Richard James Cheeswright

“ The Livery Companies having gradually increased in numbers, engrossed the trade of the Kingdom and selected the bulk of the Common Council, acquired such wealth and consequence as to attract the especial attention of the government. The custom of forced loans which had been begun by Henry VIII was carried on to a most oppressive extent, and the extracting of money from the trading corporations became a regular source of supply to the government. ”

“ Precepts were made on all the Companies alike towards setting the poor to work, towards erecting the Royal Exchange, cleansing the city ditch, projects for discovering new countries, for furnishing naval and military armaments, for men, arms, and ammunition to protect the city, for state and city pageants, for provision of corn and coal, compulsory loans for the government and for the Crown, and various other expedients, were amongst the most prominent by which it was contrived to screw from the Companies their wealth. ”

“ The Company fully recognising the great importance of Technical Education, or a knowledge of the principles of science as applied to the materials used in the staple manufactures of the country, after a full consideration of the subject, decided not to take any part in the proposed scheme for the establishment of a College for the teaching of Technical Education generally, but that they would adopt measures calculated to promote and sustain an advancement and improvement in the manufacture of cutlery and of those engaged in the cutlery trade. ”

“ The Company have received the gratifying information and assurance that the result of the competition has been a large amount of benefit to the cutlery trade, and that it has given a stimulus to continued improvement, not only in the quality of the cutlery but also in the knowledge and skill of the manufacturers and artisans engaged in its production. ”

“ ALSO for the better avoiding of disorders noise and confusion in all Courts of Assistants IT IS ORDAINED that every member of the said Court shall always keep silence at the commandment or desire of the Master. And when any matter or thing shall be moved or debated in any Court it shall not be lawful for more than one to speak at one time to the matter in debate and all debates propositions and discourses shall be addressed to the Master or him who shall possess the Chair only. ”

“ On public days the Chaplain's duty was to pray for the prosperity of the fraternity. In some Companies a very solemn custom prevailed of calling over the names of the members one by one, and praying for each individually and by name. ”

“ From these reports and those of other companies may be readily seen the great improvements which have, from time to time, been effected, the additional happiness conferred thereby on the tenantry, and the general high state of prosperity there, so that it has become a recognised fact that the territory of the Irish Society and the estates of the Livery Companies of London are the best managed and most prosperous portions of Ireland.
The present income of the Cutlers' Company from their share of the estate is about £400 a year. ”

“ And as to the Master Wardens and Assistants of the said Commonaltie and Mysterie or the greater part of them in manner as aforesaid shall seem most convenient or expedient. All which laws orders ordinances constitutions institutions and articles so made or to be made ordained and established. We will and by these presents for us our heirs and successors do grant and command to be from time to time and at all times kept obeyed and performed in all things as the same ought to be upon the pains penalties and punishments in the same to be imposed inflicted and limitted. ”

“ Not only does the history of the Companies offer a mass of most important information as to the trading interests of the community, but the ancient Charters themselves, although usually conceived to be the reverse of entertaining, disclose various curious facts, illustrating the simplicity of early times, and of the infant state of commerce. ”

“ Pensions Pensions are also granted by the Court to deserving Freemen, Liverymen, and their Widows, if upon strict enquiry they are found deserving thereof.
Considerable sums are also given to distressed persons related to former Freemen or Liverymen of the Company, and large amounts are also voted every year to various Hospitals and other Charities. In 1880 the sum thus expended was £911 15s. In fact, it may be truly said of the Cutlers' Company as of the other Livery Companies of London,
"That, while they feasted all the great, they never forgot the poor or small." ”

“ The Gilds were of the greatest service to trade in ancient times, they settled disputes between Master and Workmen—they upheld the Apprenticeship system as being the best for producing skilled labour, and meeting at their respective Halls, while they enjoyed the festive board, they discussed business matters, thus fostering the social virtues, and increasing the mutual interest of Master and Workmen. ”

“ All business and pleasure were naturally suspended, and it appears the distress of the poorer classes was such that, for the relief of their pressing necessities, the Livery Companies were assessed by the Parliament for various sums of money, and were bound, in addition, to furnish a certain quantity of coals, of which the proportion of the Cutlers was 75 chaldrons. ”

