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Worshipful Company of Grocers
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Worshipful Company of Grocers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London.
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The Company was founded in the 14th century (1345) as the Guild of Pepperers, which was first known in the 12th century (1180).[1] By 1373 , the Guild was known as the Company of Grocers of London.
In 1428 , the Company acquired a Royal Charter.[2] The Company was responsible for maintaining standards for the purity of spices and for the setting of certain weights and measures. Its members included London's pharmacists, who separated into the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries in 1617 .
As part of the work of the Worshipful Company, a school was founded in Hackney for the sons of middle class gentlemen. This school, The Grocers' Company School, was handed over to the London County Council and changed its name to Hackney Downs School, which was eventually closed in 1995 . These schools had, as their school badge, a camel over a shield with cloves. The Camel and Cloves are remembered to this day by old boys of the school through the Clove Club (their alumni).
An 1829 history of the Company, Some Account of the Worshipful Company of Grocers of the City of London, by John Benjamin Heath (Governor of the Bank of England, 1845-1847), may now be read online: Google Book Search digitized a copy from Harvard University's Widener Library in September 2005.[3]
The Company's motto is "God Grant Grace".[2]
Today, the Grocers' Company exists as a charitable and ceremonial institution. It is responsible for the maintenance of Oundle School and The Elms School (founded 1614), and is represented on the council of University College School. In the order of precedence for Livery Companies, the Grocers' Company ranks second, after only the Mercers' Company, making it one of the Great Twelve City Livery Companies.
The Company also maintains banquet and conference facilities at Grocers' Hall.[4][5]
It is said that the Grocers' Company used to be first in the order, until Queen Victoria found herself in procession behind the Grocers' camel which was emitting unfortunate smells. As a result, the Mercers were promoted.[citation needed]
- ^ Jean Bellamy. The Worshipful Company of Grocers (html). TimeTravel-Britain.com (History Magazine) July-September 2006 issue.
- ^ a b The Worshipful Company of Grocers: Arms & History (html). Heraldic Media Limited. “By 1373 the Company became known as Grocers or, more properly, Grossers because they dealt in bulk, i.e. were wholesale merchants.”
- ^ John Benjamin Heath. Some Account of the Worshipful Company of Grocers of the City of London (html). Books.Google.com. London: W. Marchant, Printer (1829).
- ^ A Modern Interpretation of Classic Cuisine: A Culinary Experience at the Grocers’ Hall (html). London Launch, 24 April 2007.
- ^ CIBSE Presidential address: Look back and learn to complete the circle (html). Voltimum: The First European Portal for the Electrical Industry. “The CIBSE Annual General Meeting and Presidential Address took place at the Worshipful Company of Grocers on 3rd May 2007.”