ORIGINS OF THE GUILDS
Chester has had trade guilds for 800 years. In a document dated
1190-1193, the EarI of Chester confirmed the citizens' Guild
Merchant. Individual- craft companies, or guilds, later
developed to protect the interests and welfare of the merchants
and craftsmen of Chester.
guilds to emerge were the Tanners, who are
first mentioned in 1351, the Weavers in 1399 and the Ironmongers
and Carpenters tn 1-422. 19 Guilds are listed in a book of
Among the earliest
747 5-6 .
In the Middle Ages the Guilds were very important to the life of
the City. They encouraged trade, set wages, organised
apprenticeships and work conditions and gave help to thej-r sick
or poor members.
The Guilds were also involved in the social life of Chester.
They organised great events such as the Mystery Plays and the
Midsummer Show.
20
EXTINCT COMPANIES
Nineteen companies are listed in the Mayor's book fot L475-76.
Of these, seireral later amalgamated, for example the mercers
with the ironmongers and the coopers with the bowyers_and.the
fletchers. Otheis assumed diffeient narles , for example
barkers and the cooks, no\., known respectively as the Tanners'
and Innkeepers, companies. Three have become extinct: the
drawers of Dee, the hewsters and the fishmongers'
In the 16th century the water leaders and drawers ofof Dee
Mystery
'Noah and hi= Ship'.in the Chester cycle
performed
-el.yt. They
petitioned the City for a charter in 1587' They
are usually-t-hought to have been water carriers, but may have
been connected with salmon fishing.
Hewsters were dyers of cl-oth, and in the 16th century the Dyers'
The fishmongers were
Company producei the play 'Antichrist'.
not aPpear elsewhere as
do
who
asslciitld with tne ulrriounders,
creed"
. "o*p.ty, in p.oJ""i"g 'whit sunday:.The Making ofLnthe
when
a794,
existence
in
UL
still
to
e"tn !"*iinies'*"i"
="ia
towards the St George't-P1"!: ?:,.
they paii small suUscriptions
the Chester races; neveitheless, they were both reported rn 1uJ5
to have been long extinct.
Produced by Chester City Record Office
Guilds of Chester 1992
19
for the Freemen
and
WET AND DRY GLOVERS' COI{PANY
Glovers are recorded in Chester from 1380 and stewards of their
are named in a Pentice Court roII in L445. They are
the companies listed in a Mayor,s book for 1475-76 and
in the 16th century joined the parchment makers, to produce the
play 'The Raising of Lazarus from Death to life' in the Chester
cycle of Mystery Ptays.
fn October 7562, when one of their members, John Harvey, was
elected a Sheriff of Chester, they were involved in a serious
dispute; some of the company were summoned to Ludlow to appear
before the Council in the Marches of Wales.
Glove making was for long said to have been one of Chester,s
staple industries and survived the destruction of all the
glovers' houses under the walls of the City in the siege during
company
amongst
the Civil
War.
The company had its own meeting house by the City wa1ls at the
east end of Duke Street. By 1835 it }:.ad 22 members.
hlet glovers produced their gloves in leather; dry glovers used
other materials, such as cloth.
Originally there was only one Gui1d, the Guild Merchant. During
the Middle Ages each craft gradually set up its own Guild, to
protect the interests of its own craftsmen.
Over the centuries, some crafts joined together to form larger
Guilds. Few crafts were rich enough to stay independent. There
were frequent disputes and Guilds often split up and joined up
with other crafts.
Newer companies were formed for crafts
such as the building
trades which developed in the Tudor Period.
A few companies, such as the Fishmongers, no longer exist.
Some
trades, such as Fletchers and Bowyers, died out when the need
for their products declined.
There are now 23 Chester Guilds, but few members now practice
their company trade.
