The proud livery companies of London first touched the city nearly 900 years ago. But did you know they still thrive? Joined by modern trades unions, and numbering more than 100, the early pioneers included: Drapers (wool & cloth merchants), Fishmongers, Goldsmiths, Merchant Taylors (tailoring), Mercers (general merchants) & Grocers (spice merchants). Others from the so-called Great Twelve are Skinners (fur trade), Haberdashers (silk & fine cloths), Salters. Ironmongers, Vintners & Clothworkers. The last is not to be confused with Weavers whose earliest surviving charter is indeed the oldest, dated 1155. These charitable and membership-led organisations provided some of the earliest employment rights and trade benefits in the capital’s and nation’s long history. The Coats of Arms presented here date to the mid-C19th.
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