Livery company

A livery company is a type of guild or professional association that originated in medieval times in London, England. Livery companies comprise London's ancient and modern trade associations and guilds, almost all of which are styled the "Worshipful Company of" their craft, trade or profession. There are 113 livery companies as at March 2025. They play a significant part in the life of the City of London, not least by providing charitable-giving and networking opportunities. Liverymen retain voting rights for the senior civic offices, such as the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of the City Corporation, London's ancient municipal authority with extensive local government powers.

The term livery originated in the designed form of dress worn by retainers of a nobleman and then by extension to special dress to denote status of belonging to a trade. Livery companies evolved from London's medieval guilds, becoming corporations by royal charter responsible for training in their trades, as well as for the regulation of aspects such as wage control, labour conditions and industry standards. Early guilds often grew out of parish fraternal organizations, where numerous members of the same trade lived in close proximity often congregating at the same church. Like most organisations during the Middle Ages, these livery companies had close ties with the Roman Catholic Church (before the Protestant Reformation), endowing religious establishments such as chantry chapels and churches, observing religious festivals and hosting ceremonies as well as well-known mystery plays. Most livery companies retain their historical religious associations, although nowadays members are free to follow any faith or none.

Many, but not all, livery companies established a guild or meeting hall. Though these halls faced destruction in the Great London Fire of 1666 and during the Blitz of World War II, over forty companies still own or share ownership of livery halls, some elaborate and historic, others modern replacements for halls destroyed or redeveloped. Most of these halls are made available for use by other companies not having a livery hall of their own.

Many ancient livery companies maintain contact with their original trade or craft. In some cases, livery companies have chosen to support a replacement industry fulfilling a similar purpose today, e.g. plastics replacing the use of horn or ivory in the case of the Horners' Company and fashion for the Haberdashers' Company. Modern companies (those created after 1926) are mainly representatives of today's professions and industries and operate in close association with these. Many ancient crafts remain as relevant today as when their guilds were originally established. Some still exercise powers of regulation, inspection and enforcement, e.g. the Goldsmiths' Company Assay Office, while others are awarding bodies for professional qualifications. The Scriveners' Company admits senior members of legal and associated professions, the Apothecaries' Society awards post-graduate qualifications in some medical specialities, and the Hackney Carriage Drivers' Company comprises licensed taxi drivers who have passed the "Knowledge of London" test. Several companies restrict membership to those holding relevant professional qualifications, e.g. the City of London Solicitors' Company and the Worshipful Company of Engineers. Other companies whose trade died out long ago, such as the Bowyers' Company, have evolved into being primarily charitable foundations. Many companies, for example the Pinmakers, have disappeared entirely since their creation.

After the Carmen's Company received City livery status in 1848 no new companies were established until 1926 when the Honourable Company of Master Mariners was founded (granted livery in 1932). Post-1926 creations are known as modern livery companies. The Worshipful Company of Communicators, the newest, was granted livery status in March 2025, making it the 113th City livery company in order of precedence.

London's Livery companies originally began to be established in the 12th century, to guarantee that a member was trustworthy and fully qualified, and that the goods they produced were of reputable quality, the two-fold aim being to protect the public and to protect members from charlatans. They continued to be established until the 17th century, when political upheaval in England, particularly the Civil War, as well as the growth of London outwards from the City rendered many such livery companies, which only controlled trade within the Square Mile, less competitive or viable. Following the Stuart Restoration many livery companies were revived, but with Britain taking a leading role in the expansion of global trade the City also adapted by establishing exchanges, some of which later became guardians of business conduct.

From the 1870s, there was a further revival of livery companies, with many extending their original educational purpose to technical education, supporting new industries and providing the necessary training, most notably through the City and Guilds of London Institute.

From their inception, livery companies cared for their members in sickness and old age by the giving of alms. Today, they continue to support both their members, and wider charitable aims and activities such as education and training.