Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors

Last updated

Arms of the Merchant Taylors' Company Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors Arms.png
Arms of the Merchant Taylors' Company

The Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors is one of the 111 livery companies of the City of London.

Contents

The Company, originally known as the Guild and Fraternity of St John the Baptist in the City of London, was founded prior to 1300, first incorporated under a royal charter in 1327, confirmed by later charters in 1408, 1503 and 1719.

Its seat is the Merchant Taylors' Hall between Threadneedle Street and Cornhill, a site it has occupied since at least 1347. The Company's motto is Concordia Parvae Res Crescunt, from the Roman historian Sallust meaning In Harmony Small Things Grow.

History

The Company was at first an association of tailors. By the end of the 17th century, its connection with the tailoring trade had virtually ceased and it became what it is today, a philanthropic and social association – albeit that it has recently rekindled its links with Savile Row and is the principal sponsor and organiser of the prestigious biannual "Golden Shears" competition for aspiring young tailors.

It owns Merchant Taylors' School in Sandy Lodge and St John's Preparatory School in Northwood, both in Hertfordshire, and is associated with Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby, Merchant Taylors' Girls' School in Crosby, Wolverhampton Grammar School, Foyle and Londonderry College, Wallingford School, and The King's School, Macclesfield. It is also associated with St John's College, Oxford, founded by Sir Thomas White (a Master of the Company) in 1555, and with Pembroke College, Cambridge. It donates prizes to St. Helen's School in Northwood, which is considered its 'sister school', and supports an opera student at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. It also supports Treloar School in Hampshire, a school and college for children with physical disabilities.

It has a major interest in charitable support for the elderly and isolated in Inner London, as well as for people living with disabilities. It is a major provider of almshouses in the London Borough of Lewisham and has plans to develop brand new accommodation for local elderly people.

Ranking

Under an order issued by mayor Robert Billesden in 1484, the Company ranks in sixth or seventh place (making it one of the Great Twelve City Livery Companies) in the order of precedence of the Livery Companies, alternating with the Skinners' Company. The annual switch occurs at Easter. The Merchant Taylors are normally sixth in the order of precedence in odd numbered years, and at seven in even numbered years.

Notable people

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Livery company</span> Ancient trade association in the City of London

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 respective craft, trade or profession. There are 111 livery companies in total. They play a significant part in the life of the City, 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worshipful Company of Grocers</span> Livery Company of the City of London

The Worshipful Company of Grocers is one of the 111 livery companies of the City of London, ranking second in order of precedence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worshipful Company of Skinners</span> Livery company of the City of London

The Worshipful Company of Skinners is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. It was originally an association of those engaged in the trade of skins and furs. It was granted Royal Charter in 1327.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worshipful Company of Mercers</span> Livery Company of the City of London

The Worshipful Company of Mercers is the premier livery company of the City of London and ranks first in the order of precedence of the Companies. It is the first of the Great Twelve City Livery Companies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worshipful Company of Drapers</span> City of London guild

The Worshipful Company of Drapers is one of the 111 livery companies of the City of London. It has the formal name The Master and Wardens and Brethren and Sisters of the Guild or Fraternity of the Blessed Mary the Virgin of the Mystery of Drapers of the City of London. More usually known simply as the Drapers' Company, it is one of the historic Great Twelve Livery Companies and was founded during the Middle Ages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worshipful Company of Vintners</span> Livery company of the City of London

The Worshipful Company of Vintners, one of the Great Twelve City Livery Companies, retains close links with the wine trade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worshipful Company of Dyers</span> Livery company of the City of London

The Worshipful Company of Dyers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Dyers' Guild existed in the twelfth century; it received a Royal Charter in 1471. It originated as a trade association for members of the dyeing industry but is now mainly a charitable institution. Each year the company participates in the ceremony of Swan Upping along the River Thames.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worshipful Company of Ironmongers</span> Livery company of the City of London

The Worshipful Company of Ironmongers is one of the Great Twelve livery companies of the City of London, incorporated under a Royal Charter in 1463.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worshipful Company of Haberdashers</span> Livery company of the City of London

The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers, one of the Great Twelve City Livery Companies, is an ancient merchant guild of London, England associated with the silk and velvet trades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worshipful Company of Leathersellers</span> Livery company of the City of London

The Worshipful Company of Leathersellers is one of the livery companies of the City of London. The organisation originates from the latter part of the fourteenth century and received its Royal Charter in 1444, and is therefore the senior leather industry-related City Livery Company.

The Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers is one of the oldest livery companies of the City of London, with one of the smallest memberships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worshipful Company of Carpenters</span> Livery company of the City of London

The Worshipful Company of Carpenters is a livery company of the City of London. The Carpenters were traditionally different from a fellow wood-crafting company, the Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers, in that carpenters utilised nails while joiners used adhesives to attach wood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worshipful Company of Curriers</span> Livery company of the City of London

The Worshipful Company of Curriers is one of the ancient livery companies of London, associated with the leather trade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worshipful Company of Masons</span> Livery company of the City of London

The Worshipful Company of Masons is one of the ancient Livery Companies of the City of London, number 30 in the order of precedence of the 110 companies. It was granted Arms in 1472, during the reign of King Edward IV; its motto is “God Is Our Guide”.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worshipful Company of Founders</span> Livery company of the City of London

The Worshipful Company of Founders is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London, England. The Founders, or workers in brass and bronze, were incorporated under a Royal Charter in 1614. However, with the development of technology, the ancient craft grew obsolete. Now, the Company exists, along with a majority of Livery Companies, as a charitable foundation. It also supports the foundry industry by awarding research grants and scholarships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Threadneedle Street</span> Street in the City of London, London, England

Threadneedle Street is a street in the City of London, England, between Bishopsgate at its northeast end and Bank junction in the southwest. It is one of nine streets that converge at Bank. It lies in the ward of Cornhill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foyle College</span> Grammar school in Derry, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Foyle College is a co-educational non-denominational voluntary grammar school in Derry, Northern Ireland. The school's legal name is Foyle and Londonderry College. In 1976, two local schools, Foyle College and Londonderry High School, merged under the Foyle and Londonderry College Act 1976 to form Foyle and Londonderry College. In 2011, the Board of Governors re-branded the school as 'Foyle College' and updated the school's crest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Helen's School</span> Private day school in Northwood, England

St Helen's School London is a private day school for girls aged three to eighteen in Northwood, North West London. It is associated with the Merchant Taylors' Company and works in close collaboration with the local Merchant Taylors' School in a range of areas.

Merchant Taylors' School may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merchant Taylors' Hall, London</span> Livery company hall, Threadneedle Street, City of London

The Merchant Taylors' Hall, London is the seat of the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors, one of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London surviving from Mediaeval times.

References

    Further reading

    51°30′51″N0°05′07″W / 51.5141°N 0.0854°W / 51.5141; -0.0854