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| Arms granted June 1613 by Sir William Segar, Garter King of Arms, to replace earlier grants (10 March 1439) by Sir William Bruges, Garter King of Arms, and (10 July 1561) by William Hervey, Clarenceux King of Arms. | ||
History:
An association of drapers was in existence in the 12th century and is first mentioned when Henry Fitzailwin, first Mayor of London, left them his property in the parish of St Mary, Bothaw. It received its first Charter in 1364. The Grant of Arms was made in 1439, the document being the oldest surviving English grant of arms. The wool trade was of the highest importance in medieval times and the Company grew to great wealth and influence, its members dealing at different periods with both export and import of wool cloth. As with similar Companies, connections with the trade greatly diminished but the Drapers retained their influence, coupled with political power, supplying Lord Mayors about 100 times to the City. Through the centuries they have been made trustees for a wide range of educational and welfare charities. They are deeply involved with the management of Bancroft's School at Woodford and Howell's School at Denbigh, as well as Queen Mary College of the University of London which was established through their generosity. They also support four almshouses and a block of flats for the elderly, award pensions to the needy and make educational and welfare grants. The Drapers' Charitable Fund was established in 1959 to make grants for a variety of good causes, including research fellowships, medical, social and educational projects generally. The Livery numbers approximately 230.
The first Hall, mentioned in 1425, stood in St Swithin's Lane and was alleged to have belonged to Henry Fitzailwin, first Mayor of London. The present site, with a spacious mansion, was purchased from Henry VIII to whom is had passed on the attainder of Thomas Cromwell in 1543. From 1660 it was used by General Monk as a headquarters. The mansion was destroyed in the Great Fire and rebuilt by Edward Jarman in 1667. After further damage by fire in 1772, the front was rebuilt by the Adam brothers. Herbert Williams remodelled the Hall in 1868-70, and more alterations were carried out in 1898. The Court Dining Room, with its fine plaster ceiling, and the Clerk's Office, form the only portion which survived the fire of 1772. The garden, with mulberry trees, is a remnant of the original Drapers' Gardens which once stretched to London Wall.
Web site: www.thedrapers.co.uk
For current contact details please go to The Livery Companies Database, which can be found on The Fishmongers' Company's website.
Last updated 4 January 2005