Liveryman

Liveryman

In Livery Companies within the City of London, a liveryman is a full member of the Company.

Livery Company members fall into two categories: "freemen" and "liverymen". One may join as a freeman, and acquire the "Freedom of the Company", upon fulfilling the Company's criteria. Traditionally, one may be admitted by "patrimony" if either parent was a liverymen of the company, by "servitude" if one has served as an apprentice in the trade for the requisite number of years, or by "redemption", on interaction and payment of a "fine". The Company may also admit individuals as honorary freemen. The term 'Livery' originated in the specific form of dress worn to retainers of a nobleman and then by extension to special dress to denote status of belonging to a trade. When a freeman becomes a Liveryman the candidate is said to be 'enclothed', indeed a 'Livery Gown' is placed on them at the Court and they are seen at the next formal or social occasion wearing it. Thereafter only the Master, Wardens and Assistants in Companies are seen wearing these at Company events. The Masters wear them at the City's formal events eg the two Common Halls and the United Guilds Service, and Lord Mayor's Show, if participating. Ordinary Liverymen usually wear ties at functions ad ladies wear other items such as a scarf or brooch, each Company differs.

Freemen generally advance to become liverymen by a vote of the Court of the Company. Liverymen no longer have any local authority franchise in the City, but retain the exclusive right of voting in the election of the Lord Mayor of the City of London (Michaelmas 'Common Hall' 29th September) and for the Sheriffs (Mid-Summer 'Common Hall' 24th June) held in Guildhall as a ceremonial occasion. The votes are made by 'acclamation' subject to a challenge/ demand from the floor for a ballot which would be held a week later. Any two Liverymen may nominate a candidate for the Freedom of the City.

Former Parliamentary Election Rights

Before the Reform Act 1832 the liverymen had the exclusive right to elect the four Members of Parliament representing the City. Between 1832 and 1918 being a liveryman was one of a number of possible franchises which could qualify a Parliamentary elector in the City of London (UK Parliament constituency), as it was a preserved ancient borough franchise under the terms of the 1832 Act. "See also City of London (elections to the Parliament of England) for further details of the history of the involvement of liverymen in Parliamentary elections."

External links

* [http://www.glass-sellers.co.uk/TodayBecomingALiveryman.htm Becoming a Liveryman]


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Liveryman — Liv er*y*man, n.; pl. {Liverymen}. 1. One who wears a livery, as a servant. [1913 Webster] 2. A freeman of the city, in London, who, having paid certain fees, is entitled to wear the distinguishing dress or livery of the company, guild, or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • liveryman — [liv′ər ēmən] n. pl. liverymen [liv′ər ēmən] 1. Obs. a liveried servant 2. a member of a livery company 3. a person who owns or works in a livery stable …   English World dictionary

  • liveryman — noun Date: 1682 1. a freeman of the City of London entitled to wear the livery of the company to which he belongs 2. archaic a liveried retainer 3. the keeper of a vehicle rental service …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • liveryman — /liv euh ree meuhn, liv ree /, n., pl. liverymen. 1. an owner of or an employee in a livery stable. 2. Brit. a freeman of the City of London, entitled to wear the livery of the ancient guild or city district to which he belongs and to vote in the …   Universalium

  • liveryman — noun a) Someone who works in a livery stable. b) Someone who wears livery in the course of their employment …   Wiktionary

  • Liveryman — A member of a trade *guild or *mistery. Liverymen tended to be the more successful members of their guild; indeed they were members of an inner circle within the guild, often formally associated. Cf. Livery in seisin …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

  • liveryman — liv·er·y·man || lɪvrɪmÉ™n n. one who owns or works in a livery stable; freeman of the City of London who has the right to wear the livery of the guild or city district to which he belongs (British) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • liveryman — noun (plural liverymen) (in the UK) a member of a livery company …   English new terms dictionary

  • liveryman — noun plural liverymen, (C) someone who works in a livery company …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • liveryman — livery·man …   English syllables

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