A guide to Livery Companies and Guilds

This free 40-page Guide booklet is published by the City of London Public Relations Office (PRO) and is available on request at the Guildhall reception desk. The booklet covers short descriptions of all the City Livery Companies, their coats of arms, contact details, precedence numbers and a map of livery halls. The booklet also covers livery history, the modern companies, links to schools and the City of London.

An extract from the guide

Whilst their origins are ancient, the underlying purpose and the driving forces that have sustained livery companies for so many centuries are timeless. The nature of the companies gives them huge flexibility, diversity and capacity for innovation. Their work today is as relevant to the good health of the City as it has always been. Their principles – energy and purpose through shared philosophies, integrity through shared values and excellence through shared example – characterised their earliest activities and will continue to define their role in times yet to come.

The livery companies probably had their origins in this country before 1066 and are similar to the fraternities and guilds (or mysteries) that flourished throughout Europe for many centuries. The development of guilds and their continuing existence was not confined to London…

The guide

Guide to City Livery Companies front cover
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