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The Stationers' Company
The City of London Livery Company for the Communications and Content Industries
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LIVERY COMPANIES

There are over 100 Livery Companies in London.  In 2011 the Mercers' Company undertook a Livery Profile Survey and produced a summary.  It gives membership statistics and an overview of charitable giving and areas in which the Livery Companies are active.

It has an introduction from Alderman Michael Bear (Lord Mayor of the City of London 2010-2011) stating how important, but little-feted, the Livery companies' contribution to society is.  Click here to see the survey summary.

Livery companies are governed by a master (known in some companies as the prime warden), a number of wardens (who may be known as the upper, middle, lower, under, or renter wardens), and a court of assistants, which elects the master and wardens. The chief operating officer of the company is known as the clerk.

Members generally fall into two categories: freemen and liverymen. One may become a freeman, or acquire the "freedom of the company", upon fulfilling the company's criteria additionally, one may be admitted by "patrimony", if either parent was a liveryman of the company; by "servitude", if one has served as an apprentice in the for the requisite number of years; or by "redemption", if one pays a fee. The company may also vote to admit individuals as honorary freemen. Freemen generally advance to becoming liverymen by a vote of the court of the company. Historically, only liverymen could take part in the election of the Lord Mayor of the City of London, the sheriffs, and the other additional officers of the City.

List of Livery Companies, in order of precedence

 

  1. The Worshipful Company of Mercers (General Merchants)
  2. The Worshipful Company of Grocers
  3. The Worshipful Company of Drapers (Wool and cloth merchants)
  4. The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers
  5. The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths
  6. The Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors (Tailors) (alternates with the Skinners)
  7. The Worshipful Company of Skinners (Furriers) (alternates with the Merchant Taylors)
  8. The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers
  9. The Worshipful Company of Salters
  10. The Worshipful Company of Ironmongers
  11. The Worshipful Company of Vintners (Wine merchants)
  12. The Worshipful Company of Clothworkers
  13. The Worshipful Company of Dyers
  14. The Worshipful Company of Brewers
  15. The Worshipful Company of Leathersellers
  16. The Worshipful Company of Pewterers
  17. The Worshipful Company of Barbers (Barbers, Surgeons, and Dentists)
  18. The Worshipful Company of Cutlers
  19. The Worshipful Company of Bakers
  20. The Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers
  21. The Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers
  22. The Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers (Armour Makers and Brass Workers)
  23. The Worshipful Company of Girdlers (Sword Belt and Dress Belt Makers)
  24. The Worshipful Company of Butchers
  25. The Worshipful Company of Saddlers
  26. The Worshipful Company of Carpenters
  27. The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers (Fine Leather Workers)
  28. The Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers
  29. The Worshipful Company of Curriers (Tanned Leather Dressers)
  30. The Worshipful Company of Masons
  31. The Worshipful Company of Plumbers
  32. The Worshipful Company of Innholders
  33. The Worshipful Company of Founders (Metal workers)
  34. The Worshipful Company of Poulters
  35. The Worshipful Company of Cooks
  36. The Worshipful Company of Coopers (Barrel Makers)
  37. The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers
  38. The Worshipful Company of Bowyers (Longbow Makers)
  39. The Worshipful Company of Fletchers (Arrow Makers)
  40. The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths
  41. The Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers (Wood Craftsmen)
  42. The Worshipful Company of Weavers
  43. The Worshipful Company of Woolmen
  44. The Worshipful Company of Scriveners (Court Document Writers and Notaries Public)
  45. The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers
  46. The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers (Plasterers)
  47. The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers
  48. The Worshipful Company of Broderers (Embroiders)
  49. The Worshipful Company of Upholders (Upholsterers)
  50. The Worshipful Company of Musicians
  51. The Worshipful Company of Turners (Lathe Operators)
  52. The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers
  53. The Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass
  54. The Worshipful Company of Horners
  55. The Worshipful Company of Farriers (Horseshoe Makers and Veterinarians for Horses)
  56. The Worshipful Company of Paviors (Road and Highway Pavers)
  57. The Worshipful Company of Loriners (Harness Makers)
  58. The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries (Medical Practitioners and Pharmacists)
  59. The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights
  60. The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers
  61. The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers
  62. The Worshipful Company of Glovers
  63. The Worshipful Company of Feltmakers (Hat Makers)
  64. The Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters
  65. The Worshipful Company of Needlemakers
  66. The Worshipful Company of Gardeners
  67. The Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers
  68. The Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights
  69. The Worshipful Company of Distillers
  70. The Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers (Wooden Shoe Makers)
  71. The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers
  72. The Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers
  73. The Worshipful Company of Gunmakers
  74. The Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers
  75. The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards
  76. The Worshipful Company of Fanmakers
  77. The Worshipful Company of Carmen
  78. The Honourable Company of Master Mariners
  79. The City of London Solicitors' Company
  80. The Worshipful Company of Farmers
  81. The Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators
  82. The Worshipful Company of Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Blenders
  83. The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers
  84. The Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers
  85. The Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors
  86. The Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
  87. The Worshipful Company of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
  88. The Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants
  89. The Worshipful Company of Launderers
  90. The Worshipful Company of Marketors
  91. The Worshipful Company of Actuaries
  92. The Worshipful Company of Insurers
  93. The Worshipful Company of Arbitrators
  94. The Worshipful Company of Engineers
  95. The Worshipful Company of Fuellers
  96. The Worshipful Company of Lightmongers
  97. The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners
  98. The Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects
  99. The Worshipful Company of Constructors
  100. The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists
  101. The Worshipful Company of World Traders
  102. The Worshipful Company of Water Conservators
  103. The Worshipful Company of Firefighters
  104. The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers
  105. The Worshipful Company of Management Consultants
  106. The Worshipful Company of International Bankers
  107. The Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers
  108. The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals
  109. The Worshipful Company of Educators
  110. The Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars