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| Arms granted 1 September 1455 by William Tyndale, Lancaster King of Arms; ratified and confirmed 28 May 1560 by William Hervey, Clarenceux King of Arms; entered at Visitation of 1568; Supporters granted 10 July 1923. | ||
History:
The Hall originated in 1457 with the purchase of some buildings in Fenchurch Street. These were rebuilt
in 1587 and unlike many others survived the Great Fire. The Hall was rebuilt in 1745 and suffered some
bomb damage in 1917. However, the site was sold and the building demolished. The present site off
Aldersgate Street was purchased in 1922 and the Hall opened in 1925. It was a coincidence that the site
had been cleared and drained in 1606 by a Master of the Ironmongers. The Hall narrowly escaped destruction
by fire in 1940. It is built in the Tudor style, recalling the Golden Age of craftsmanship, using hand-made bricks
and iron fittings. The panelled banqueting hall contains a minstrels' gallery and a fine Waterford
glass chandelier. The architect was Sydney Tatchall. The dining capacity is 170.
Web site: www.ironhall.co.uk
For current contact details please go to
The Livery Companies Database, which can be found on The Fishmongers' Company's website.
A fellowship existed in the 13th century. This was mentioned as a guild in the 14th century, was
granted Arms in 1455 and its first Charter in 1463. The early ironmongers were known as ferroners,
supplying and sometimes such articles as bars, rods, horseshoes, and cart wheel tyres (which had to be
of closely specified dimensions). The iron used came from the Weald of Sussex and Kent. The Company
became important and wealthy and was able to make large contributions to the financial demands of the
Crown. It took a prominent part in City pageants and in 1409 an Ironmonger Lord Mayor produced a
great play covering the history of the world which took eight days to present. Although a Great Company,
it is one of the smallest in number and until 1977 the entire Livery formed the Court. The Livery now
numbers 100. In 1723 an unusual charity was endowed by Thomas Betton with half his estate 'for the
redemption of British slaves in Turkey or Barbary", and did good work. The original almshouses,
endowed by Sir Robert Geffrye and built in 1715, now house the Geffrye Museum
and self-contained
flats for 38 elderly people have been built at Hook near Basingstoke. Schools are helped, as are the
needy. Exhibitions are granted at Oxford and Cambridge, research on iron and steel is supported at Sheffield
University, and an annual award made to the ferrous foundry industry. The preservation of iron
objects owned by the National Trust is aided.
Last updated 4 January 2005