About the Company

In addition the Company is associated with a further six Schools

Freemen
Members of the Company, whether men or women, are known as Freemen. The Freedom of the Company is available by:

Patrimony to those whose mother or father was a Freeman at the date of their birth.

Servitude to those who, between the ages of 14 and 26, become apprenticed to a Freeman of the Company.

Redemption to those nominated for membership by four members of Court.

Livery
Freemen of the Company are eligible for election to the Livery, now approximately 330 in number.

For Livery and Freedom enquiries contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The governing body of the Company is the Court of Assistants, currently numbering over 30.

The Master and Wardens are members of the Court and form the executive body of the Company and trustees of the majority of charitable trusts administered by the Company.

The Clerk is the Chief Officer of the Company though not a member of the Court and is responsible for the implementation of its business and activities.

Master and Wardens are elected annually and take office on 14 July each year.

The Company has occupied its present site between Threadneedle Street and Cornhill since 1347. The first Hall was built at some date between the years 1347 and 1392 (when we know it was already in existence and known as “Taillourshalle”); and between then and the Great Fire of London in 1666 our records show no structural alteration of any importance except the rebuilding of the roof between 1586 and 1588.

The Merchant Taylors' Company, or to give it the full name by which it is described in the Royal Charter of 1503, the Gild of Merchant Taylors of the Fraternity of St. John Baptist in the City of London, is one of the Twelve Great City Livery Companies surviving from Mediaeval times.