Great Twelve City Livery Companies

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Arms of the City of London
Arms of the City of London

The Great Twelve City Livery Companies are the oldest and most important Livery Companies in the City of London. They all have medieval origins.

In 1515, the Court of Aldermen of the City of London settled an order of precedence for the forty-eight Livery Companies then in existence, which was based on the Companies' economic or political power. However, the Merchant Taylors and the Skinners have always disputed their precedence, so once a year (at Easter) they exchange sixth and seventh place. There are now one hundred and seven Livery Companies, some of recent formation, so the Order of Precedence is sometimes reviewed.

The first twelve Livery Companies in the order of precedence are known as the Great Twelve.


  1. The Worshipful Company of Mercers (General Merchants)
  2. The Worshipful Company of Grocers
  3. The Worshipful Company of Drapers (Wool and cloth merchants)
  4. The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers
  5. The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths
  6. The Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors (Tailors) (alternates with the Skinners)
  7. The Worshipful Company of Skinners (Fur Traders) (alternates with the Merchant Taylors)
  8. The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers
  9. The Worshipful Company of Salters
  10. The Worshipful Company of Ironmongers
  11. The Worshipful Company of Vintners
  12. The Worshipful Company of Clothworkers

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