IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0074 CLC/L/BE
Held at: London Metropolitan Archives
Title: WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF BOWYERS
Date(s): 1679-2000
Level of description: Collection
Extent: 78 production units
Name of creator(s): Worshipful Company of Bowyers
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
The earliest reference to the company is in 1371 when an agreement with the Fletchers established the two crafts (of bow making and arrow making) as independent. In 1488 they received a grant of arms. The Bowyers were granted a charter on 25 May 1621. Although the trade of bow making has disappeared, the Company continues to support archery. The company had a hall in Noble Street until the 1630s.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Records of the Worshipful Company of Bowyers, 1679-2000 (the records were compiled from 1679, but they include copies of earlier material). Records include Court minute books; registers of freedom admissions; apprenticeship indentures; financial accounts and papers relating to bequests. Please note that MS32812/2-4 (minutes, 1971-1994) are subject to a 30-year closure period.
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 archive classification code as follows:
CLC/L/BE/A: Constitutional records
CLC/L/BE/B: Court records
CLC/L/BE/C: Membership records
CLC/L/BE/D: Financial records
CLC/L/BE/E: Trade records
CLC/L/BE/F: Clerk's records
CLC/L/BE/G: Charities and estates
Conditions governing access:
Restricted access: please see staff.
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 archives were deposited in the Manuscripts Section of Guildhall Library in 1949 and 2001. 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).
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
Date(s) of descriptions: Oct-09