Report on our visit to two City Livery Companies:

We were fortunate to have private access to two of the oldest City of London Livery Halls – The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers and The Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers. Both Livery companies were first mentioned in the 1370s and have been closely connected to the development of the City of London. 

Architecturally they could not be more different. The Tallow Chandlers company has been based in Dowgate Hill since 1476 and the Haberdashers new hall was declared open by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2002.   But that is where the differences end as they are both steeped in historical involvement in their specific trades and significant charitable supporters.

Gaye Hudson

11.00am - 12.30pm: The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers: 

The Livery Hall, The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers

The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers has its origins in medieval times. Throughout six and a half centuries it has moved away from its historical involvement in the trade of haberdashery and developed into a significant supporter of schools and education in England and Wales.  The first surviving ordinances were recorded by the Mayor's Court in 1371. The current Haberdashers' Hall was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2002.