THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF GIRDLERS

	Arms: Per fesse Azure and Or a Pale counterchanged three Gridirons of the second Crest: [Upon a Helm on a Wreath of the Colours] Issuing out of Clouds proper irradiated Or a demi-figure of St Lawrence vested Azure holding in his dexter hand a Gridiron and in his sinister hand a Book Gold Mantling: Azure semé of Clouds proper irradiated Or doubled Ermine Motto: Give Thanks To God
Granted 15 October 1454 by John Smert, Garter King of Arms.

History:
After early mentions, Letters Patent were granted in 1327 and the first Charter in 1449. Medieval girdles had symbolic importance and one is still presented to the Sovereign at the Coronation. Scholarships are awarded at Corpus Christi and Girton Colleges, Cambridge. Two adjoining sets of almshouses are maintained and general charities supported. The Livery numbers 80.

The Hall is on a site owned since 1431 and extended in 1505. It was destroyed in 1666 and rebuilt in 1681. Again destroyed in 1941, it was charmingly rebuilt by C Ripley and reopened in 1961 with a garden containing a mulberry tree descended from a tree of 1750. A precious possession is a notable Indian carpet of 1634.

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
© Heraldic Media Limited, 2005