livery companies
London craft guilds
Livery companies are historic trade guilds in the City of London, originally formed in medieval times to regulate crafts and commerce.
The name comes from the distinctive ceremonial dress (livery) worn by members.
Today the companies are largely charitable and social organizations, though some retain roles in their trades: The Goldsmiths' Company still hallmarks precious metals.
There are over 100, ranked by precedence—the Mercers, Grocers, and Drapers among the oldest and most prestigious.
- freemenThose no longer enslaved
- Lord MayorTitled urban executive
- liverymenChartered company members
- pageantryElaborate ceremonial display
- guildhallBuilding for trade assemblies
banquet · aldermen · trade · association · commerce · worshipful · City of London · heraldry · industry · voting rights · almshouses · brotherhood · scholarships · coat of arms · patron saints · wardens · vocational training · apprentices
- City of LondonCity of London, Guildhall, Lord Mayor, aldermen, alderman
- Georgian BritainGeorge III, Walpole, Culloden, Georgian era, Regency period
- guildsguild hall, guild, craft guilds, guild halls, guildhall
- medieval trademerchant, merchant guilds, trader, craft guilds, guild
- trade historycommerce, merchant, trade routes, traders, colonial economy
- English historyNorman Conquest, Domesday Book, Magna Carta, King Alfred, Henry VIII
livery companiestrade unions
Worker collectives for negotiations
labor unions · strike committees · syndicates · workers' councils · workers' cooperatives
livery companiesgrassroots organizations
Locally driven civic groups
ad hoc committees · flash mobs · startup incubators · coworking spaces
company, delivery, delivered, delivering, livery company, deliveries, livery, deliverer, undelivered