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67-632: The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London is one of the livery companies of the City of London . It is one of the largest livery companies (with over 1,600 members in 2012) and ranks 58th in their order of precedence . The society is a member of the London Museums of Health & Medicine and its guild church is the Church of St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe . The Society's modern roles include educational, charitable and social activities, in addition to supporting

134-533: A court of Assistants (board of directors), responsible for company business and electing its Master and Wardens. The " Clerk to the Company" is the most senior permanent member of staff, who as chief executive officer runs its day-to-day activities. The livery companies elect a majority of the members of the Livery Committee, a body administered at Guildhall . The committee oversees the elections of Sheriffs and

201-708: A guild or meeting hall such as in Derry , a city in Northern Ireland founded and named after London livery companies in the 17th century. Though these halls faced destruction in the Great London Fire of 1666 and during the Blitz of World War II , over forty companies still own or share ownership of livery halls, some elaborate and historic, others modern replacements for halls destroyed or redeveloped. Most of these halls are made available for use by other companies not having

268-451: A nobleman and then by extension to special dress to denote status of belonging to a trade. Livery companies evolved from London 's medieval guilds , becoming corporations by royal charter responsible for training in their respective trades, as well as for the regulation of aspects such as wage control, labour conditions and industry standards. Early guilds often grew out of parish fraternal organizations , where numerous members of

335-437: A 9-metre-high (30 ft) portion of the walls, now incorporated into the north range of the hall courtyard. A new hall was built on the same site and completed in 1672 to the design of Edward Jerman; an "elaboratory" was included at this time for the first-ever large-scale manufacture of drugs . From then until 1922, the society manufactured medicinal and pharmaceutical products at their hall, and sold some of their products from

402-570: A Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries (LSA) include the poet John Keats (1816), Elizabeth Garrett Anderson (1865, thereby becoming the first openly female recipient of a UK medical qualification) and Nobel Prize winner Sir Ronald Ross KCB FRS (1881). Between the Apothecaries Act 1815 and 1998, the society also set the qualifying examination for Apothecaries' Assistants or Dispensers. Agatha Christie sat this exam in 1917, studying for which

469-521: A challenge/demand from the floor for a ballot which would be held a week later. Any two liverymen may nominate a candidate for the freedom of the City. Before the Reform Act 1832 the liverymen had the exclusive right to elect the four Members of Parliament (MPs) representing the City. Between 1832 and 1918 being a liveryman was one of a number of possible franchises which could qualify a parliamentary elector in

536-447: A corps rather than a guild. City Livery Club , founded in 1914, is a livery-oriented organisation of over 1000 members based at Bell Wharf Lane near Southwark Bridge. The club's motto is uniting the livery, promoting fellowship . The Guild of Young Freemen and the Guild of Freemen of the City of London , whilst not being livery companies, are popular associations amongst the freemen of

603-753: A livery hall of their own. Most ancient livery companies maintain contact with their original trade or craft. In some cases, livery companies have chosen to support a replacement industry fulfilling a similar purpose today, e.g. plastics replacing use of horn or ivory in the case of the Horners' Company and fashion for the Haberdashers' Company . Modern companies are mainly represented by today's professions and industry and operate in close association with these. Many ancient crafts remain as relevant today as when their guilds were originally established. Some still exercise powers of regulation, inspection and enforcement, e.g.

670-659: A member of the United Examining Board until 1999; the Society could license doctors thereafter, but did so rarely since the dissolution of the United Examining Board. Amongst the notable people who qualified in medicine as a Licentiate of the Society (LSA) were the poet John Keats (1816), Elizabeth Garrett Anderson (1865, thereby becoming the first openly female recipient of a UK medical qualification) and Nobel Prize winner Sir Ronald Ross KCB FRS (1881). The Society throughout its history has been

737-554: A peer. This is specific and unusual, although it is not unique (peers' helmets are also borne with some apparent authority by the Fishmongers' , Goldsmiths' and Clockmakers' companies). The use of the term society rather than the usual company is purely traditional, though – the charter and grant themselves use both terms, as do grants to other City companies (including the Bowyers , Framework Knitters and Fanmakers ). The Society

