Livery companies were a powerful force in the medieval City of London. Starting as religious fraternities, they evolved to control the prices, wages and quality of the City’s trades, and collectively aspects of local government. Today, there are 110 livery companies operating as charities – supporting education, research and welfare in their sectors throughout the UK. The order of precedence (agreed in 1515) established each companies position in the Lord Mayor’s Parade. It still holds today. Here are photographs (taken in 2021) of the Livery Halls – naturally, in order of precedence! (Title photo: Bust of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Grocers’ Hall)
1. Worshipful Company of Mercers – general merchants2. Worshipful Company of Grocers – food suppliers
3. Worshipful Company of Drapers – wool and cloth merchants
4. Worshipful Company of Fishmongers
5. Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths – gold and silversmiths, assayers and bullion dealers 6. Worshipful Company of Skinners – fur traders, manufacturers and merchants (precedence in annual rotation with the Merchant Taylors)7. Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors – tailors
8. Worshipful Company of Haberdashers – clothiers, sewn and fine materials (photo: The Haberdashers’ Company)
9. Worshipful Company of Salters – traders of salts and chemicals 9. Worshipful Company of Salters – gardens and section of Roman Wall10. Worshipful Company of Ironmongers11. Worshipful Company of Vintners – wine merchants12. Worshipful Company of Clothworkers
