IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0074 CLC/L/CL
Held at: London Metropolitan Archives
Title: WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF CUTLERS OF LONDON
Date(s): 1442-1948
Level of description: Collection
Extent: 168 production units
Name of creator(s): Worshipful Company of Cutlers
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
The Company was granted its first charter in 1415 and had jurisdiction over the manufacture of general cutlery as well as swords and surgical instruments. It occupied a Hall on a site in Cloak Lane from the 1450s until 1882, when the Company removed to new accommodation in Warwick Lane.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Records of the Worshipful Company of Cutlers. The records have been compiled from 1442, but they include deeds from 1340. There are freedom admission registers from 1613 and registers of apprentice bindings from 1575. Other records include charters and ordinances; Court minute books; financial accounts; Clerk's letter books; papers relating to property and fire insurance policies.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ACCESS: These records are stored at the Guildhall Library site rather than the LMA Clerkenwell site. Researchers wishing to access these records should do so at the Guildhall Library Rare Books table. The Library is open Monday to Saturday, 9:30 to 16:45. Researchers will need to have an Archives History Card or a Library Readers Card. An archivist will be available at Guildhall Library on Thursday mornings to answer any queries.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
As the archive is large and complex, and to assist the user, the catalogue has been arranged in sections each with an archival classification code as follows:
CLC/L/CL/A Constitutional records,
CLC/L/CL/B Court records,
CLC/L/CL/C Membership records,
CLC/L/CL/D Financial records,
CLC/L/CL/E Trade records,
CLC/L/CL/F Clerk's records,
CLC/L/CL/G Charities and estates.
Conditions governing access:
These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information may be subject to access restrictions.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ACCESS: These records are stored at the Guildhall Library site rather than the LMA Clerkenwell site. Researchers wishing to access these records should do so at the Guildhall Library Rare Books table. The Library is open Monday to Saturday, 9:30 to 16:45. Researchers will need to have an Archives History Card or a Library Readers Card. An archivist will be available at Guildhall Library on Thursday mornings to answer any queries. For further information please see LMA Research Guide "Consulting Archives at Guildhall Library", available at http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Leisure_and_culture/Records_and_archives/Visitor_information/free_information_leaflets.htm
Conditions governing reproduction:
Copyright: Depositor.
Finding aids:
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
The records of the Company have been deposited in the Manuscripts Section of Guildhall Library at various dates since 1900. The Manuscripts Section merged with London Metropolitan Archives in 2008. The collection has been catalogued by various members of staff over many years.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Publication note:
For further information relating to Livery Companies, particularly using the company records for family history, please see Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section "Livery Company Membership Guide" and Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section "Leaflet Guides to Records: Searching for Members or those apprenticed to Members of City of London Livery Companies" (both available online).
For a general introduction to the history of the City of London Livery Companies please see entry in The London Encyclopaedia, ed Ben Weinreb and Christopher Hibbert.
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Date(s) of descriptions: Oct-09