IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): COL/CA/LCA
Held at: London Metropolitan Archives
Title: COURT OF ALDERMEN: LIVERY CLOTH COMMITTEE
Date(s): 1863-1924
Level of description: sub-fonds
Extent: 0.1 linear metres
Name of creator(s): Corporation of London
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
The Aldermen were responsible for the administration of Wards, and were elected by their Ward. The position of Alderman was held for life. In the 12th and 13th centuries the Wards in the City of London are still mainly identified by the name of their Alderman although the first full list of Wards under permanent names such as Dowgate or Cornhill is dated 1285. The roots of municipal government in the City of London are thus found in the activities of the Aldermen in their Wards which in the medieval period provided such public services as existed. Working individually, or in co-operation, the power of the Aldermen grew as the corporate unity of the City of London developed and they exercised both administrative and judicial functions in what became the Court of Aldermen.
The control exercised by the Court of Aldermen over the livery companies arose as a result of the recognition in the 14th century of the right of the companies to have a share in the government of the City, and because of the civic regulation of the freedom, apprenticeship and trade. Wearing of a livery became of great importance when in 1475 attendance at Common Hall was restricted to liverymen. From 1560 onwards a company wishing to adopt a livery had to obtain the consent of the Court of Aldermen. The Livery Cloth Committee was responsible for the supply of livery cloth to officers of the Crown and the Corporation.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Records of the Livery Cloth Committee, Court of Aldermen, comprising minute books, 1863-1924.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
2 volumes.
Conditions governing access:
Available for general access.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Copyright: City of London.
Physical characteristics:
Fit
Finding aids:
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:
Accruals:
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Corporation of London Records Office.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Existence and location of originals:
Existence and location of copies:
Related material:
See COL/CN/LCN: Livery Consultative Committee, COL/CN/LVC: Livery Committee and COL/CP: Livery Companies. Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section holds the original records of 85 City of London livery companies or related organisations.
Publication note:
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Note:
Date(s) of descriptions: February 2009