A livery company is a type of guild or professional association that originated in medieval times in London, England. Livery companies comprise London's trade associations and guilds, almost all of which are styled the "Worshipful Company of" their craft, trade or profession. There are 114 livery companies as of February 2026. They play a significant part in the life of the City of London, not least by providing charitable-giving and networking opportunities. Liverymen retain voting rights for the senior civic offices, such as the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of the City Corporation, London's historic municipal authority with extensive local government powers.
The term livery originated in the designed form of dress worn by retainers of a nobleman and then by extension to special dress to denote status of belonging to a trade. Livery companies evolved from London's medieval guilds, becoming corporations by royal charter responsible for training in their trades, as well as for the regulation of aspects such as wage control, labour conditions and industry standards. Early guilds often grew out of parish fraternal organizations, where numerous members of the same trade lived in close proximity often congregating at the same church. Like most organisations during the Middle Ages, these livery companies had close ties with the Roman Catholic Church (before the Protestant Reformation), endowing religious establishments such as chantry chapels and churches, observing religious festivals and hosting ceremonies as well as well-known mystery plays. Most livery companies retain their historical religious associations, although nowadays members are free to follow any faith or none.
After the Carmen's Company received City livery status in 1848, no new companies were established until 1926 when the Honourable Company of Master Mariners was founded (granted livery in 1932). Pre-1848 creations are known as ancient livery companies, while post-1926 creations are known as modern livery companies. The Worshipful Company of Human Resource Professionals, the newest, was granted livery status in February 2026, making it the 114th City livery company in order of precedence.
Many ancient livery companies maintain contact with their original trade or craft. In some cases, livery companies have chosen to support a replacement industry fulfilling a similar purpose today, e.g. plastics replacing the use of horn or ivory in the case of the Horners' Company and fashion for the Haberdashers' Company. Many but not all Modern Companies (those created after 1926) are representatives of today's professions and industries and operate in close association with these. However, many ancient crafts remain as relevant today as when their guilds were originally established. Some Companies still exercise powers of regulation, inspection and enforcement, e.g. the Goldsmiths' Company Assay Office, while others are awarding bodies for professional qualifications. The Scriveners' Company admits senior members of legal and associated professions, the Apothecaries' Society awards post-graduate qualifications in some medical specialities, and the Hackney Carriage Drivers' Company comprises licensed taxi drivers who have passed the "Knowledge of London" test. Several companies restrict membership to those holding relevant professional qualifications, e.g. the City of London Solicitors' Company and the Worshipful Company of Engineers. Other companies whose trade died out long ago, such as the Bowyers' Company, have evolved into being primarily charitable foundations. Many companies, for example the Pinmakers, have disappeared entirely since their creation."Worshipful Company of Pinmakers, London", The National Archives
Many, but not all, livery companies established a guild or meeting hall. Though these halls faced destruction in the Great London Fire of 1666 and during the Blitz of World War II, over forty companies still own or share ownership of livery halls, some elaborate and historic, others modern replacements for halls destroyed or redeveloped. Most of these halls are made available for use by other companies not having a livery hall of their own.
Purpose
Training and industry London's Livery companies originally began to be established in the 12th century, to guarantee that a member was trustworthy and fully qualified, and that the goods they produced were of reputable quality, the two-fold aim being to protect the public and to protect members from charlatans. They continued to be established until the 17th century, when political upheaval in England, particularly the Civil War, as well as the growth of London outwards from the City rendered many such livery companies, which only controlled trade within the Square Mile, less competitive or viable. Following the Stuart Restoration many livery companies were revived, but with Britain taking a leading role in the expansion of global trade the City also adapted by establishing exchanges, some of which later became guardians of business conduct.
From the 1870s, there was a further revival of livery companies, with many extending their original educational purpose to technical education, supporting new industries and providing the necessary training, most notably through the City and Guilds of London Institute.
Charity and education From their inception, livery companies cared for their members in sickness and old age by the giving of alms. Today, they continue to support both their members, and wider charitable aims and activities such as education and training.
Numerous educational establishments in England were founded by and retain association with livery companies, among the best-known being the Haberdashers', Merchant Taylors' and Skinners' schools.
Support for the Armed Forces Most livery companies maintain proud affiliations with regular and reserve units of the British Armed Forces, providing links between civilian and military life.
Livery companies have been active in agreeing to "uphold and support" the Armed Forces Covenant and over one hundred have either signed, or indicated that they will formally sign the Covenant in collaboration with the Ministry of defence.