&
WRTGHTS' AND SLATERS' COMPANY
TRADE
The wrights, slaters, tilers,
daubers (house painters) and
thatchers first appear in the 16th century as an association of
craftsmen in the building trade; they produced 'The Nativity of
Our Lord' in the Chester cycle of Mystery Plays. In 1584 the
Assembly ordered the wrights, sawyers and slaters to be
incorporated as a reward for work they had done 'at the new
house of shambles'. By 1658, the company was known as the
Carpenters', Slaters, and Sawyers, Company, but was often
referred to simply as 'the Carpenters,. The thatchers, craft in
Chester suffered a severe blow in 7671t when the Assembly
decreed that aIl houses in the main street of Chester should
have slate or tile roofs, in order to minimise the risk of fire.
The Guilds reflect the economic life of Chester in the Medieval
and Tudor periods. Among the most important Guilds were those
providing food for the city (Bakers, Butchers. Brewers).
Leather work formed the largest group of occupations and many
Guilds were associated with the leather trade (Tanners,
Skinners, Glovers, Saddlers, Cordwainers). Clothing and textile
trades were also very important in Chester, making up a fifth of
all craftsmen in the city (Weavers, Merchant Tailors, Merchant
Drapers ) . The building and hardware trades often combined to
form bigger companies (Joiners, Carvers and Turners, Wrights &
Slaters ) .
Because their trades were so closely related, it is not
surprising that quarrels broke out between this company and the
Joiners' Carvers' and Turners' Company. In 1553, for example,
the Assembly tried to settle one dispute by ordering that both
companies should have liberty to buy and sell all such timbers
and boards as they needed.
In 7794, the company was known by its present tit1e, but in 1835
they were again as the Carpenters' , SJ-aters, and Sawyers,
Company. At that time, it comprised 2l or 22 members, who met
at least once a year in a 1ocal inn.
l8
CRAFTS
Sometimes craftsmen involved in the same trade worked in the
same part of town. Shoemakers Row was in Northgate Street,
Mercers' Row in Bridge Street Row East and the Skinners' Houses
were between the Castle and the River Dee.
The Srniths Company met with special Royal favour when Prince
Arthur visited Chester in 1499. A silver badge showing the
company's arms was presented as a reward, the story goes, for
reshoeing the Prince's horse.
3
GUILD MEMBERSHIP
TANNERS'
No craftsman or trader could work in Chester unless he was a
freeman and a member of the relevant guild.
Trades concerned with leather were j-mportant in Chester in the
Middle Ages and the tanners probably existed.as an organised
body in lget, when they offeied the Black Prince twenty larks
1cr-e ss aa1 and a perpetual annual payment.of 5s-8d for letters
patent forbidding otners to meddle with this craft. This
Lharter, granted in 1362, was rescinded in 1370. In the list of
book fot 1475-75 they aPPear under the
companies-in a Mayor's
-of
because oak bark was used in the
barkers,
altlrnative n€une
tanning process.
By the later 15th century, they had established their position
a-= the company producing the first in the cycle of Mystery
Despite this privileged
Plays, 'Th; r-afiing of iucifer'.
poritiorr, the tann5rs appear not to hive received a charter of
Apprentices served at least seven years-to learn- their trade.
they could then become freemen of the City and then seek
admission to the appropriate craft guild.
To become a freeman, a man had to be the son of a freeman, have
served his apprenticeship to a freeman or be admitt"d !y order
of the City assembly. foday almost aII freemen and Guild
New freemen are enrolled at the
members are admitted by birth.
annual Pentice Court.
The Guifds were always quite small, varying in size from 20 to
60 members. women could not become freemen, but widows of guild
members who carried on the family business could be admitted to
a guild.
COI{,PANY
incorporation.
In the early l8th century, they corresponded with chester's
*"*U"r= of iarliament ov-er the ;ax on leather and the export of
oak bark to Ireland.
fn 1835, the company comprised 10 members and met annually in an
inn.
POLITICS &
TRADE
of Chester. A
The Guilds controlled the economic life
craftsman had to be a member of a Guild to set himself up in
business and he could practice no other craft than his own.
Outsiders could only trade in the city if they paid tolLs or
came to the special Fairs held in the summer and autumn.
There were often disputes, as each Guild fought to protect its
own position and prosperity. To settle these disagreements and
to enforce their priviteges, the Guilds turned to the Mayor or
the City Assembly.
