Last Updated on 09/02/2026
Livery Companies and Guilds have ancient origins, yet their purpose remains remarkably constant. Built on traditions of craft, service and civic responsibility, they have adapted over centuries to remain flexible, diverse and forward‑looking. Today, they continue to play a vital role in the life and wellbeing of the City, just as they have throughout their long history.
The Lord Mayor’s Show
The Lady Mayor’s Show took place on Saturday 8 November 2025, marking an historic moment for the City as Dame Susan Langley DBE became the first holder of the title...
Royal Charter of Incorporation
Below is a list of the Companies and Guilds together with the year in which each was granted its Royal Charter of Incorporation.
Regulation of Livery Companies and Guilds
The Court of Aldermen of the City of London regulates Livery Companies and Guilds in terms of the granting of new Guilds, Companies without livery and Livery Companies.
Royal Family Connections with the Livery
Livery Companies are fortunate to enjoy the patronage of members of the Royal Family. This page illustrates this.
How to join a Livery Company
Membership usually, but not always, is in three stages: Admission as a Freeman Obtaining the Freedom of the City of London, and Progression to full membership as a Liveryman. Some...
Inter Livery Initiatives
Overview It is often said that “the City works best when it works together”. There is, however, a natural and healthy rivalry between Livery Companies and always has been, a...
A guide to Livery Companies and Guilds
The City Livery Guide provides a comprehensive overview of the City of London’s Livery Companies, tracing their origins as medieval guilds through centuries of growth, decline, and revival. It explains...
Protocol, Etiquette and Dress Codes
Etiquette The subject of required etiquette at formal livery functions includes dining arrangements, processions into and recessions out of dinner, sung grace, the rose bowl and loving cup ceremonies, comfort...
Database of Companies and Guilds
Are you a Livery Company Clerk? If so, you can login to access the unabridged version of the database that contains images, CVs and other useful information. Click on a...
City Luncheon Clubs
Details of City Luncheon Clubs will be listed here as they become available. For further details, expand the entries below. Butchers’ Hall Roast Beef Carvery Lunch Wednesday Carvery lunch dates,...
Halls and Venues
A list of livery halls and other City venues is available to download, or it can be viewed below. The list includes maximum capacities for dinners and receptions, the hall...
Provincial Guilds
In the UK Many towns and cities around the UK still have Guilds and several of these provincial Guilds have connections with the City of London and its Livery Companies....
Livery Company Groups
Several inter-livery groups bring together otherwise independent Livery Companies and Guilds to foster collaboration, share best practice, and coordinate activity in pursuit of common interests that support the civic, charitable,...
How to form a new Guild
The Court of Aldermen of the City of London has laid down a set of requirements that must be met by a group proposing to form a new Guild. The...
How to form a Company with and without Livery
Moving to form a City Company without Livery A recognised Guild seeking to become a City Company Without Livery must normally have operated successfully for at least four years and...
Livery Roles
In every Livery Company there are three key Livery roles - The Court of Assistants The Role of the Clerk The Role of the Livery Master The Court of...
Past Masters’ Associations
With the exception of the Bowyers’ company whose Master is elected for two years, each livery company elects a new Master annually. The Masters of the various companies will naturally...
Financial Services Group
Livery Professionals supporting the work of the City The Financial Services Group of Livery Companies was founded in 2006 to coordinate the efforts of its members in supporting the Lord...
Royal Charter of Incorporation
A Royal Charter of Incorporation is a formal governance document that establishes a new corporate body and defines the framework for its regulation. A Royal Charter is permanent and may...
City Heraldry and Grants of Arms
The City of London’s relationship with heraldry is almost as old as the English practice of granting armorial bearings - coats of arms, crests and badges. Throughout history, many Freemen...
Military Affiliations
The City of London Livery Companies have a particularly close and long‑standing relationship with the Armed Forces of the Crown, one that continues to thrive in the 21st century. Many...
