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London Metropolitan Archives

WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF ARMOURERS AND BRASIERS


IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): GB 0074 CLC/L/AB

Held at: London Metropolitan Archives

Title: WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF ARMOURERS AND BRASIERS

Date(s): 1413-1985

Level of description: Collection

Extent: 387 production units

Name of creator(s): Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

The Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers was incorporated by royal charter in 1453 as the "Fraternity or Guild of St George of the Men of the Mystery of Armourers of our City of London", although it was certainly in existence from the early 14th century. Various other Companies were absorbed during their history, including helmet makers (the Heamers Company), armour repairers (the Fourters Company), the Bladesmiths Company and workers in copper and brass.

The Company leased a hall in Coleman Street in the City of London from 1346 and purchased this site in 1428. This hall survived the Great Fire, was rebuilt in 1840 and again survived damage during World War Two. The Armourers and Brasiers' Company had almshouses in Camden Avenue, Camberwell.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

Records of the Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers. The records were compiled from the early 15th century, but they include title deeds from 1290. Records include charters; ordinances; Court minute books; minute books of Master and Wardens meetings; papers relating to bursaries and benefactions; lists of Masters and Wardens; registers of apprentice bindings and freedom admissions; quarterage books; financial accounts; papers relating to charities and almshouses; papers relating to estates owned by the Company; inventories; plans of Armourer's Hall; deeds and other legal documents relating to property owned by the Company.

The archive also includes records of Camden almshouses, 1895 - 1947 (Ms 33960 and Ms 35052A, 2 production units). They include rules and orders, sale particulars, licences and correspondence. Further references may be found in other Company records such as minutes and accounts.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ACCESS: These records are stored at the Guildhall Library site rather than the LMA Clerkenwell site. Researchers wishing to access these records should do so at the Guildhall Library Rare Books table. The Library is open Monday to Saturday, 9:30 to 16:45. Researchers will need to have an Archives History Card or a Library Readers Card. An archivist will be available at Guildhall Library on Thursday mornings to answer any queries.

ACCESS AND USE

Language/scripts of material: English

System of arrangement:

The records were catalogued by various members of staff over many years. As the catalogue is large and complex, and to assist the user, the catalogue has been arranged in sections, each with an archival classification code as follows:
CLC/L/AB/A Constitutional records,
CLC/L/AB/B Court records,
CLC/L/AB/C Membership records,
CLC/L/AB/D Financial records,
CLC/L/AB/E Trade records,
CLC/L/AB/F Clerk's records,
CLC/L/AB/G Charities and estates.

Conditions governing access:

Available for general access.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ACCESS: These records are stored at the Guildhall Library site rather than the LMA Clerkenwell site. Researchers wishing to access these records should do so at the Guildhall Library Rare Books table. The Library is open Monday to Saturday, 9:30 to 16:45. Researchers will need to have an Archives History Card or a Library Readers Card. An archivist will be available at Guildhall Library on Thursday mornings to answer any queries. For further information please see LMA Research Guide "Consulting Archives at Guildhall Library", available at http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Leisure_and_culture/Records_and_archives/Visitor_information/free_information_leaflets.htm

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copyright: Depositor.

Physical characteristics:

Fit

Finding aids:

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

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Archival history:

A number of records, including original ordinances and grants of arms, have been retained at the Company's Hall.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The records of the Company have been deposited with the Manscripts Section of Guildhall Library at various dates since 1967. The Manuscripts Section merged with London Metropolitan Archives in 2008. The records have been catalogued by various members of staff over many years.

ALLIED MATERIALS

Publication note:

For further information relating to Livery Companies, particularly using the company records for family history, please see Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section "Livery Company Membership Guide" and Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section "Leaflet Guides to Records: Searching for Members or those apprenticed to Members of City of London Livery Companies" (both available online).

"The Armourers' company of London and the Greenwich school of armourers" by Charles Ffoulkes, Archaeologia, vol.76, 1927; "The Armourers' bill of 1581: the making of arms and armour in sixteenth-century London", by Claude Blair, Journal of the Arms & armour society, vol.XII no.1, March 1986; and Armourers and Brasiers' Company, c1610-1800, abstracted and indexed by Cliff Webb, 1998. All available at the Guildhall Library (closed access, ask at ticket desk).

DESCRIPTION NOTES 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: Oct-09


INDEX ENTRIES
Subjects
Almshouses | Residential buildings | Buildings | Architecture
Apprenticeship records | Documents | Information sources
Armour | Military equipment | Equipment
Armouries | Military buildings | Buildings | Architecture
Freedom admissions | Documents | Information sources
Freedom of a city | Rights and privileges | Administration of justice
Freemen | People by roles | People
Metalworking | Metallurgy
Trade guilds | Guilds | Associations | Organizations
Weapons | Military equipment | Equipment

Personal names

Corporate names
Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers

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