IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0074 CLC/L/CC
Held at: London Metropolitan Archives
Title: WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF CARPENTERS
Date(s): 1438-1958
Level of description: Collection
Extent: 143 production units
Name of creator(s): Worshipful Company of Carpenters x Carpenters' Company
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
The company existed from at least 1333 when it produced a book of ordinances, a copy of which is held by The National Archives. Further ordinances were drawn up in 1455, 1487 and 1607 (the Manuscripts Section of Guildhall Library has a copy of the 1607 ordinances, the original of which is retained by the company). The company received a grant of arms in 1466 (again the Manuscripts Section has a copy of the original at Carpenters' Hall) and charters in 1477, 1558, 1560, 1607, 1640, 1674, 1686 and 1944 (the Section has copies of the charters of 1560, 1607, 1674 and 1686, while the charters from 1607 are held at the Hall).
The Company's activities include management of the Building Crafts Training School, providing bursaries for carpentry education, and the running of almshouses in Godalming and Rustington Convalescent Home.
The company has used a hall on London Wall from 1429, which was bequeathed to the company in 1481. The hall was rebuilt in 1876-80 and 1960. The company, from 1622 until ca. 1625, also leased a timber wharf at Whitefriars (see Mss 4328 and 4333).
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Records of the Worshipful Company of Carpenters, 1438-1958, including Court minute books; Court papers; registers of freedom admissions; registers of apprentice bindings; financial accounts; papers relating to charities and charitable bequests; legal case papers; and papers relating to property including deeds.
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:
To assist the user, the catalogue has been arranged in sections each with an archival classification code as follows:
CLC/L/CC/A Constitutional records,
CLC/L/CC/B Court records,
CLC/L/CC/C Membership records,
CLC/L/CC/D Financial records,
CLC/L/CC/E Trade records,
CLC/L/CC/F Clerk's records,
CLC/L/CC/G Charities and estates.
Conditions governing access:
Available for general access.
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 with the Manuscripts Section of Guildhall Library at various dates. The Manuscripts Section merged with London Metropolitan Archives in 2008. The records have been catalogued by various members of staff over many years.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Related material:
Further records of the company are held at the Hall and can be seen on application to the company. These include items which continue series at Guildhall Library, as well as records of the company's estates, including deeds (from the 14th century) and plans (from the late 17th century). See http://www.thecarpenterscompany.co.uk/
Publication note:
The Printed Books Section of Guildhall Library hold a number of works relating to the company, including those by E.B. Jupp and W.W. Pocock (1887); B.W.E. Alford and T.C. Barker (1968); Jasper Ridley (1995); and an edition by Charles Welch of the 1333 ordinances (1928 and 1953).
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