City of London governance The livery companies have always been a constituent part of the governance of the City of London. The senior members of the livery companies, i.e. liverymen, elect the City's Sheriffs, Bridge Masters, Ale Conners, Auditors and members of the City Livery Committee, and approve the aldermanic candidates for election to the office of Lord Mayor of London.
Entry Entry to a livery company may be by one of four routes: By invitation to become an Honorary Freeman/Liveryman/Assistant. This is rare, and is considered a great honour. By apprenticeship or servitude. This is nowadays less common. In earlier days, someone wishing to enter a trade would bind himself as apprentice to a member of his chosen trade. As such, he was required to do as he was instructed, and in return for strict adherence to the master's rules the apprentice learned his trade, while his master was required to provide such training that, at the end of the apprenticeship (usually seven years) the apprentice would be sufficiently knowledgeable to become a member – and a Freeman of the City of London – free of the obligations of apprenticeship. By patrimony. Generally, a member's son/grandson (or now also a daughter/granddaughter) who was born after the parent became a member of a company are entitled to become a member by patrimony. By redemption. Redemption is the path to the freedom for all others who do not qualify for apprenticeship, patrimony or by invitation and requires the payment of a fine (fee) as well as an interview or other admission procedure.
Regardless of method of entry, membership carries the same duties, responsibilities and privileges. Being clothed as a Liveryman requires the candidate to first receive the freedom of the City of London, now essentially a necessary formality, though in the past the Freedom carried benefits, such as being able to drive a flock of sheep across London Bridge at no charge.
Governance Livery companies are governed by a Master (alternatively styled Prime Warden in some companies, or Upper Bailiff of the Weavers' Company), a number of Wardens (holding various titles such as the Upper, Middle, Lower, or Renter Wardens), and a court of Assistants (board of directors), responsible for company business and electing its Master and Wardens. The "Clerk to the Company" is the most senior permanent member of staff, and is responsible for the day-to-day management of its activities.
The livery companies elect a majority of the members of the Livery Committee, a body administered at Guildhall. The committee oversees the elections of Sheriffs and the Lord Mayor, educates liverymen regarding the City Corporation's activities and represents the livery companies in communications with the City.
Membership generally falls into two categories: freemen and liverymen.
Freemen One may become a freeman, or be admitted to the "freedom of the company", upon fulfilling certain criteria: traditionally, by "patrimony", if either parent/grandparent were a liveryman of the company; by "servitude", if one has served a requisite number of years as an apprentice to a senior company member; or by "redemption", upon paying a fee. Most livery companies reserve the right to admit distinguished people, particularly in their sphere of influence, as Honorary Freeman or Liveryman. Freemen may advance to become liverymen, after obtaining the Freedom of the City of London, and with their court of Assistants' approval. Only liverymen are eligible to vote in the annual election of the Lord Mayor of London, the Sheriffs and various other City civic offices, including the Ale Conners and Bridge Masters.
Liverymen
A liveryman is a full member of his/her respective company.
When a freeman is promoted to liveryman, the candidate is said to be 'clothed in the livery': indeed, a livery gown is placed on him or her at the Court meeting which is worn to the subsequent formal or social occasion. Thereafter only the Master, Wardens and Assistants wear livery gowns at company functions. Masters and Wardens wear them at the City's formal events, e.g. the two Common Halls and the United Guilds Service, and at the Lord Mayor's Show. Ordinarily, liverymen wear ties or brooches at formal functions and each company differs by allowing their members to wear distinctive items relevant to the occasion such as a tie, scarf, badge, cap or brooch.
Freemen are expected to advance to become liverymen by a vote of the court of each company. Liverymen no longer have any local government franchise in the City, but retain the exclusive right of voting in the election of the Lord Mayor (Michaelmas 'Common Hall' 29 September) and for the Sheriffs (Mid-Summer 'Common Hall' 24 June) held at Guildhall as a ceremonial occasion. The votes are made by 'acclamation' subject to a challenge/demand from the floor for a ballot to be held a week later. Any two liverymen may nominate a candidate for the Freedom of the City.
Former parliamentary election rights
Before the Reform Act 1832 liverymen had the exclusive right to elect the four Members of Parliament (MPs) representing the City. Between 1832 and 1918 being a liveryman was one of a number of possible franchises which could qualify a parliamentary elector in the City of London constituency, as it was a preserved ancient borough franchise under the terms of the 1832 Act.
Livery halls