The Livery Movement

Over the years certain of the livery companies have ceased to exist, several due to a decline in their particular trade, and some by being absorbed into other companies.

Examples of those that thrived during times gone by were the Maltmen, Bonnet Makers, Fariners & Fishermen, Starchmakers, Silkthrowers, Silkmen, Pinmakers, Soapmakers, Hatband Makers, Pursers, Galoshmakers, Virginals-makers, Woodmongers, Heaumers. The following is a list of livery companies in order of precedence:

1 Mercers* 37 Tylers & Bricklayers 73 Gunmakers
2 Grocers* 38 Bowvers 74 Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers
3 Drapers* 39 Fletchers*1 75 Makers of Playing Cards
4 Fishmongers* 40 Blacksmiths 76 Fanmakers
5 Goldsmiths* 41 Joiners 77 Carmen
6 Merchant Taylors** 42 Weavers 78 Master Mariners*
7 Skinners** 43 Woolmen 79 Solicitors
8 Haberdashers* 44 Scriveners 80 Farmers*1
9 Salters* 45 Fruiterers 81 Air Pilots and Navigators
10 Ironmongers* 46 Plaisterers* 82 Tobacco Pipe Makers*
11 Vintners* 47 Stationers and Newspaper Makers* 83 Furniture Makers*
12 Clothworkers* 48 Broderers 84 Scientific Instrument Makers*2
13 Dyers* 49 Upholders 85 Chartered Surveyors
14 Brewers* 50 Musicians 86 Chartered Accountants
15 Leathersellers* 51 Turners 87 Chartered Secretaries
16 Pewterers* 52 Basketmakers 88 Builders Merchants
17 Barbers* 53 Glaziers*2 89 Launderers*2
18 Cutlers* 54 Homers 90 Marketors
19 Bakers* 55 Farriers 91 Actuaries
20 Waxchandlers* 56 Paviors 92 Insurers*
21 Tallow Chandlers* 57 Loriners 93 Arbitrators
22 Armourers and Braziers* 58 Apothecaries* 94 Engineers
23 Girdlers* 59 Shipwrights 95 Fuellers
24 Butchers* 60 Spectaclemakers 96 Lightmongers
25 Saddlers* 61 Clockmakers 97 Environmental Cleaners
26 Carpenters* 62 Glovers 98 Chartered Architects
27 Cordwainers 63 Feltmakers 99 Constructors
28 Painters* 64 Framework Knitters 100 Information Technologists*
29 Curriers 65 Needlemakers 101 World Traders
30 Masons 66 Gardeners 102 Water Conservators
31 Plumbers 67 Tin Plate Workers 103 Fire Fighters
32 Innholders* 68 Wheelwrights 104 Hackney Carriage Drivers
33 Founders* 69 Distillers 105 Management Consultants
34 Poulters 70 Pa ttenmakers 106 International Bankers
35 Cooks 71 Glass Sellers 107 Tax advisors
36 Coopers* 72 Coachmakers 108 Security Professionals

** Alternates each year between 6 & 7 (each has their own Hall)

* Companies having Halls

*’ Shared Hall

Companies without Livery: Parish Clerks, Watermen & Lightermen

Guilds anticipating Livery: Public Relations Practitioners; Educators: Arts Scholars,: Dealers and Collectors.

The order of precedence was set by the City Fathers in 1515 and is based on each livery’s influence at that time, thus, the order of precedence has little, if any, relationship, to the age of a Company. For example, the Weavers’ Company is 42 in precedence but believed to be the oldest chartered craft in the City with a Charter starting in 1155; the Mercers’ Company is number 1 in precedence and has a Charter dated 1394.