London's Livery Companies
The City of London livery companies probably had their origins in this country before 1066 and are similar to the fraternities and guilds (or mysteries) that flourished throughout Europe for many centuries.
Members paid to belong to trade guilds and the word ‘guild’ derives from the Saxon “gildan”, meaning “to pay”. The early guilds controlled the provision of services and manufacture and selling of goods and food in the City of London, preventing unlimited competition and helping to keep wages and working conditions steady in extremely unstable times.
In medieval times the term ‘livery’ was used for clothing, food and drink provided to the officers and retainers of great households and became associated with distinctive clothing and badges worn as symbols of privilege and protection.
Procession Order of
The Great Twelve Livery Companies
They are listed here in their historic processional order (from left to right).
Want to know why the Skinners and Merchant Taylors are swapping places?
'At Sixes and Sevens'
A fixed procession order was laid down in 1516 for the 48 livery companies of the time. That order remains unchanged to the present day, though there are now 111 companies.
Lord Mayor Billesdon’s judgement was confirmed, with the Skinners and Merchant Taylors alternating between sixth and seventh place, probably the origin of the phrase: ‘to be at sixes and sevens’ *
What is...
A Livery Company?
Orginally trade associations in the City of London
Responsible for the regulation of their trades ie wages and labour conditions
Some continue to have a professional role today such as the Goldsmiths and Fishmongers
Others have become charitable organisations famous for their cultural and educaitional patronage
They retain voting rights for the City of London Corporation
They play an important role in networking and socialising in the City of London
