Saturday, March 31, 2007
The City of London boasts 107 Livery Companies. These are trade associations established to further the interests of particular mercantile professions, and many have existed since medieval times. Here's an alphabetical list (and here's a list ranked in order of ceremonial importance). The Livery Companies represent all the ancient trades you might expect - including Grocers, Fishmongers and Ironmongers - as well as some seriously outdated professions whose services are no longer required. Nowadays these ancient guilds are mostly ceremonial, concentrating on charitable work instead of business regulation. But since the 1960s there's been a trend to establish guilds relating to more modern professions, presumably so that high-flying City businessmen don't feel like they're missing out on dressing up in funny robes and throwing slap-up banquets. Any excuse, eh?
Fifteen ridiculously out-of-date City Livery Companies
6) The Worshipful Company of Skinners (fur traders)
20) The Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers (candlemakers)
21) The Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers (smelly candlemakers)
22) The Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers (armour makers and brass workers)
23) The Worshipful Company of Girdlers (girdle and belt makers)
27) The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers (fine leather workers)
29) The Worshipful Company of Curriers (tanned leather dressers)
38) The Worshipful Company of Bowyers (longbow makers)
39) The Worshipful Company of Fletchers (arrow makers)
54) The Worshipful Company of Horners (leather bottle makers)
57) The Worshipful Company of Loriners (stirrup and harness makers)
64) The Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters (fur traders)
70) The Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers (wooden clog cobblers)
72) The Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers
75) The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards (a pack of jokers)
Ten ridiculously modern City Livery Companies
84) The Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers
86) The Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants
88) The Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants
90) The Worshipful Company of Marketors
96) The Worshipful Company of Lightmongers (electric light sellers)
97) The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners
100) The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists
102) The Worshipful Company of Water Conservators
105) The Worshipful Company of Management Consultants
107) The Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers
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The City of London boasts 107 
