Graphical version

London Metropolitan Archives

WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF GOLD AND SILVER WYRE DRAWERS


IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): GB 0074 CLC/L/GF

Held at: London Metropolitan Archives

Title: WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF GOLD AND SILVER WYRE DRAWERS

Date(s): 1693-1991

Level of description: Collection

Extent: 38 production units

Name of creator(s): Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

A fellowship of those who practised the art of drawing wire and thread from precious metals existed in the 15th century. However, the Company's charter of 1623 was withdrawn and they were not incorporated until 1693. They enjoyed a close relationship with the Broderers' Company, supplying their members with cord and braid to be embroidered on clothing. For short periods in the 17th and 18th centuries, they lodged in other Companies' halls, but the expense became too great and they reverted to meeting in coffee houses.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

Records of the Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers, 1693-1991 (dates given are the dates of compilation of the records, including a late 19th century certified transcript of the 1623 charter). The membership records include registers of freedom admissions and apprentice bindings from 1693. Other records include ordinances and bye-laws; Court minute books; financial accounts and draft history of the Company.

PLEASE NOTE: CLC/L/GF/B/001/MS02451A is subject to a 30 year closure period.

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: A: Constitutional records; B: Court records; C: Membership records; D: Financial records; F: Clerk's records; G: Charities and estates.

Conditions governing access:

Restricted access: please see staff.

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 Company's records have been deposited in the Manuscripts Section of Guildhall Library at various dates since 1922. 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

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 Rules or conventions: Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions: Oct-09


INDEX ENTRIES
Subjects
Apprenticeship records | Documents | Information sources
Freedom admissions | Documents | Information sources
Freedom of a city | Rights and privileges | Administration of justice
Freemen | People by roles | People
Gold | Precious metals | Metals | Inorganic chemicals | Chemicals
Silver | Precious metals | Metals | Inorganic chemicals | Chemicals
Trade guilds | Guilds | Associations | Organizations
Wire drawer | Manufacturers | Industrial personnel | Personnel | People by occupation | People
Chemical elements

Personal names

Corporate names
Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers

Places
City of London | London | England | UK | Western Europe | Europe