IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0074 CLC/L/FH
Held at: London Metropolitan Archives
Title: WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF FRAMEWORK KNITTERS
Date(s): 1657-2002
Level of description: Collection
Extent: 56 production units
Name of creator(s): Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
The Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters were granted a charter in 1657. Their 1663 charter covered the whole of England and Wales and the Company established subsidiary courts at Nottingham and Leicester. The Company had a hall in Redcross Street which was sold in 1821. A framework knitter used machinery to create woollen clothing, principally hosiery.
The Framework Knitters' Company maintained almshouses in the City of London from 1770. They were sold in 1906, and new cottages were built in Oadby in Leicestershire.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Records of the Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters, 1657-2002. The records include freemen's lists from 1713; registers of apprentice bindings from 1694; charters; rules and ordinances; Court minute books and financial accounts.
Records relating to the Almshouses comprise ledger, 1979-94 (Ms 35823); and cash book, 1979-96 (Ms 35824). Further references may be found in other Framework Knitters' 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:
As the archive 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/FH/A: Constitutional records,
CLC/L/FH/B: Court records,
CLC/L/FH/C: Membership records;
CLC/L/FH/D: Financial records,
CLC/L/FH/E: Trade records,
CLC/L/FH/F: Clerk's records,
CLC/L/FH/G: Charities and estates.
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.
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.
Finding aids:
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
The records of the Company have been deposited with the Manuscripts Section of Guildhall Library at various dates since 1940. 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:
Guildhall Library hold issues of The framework knitter : the newsletter of the Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters (ref: Closed Access Store 1771-1772).
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).
For a general introduction to the history of the City of London Livery Companies please see entry in The London Encyclopaedia, ed Ben Weinreb and Christopher Hibbert.
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