Livery companies are associations representing trades, crafts or professions which were or are carried out in the City of London. Some are very ancient, e.g. the Weavers’ Company’s charter was granted in 1155. About a third of current livery companies own buildings, usually called "halls" which contain offices, meeting rooms and dining facilities. The term “livery” originates from the attire worn by the members of some guilds to distinguish themselves from the members of other guilds.
There are 113 livery companies in existence today, sharing charity and fellowship as important features and we are still adding to our number. It is likely there will be another two Livery Companies created in the next couple of years. Liverymen have a crucial role in the election of Lord Mayors, and each Lord Mayor belongs to at least one livery company.
The Livery Company is governed by a 'Court of Assistants', which is very like a Board of Directors. In addition, there are Standing Committees appointed by the Court, namely Privileges, Notarial and Selection. An Events Committee and a Charity Sub-Committee have been established by the Privileges Committee.
Livery companies have a role in a number of important events, such as the United Guilds Service and the Lord Mayor’s Show. For more information, please see: Livery Companies of the City of London(external link)City Livery Brochure(external link)
The Master, Upper Warden and Renter Warden are officers elected by the Court of Assistants. In most Livery Companies they hold office for a year.
Master
The Master is the most senior liveryman in the Company at any given time. They are similar to the Chair of a Board of Directors and, within our Company, take the chair at Court and at meetings of the Privileges Committee. They also Chair the trustee meetings of The Scriveners’ Company Sexcentenary Charity. The Master represents the Company in the City, including at Common Hall (the two large meetings at Guildhall to which Liverymen, of more than one year's standing, of every Company are summoned and which elects the Sheriffs and the Lord Mayor of the City along with other Officers of the City). They are responsible for the Company’s relationships with other Livery Companies and its affiliated military and cadet units.
Wardens
We have two Wardens. The Upper Warden is the more senior and is likely to progress to being Master following a year in this office.
The Renter Warden is named from the time that this person would collect the rents owed to the Company. Now the person acts with the Master and Upper Warden in promoting and directing the Company. The person in this role is likely to progress to being Upper Warden.
Clerk
The Clerk is the chief administrative officer of the Company, responsible for the day to day running of the Company. In many Companies the Clerk is the only employee of the Company. We are fortunate in having a Clerk and an Assistant Clerk. Their responsibilities include organising all of the Company's major events, maintaining accurate financial records, acting as the secretariat for the Court and its committees, issuing and responding to invitations for the Master and Wardens and being the first point of contact for all members of the Company.
Notarial Deputy
The Notarial Deputy is a Scrivener Notary (see section on Notaries above for more information about what a Scrivener Notary is) who has served on the Court for not less than two years. The Notarial Deputy is important in presenting before the Court the specific interests of the Scrivener Notaries of the Company and in ensuring that the Court is kept informed of matters relating to the profession and its practise.
Beadle
The Beadle has responsibility for the silver and gowns of the Company, ensuring that both are ready for use when needed. The Beadle ensures that the Master, Wardens, Notarial Deputy and Clerk are properly attired when on duty. The Beadle leads processions involving the Master and Wardens and will often act as toastmaster at meetings and events.
Absolutely, yes. Like Liveryman and Freeman, the title does not denote gender. All 113 Livery Companies now admit women, but not all have had female Masters. We have had several.
Application for membership of a livery company is open to everyone. See “Join” above.
There is an initial “fine” which is payable upon becoming a Freeman or a Liveryman, and an annual payment thereafter, referred to as “Quarterage”. Contact the Clerk to ask about the current rates.
The term Quarterage comes from the fact that the membership used to be paid on the four Quarter Days of the year. Nowadays most people make one payment per year but the Clerk is very happy to assist in making arrangements for monthly or quarterly payments if this suits the member best.
This is the term we use for "membership fee". It is usually paid annually, but the member can choose to make monthly or quarterly payments as best suits them.
The initial step is to complete an application form, which needs to be signed by a proposer and seconder, who both need to be liverymen. The application form is set out in “Join” above.
Candidates for membership should ideally be sponsored by two members of the Livery, one of whom should be a member of the Court. However, it is more important that you have an interest in some of the work of the Company (law, charity, calligraphy, illumination, heraldry). We can assist by introducing you to members.
Although contributions are voluntary, a large part of the function of a livery company is charitable giving, so members are expected to contribute to the Company’s charity.
There are a number of things which happen in the City which are common to all Livery Companies. Liverymen of all Companies are eligible to vote in the elections of the Sheriffs of the City of London and the Lord Mayor, as well as some other Officers of the City.
On some issues all the Livery Companies work together. These are called the Pan-Livery Initiatives and include the Livery Skills Council, Livery Schools Link, Livery Climate Action Group, Livery Communications Group and the Livery Charity Chairs Group. We also participate in fact-sharing projects, aimed at spreading the good news about livery companies e.g. the Pan-Livery Philanthropy Survey, which brings together information about financial and pro bono giving by members of the Livery.
Everyone joining the Company is admitted as a Freeman initially. In order to be admitted as a Liveryman of the Company it is necessary to have received the Freedom of the City of London (We can help you with this). Liverymen are full members of the Company and may vote in Common Hall at the election of Sheriffs and Lord Mayor. Only Liverymen are able to progress to being Court Assistant and, ultimately, to become Warden or Master. Neither term denotes gender.
We have a range of events each year which includes two formal dinners, which usually takes place at Livery Halls in the City of London. The Quill Pen Lunch normally takes place at Mansion House. These events will range in price from £120 to £160 per place. We also organise visits to our military affiliates, historic buildings such as cathedrals and other places of interest e.g. Lambeth Palace Library. Some of these events may be free and for others we charge a small amount which goes to our Charitable Fund.