Past Master, John Welch was received into the Worshipful Company of Pattern makers
History of Worshipful Company of Pattern makers.
The Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers, awarded its first Royal Charter in 1670 and livery status in 1717, is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London.
The most common pattens made since the 12th century in London and other European centres took the form of a shaped wooden platform with leather or cloth straps to hold the shoes upon it, and a cast-iron ring and uprights beneath. In the 18th century pattens for elegant ladies were made to match their shoes in fine silk or embroidery. Thus the trade embraced the skills of carpentry, leatherworking, blacksmithing and embroiders.
We know that we in the 14th Century the “patternmakers” merged with the “Ancient Mystery of Pouchemakers and Galochemakers, but it is assumed that many records were lost in the Great Fire, a fate common to the records of many other companies.
The ancient Guilds functioned as both upholders of quality and (it is assumed) of price at that early time, and after serving an apprenticeship of some seven years, the apprentice (who was effectively owned by, or certainly dependant on, his Master) would have prepared a test piece or pieces, his “Masterpiece” and in a “court” of those proficient in the craft, would have been approved (or not) and made “free of his trade”, and hence able to apply to the Aldermen for his “Freedom” both of the City and to practice first as a Freeman, and then, possibly after a period of probation, as a full Liveryman.
As a Liveryman and Freeman of the City, he was able to participate fully in the elections of both Masters of his trade and in the elections of Aldermen, Common Councilmen and the Lord Mayor of the City, hence playing his part in what is the oldest continuous democracy in the world. These traditions still continue and play a major role in maintaining the City of London not only as a great trading centre, but as a non-political local authority providing high quality services to all who live and work in the great City of London.
Company Comment - Fall 2017
The Unique City
The City Livery Companies
Freedom of The City
The Constitution of Company