News

Members of our History & Heritage Society were delighted to visit @merchanttaylorsschool last week to celebrate School Archives Day. School Archivist, Isabel, produced fascinating displays showing the development of the School from its origins on Suffolk Lane in 1561, through its years at Charterhouse Square and its ultimate location at Sandy Lodge. Members were delighted to hear from two students, Thomas and Sebastian, who presented their wonderful research on a Cypriot quadriga chariot from the school’s collection of antiquities. Huge thank you to Merchant Taylors’ School Northwood - especially to Isabel, Thomas and Sebastian - for a wonderful visit! #cityoflondon #londonhistory #schoolarchiveday #historyoftaylors

Last week, we welcomed students from St Saviour’s & St Olave’s School and @merchanttaylorsschool to the Hall for our Schools’ History Evening. The students explored the Hall, visiting the oldest working kitchens in the City and seeing some extraordinary pre-Great Fire architectural survivals. Pupils carefully handled and deciphered some of our precious archives and collection, practicing skills of primary source analysis to unpick hidden histories through the use of material culture. We closed the evening by considering how primary sources would be helpful to the students in their future studies. A big thank you to all our membership volunteers for making the evening possible.

Last week, we had the honour of hosting the Billesden Award Dinner, a time-honoured tradition faithfully observed since 1484, celebrating peace and fellowship between the Merchant Taylors’ Company and @theskinnerscompany. In the first year of King Richard III, weary of ongoing disputes, the Masters, Wardens, and fellowship of both Companies agreed to submit their quarrel to arbitration by the Lord Mayor of London, Sir Robert Billesden. His wise decree established a lasting tradition: Each Company would host the other for dinner once a year — the Skinners on the Vigil of Corpus Christi, and the Merchant Taylors on the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. As for precedence, it was decided that the Companies would alternate seniority each year - a gesture of mutual respect that endures to this day. A beautiful reminder that even the most enduring rivalries can be reconciled over a shared table. #Tradition #AttentionToDetail #FineDining #BillesdenDinner #HistoricCelebration