Mercers and Mercery
Mercers and the trade of mercery
The term ‘Mercer’ is derived from the French for merchant, and from the Latin
merx meaning merchandise.
Medieval mercers were involved in the trade of ‘mercery’ - the exporting of woollen
materials, and the importing of luxury fabrics such as silk, linen and cloth of
gold. In medieval times the Company was at the centre of the commercial life of
the City and the development of overseas trade.
The trade of mercery no longer exists, and indeed the Company’s links with an
active trade have died out over the centuries. This was partly because admission
to the Company was possible by ‘patrimony’ (i.e. because your father was a member),
and this necessarily weakened the link between the trade and the Company.
The other main form of admission to the Company was by an eight year apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship had to be genuine, rather than token, but as links with an active
trade declined this became difficult.
By the 18th and 19th centuries apprentices were being bound to Masters who were
no longer practising mercers. No more apprentices were bound after 1888.
For the latest Livery Profile (produced December 2007) click here.
