WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF BRODERERS

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0074 CLC/L/BG
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 BRODERERS
Date(s)	: 1509-1989
Level of description	: Collection
Extent	: 123 production units
Name of creator(s)	: Worshipful Company of Broderers

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

The company was in existence from at least the 14th century, although no records of the company, other than title deeds, exist before the early 16th century. The company's first charter was granted by Elizabeth I in 1562 and a grant of arms was made in 1558. The company received further charters in 1609 and 1686, as well as ordinances in 1562, 1582, 1609 and 1710. In the 14th century the company had absorbed the Tapissers', or tapestry makers', Company, although no original records of this company survive.

The company's hall was at Gutter Lane, off Cheapside, in the City of London and appears to have been used from the early 16th century. The Hall was destroyed in the Great Fire of London, rebuilt and again totally destroyed inthe Second World War. In 1957 the company sold the Hall under a compulsory purchase order. The modern Company supports the Royal School of Needlework.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Records of the Worshipful Company of Broderers, compiled between 1509 and 1989, but they include an abstract of a document dated 1508 (Ms 14703), and title deeds dating from 1292. Records include charters, oaths, bye-laws and ordinances; Court minute books; registers of freedom admissions; registers of apprentice bindings; financial accounts; volumes relating to the Broderers' exhibition of embroidery at the Royal School of Art Needlework, Hyde Park; photograph albums; legal papers including deeds and wills; papers relating to charities; 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 & 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/BG/A Constitutional records,
CLC/L/BG/B Court records,
CLC/L/BG/C Membership records,
CLC/L/BG/D Financial records,
CLC/L/BG/E Trade records,
CLC/L/BG/F Clerk's records,
CLC/L/BG/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 were deposited with the Manuscripts Section of Guildhall Library by the company in August 1972 and after, and by the company's former solicitors, Speechly, Munford and Soames in March 1974. 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:

The Printed Books Sectionof Guildhall Library holds a number of historical works on the company, including Christopher Holford, A Chat about the Broderers' Company (1910) and Percy R. Levy, Plain Dealing Fellows, A Second Chat about the Broderers' Company (1986).

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