IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0074 CLC/L/MB
Held at: London Metropolitan Archives
Title: WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF MASONS
Date(s): 1550? - 1955
Level of description: Collection
Extent: 112 production units
Name of creator(s): Worshipful Company of Masons
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
The company received its charter of incorporation in 1677, but had been in existence from at least the 14th century, as the first regulations were put forward in 1356 and Arms granted in 1472. There are, however, very few surviving records of the company before the Great Fire, although wardens' accounts survive from 1620. The company's hall, in Masons' Avenue off Basinghall Street, was leased from 1463 and was purchased by the company in 1563. The hall was destroyed in the Great Fire, and subsequently rebuilt. It was sold by the company in 1865. The modern company includes architects and members of the construction industry. Prizes are given to stonemason apprentices.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Records of the Worshipful Company of Masons, 1550? - 1955. The records were compiled from around 1550, but they include a schedule of deeds 1463-1676. They also include registers of freedom admissions and apprentice bindings from 1663; and records relating to the Irish estates, 1609-1910.
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: L/MB/A Constitutional records; L/MB/B Court records; L/MB/C Membership records; L/MB/D Financial records; L/MB/E Trade records; L/MB/F Clerk's records; L/MB/G Charities and estates.
Conditions governing access:
These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 1998.
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:
The company's Grant of Arms of 1472/3 was presented to the British Library (BL Add Chart 19135) in 1871.
Publication note:
The Printed Books Section of Guildhall Library holds a number of historical works concerning the company, including a short history by Raymond Smith in the company's yearbook of 1960 and Edward Condor Jnr. Records of the Hole Crafte and Fellowship of Masons (1894).
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