FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF LONDON
Activities of the Livery Companies became intertwined with the daily life of the Square Mile – even today.
The Livery Companies grew to become so important that if you wanted to work in a particular trade in the City, then you needed to ‘do your time’ as an Apprentice learning your trade and being accountable to your Master for many years, before becoming a Freeman of the Company and then Freeman of The City when you could ‘ply’ your trade as a ‘free man’ (Freedom of the City of London).
The Livery Companies governed who could trade, and membership of one was essential if you wanted to make your own way in that trade. A fee or ‘Fine’ would be charged on joining and in return the Livery Companies would ensure that the goods and services provided to consumers would be of the highest possible standards.
In 1835, the Freedom was widened to incorporate not just members of Livery Companies but also people living or working in the City or those with a strong London connection. In modern day, the first step is to become a Freeman of the Company and a Freeman of The City before you can become a liveryman of any company. Members of many Companies pay fines (fees) to belong. The Freedom of the City of London is a unique part of London’s history maintained to present day, alongside the role the liveries play in governing The City.
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The Livery Companies grew to become so important that if you wanted to work in a particular trade in the City, then you needed to ‘do your time’ as an Apprentice learning your trade and being accountable to your Master for many years, before becoming a Freeman of the Company and then Freeman of The City when you could ‘ply’ your trade as a ‘free man’ (Freedom of the City of London).
The Livery Companies governed who could trade, and membership of one was essential if you wanted to make your own way in that trade. A fee or ‘Fine’ would be charged on joining and in return the Livery Companies would ensure that the goods and services provided to consumers would be of the highest possible standards.
In 1835, the Freedom was widened to incorporate not just members of Livery Companies but also people living or working in the City or those with a strong London connection. In modern day, the first step is to become a Freeman of the Company and a Freeman of The City before you can become a liveryman of any company. Members of many Companies pay fines (fees) to belong. The Freedom of the City of London is a unique part of London’s history maintained to present day, alongside the role the liveries play in governing The City.
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