Livery Companies
Today there are over 100 City Livery Companies, some of modern origin (Environmental Cleaners, Solicitors, Information Technologists)
and some of ancient origin (Goldsmiths, Weavers, Fishmongers).The order of precedence of livery companies, which places the Mercers' Company
as the first, was decided by the Lord Mayor in 1515, following years of dispute
between the companies.
Livery Companies, or Guilds as they were also known, began in medieval times
as ‘fraternities’or ‘misteries’ (from the Latin for occupation) to protect the
interests of particular trades and the practitioners of those trades. Click here for more about Mercers and Mercery.
For further information, please go to Useful Information.
