Graphical version

London Metropolitan Archives

WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF FLETCHERS


IDENTITY STATEMENT

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

Held at: London Metropolitan Archives

Title: WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF FLETCHERS

Date(s): 1467-1974

Level of description: Collection

Extent: 20 production units

Name of creator(s): Worshipful Company of Fletchers

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

The Company has been in existence from at least 1371 when it separated from the Bowyers' Company (bowyers make bows, while fletchers make arrows). In 1467 the Company received a grant of arms. The Company was founded by prescription and not by grant of charter. By the beginning of the 16th century the Company had a hall in St Mary Axe. Later references to the hall are not complete, but it appears to have been rented out from the 18th century. In 1893 the hall burnt down and was rebuilt. This hall was sold in 1933.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

Records of the Worshipful Company of Fletchers. The records were compiled between 1467 and 1974, but they include some 20th century transcripts of records dating from the 14th century. The records also include freemen lists from 1519, freedom admissions from 1732, apprentice bindings from 1739, financial accounts and papers relating to property.

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 and Latin.

System of arrangement:

To assist the user the catalogue has been arranged in sections each with an archival classification code as follows:
CLC/L/FF/A Constitutional records,
CLC/L/FF/B Court records,
CLC/L/FF/C Membership records,
CLC/L/FF/D Financial records,
CLC/L/FF/F Clerk's records,
CLC/L/FF/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 since 1984. 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:

The Printed Books Section of Guildhall Library holds James E. Oxley's, "The Fletchers and Longbowstringmakers of London" (1968).

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
Archers (military) | Soldiers
Archers (sportsmen) | Sportsmen | People by occupation | People
Archery | Target sports | Sport | Leisure time activities | Leisure
Armed forces | State security
Arrows | Missiles | Weapons | Military equipment | Equipment
Athletes | Sport | Leisure time activities | Leisure
Fletcher | Skilled personnel | Personnel | People by occupation | People
Freedom admissions | Documents | Information sources
Freedom of a city | Rights and privileges | Administration of justice
Freemen | People by roles | People
Trade guilds | Guilds | Associations | Organizations
Soldiers x Armed forces
Sportsmen x Athletes
Military organizations

Personal names

Corporate names
Worshipful Company of Fletchers

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