The Assembly was the ancestor of the modern day City Council.
Its members were mostly also Guild members, so the Guilds were
able to influence the potitical life of the City. Until 1835,
only Freemen could vote in city and parliamentary elections.
The Guilds continue to work closely with the City Council to
promote the prosperity and image of Chester.
WEAVERS' COMPANY
The weaving trade in Chester was both important and organised by
1399, when many master weavers took part in an affray against
Corpus
ot t-urP
the reast
feast o!
journeymen oPposl-te
Church on Ene
Peter'ss unurcn
St PeEer
ite 5E
the journeymen
the
Chri;ti.
Stewardi of the companv are named in a Pentice Court
ro11 in 1438-39 and by the middle of the 15th century, it was
apparently associated with the fullers and the chaloners. The
f-o-rmer, blsed in the fulling mills on the Handbridge side of the
Dee, carried out part of the cl-oth finishing process; the latter
were blanket makers. The weavers and walkers (or fullers)
appear together in a list of companies in L475-76 and in the
chester cycle of Mystery Plays produced the last PIay, 'The Last
Judgement' .
fn the 15th century, the journeymen weavers had their own
company, but it hai-disapfeared- long before the weavers received
their charter from the Mayor and Citizens in 1583.
4
For most of the 18th century, the company met in a building- in
St John's Churchyard, probaLly the Hermitage, used earlier by
the Shoemakers' -ompany. By the end of the century, however,
the
company held iti meeting in local inns, for example the
.Boot,
in Eastgate Street, the'Pied BuII'in Northgate Street .
and the 'Bloss5ms' in Foregate Street- By 1835, the company had
10 members.
fi
SKINNERS' AND FELTMAKERS'
CO},IPANY
fn 1433, the Mayor and Sheriffs of Chester were ordered to find
and punish all'foreigners'who
used the trade of skinner and
shoemaker within the liberties of Chester. Stewards of the
Skinners' Company are named in a Pentice Court ro11 for 7448-49
and the company is amongst those listed in a Mayor's book for
L475-76. In 1483, Edward, Prince of Wales, ordered that no
skinner or shoemaker was to practice that trade in Chester
without Iicence of the company on pain of E10.
In_ 1508, there were 36 masters in the company. The skinners
mainly pursued their trade in the south plrt-of the City, near
the river. Skinner Lane was closed in the early 19th century
because of the rebuilding of Chester Castle. In 1835, there
were only two members of the company, but it had revived by
1u63, when new rules and regulations were issued.
SMITHS" CUTLERS'
AND PLUMBERS'
The Guilds gave help to their sick and poor. The archives
contain many references to payments to old and 'decayed,
members. Sometimes nursing care was paid for by a member's
guild. The Guilds often also gave help to craftsmen from other
towns who were travelling through Chester.
Some Guilds had a rule which required members to attend
brethren's funerals, which could also be paid for by the
company.
The Owen Jones Charity was established in 1658 and stil1 benefits
the Guilds today. Owen Jones was a butcher who owned land at
Minera, near Wrexham. When he died, he left the income from the
land to the Guilds.
Originally, poor freemen were supported by money from the
charity. Today it is used to live education grants.
COMPANY
The Smiths' Company is amongst those listed in a Mayors, book
for \475-76. fn 1501, the cutlers, pewterers, founiers,
cardmakers, girdlers, Iarrow]head makers, wiredrawers and
spurriers appear to be associated with the smiths in the same
company, but in 1521 the founders and pewterers stil-r had their
own stewards who entered into an agreement with the stewards of
the smiths to combine for the Whitiun pIay, Corpus Christi
procession and maintenance of the prielt of St ioy,s Chapel.
The plumbers were incorporated in Lhe cornpany in Lhe eariy rzth
century.
Relationships within the company were often strained. for
example in 1625, when the Assembly was asked to arbitrate
between members using each other,s trades and in 1581, when the
pewterers unsuccessfully petitioned for separation.
