Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths
Motto | Justitia Virtutum Regina |
---|---|
Location | Goldsmiths' Hall, London, England, United Kingdom |
Date of formation | 1327 |
Company association | Gold and silversmithing |
Order of precedence | 5th |
Website | thegoldsmiths |
The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, commonly known as the Goldsmiths' Company, formally titled The Wardens and Commonalty of the Mystery of Goldsmiths of the City of London,[1] is one of the Great Twelve Livery Companies of the City of London. The company's headquarters are at Goldsmiths' Hall in the City of London.[2]
The Company, which originates from the twelfth century, received a Royal Charter in 1327 and ranks fifth in the order of precedence of City Livery Companies. Its motto is Justitia Virtutum Regina, Latin for Justice is Queen of Virtues.
History[]
The Company was first established as a medieval guild for the goldsmith trade. The word hallmarking derives from the fact that precious metals were officially inspected and marked at Goldsmiths' Hall.
In 1812, twenty almshouses were built on the former Perryn estate in Acton, on open land west of London. The almshouses were built on land which had been left to the Company by in 1657.[3]
In 1891, the Goldsmiths' Company founded the Goldsmiths' Technical and Recreative Institute, which went on to become Goldsmiths, University of London.
Today, the Company is one of the few Livery Companies still to play a formal role in its ancient trade. The Goldsmiths' Company oversees The Goldsmiths' Company Assay Office, where objects made of precious metals are tested for purity, and then marked with an official symbol should they pass the necessary tests. At the Trial of the Pyx, the Goldsmiths' Company is also responsible for checking the validity of British coinage.
List of Prime Wardens[]
This list is incomplete; you can help by . (August 2019) |
The current Prime Warden is Richard Fox, who took over the role from Timothy Schroder in May 2020.[4]
- Richard Croshawe (d.1636)[5]
- 2004 Bryan Toye
- 2008 Grant Macdonald
- 2012 Hector Miller
- 2013 Richard Agutter
- 2014 William Parente
- 2015 Dr Timothy Schroder
- 2016 Michael Wainwright
- 2017 Judith Cobham-Lowe
- 2018 Michael Prideaux
- 2019 Timothy Schroder
- 2020 Richard Fox (693rd)
Goldsmiths' Centre[]
In 2012 the Goldsmiths’ Centre, a space for workshops, exhibitions and events, and education including apprentice training, opened in Clerkenwell.[2][6]
Current activities[]
In July 2017, the Goldsmiths' Company announced it was to become a founding partner of the new Museum of London, donating £10 million to the new site.[7] It also announced a contribution of £250,000 to Westminster Abbey for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries, which opened in 2018.[8]
The Goldsmiths’ Company supported two large educational initiatives, providing funding for a science initiative in primary schools created by Imperial College London[9] and the National Theatre’s programme of streamed recordings for primary schools.[10]
See also[]
References[]
- ^ "History of the Company". Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Engel, Matthew (21 December 2012). "British institutions: livery companies". ft.com. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
- ^ Official history Retrieved 18 June 2018
- ^ Company, The Goldsmiths' (21 May 2020). "Latest News from The Goldsmiths' Company". The Goldsmiths' Company. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- ^ Per inscription on his monument in Derby Cathedral, see File:24.9.16 2 Derby Cathdral 11 (29289244003).jpg
- ^ "Goldsmiths' Centre". Goldsmiths’ Centre. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
- ^ "Museum of London strikes gold with £10m donation and loan of treasures". The Evening Standard. 3 July 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- ^ "The Goldsmiths' Company Makes A Major Contribution To Westminster Abbey". Church and Heritage Building. 3 June 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- ^ "Imperial and Tigtag launch new resource to boost primary science". Imperial College London. 8 December 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- ^ "Sir Lenny Henry launches On Demand in Schools Primary". 4 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2017.[dead link]
External links[]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. |
- Great Twelve City Livery Companies
- 12th-century establishments in England
- 1327 establishments in England
- 1870s in London
- Livery companies
- Corporatism
- Companies of medieval England
- Charities based in London
- History of the City of London