Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors
|
|
The Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company, originally known as the Guild and Fraternity of St John the Baptist in the City of London, was first incorporated under a Royal Charter in 1327; the charter was confirmed by future charters in 1503 and 1719.
The Company was at first an association of tailors. However, it is at present an educational institution, owning various tailoring and other schools, and a charitable institution. It owns Merchant Taylors' School, Sandy Lodge & St. John's Preparatory School, Northwood, and is associated with Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby, Merchant Taylors' School for Girls, Crosby, Wolverhampton Grammar School, Foyle & Londonderry College, Wallingford School, and King's School, Macclesfield. It also donates prizes to St. Helen's School, Northwood. It also maintains interest in tertiary/further education at St. John's College, Oxford & Pembroke College, Cambridge. It gives support to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the London College of Fashion, the Textile Conservation Centre and the Royal Society of Arts. It also supports Treloar School/College in Hampshire which is a school/college for boys and girls with physical disabilities.
Under an order issued by the Lord Mayor of London in the 15th century, the Company ranks in sixth or seventh place (making it one of the "Great Twelve City Livery Companies") in the order of precedence of the Livery Companies, alternating with the Skinners' Company. The annual switch occurs on Easter. This may be the origin of the phrase "At sixes and sevens".
The Company's motto is Concordia Parvae Res Crescunt, Latin for In Harmony Small Things Grow.
External link
- The Merchant Taylors' Company (http://www.merchanttaylors.co.uk/)
- Merchant Taylors' School Northwood (http://www.mtsn.org.uk/)
- Merchant Taylors' School Crosby (http://www.merchanttaylors.sefton.sch.uk/)