Livery Companies of London

Controversy over the sixth place gave rise to the saying "at sixes and sevens". It was settled by the Judgement of Mayor Billesden in 1484. The Merchant Taylors and the Skinners change places every year at Easter.

The first 12 Senior Companies are known as the Great Twelve.

This order of precedence, which was decided by the Lord Mayor in 1515, has no direct connection with their age or seniority.

From 1506 onwards the Court of Aldermen controlled the grant of livery by allowing it to be adopted by companies only under Letters Patent and the Mayoral Seal.

In 1992 the 100th livery company - Information Technologists - was granted its charter.

  1. Mercers
  2. Grocers
  3. Drapers
  4. Fishmongers
  5. Goldsmiths
  6. Merchant Taylors (or Skinners)
  7. Skinners (or Merchant Taylors)
  8. Haberdashers
  9. Salters
  10. Ironmongers
  11. Vintners
  12. Clothworkers
  13. Dyers
  14. Brewers
  15. Leathersellers
  16. Pewterers
  17. Barbers
  18. Cutlers
  19. Bakers
  20. Waxchandlers
  21. Tallow Chandlers
  22. Armourers and Brasiers
  23. Girdlers
  24. Butchers
  25. Saddlers
  26. Carpenters
  27. Cordwainers
  28. Painters
  29. Curriers
  30. Masons
  31. Plumbers
  32. Innholders
  33. Founders
  34. Poulters
  35. Cooks
  36. Coopers
  37. Tylers and Bricklayer
  38. Bowyers
  39. Fletchers
  40. Blacksmiths
  41. Joiners
  42. Weavers
  43. Woolmen
  44. Scriveners
  45. Fruiterers
  46. Plaisterers
  47. Stationers and Newspaper Makers
  48. Broderers
  49. Upholders
  50. Musicians
  51. Turners
  52. Basketmakers
  53. Glaziers and Painters of Glass
  54. Horners
  55. Farriers
  56. Pavoirs
  57. Loriners
  58. Apothecaries
  59. Shipwrights
  60. Spectacle Makers
  61. Clockmakers
  62. Glovers
  63. Feltmakers
  64. Framework Knitters
  65. Needlemakers
  66. Gardeners
  67. Tin Plate Workers alias Wireworkers
  68. Wheelwrights
  69. Distillers
  70. Pattenmakers
  71. Glass Sellers
  72. Coachmakers and Coach -Harness Makers
  73. Gunmakers
  74. Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers
  75. Makers of Playing Cards
  76. Fan Makers
  77. Carmen
  78. Master Mariners
  79. Solicitors
  80. Farmers
  81. Air Pilots and Air Navigators
  82. Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Blenders
  83. Furniture Makers
  84. Scientific Instrument Makers
  85. Chartered Surveyors
  86. Chartered Accountants
  87. Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
  88. Builders Merchants
  89. Launderers
  90. Marketors
  91. Actuaries
  92. Insurers
  93. Arbitrators
  94. Engineers
  95. Fuellers
  96. Lightmongers
  97. Environmental Cleaners
  98. Chartered Achitects
  99. Constructors
  100. Information Technologists


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