Graphical version

London Metropolitan Archives

COMMON HALL: LIVERY COMMITTEE


IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): COL/CN/LVC

Held at: London Metropolitan Archives

Title: COMMON HALL: LIVERY COMMITTEE

Date(s): 1782-1992

Level of description: sub-fonds

Extent: 0.4 linear metres

Name of creator(s): Corporation of London

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

The City of London was unique in evolving Common Hall as a separate electoral assembly for the choice of important municipal officers, including the Lord Mayor. At one time all freemen were entitled to attend but now only liverymen of the City Livery Companies or Guilds are present and only those liverymen of more than one year's standing are entitled to vote. No specific date can be supplied for the establishment of Common Hall, although its existence can be traced back to at least the 13th century. In 2008 Common Hall continues to meet on a regular basis.

The Livery Committee of 1782 had the terms of reference 'to take the most effectual Methods for obtaining a more equal Representation of the People in Parliament and a frequent Election of the Representatives, according to ancient usage, and for these purposes to confer and correspond with other Committees throughout the Kingdom', that is, to correspond with the Committees of several counties on the topic of economy, reform and Parliament.

The Livery Committee of 1864 was established to regulate the admission of liverymen to Common Hall.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

Records of the Livery Committee, Common Hall, including minutes, 1782-1783; minutes, 1864-1992 (closed from 1959 onwards); committee papers, 1941-1957 and notes on the history and terms of reference of the Committee, 1980.

ACCESS AND USE

Language/scripts of material: English

System of arrangement:

In sections according to catalogue.

Conditions governing access:

These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 1998.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copyright: City of London.

Physical characteristics:

Fit

Finding aids:

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:

Accruals:

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Corporation of London Records Office.

ALLIED MATERIALS

Existence and location of originals:

Existence and location of copies:

Related material:

For records relating to Common Hall and the administration of livery companies, see COL/CN, COL/CN/LCN, COL/CN/LVC and COL/CP. Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section holds the original records of 85 City of London livery companies or related organisations.

Publication note:

DESCRIPTION NOTES

Note:

Rules or conventions: Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions: February 2009


INDEX ENTRIES
Subjects
Guilds | Associations | Organizations
Municipal government | Local government | Public administration | Government

Personal names

Corporate names
Livery Committee | Common Hall | Corporation of London

Places
City of London | London | England | UK | Western Europe | Europe