, it has been called a "socio-political-military joint-stock enterprise" that helped uphold noble authority without needing a basis in feudalism itself. In the mid-fifteenth century, it could vary in organization from being secured almost exclusively by military indenture (for example,
3304-488: Was administered to some of the offenders the then-Lord Mayor, Haberdasher Sir Robert Billesdon, mediated between the two companies at the request of their Masters, and he resolved that each company should have precedence over the other in alternate years and that each company's Master and Wardens should be invited to dine at the other's Hall every year. The Skinners are normally sixth in the order of precedence in even numbered years, and at seven in odd numbered years, but as
3363-410: Was as master of such an affinity that at Barnet and Tewkesbury King Edward won a wider mastery". The earl of Salisbury, also using his affinity as a show of strength in 1458, attended a royal council meeting with an affinity of about 400 horsemen and eighty knights and squires; the contemporary Brut Chronicle estimated it at around 500 men. Affinities were not confined to kings or magnates ; in
3422-420: Was entitled to be 6th in order of seniority – being a source of trouble between the Skinners and the Merchant Taylors for some time during the 15th, and perhaps even 14th centuries. Both companies received their first Royal Charters in 1327, but the dispute erupted into lethal violence at the 1484 Lord Mayor's river procession , an occasion which the two guilds treated as their own private boat race. After justice
3481-510: Was known as livery and maintenance . The lord provided livery badges to be worn by the retainer and "maintenance" or his support in their disputes, which often constituted obstruction of judicial processes. One of the earliest identifiable feudal affinities was that of William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke , who by 1190 had gathered a force around him consisting of men without necessarily any strong tenurial connection to him. Rather than receiving land, these men received grants of office and
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