WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF PAINTER STAINERS

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0074 CLC/L/PA
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 PAINTER STAINERS
Date(s)	: 1623-1973
Level of description	: Collection
Extent	: 52 production units
Name of creator(s)	: Worshipful Company of Painter Stainers

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

In the mediaeval period, the Painters applied colour to solid objects such as wood, stone and metal; the Stainers applied colour to woven fabrics. The painting of flags, streamers, banners and leather (and much later, wall paper) was the province of the Stainers; the Painters decorated interiors of buildings, particularly churches and painted saddle.

The earliest reference to the Stainers is of their involvement in a riot in Cheapside in 1268; the Painters were involved in a violent affray in the City in 1327. The first of the company's own records (other than deeds) is an inspeximus in 1466 by the mayor and aldermen of the Painters' new ordinances, which is kept at the hall (the Library has a photographic copy).

The Painters and Stainers united in 1502; the company is now 28th in precedence. The joint company was incorporated by charter in 1581, but unusually is now governed by the new charter of James II in 1685 which conferred powers of controlling the trade in the City, Westminster and six miles around.

Several prominent artists have been members including Sir Joshua Reynolds, Sir Godfrey Kneller and Sir Peter Lely.

The hall is on the west side of Little Trinity Lane and was left to the company in 1532 by Sir John Browne, serjeant-painter to Henry VIII. This building was destroyed in the Great Fire and rebuilt in 1670. With some alterations, additions and repair this hall survived until 1941. The post-war premises, re-opened in 1961, were extended to cover land on Huggin Hill.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Records of the Worshipful Company of Painter Stainers. Court minutes begin in 1623, freedom admission registers in 1658 and apprentice binding books in 1660. The records were compiled between 1623 and 1973, but they include deeds from 1423. Collection also includes financial records and records of charitable payments.

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 and Latin.

System of arrangement:

To assist the user, the catalogue has been arranged in sections representing sub-groups each with an archival classification code as follows: CLC/L/PA/A Constitutional records; CLC/L/PA/B Court records; CLC/L/PA/C Membership records; CLC/L/PA/D Financial records; CLC/L/PA/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 were largely deposited in the Manuscripts Section of Guildhall Library in 1949, 1965 and 1996. The Manuscripts Section merged with London Metropolitan Archives in 2008.

Allied Materials

Related material:

The charters and grant of arms are kept in the hall, and Guildhall Library has copies of some of these, but no other pre-20th century records are held there.

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