In the Chester cycle of Mystery P1ays, the smiths, furbers
(polishers of weapons and armour) and pewterers produced tThe
Purification
of Our Lady,.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the company had its own meeting
house in Commonhatl Lane. By 1835, however, the 10 remaining
members held their annual meetings in an inn, their meeting
house having been sold in 7718.
No charter to the company has survived, but the Smiths' Company
has a silver badge presented by Arthur, Prince of ItTaIes, when he
visited Chester in 1499.
l6
CHARITIES
ENTERTAINMENTS
The Guilds have always played an important part in Chester's
In the l,liddle Ages they produced the Chester
social life.
Mystery Plays. The Plays were stories which the Guilds
performed over three days. Each scene was performed by a guild
or group of guilds on carriages which were pulled around the
Citt. The plays were banned in the 1570s, but have been revived
in the last 40 years.
The Guilds also staged the Midsummer Show. This was a
procession through Chester, with giants, stiltwalkers and
characters from the Mystery Plays.
The Show was held every year from about 1498-9 until the 1570s.
There were also contests and races on the Roodee. An early
version of football, without many rules' was played through the
It was banned in 1540, because it led to fightsstreets.
TIIE GUILDS
TODAY
23 of the original Guilds survive. New freemen are admitted
each year at the Pentice Court ceremony in the Town HalI. The
Lord Mayor of Chester presides over the Court. The Guilds then
walk in procession through the City to the Guildhall. In 7992
the Freernen and Guilds decided to admit women for the first'
time.
Every autumn the Guilds hold a banquet in the Guildhall,
followed by a service at St Peter's Church.
The Guildhall is used for many events and social functions, as
weLl as meetings of the Guilds Council.
The Freemen and Guilds of Chester keep close links with the
Freemen of England and with the Guilds of other historic cities,
such as York and CoventrY.
PAINTERS" GI,AZIERS.
EMBROIDERERS' AND STATIONERS' COMPANY
These four crafts developed in the early 15th century. The
painters
were heraldic painters: the glaziers.catered for the
-growing use
of glass; ttre embroiderers embellished materials
ind the stationers vrere concerned with bookbinding and book
selling. In 1534, members of these crafts successfully
petitioned the Mayor, Aldermen and common council for a charter
of incorporation. In their petition, they cited their.long.
association in the production of 'The Shepherd's Offering' in
the Chester cycle of Mystery Plays.
Amongst the company's best known members in the 17th century
were the four Rindle Holmes, heraldic painters, antiquarians and
officials of the college of Arms. During the civil war, Randle
Holme II made hasty sketches of the City's gilt plate, melted
down to pay charl"-s I,s rrish troops. rn 1655 he made the first
recorded attempt to organise the city's records.
In the 17th century, the company met in the Phoenix Tower which
was named after t,he paintersl emblem of a golden phoenix.
abandon
Durinq the Sieqe of Chester, the comPany was forced to aba
later
was
It
on
it.
the tower because of ordnance planted
PIan
restored to the company which met there until c.7765. By 1835f
its 23 members were meeting annually rn a public hou,se-
L
SADDLERS' AND CURRIERS'
THE GUILDHAIL
The Guilds have only had a Guildhall since the early 1950's. fn
earlier times, the Guilds met in rented rooms. Many comPanies
used rooms in the Phoenix Tower, now called King Charles Tower.
The Guildhall was a church until about 1960. Holy Trinity
Church was founded in the Middte Ages but altered in later
centuries. In the 1860s it was virtually rebuilt by the
Chester architect, James Harrison. The church used to have a
spire steeple. There were many memorials, including 9?e -to the
REverend t'litthew llenry, the famous Presbyterian, who died in
L7L4.
The lvluseum is housed in the old vestry of the church. The
Guildhall is used for both public and Guild events. There is a
Council Chamber for meetings of the Guilds Council and
Committees.
COMPANY
Saddlers are recorded in Chester from 1392-93- In L472, their
given a monopoly by Edward IV to last for 40 years'
In Lhe 16th century cycle of Mystery Plays, the saddlers
produced 'The Castfe of Emmaus and the Apostles'. In 1639, the
company was granted another charter, on this occasion by the
Citt. The saddlers amalgamated with the curriers, who wereIealher dressers. The c5mparry was one of the three responsible
for presenting prizes for the Shrove Tuesday races held on the
company was
after 1540.