“ And that every person (except the Master who shall at any time speak as aforesaid) shall speak bareheaded addressing his discourse to the said Master. And that if any Assistant shall be commanded silence by the Master he or they shall not speak again to that point in debate without leave of the Master first obtained upon pain to forfeit and pay to the Master Wardens and Commonalty of the said Company for the use of the said Company for every such offence One shilling to be in default of payment thereof recovered or levied in such manner as is hereinafter mentioned. ”

“ Each party—assisted by other Companies—met on an appointed night to the number of 500 men, completely armed, and proceeded to fight manfully. Many were killed and wounded on each side, nor could they be parted until the Sheriffs came and apprehended the ringleaders, thirteen of whom were condemned and executed.
The purposes and functions of the Gilds were manifold; they supported, protected, and regulated trade; preserved trade secrets, and generally watched over the interest of their particular Craft or Fraternity ”

“ May they by their patriotic action, their wisdom in the management of their estates, and their charitable deeds, continue to be, as they most assuredly are, the most powerful and charitable body in the world. ”

“ And for more orderly proceeding the youngest Liveryman then present is to give the first voice or mark or score with a pen for such of the persons in competition as himself best liketh and so ascending orderly to every other Liveryman Assistant Warden and Master until every one hath given his voice or mark. ”

“ The third sort were Sheath Makers for Swords, Daggers, and Knives. In the tenth of Henry IV certain Ordinances were made betwixt the Bladers and other Cutlers. And in the reign of Henry V they were all three Companies drawn into one Fraternity or Brotherhood by the name of Cutlers. The general business of the Company is carried on at the Hall, and the Court and Committee Meetings are likewise held there.
In the Dining Hall, the great hospitality for which the Cutlers' Company has ever been and still is distinguished, continues to be lavishly dispensed. ”

“ The Livery Companies of London.
"Individuals may form communities; but Institutions must found a Nation."
Their Origin and Objects HE LIVERY COMPANIES OF LONDON hold a high rank in the history of the City of London. ”

“ Their Feasts. The Companies, from their wealth and abundant entertainments, became sources of attraction to those who loved the good things of life.
The Election Feasts in the Halls were especially grand, and were partaken of by Royalty and by the first nobility. These Feasts took place after the ceremonies, when the newly-elected Master and Wardens were "crowned with garlands on their heads." ”

“ Ten Pounds to be paid to each apprentice, either during or at the expiration of the apprenticeship, at the discretion of the Company.
3. The Freedom of the Company to be presented to each apprentice on satisfactory proof being given of his efficiency in the craft and of good behaviour during his apprenticeship. ”

“ Besides the arbitrary operation of precepts, both Elizabeth and her immediate successors made it a business of their reigns to influence the selection of officers and the control of the property of the Companies. ”

“ And that they and their successors by the name of Master Wardens and Commonaltie of the Misterie of Cutlers of London shall and may be for ever hereafter persons able and capable in May hold Lands. Law to purchase have receive and enjoy manors messuages lands tenements liberties privileges Jurisdictions Franchises and other Hereditaments whatsoever of whatsoever kind nature or qualitie they be to them and their Successors in Fee and perpetuity or for term of live lives year or years or otherwise in what sort soever. ”

“ The more formal practice is for the person who pledges with the loving Cup to stand up and bow to his neighbour, who, also standing, removes the Cover with his right hand and holds it while the other drinks ”

“ By action at Law. AND it is further ORDERED that all fines forfeitures and penalties herein imposed or set or hereafter to be forfeited set or imposed for breach of any of the orders or ordinances aforesaid or herein contained shall and may be sued for and recovered and levied by action of debt or of the case in any Court of Record or by distress or distresses as from time to time shall be thought fit and advised. ”

“ And thereupon they have exhibited their Petition unto us with a book annexed containing certain ordinances constitutions orders and oaths which they humbly desire may be observed and duly kept and put in execution and humbly beseeching us that all and every the said ordinance constitutions orders and oaths we would peruse and examine and them and every of them correct reform and amend and also allow ratify and approve after due manner and form as by the said Act of Parliament is required. ”

“ On the 7th of May His Royal Highness Prince Leopold, and on the 9th May their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, attended and inspected with much interest the various objects of competition and exhibition. ”