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The Origin of Livery Companies The earliest livery companies were formed in the 11th and 12th centuries as trade 'guilds' (hence the Guild-hall, the centre of civic government in the City for at least the last 800 years.). The guilds were formed as independent associations, a combination of what would be described today as employer's federations as well as trade unions. They had three main purposes. Principally, the guilds or companies were established to ensure high standards of business conduct and product quality from all their members. A person had (at least until the last century) to be a Freeman of the City of London to be a trader within its boundaries and he also had to be a freeman of his guild or company. It was by this means that only the very highest standards of workmanship and service were countenanced in the City, and this was one of the main reasons for London's success in becoming a major international city and centre for trade during the Middle Ages. The second basis for the earliest fraternities was a combination of religious zeal and deep Christian belief for those working in the City. Many City churches are still partially financed and supported by livery companies and share their benefices with the Crown or the Bishop of London. Thirdly, the guilds were founded to help in the education of future generations in the ways of the particular trade or craft and to help those members of the company or their families who had fallen on hard times or were suffering bad health. While new livery companies were formed up to the 18th century as new forms of trade became established in the City, very few new companies were started in the 19th century. In many ways the concept of livery companies fell from grace largely because they had often become little more than wealthy dining clubs, and because the City at that time was itself changing its very nature. Social change, together with the industrial revolution, meant that products were no longer produced within a city family unit, but in factories across the country. People no longer lived over the shop, but in new areas of London outside the 'square mile' of the City. During the 19th Century the new City entrepreneurs became experts in the financing of trade, rather than in its producers. The City lost most of its indigenous inhabitants and houses were replaced by a new form of building - the office block. The City had become a financial centre. During the 20th century over twenty new livery companies were formed. The Master Mariners, the Guild of Airline Pilots & Air Navigators and the Farmers were founded just before or after the Second World War and this resurgence of interest in the concept of 'modern' companies brought the creation of several companies based on the major professions who were based in or working in the City. It is an association of those who are deeply involved in a trade or profession and who support the traditions and standards of probity of those who work in or care for the City of London. Its main roles in the present times are fivefold: To promote the craft or profession which it represents; To support various educational initiatives which relate directly or indirectly to benefiting the future entrants to its trade or profession; To participate in the government of the City; To support a number of charitable enterprises, both inside the company and elsewhere, for a wide range of beneficiaries; To provide an independent forum for its members and a basis for social interaction. The word 'livery' merely relates to the medieval gown or livery worn by members of each company or guild which was unique in colour and design to that company. Members of livery companies do not generally have to work or live in London. 40% of members of the Company live or work outside London and the Home Counties - a few even live overseas. None of the ceremonies or procedures of the Company are secret and there is no form of connection with freemasonry or other similar societies. A Company for Chartered Architects The Royal Institute of British Architects is one of the oldest professional institutes in this country, having been granted a royal charter by King William IV on 11 January 1834. In 1984 the Institute organized a nationwide Festival of Architecture to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of its foundation. On 7 June 1984, as part of those celebrations, the inaugural meeting of the Company of Chartered Architects was held (appropriately enough) in Guildhall. It was attended by a large number of architects who were already members of other Companies or had their offices in the City or had major projects within the Square Mile. All were united by the desire that the ancient profession of architecture should be properly and appropriately represented among the many distinguished companies of the City of London at the earliest opportunity. Thanks to this initial enthusiasm just one year later a properly constituted company was established. On 2 July 1985 the first Master, Wardens and Court of Assistants were elected. The guidance, co-ordination and control of the various City companies has been carried out since the time of the earliest companies by the Court of Aldermen of the City of London - a body which is separate from the Court of Common Council and which consists of the aldermen elected to serve each of the 25 wards of the City. To become a City company it is necessary to petition the Court of Aldermen and it is normal to do this in two stages. When a company has been in existence for a number of years and can prove that it truly represents a specific trade or profession, a petition is submitted seeking recognition as a 'company without a grant of livery'. This application may be opposed by any existing company which fears that its status is being usurped. If this first petition is successful then, after a further period of several years (during which time the Company has to build up both its general and charitable financial reserves), a final petition can be submitted seeking the grant of full livery and to become a 'Worshipful Company'. It is normal for the entire process to take 12-15 years. The
Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects As its foundation came about as a result of an initiative from the RIBA the Company has extremely close links with its 'mother institute'. Many founder members of the Company have held office in the Institute and many of the aims of the company reflect those of the RIBA's Royal Charter. The Company can also act as an independent forum for members of the profession and develop concepts which the Institute would find it difficult to promote. While the main objective of the Company is the advancement and greater influence of the profession of architecture, it also acts as an independent forum for fellowship and exchange of ideas between its members. As a modern livery company it consists of representatives of all sectors of the profession from across the British Isles. Alongside many well established 'city architects' are a number of vigorous and lively members keen to promote both the traditional values of the City of London as well as important aspects of the built environment and architectural education. Temple Bar & the Company of Chartered Architects Temple Bar is the only surviving gateway to the London. It stood at the western boundary of the City over the road which joined (or separated) the City of London from the Royal and ecclesiastical area of Westminster. It seems likely that there was a defensive 'bar' of some kind from earliest times, as there was at all the main gateways into the City. There is an early reference to it as a wooden structure in 1079 and a patent roll in 1293 mentioned "the bar at the new Temple, London". It was King Charles II, after the Great Fire of London who summoned the Lord Mayor to explain why Temple Bar had been allowed to get into such a bad state of repair and requesting that it should be rebuilt. The Lord Mayor pleaded that the City was overwhelmed by its destruction in the Fire, but accepted the £1500 offered by the Commissioners for the Streets and Highways and work began on the present structure in 1672. The City resolved to 'confrere' with Sir Christopher Wren, then Superintendent of the King's Works, but it is thought that it is not entirely his design. Temple Bar stood proudly at the junction of Fleet Street and the Strand until 1878 when, owing to the increasing Victorian traffic passing through the arch, it was purchased by the brewer Sir Henry Meaux and moved stone by stone and re-erected at his home, Theobalds Park in Hertfordshire. There it stayed - falling gradually into disuse and decay and prey to vandalism. Plans were hatched to ave it returned to the City and steps taken to preserve the remains. A painting of the structure before its eventual dismantling - commissioned by a recent Past Master of the Company Alan Downing and painted by American artist sandra walker RI - is illustrated below.
Signed limited edition copies of the painting are available at a cost of £80 framed or £55 unframed. Alan as generously agreed that £25 from each sale will go to the Company's Charitable Trust. Please contact the Clerk of the Company for details of how to obtain copies of the print. Thanks to the perseverence of the Temple Bar Trustees and the generosity of a number of individuals and Livery Companies, the fight to have the monument relocated to the City was kept up until a site was found at the entrance to the newly constructed Paternoster Square adjacent st Paul's Cathedral. The City Corporation then agreed to fund the relocation and the extensive works involved in moving the structure was finally completed in November 2004 to be opened by the Lord Mayor, Alderman Sir Robert Finch. The Company was involved in encouraging the fitting out of the Upper Chamber of the monument and, as a mark of respect to its founder, Stuart John Murphy, a collection was taken up. The sum raised, augmented by a further generous donation from the Company has gone towards to the cost of the furnishings. The Company was priveleged to have the first use of the refurbished and furnished Upper Chamber on 20 June 2005 and used the occasion to mark its 21st Birthday in the presence of the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs. The Company's contribution to the project is recorded on the plaque shown below which is fixed above the entry door in the Chamber.
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