During the l6th and 17th centuries, they fought to protect their
craft against the shoemakers and the cutlers. Their dispute
with the latter was over the sal-e of spurs.
The saddlers originally had their own meeting place, the
Saddlers' Tower on the city walls at the east end of Abbey
Street. ft was demolished- in 1774. By 1835, in spite of the
continuing demand for their products, the company had only 5
members.
Roodee
15
MERCHANT DRAPERS' COMPANY
BAXERS'
Stewards of the Drapers' Company are named in a pentice Court
roll in 1436-37 and the company is listed in a Mayor,s book of
1475-76. Like the saddters and shoemakers, it was involved in
prize giving for sports on the Roodee. The drapers were
associated with the hosiers in producing 'The Creation of the
World' in the Chester cycle of Mystery P1ays. In 1555-55 the
drapers paid 8d rent for their carriage house on the City,s
ground near the end of Grey Friars Lane. This company,s
importance is illustrated by the fact that it providea fg mayors
in the 16th century. Perhaps best known is Henry Gee, Mayor in
1533-34 and 1539-40, in whose mayoralties regulations were made
about education and poor relief.
Horse racing on the Roodee
dates from his second term of office.
company was one of the wealthiest of the medieval guilds in
Chester and is also one of the oldest surviving companies. It
was granted charters by the City i.n 1462-63 and 1552-53 and by
Prince Arthur in 1495-96.
The company was granted a charter by Elizabeth I which was
confirmed by James I in 1505. fn spite of its earlier
importance, the company was reduced by 1835 to just 2 members
and held no meetings.
COMPANY
This
In Chester the price of bread was fixed according to the price
of corn in the market by assessors working under the Mayor's
supervision. There are many examples of bakers refusing to
comply with Assize of Bread or supplying bread deficient in
weight or quality. In 1575, the bakers' refusal to accept the
Assize resulted in their mass committal to the Northgate gaol.
Their stacking of gorse for their ovens was strictly regulated
by the Assembly of Mayor, Aldermen and Common Councilmen so as
to lessen the danger of fire and in 7729 the bakers petitioned
to be allowed to build windmills on Hough Green because of
complaints about charges at the Dee Mills.
In the 17th century, the guild rented a room for their meetings
in the Phoenix Tower, Iater known as King Charles'Tower, on the
City walls. However, by 1835 their two meetings a year were
held at inns. In that year they were one of the Iargest
companies, with 42 members.
MERCHANT TAYLORS' COMPANY
This company existed from the early 15th century, their stewards
being named in a Pentice Court rolL of 1423-24. As early as
1428 | the tailors received a charter from Henry VI confirming
their monopoly of tailoring in Chester in return for an annual
payment to the County Pa1atine. Elizabeth I granted them
another charter in 1553. The company was apparently wealthy
enough to produce a play in the Chester cycle of Mystery Plays
on its own: 'The Ascension of Christ,.
The company owned a house near the Newgate which was pulled down
in 1595. Afterwards, it rented the Phoenix Tower but by 1835,
like many other companies, it held it meetings in local inns.
In that year, the company had 21 members.
t4
BARBER-SURGEONS' COMPANY
This company combined the crafts of medicine, hair trimming and
candle making. It is known to have been in existence by 7475
and received charters from Chester Corporation in 1540 and 1550.
Company meetings were held in the Phoenix Tower and in numerous
local inns. In 1598, the company comprised 2 aldermen, 2
stewards and 41 members, but by 1911, when Frank Simpson wrote
his history of the company, there was only one surviving
member.
BREWERS' COI'IPANY
MASONS' COMPANY
Beer brewing, Iike the baking of bread, was subject to
regulation by the City authorities and in 1487 brewers from the
vaiious wardi were summoned by their constables to have their
measures stamped to comply with the Mayor's order- However, in
spite of their large numbers and the importance of their trade,
they do not seem to have been incorporated until 1607 | when they
were granted a charter by the Mayor. They received another from
Charles I in 1534, under which the company was governed by a
master and two wardens.
