WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF BARBERS

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0074 CLC/L/BB
Held at	: London Metropolitan Archives   Click here to find out how to view this collection at https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma ›
Full title	: WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF BARBERS
Date(s)	: 1550-1917
Level of description	: Collection
Extent	: 245 production units
Name of creator(s)	: Worshipful Company of Barbers

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

The Company received their first charter in 1462. Its members practised barbery (hair cutting and shaving), surgery, bone setting, tooth drawing, bleeding, and the cure of minor maladies. In the 18th century, in accordance with the fashion of the day, barbers also became skilled wig makers. The Fellowship of Surgeons joined with the Company under the provisions of an act of Parliament of 1540 and separated from it again in 1745. Thus the Company was unusual in being governed by both charter and act of Parliament.

Until 1745, the Company took an active part in the development of the surgeon's profession. An anatomy theatre was established at the Hall and the Company was allowed to appoint lecturers in surgery. The Hall is situated in Monkwell Street and the most recent building on the site was opened in 1969.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Records of the Worshipful Company of Barbers, 1550-1917. The original records (except MS24584) have been returned to the custody of the Clerk at Barber Surgeon's Hall. However, microfilm copies of the following records are available: Court minute books; quarterage books; registers of freedom admissions; registers of apprentice bindings; financial accounts; livery lists, papers relating to property and papers relating to charitable giving. MS 24584 is a draft petition to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen concerning riots which had prevented the Company removing the bodies of four felons for anatomical practice.

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 & 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/BB/A Constitutional records,
CLC/L/BB/B Court records,
CLC/L/BB/C Membership records,
CLC/L/BB/D Financial records,
CLC/L/BB/E Trade records,
CLC/L/BB/F Clerk's records,
CLC/L/BB/G Charities and estates.

Conditions governing access:

Not 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 were deposited in the Manuscripts Section of Guildhall Library at various dates from 1949. They were withdrawn in 1992 (with the exception of Ms 24584) and most are now available on microfilm. 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:

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

Archivist's note:

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