Exhibition – 450th anniversary of the Tylers and Bricklayers

Published on 14th July 2018 by ianVisits in History

This year marks the 450th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth I granted a monopoly to the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers to control the market in London. While the monopoly has long since been rescinded, the company still exists, and there’s a modest exhibition about them at the Guildhall Library.

It’s one of those “mostly display boards” genre, with a few objects in cases, but the display boards do give a good introduction to the history of the Company.

The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers has been in existence for over 600 years, with its first record dating to 1416, but it was the decision of Queen Elizabeth I to grant them a charter in 1568 that formalised the company’s control over the industry.

They were granted authority over all working as tilers or bricklayers within the City of London and a 15 mile radius around it.

Anyone breaking the rules could be summoned to a court and fined.

The company faced a threat to its monopoly in 1636, from King Charles I who granted more licenses to other companies covering the Suburbs. In 1638 a Commission was set up to adjudicate the matter, and ruled in favour of the Company,

The meeting with the King included the attendance of the splendidly named Mr Secret Cook.

However, in 1642 the King got his revenge by forcing them to sell their silver for £170 to fund his vainglorious civil war.

It was the Great Fire of London that was to transform the fortunes of the Company, taking on a huge number of apprentices to help rebuild the City, and as they worked, their annual fees to the Company.

As with many City livery companies their monopoly was eventually surrendered, and today it’s more of a trade association promoting the industry and funding apprentices.

The exhibition is open at the Guildhall Library until 31st August. It’s open Mon-Fri and occasional Saturdays, plus late on Wednesdays.

Tagged with guildhall library, Livery Companies and Halls

SUPPORT THIS WEBSITE

This website has been running now for over a decade, and while advertising revenue contributes to funding the website, it doesn't cover the costs. That is why I have set up a facility with DonorBox where you can contribute to the costs of the website and time invested in writing and research for the news articles.

It's very similar to the way The Guardian and many smaller websites are now seeking to generate an income in the face of rising costs and declining advertising.

Whether it's a one-off donation or a regular giver, every additional support goes a long way to covering the running costs of this website, and keeping you regularly topped up doses of Londony news and facts.

If you like what you read on here, then please support the website here.

Thank you

1 Comment on “Exhibition – 450th anniversary of the Tylers and Bricklayers”

  1. I think “Mr Secret: Cook” would be Sir John Coke https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Coke who was from 1628 to 1640 the senior of the King’s two Secretaries of State. Coke’s rise led him to build a country house at Melbourne, Derbyshire, which in due course gave its name to his descendant, Viscount Melbourne, whose son became Prime Minister and resulted in the naming of Melbourne, Australia.