Although stonemasons worked in Chester in the medieval period on
such buildings as the Cathedral, Castle and the churches, they
do not appear to have formed a comPany before the 15th century'
By c. l52i--37, they were associated with the goldsmiths, making
an agreement with-the vintners and dyers over the use of the
tatt6r's }lystery Play carriage. Together with the goldsmiths,
they produced 'ihe Destroying of the Children by Herod'.
At about the time of their incorporation, the beerbrewers
combined with the water leaders and drawers of Dee in the
Midsumsrer Show; in 1607 the beerbrewers paid 1:s 5d for taffeta
for a banner for the comPany's use at Midsummer and 40s to
Randle Ho1me, the heraldic painter, for painting itBy 1835, the company only had three members and they had not
apparently regulated the price of beer or enforced attendance at
meetings since the 1760s, in spite of the fact that large
numberl of people in Chester were engaged in the brewing trade.
BRICKLAYERS'
The Masons' Company petitioned the Assembly for a Charter in
1591 and war orderea-to have one jointly with the carpenters and
bricklayers. However, the Assembly later rescinded this
decision, and the comPany was incorporated vrith the plasterers
in 1705. In the early 1-8th century, they were also associated
with the clothworkers and were still calling themselves the
company of masons and clothworkers in 1835. At that time, the
company only had 8 members.
COMPANY
This company was in existence as the Linen Drapers' and
Bricklayers' Company by 1602 | when its aldermen and stewards
were authorised by the Mayor to collect contributions towards
the show of 'Balaam and Bllaam's ass' at the following
midsummer; the costs were shared with the linen drapers. The
Iinen drapers tried to withdraw from the arrangement the
following year, but the Mayor and Justices of the Peace ordered
it to continue. fn 1580, however, the linen drapers petitioned
the City Assembly, claiming that the bricklayers \.rere
troublesome and unserviceable to their company, many of them
being poor and unable to contribute to the defence of its
privileges; the Assembly granted their request for separation.
Three years later, the Assembly agreed to grant a charter or
incorporation t the Bricklayers Company.
The company was unusual in being governed by a master and
wardens from its incorporation until c.1825. since when the more
usual titles of aldermen and stewards have been used.
Until l7O2t the Bricklayers' Company met in the smiths' meeting
house in Commonhall Lane, but by 1835 it met twice a year at
inns in the City.
8
MERCERS" IRONMONGERS" GROCERS' AND APOTHECARIES'
COMPANY
An lronmongers' Company probably existed Ln 1422, when the
ironmongers were in dispute with the carpenters over the Corpus
Christi play. The ironmongers and mercers were separately
listed in the Mayor's book for L475-75 and produced different
mystery plays in the 16th century. The mercers and spicers
appropriltely produced 'The Three Kings' and the ironmonger_s and
roperl 'The crucifixion of Christ'. By the 17th century, the
two companies were apparentJ-y known as the mercers and
apothecaries and the ironmongers and grocers. They were
incorporated as one company by the Mayor and citizens in 1605'
Later in the 17th century there was rivalry between the mercers
and the linen drapers because their trades were closely allied;
the Assembly was called upon to arbitrate. In 1725 the
apothecariei unsuccessfully petitioned to dissociate themselves
fiom the company. By 18351 the company consisted of 14 members
who met once a year in a Chester inn.
l3
INNHOLDERS" COOKS' AND VICTUALLERS'
BUTCHERS' COMPANY
COMPANY
The innkeepers were originally associated with the cooks,
tapsters and hostlersi the cooks are mentioned in a pentice
Court roll of 1459-50 and in a list of companies in the Mayor,s
book for L475-76. These crafts produced 'The Harrowing of HeIl,
in the Chester cycle of Mystery Plays. They were granted a
charter by the Mayor and citizens in 1583 and by Elizabeth I in
1592.
