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 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 of 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 and Sheriffs of the City Corporation, London's historic 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, 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.
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. Pre-1848 creations are known as ancient livery companies, while 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.
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 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.
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.
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.Livery companies have been active in agreeing to "uphold and support" the Armed Forces Covenant and over one hundred have either already signed, or indicated that they will shortly be formally signing, the Covenant in collaboration with the Ministry of defence.
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 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 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 as well as an interview or other admission procedure.
Governance
Livery companies are governed by a Master, a number of Wardens, and a court of Assistants, 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 or Liveryman. 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 to 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 and for the Sheriffs 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.