'The City Unlocked' - Helen Esmonde and Margaret Willes's Book Launch
Monday, 27 October 2025
Ticket Price:£15
£40 (includes a special edition signed copy of the book)
The City Unlocked traces the history of the City of London through the eyes of the individual livery companies from medieval to modern times. It shows how the development of the livery companies mirrors the financial history of the City and reflects the economic development of the nation.
Working closely with the companies themselves, the authors reveal the hidden treasures, customs, origins and charitable purposes of each company. Entries are illustrated, with treasures taken from the companies’ collections and archives, in some cases photographed for the first time, others show images representing a trade or core activity of the company.
A former Publisher at the National Trust, Margaret Willes is the author of The Curious World of Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn, The Gardens of the British Working Class and In the Shadow of St Paul's Cathedral, a history of the area around St Paul's and its famous churchyard. Her latest book is Liberty Over London Bridge: A History of the People of Southwark.
Helen Esmonde is a Past Master of the Stationers’ Company and serves on the Stationers’ Court. She has worked in publishing in Canada and London and ran Esmonde Publishing for over 30 years. Helen sits on the boards of several educational and publishing charities.
Sheriff Elect Robert Hughes-Penney will come to the book launch between 6.00 and 6.30. By then he will be the Aldermanic Sheriff and so will become Lord Mayor in due course.
Liveryman Alderman Vincent Keaveny said about the book: A brilliant new book about the Livery Companies of the City of London has just been published: The City Unlocked. Its authors, Helen Esmonde and Margaret Willes, dropped into Mansion House this morning to leave a copy for The Rt Hon, the Lord Mayor Alastair King on his return from his Summer break. I met them there and was delighted to receive a copy too. Helen and Margaret are both fellow members of The Stationers' Company with me. They have written a fascinating and beautifully illustrated book about the Livery Companies, listing them in chronological order, which may not please everyone! It is a must buy for anyone with an interest in the history of the City.
Timings:
6.00pm Drinks Reception
6.30pm Introduction - Helen Esmonde and Margaret Willes' speech
7.00pm Drinks and Networking
8.30pm Event Ends