A number of disputes arose between the innkeepers and other
companies. In 1585, they quarrelled with the bakers over the
right to bake bread for guests in inns and in 1657 the mercers
and ironmongers complained that the innkeepers had encroached on
their trade by selling wares in competition to them.
fn the 17th century, the company met in the glovers'meeting
house at the east end of Duke Street. However, by 1835, when it
was by far the largest of the city companies, it hetd its annual
meetings at the Exchange, the old Town HaI1, in Northgate
Street.
This company was in existence by the 15th century and is amongst
19 listed in the Mayor's book for 1475-75. There are also many
references to individual butchers, for example in 1405-07, when
several were presented for taking excessive wages and for
putting entrails of beasts under their stalls to the harm of
passers by. fn the 16th and 17th centuries there were conflicts
between the company and the City Assembly. fn 1579t the whole
company was comrnitted to the Northgate Gaol for failing to
provide sufficient meat for the City and were only released when
they humbly submitted to the Mayor. They are said to have been
granted a charter by the Mayor in 1555.
In the Chester cycle of Mystery Plays, the butchers performed
'The Temptation'. At the Midsurnmer-show they were represented
by a devil dressed in feathers, but in 1500 the Mayor, Henry
Hardware, ordered them to have a boy riding for them instead,
like the other companies.
fn the 17th century, the butchers rented a meeting room in the
Phoenix Tower but by 1835, when they had 12 members, they were
meeting three or four times a year at an inn in the City.
,%:{r(s'^NlEl
JOINERS'
,
CARVERS' AND TURNERS'
CAPPERS'
fn 1576, the joiners petitioned the Assembly for incorporation
as a company separate from the wrights, slaters and sawyers;
they received a charter from the Mayor and citizens in 1578-'19.
By the early 17th century, the carvers and turners were also a
part of this company.
Woodcarvers were in demand both for embellishing timber framed
buildings and for furniture making; turners produced wooden
objects with the aid of a lathe. Previously the turners had
been associated with the fletchers, bowyers, coopers and
stringers.
During the 17th century, the company was involved in several
disputes with craftsmen in related Lrades, particularly the
wrights and sl-aters. It was amongst the companies which met at
the Phoenix Tower, although by 1835 it met once a year at a
Iocal inn. By that date, there were 33 members of the company.
2
,
PTNNERS'
.
WIERDRAWERS' AND LTNEN DRAPERS' COMPANY
COI"IPANY
The trades of capper or capmaker, pinner and wiredrawer probably
existed in Chester from the late 15th century. Pinners made
pins and other small items from iron wirel wiredrawers made
wire by pulling iron rods through holes in metal harder than the
iron itself.
The curious spelling (wierdrawer) is a throwback
to the original spel1ing. The cappers made firing caps for
guns. The Cappers' Company vras in existence by 7523-24, when it
petitioned the Mayor and Aldermen, complaining that, because of
competion, mainly from the mercers, it was too impoverished to
produce its play. Perhaps because of this, the cappers were
joined with the pinners and wierdrawers in producing 'King
Baalak and Baalam with Moses', probably by c.1540. The linen
drapers received their charter from the Mayor in 1552. By 1603,
the linen drapers had amalgamated with the cappers, pinners and
wierdrawers.
By 1835, the cappers, pinners, wierdrawers and linen drapers
only had two members, uncle and nephew, one of who was not
resident in Chester. It had not met since 1819.
CORDWAINERS' AND SHOEI'LAKERS' COMPANY
GOLDSMITHS'
Cordwainers or corvisers and shoemakers practised similar
trades.
As early as 1356, one of the Chester rol^ls $Ias known as'Ie
Corvyseirow'. The earliest surviving charter granted to a
was granted to the shoemakers by Edward, the
ChesLer company
Black Prince, -in 1370, reversing a decision made eight years
earlier which forbade them to meddle in the tanners' trade. For
a brief period in the 15th century, the.cordwainers and
shoemakeis were amalgamated with the skinners. In 1433, the
Mayor and the Sheriffs were ordered to find an4 punish aI1
foieigners who used the trade of skinner and shoemaker within
the liberties of Chester and in 1483 Edward, Prince of Wales,
ordered that no skinner or shoemaker was to practice that trade
in Chester without licence the company on pain of E10.
