The present state of London: or, Memorials comprehending a full and succinct account of the ancient and modern state thereof. By Tho. De-Laune, Gent

Of the Twelve Chief Companies out of which the Lord Mayor is to be annually Chosen.

1. MERCERS.

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The Mercers have been always allowed the first place, who were Incorporated into a Society 17 R. 2. Anno 1393. For their Arms, they bear Gules, a Maiden-head proper crown'd, Or, Wascot pur∣ple, issuing out of Clouds proper, within a Bordure Nebulee, Or.

2. GROCERS.

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The Grocers were at first call'd Pepperers, and Incorporated by the name of Grocers, Anno 1345. 20 E. 3. They bear a Chevron, nine Cloves Sable, with this Mot∣to, God grant Grace; Suppor∣ters Helm and Crest, granted by Clarencieux, in the Reign of H. 8. Anno 1562.

3. DRAPERS.

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The Drapers were Incorpora∣ted, 17 H. 6. An. 1430. The Arms first granted by Garter; Crest and Supporters by Clarencieux. The Coat Gules, three Triple Crowns, Or, Capt Gules issuing out of Clouds resting upon Sun∣beams; their Motto, Ʋnto God only be Honour and Glory.

4. FISH MONGERS.

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The Fishmongers were at first two Companies, to wit, Stock-Fish∣mongers, and Salt-Fishmongers; but 28 H. 8. They were imbodi∣ed into one Company; Their Arms Azure, three Dolphins in pale paper crown'd, Or, betwixt four lives Salterways Argent, all crown'd Or, on a Chief Gules, three Cross-keys Salterways Argent, the Motto, All Wor∣ship be to God only.

5. GOLDSMITHS.

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The Goldsmiths were Incorpo∣rated 16 R. 2. Their Arms quarter∣ly Gules and Azure, two Leopards heads, Or, two Golden Cups co∣vered 'twixt two Buckles Or, the Motto, To God only be all Glory.

6. SKINNERS.

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The Skinners were Incorpora∣ted 1 E. 3. Anno 1327. and made a perfect Fraternity, 18 R. 2. Their Arms Ermin on a Chief, Gules, three Ducal Crowns, Or, sin'd of the first, their Motto the the same with the Goldsmiths, To God only be all Glory.

7. MERCHANT-TAYLORS.

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The first Patent of these Arms were granted by Clarencieux, to the Company of Taylors and Lin∣nen Armourers, 21 E. 4. 1480. And Incorporated 17 H. 7. 1501. by the name of Merchant-Taylors. Their Arms Argent a Tent, two Robes Gules on a Chief Azure, a Lyon passant, regardant, Or; the Motto, Concordia parvae res crescunt.

8. HABERDASHERS.

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The Haberdashers, called of old Hurrers, were Incorporated a So∣ciety of St. Katharines 26 H. 6. Anno 1447. Confirmed 17 H. 7. by the name of Merchant-Haber∣dashers. Their Coat Nebulee Ar∣gent and Azure, on a Bend Gules, a Lyon passant, regardant, Or; the Crest and Supporters, grant∣ed by Clarencieux, Anno 1571. The Motto, Serve and Obey.

9. SALTERS.

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The Salters had the Arms of •• Society given them, 22 H. 8. Anno 1530. the Crest and Supporters by •• Clarencieux, 29 Eliz. Anno 1587. The Coat party per Chevron, A∣zure and Gules, three Salts covered, over-flowing, Argent, with this Motto, Sal sapit omnia.

10. IRONMONGERS.

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The Iron-mongers were Incor∣porated 3 E. 4. 1462. Their Arms Granted by Lancaster King at Arms, Marshal to Clarencieux, An. 1455. 34 H. 6. Their Coat Ar∣gent on a Chevron, Gules, three Lockets capted, Or, between three Steel Gads, Azure.

11. VINTERS.

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The Vintners were Incorpo∣rated by E. 3. by the name of Wine-Tonners, confirmed 15. H. 6. Anno. 1436. Their Arms first Granted by Clarencieux, 6 H. 6. 1427. They bear Sable a Chev∣ron, between three Tunns Ar∣gent.

12. CLOATH-WORKERS.

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The Cloath-Workers grew to be a Company, 22 H. 8. Anno 1530. Their Arms then Granted by Cla∣rencieux, Sable a Chevron Ermin in Chief, two Crabbets Argent in base, a Beazel, Or, Supporters and Crest granted by Clareucieux, An∣no 1587.

The other Corporations, besides these Twelve, enjoy large Privileges by the King's Charter, and they have fair Halls to meet in, most of which were consumed in the great Fire, Anno 1666. but they are since rebuilt for the most part in a very state∣ly and magnificent manner: The Hall belonging to the Company of Dyers was a few weeks ago con∣sumed by an unhappy Fire that happen'd near, as were also some Houses in Thames-street.