Some Companies display their treasure, regalia and other paraphernalia at their hall, often inaccessible to the general public apart from online. The occasional public exhibition is held for special events such as the 350th anniversary of the Needlemakers’ Royal Charter in 2014.
In 1515, the forty-eight London Livery Companies were placed in order of precedence based on power or financial status. In other words, wealthier guilds bought their way to a higher position. The precedence was important; the position in ceremonial processions depended on the order; the higher the precedence, the nearer the front of the procession. The top twelve became known as the Great Twelve City Livery Companies and most were merchants’ guilds. According to legend, the expression ‘at sixes and sevens’ comes from the Skinners and Merchant Taylors (numbers six and seven) failing to agree on their order; every Easter they take turns to be number six or seven. The following is a list of the Great Twelve and, although I have dated the companies, most were in existence before their Royal Charter, some as early as 1100. Few surviving early records are relevant to family historians as they are mainly ordinances.
1. Worshipful Company of Mercers (general merchants) Royal Charter 1394 www.mercers.co.uk
2. Worshipful Company of Grocers; Company of Grossers from 1373–76 when its name changed to the current title www.grocershall.co.uk
3. Worshipful Company of Drapers (wool and cloth merchants); Royal Charter 1364 (an informal association existed from 1180) www.thedrapers.co.uk
4. Worshipful Company of Fishmongers; Royal Charter 1272 www.fishhall.org.uk
5. Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths; Royal Charter 1327 (assayed gold and silver from 1300; platinum from 1975) www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk
6. Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors (tailors) alternating with the Skinners; Royal Charter 1503. The Taillourshalle, Threadneedle Street site owned since at least 1392 www.merchant-taylors.co.uk
7. Worshipful Company of Skinners (fur traders) alternates with Merchant Taylors; Royal Charter 1327 www.skinners hall.co.uk
8. Worshipful Company of Haberdashers (traders of sewing articles); first ordinances 1371, coat of arms adopted 1446; Royal Charter 1448. Joined by hat makers in 1502, not to be confused with the Company of Feltmakers (see Chapter 9) www.haberdashers.co.uk
9. Worshipful Company of Salters (traders of salt and chemicals); Royal Charter 1394 www.salters.co.uk
10. Worshipful Company of Ironmongers. Ferroners in 1300; Charter of Incorporation 1463. Grant of Arms 1455 www.ironmongers.org
11. Worshipful Company of Vintners (wine merchants); Royal Charter 1363 www.vintnershall.co.uk
12. Worshipful Company of Clothworkers. The Company of Fullers (Royal Charter 1480) and Company of Shearmen (Royal Charter 1508) amalgamated to form the Company of Clothworkers; Royal Charter 1528 www.clothworkers.co.uk