In the 15th century cycle of Mystery Plays, the shoemakers
produced 'The Coming of Christ to Jerusalem'. In 1550, the
L*p".r""= of their play included.19d for riding the bannsi 2s 8d
foi a dozen boards foi tne carriagel and 22d for 2 Lf2 yards of
flaxen cloth for Mary Magdalene's coat. Together with the
drapers and the saddlers, ttre shoemakers were responsible for
providing prizes at the Shrove Tuesday races.
In 1835 the company was said to have once owned a meeting house
on a rock near St John's Church, presumably the Hermitage' It
was then still quite a large comPany with about 30 members.
Individual goldsmiths are known in chester from the late 13th
century when tlicholas the gotdsmith, sog of Matthew the
goldsmith, is mentioned in-connection with property "! !!"..
three
6o.rr"r of Foregate Street and St John Street. In 1405-07
goldsmith= ,..6 presented at the crownmote court for not paying
customs or tolls to the EarI, and for taking excessive wages for
their work and goods. The Goldsmiths' company was in existence
by l47s-76.
Although the goldsmiths were associated with the masons in
producing 'rh6 pestroying of the Children by Herod' in the
bhester 6ycle of Myst-ery plays, they never formally amalgamated.
This assoli.tiot il recorded c. L52g-37 when they reached
agreement with the vintners and dyers !9 use the-latter's
cirriage for their play and lasted until the early 17th century,
for the midsummer show.
when tf,ey were stil1
"ollaborating
From c.7664, the Goldsmiths' Company became the company of
goldsmiths and watchmakers, alth-oug-h the Act of Parliament which
ie-established the company in 1700 led to an arrangemelt by This
which each craft agreel .r6t to intermeddle with the other. -.
company never received a charter, claiming 'power by
preicription to make Bylawes for the good of the trade or
misterie. . . '
In 1687, the company decided to establish an assay office.1d..,
decreed that eveiy irember should register his mark there. Untrjthat ciate/ lt was go'.'ern.:d by one afderman and one steward; 6
afterwards by a malt.r and two wardens. In 1835, there were
or 7 members of the company who met at the assay office' Gold
and silver were assayed th-ere until the office was closed in
1962. Although pr"c-io,r" metals are no longer assayed in
Chester, gold-ani silver produced by Chester craftsmen now bear
a special Chester mark.
FLETCHERS" BOWYERS" COOPERS' AND STRINGERS'
COMPANY
ln L422, discord arose between the ironmongers and carpenters as
to who should have the help of the fletchers, bowyers, stringer,
coopers and turners in the Corpus Christi play. The outcome \ras
that the fletchers, bowyers, stringers, cooPers and turners
should produce their own pageant, 'The Scourging of Christ"
Whilst Lhe fl"tchers and bowyers had amalgamated by 1458, vrhen
they reached agreement before th
their craft as weII as how theY
light and p1ay, the cooPers are
company before t5L2. For the 15
p1ay, the stringers and turners
rn Ls12, the total expenditure on its play was 49s
lo*i"rry.
has
1od: -In 1599, the comPany made a coPy of its PIaY, which
survived, for a perforiranle of the Mystery PIay cycle which
never took place.
the
In the late 15th century. with the growing use of firearms,
bowyer and fl-etcher (arrow makers) declined; in.1587,
of
crafts
2 .foreigrr.r=-, had to be admitted to the freedom to practice
these crafts.
In the 17th century, the comPany met in the Phoenix Tower,
although by 1e35, ivhen it nai f-S members, it met twice a year in
local inns.
l0
COMPANY
.
Probably the most famous members of this company were members of
Richard Richardson II, MaYor
the Lowe and Richardson families.
of Chester to l-757-58, heJ-ped to exploit leadmining at Minera-,
Denbighshire, which benefited aI1 the City companies, under the
terms of the will of Owen Jones.
ll