The Drapers' Livery Company
Drapers' Hall set for the Election Dinner The Livery Companies of the City of London are the descendants of the ancient guilds which controlled England’s trades in the middle ages, and which now administer large charitable funds, as well as supporting schools, universities and almshouses. Their wealth is based mainly on bequests and gifts of land and buildings acquired over the centuries. Few of them have any links with their original trades, though some, like the Goldsmiths , still do. Of the 110 livery companies, the oldest make up ‘the Great Twelve’, and the Drapers - which once controlled the woollen cloth trade - ranks at No 3 in an order of precedence settled as long ago as 1515 (the Mercers - the general merchants - and the Grocers are No 1 and 2). The Queen is a Liveryman of the Drapers' Company (and a member of the Court), and Prince Charles is a Freeman. The Companies are run by the Clerk, usually a distinguished retired serviceman or businessman, while a sen...