Group    From 1472 

Worshipful Company of Masons

Categories: Liveries & Guilds

The masons did very well out of the post-fire rebuilding of London. From their website: "The focus of our Livery Company is to preserve and encourage the use of natural stone in the built environment. This includes supporting the training of craftsmen as well as the preservation and appreciation of iconic historic stone buildings....

Our Company was formed with the object of regulating the craft of stonemasonry so that standards could be properly maintained and rewarded. The earliest available records of regulation from the Court of Aldermen are dated 1356. In 1472 a Grant of Arms was received under Letters Patent but it was not until 1677 that the Company was formally incorporated by Royal Charter under the seal of King Charles II which gave it authority to control the work of masons in the Cities of London and Westminster and seven miles around. This was a necessary power in order to control the influx of provincial stonemasons assisting in the rebuilding of the capital following the Great Fire in 1666 and to enable the maintenance of strict standards, although governance was never quite as tight again.

Since then members of the Company have been involved in the creation and preservation of the majority of iconic stone buildings and structures across these Cities and nationwide. Joshua and Edward Marshall erected Temple Bar in 1673, the barrier from where trade was officially regulated into the City. Four years later Thomas Strong laid the foundation stone of the new St Paul’s Cathedral and his brother Edward laid the last stone of the building’s lantern in 1708. Both Marshalls and Strongs were Master Masons among a number of other prominent members of the Company who worked on the City’s most beautiful monuments under Sir Christopher Wren. Between 1670 and 1718 at least 8 individuals actively involved in the construction of St Paul’s became Masters of the Masons’ Company."

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Worshipful Company of Masons

Commemorated ati

Masons Hall

On this site stood the hall of the Worshipful Company of Masons.

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This section lists the memorials created by the subject on this page:
Worshipful Company of Masons

Creations i

Bench - Mayoralty

Along the front edge of the bench 10 sets of deviders are carved and along th...

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Other Subjects

The Worshipful Company of Loriners

The Worshipful Company of Loriners

Loriners make and sell bits, bridles, spurs, stirrups, saddle trees and the minor metal items of a horse's harness. The company was incorporated in 1711. Women were not admitted until 1989 - bette...

Group, Commerce, Liveries & Guilds

2 memorials
Fan Makers' Company Hall

Fan Makers' Company Hall

The earliest record for the Fan Makers Company is in 1670 when they raised a petition to Parliament complaining about the threat to their industry from foreign imports. The Fan Makers' Hall in Red ...

Group, Craft / Design, Liveries & Guilds

2 memorials
Cyril A. Truscott

Cyril A. Truscott

Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Stationers who died in WW1. Andrew Behan has kindly provided this research: Lieutenant Cyril Alfred Trustcott was born on 16 July 1883 in Paddington, the thi...

Person, Liveries & Guilds

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
Cordwainers' Hall

Cordwainers' Hall

On their own website the Cordwainers declare that they have had in fact only 5 halls, not the excessive 6 stated on the plaque.  The last was built in 1909 but suffered bomb damage in WW2, which ca...

Building, Liveries & Guilds

1 memorial
Worshipful Company of Bakers

Worshipful Company of Bakers

Charter granted by King Henry VII in 1486. The City's second oldest guild. (Weavers is the answer to your question.)

Group, Food & Drink, Liveries & Guilds

2 memorials