London Livery Company facts for kids

The City of London Livery Companies started a long time ago as special groups for people who did the same kind of work in the City of London. Think of them like old-fashioned clubs or unions that made sure jobs were done right and controlled who could do certain trades.

What Do Livery Companies Do Today?

Today, these companies are mostly about helping people and doing good deeds. They've lost most of their power to control trades. This is because laws changed over time, making rules for everyone across the country.

Many companies support schools that were set up hundreds of years ago. Others help young people learn skills by sponsoring them in colleges and universities. Some still have special jobs given to them by law. For example, the Goldsmiths' Company still runs the London Assay Office. Here, they check and mark millions of gold, silver, and platinum items every year to prove they are real.

How Livery Companies Are Ranked

The order of importance for these companies was first decided way back in 1515. The leaders of the City of London, called Aldermen, made the list. At that time, there were 48 livery companies. Their rank was based on how much money or power they had.

The first twelve companies are known as the Great Twelve City Livery Companies. Now, there are 108 livery companies, including some very new ones. So, the order of who comes first is sometimes looked at again.

The Merchant Taylors (who were tailors) and the Skinners (who traded furs) have always argued about which one should be higher on the list. Because of this, once a year, around Easter, they swap places! One year the Taylors are sixth and the Skinners are seventh, and the next year they switch. This might be where the saying "at sixes and sevens" comes from, meaning things are a bit mixed up or confused.

The Great Twelve Livery Companies

Here are the first twelve livery companies, known as the "Great Twelve":

• The Worshipful Company of Mercers (General merchants)
• The Worshipful Company of Grocers
• The Worshipful Company of Drapers (Wool and cloth merchants)
• The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers
• The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths
• The Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors (Tailors) (alternates with the Skinners)
• The Worshipful Company of Skinners (Fur traders) (alternates with the Merchant Taylors)
• The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers
• The Worshipful Company of Salters
• The Worshipful Company of Ironmongers
• The Worshipful Company of Vintners (Wine merchants)
• The Worshipful Company of Clothworkers

Other Important Livery Companies

There are many more livery companies, each with its own history and purpose. Here are some of them:

• The Worshipful Company of Dyers
• The Worshipful Company of Brewers
• The Worshipful Company of Leathersellers
• The Worshipful Company of Pewterers
• The Worshipful Company of Barbers (Barbers, surgeons, and dentists)
• The Worshipful Company of Cutlers
• The Worshipful Company of Bakers
• The Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers
• The Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers
• The Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers (Armour makers and brass workers)
• The Worshipful Company of Girdlers (Sword-belt and dress-belt makers)
• The Worshipful Company of Butchers
• The Worshipful Company of Saddlers
• The Worshipful Company of Carpenters
• The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers (Fine leather workers)
• The Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers
• The Worshipful Company of Curriers (Tanned leather dressers)
• The Worshipful Company of Masons
• The Worshipful Company of Plumbers
• The Worshipful Company of Innholders
• The Worshipful Company of Founders (Metalworkers)
• The Worshipful Company of Poulters
• The Worshipful Company of Cooks
• The Worshipful Company of Coopers (Barrel makers)
• The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers
• The Worshipful Company of Bowyers (Longbow makers)
• The Worshipful Company of Fletchers (Arrow makers)
• The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths
• The Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers (Wood craftsmen)
• The Worshipful Company of Weavers
• The Worshipful Company of Woolmen
• The Worshipful Company of Scriveners (Court document writers and notaries public)
• The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers
• The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers (Plasterers)
• The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers
• The Worshipful Company of Broderers (Embroiders)
• The Worshipful Company of Upholders (Upholsterers)
• The Worshipful Company of Musicians
• The Worshipful Company of Turners (Lathe operators)
• The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers
• The Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass
• The Worshipful Company of Horners
• The Worshipful Company of Farriers (Horseshoe makers and veterinary surgeons for horses)
• The Worshipful Company of Paviors (Road and highway pavers)
• The Worshipful Company of Loriners (Harness makers)
• The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries (Medical practitioners and pharmacists)
• The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights
• The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers
• The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers
• The Worshipful Company of Glovers
• The Worshipful Company of Feltmakers (Hat makers)
• The Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters
• The Worshipful Company of Needlemakers
• The Worshipful Company of Gardeners
• The Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers
• The Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights
• The Worshipful Company of Distillers
• The Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers (Wooden shoe makers)
• The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers
• The Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers
• The Worshipful Company of Gunmakers
• The Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers
• The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards
• The Worshipful Company of Fanmakers
• The Worshipful Company of Carmen
• The Honourable Company of Master Mariners (first of the 20th century companies)
• The City of London Solicitors' Company
• The Worshipful Company of Farmers
• The Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators
• The Worshipful Company of Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Blenders
• The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers
• The Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers
• The Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors
• The Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
• The Worshipful Company of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
• The Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants
• The Worshipful Company of Launderers
• The Worshipful Company of Marketors
• The Worshipful Company of Actuaries
• The Worshipful Company of Insurers
• The Worshipful Company of Arbitrators
• The Worshipful Company of Engineers
• The Worshipful Company of Fuellers
• The Worshipful Company of Lightmongers
• The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners
• The Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects
• The Worshipful Company of Constructors
• The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists
• The Worshipful Company of World Traders
• The Worshipful Company of Water Conservators
• The Worshipful Company of Firefighters
• The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers (Taxi drivers)
• The Worshipful Company of Management Consultants
• The Worshipful Company of International Bankers
• The Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers
• The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals

Companies Not Yet in Livery

Some older companies have decided not to apply for the special uniform or costume called a "livery."

• The Worshipful Company of Parish Clerks
• The Company of Watermen and Lightermen

Also, three newer groups are planning to apply to become livery companies. One is already recognized as a "Company without Livery." The other two are still quite new.

• The Guild of Public Relations Practitioners
• The Guild of Arts Scholars, Dealers & Collectors
• The Company of Educators