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804-485: A pioneer in the nurturing of medical specialist knowledge, including for general medical practice, obstetrics, occupational medicine, public health medicine, legal & forensic medicine and GU medicine, through its qualifications and educational programmes. The Apothecaries' Garden, established in 1673 by the Society to grow plants to be used as medicines, still exists as the Chelsea Physic Garden . The society

871-523: A retail outlet opening onto Water Lane (now Blackfriars Lane). Many were to supply clients who included the navy, army, the East India Company and the Crown Colonies. A major restoration and building programme was carried out in the 1780s, which included the stucco facing in the courtyard and new west and south ranges. The Hall's appearance has altered little since even though it saw renovation in

938-563: A tie, scarf, badge or brooch. Freemen are expected to advance to become liverymen by a vote of the court of each company. Liverymen no longer have any local government franchise in the City, but retain the exclusive right of voting in the election of the Lord Mayor (Michaelmas 'Common Hall' 29 September) and for the Sheriffs (Mid-Summer 'Common Hall' 24 June) held at Guildhall as a ceremonial occasion. The votes are made by 'acclamation' subject to

1005-413: Is a favourite theory for the origin of the phrase " at sixes and sevens ", as has been pointed out by at least one Master Merchant Taylor; however, it is possible that the phrase may have been coined before the dispute arose, as it comes from the companies both receiving their Charters in 1327 with no proof surviving as to which was granted first. Company without Livery is a status which applies during

1072-466: Is a type of guild or professional association that originated in medieval times in London , England. Livery companies comprise London's ancient and modern trade associations and guilds, almost all of which are styled the "Worshipful Company of" their respective craft , trade or profession . There are 111 livery companies in total. They play a significant part in the life of the City of London (i.e.

1139-516: Is appreciated that any increase in the overall number of livery halls would inevitably lead to some dilution of use of the existing halls. There is also attraction in belonging to a company which is peripatetic . In 1515, the Court of Aldermen of the City of London settled an order of precedence for the 48 livery companies then in existence, based on those companies' contemporary economic or political power. The 12 highest-ranked companies remain known as

1206-618: Is based at Apothecaries' Hall in Blackfriars, London . The building, originally part of the Dominican priory of Black Friars , was called Cobham House prior to its purchase by the society in 1632. Much of the original building was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666, including the Friary guesthouse, which constituted most of it, although part of the 13th-century buildings remain, including

1273-570: Is likely to have served her well in her description of more than 80 poisonings in her books. Since 1928, when the society instituted the first postgraduate qualification in Midwifery (the Mastery of Midwifery, MMSA), the Apothecaries have pioneered 15 further such diplomas in specialist subjects not offered by the universities, medical royal colleges or any other medical body. This includes the diploma in

1340-466: Is my invention, throughout the world I am called the bringer of help, and the power of herbs is under my control [but] alas for me, love cannot be cured by herbs, so the skills which help everyone else do not benefit their master. The society's supporters are golden unicorns, and its crest is a rhinoceros. The unicorns may have been a compliment to James I, and the horns of unicorns and of the rhinoceros are reputed to be of medical use. The illustration of

1407-549: Is perhaps best known generally for its foundation in 1673 of the Chelsea Physic Garden , London, one of Europe's oldest botanical gardens and the second oldest in Britain. After Sir Hans Sloane granted the society rights to the manor of Chelsea , the four-acre (16,000 m²) garden became the richest collection of medicinal plants in Europe under the direction of Philip Miller . Its seed exchange programme, originally initiated with

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1474-491: The Administration of Justice Act 1977 , being in no way guilds never having been related to trading and occupational activities. Guilds which at one point attained the status of livery companies and have since ceased to exist include the following: Aceso Aceso was the daughter of Asclepius and Epione , sister of Iaso , Hygieia , Panacea , and Aegle . Unlike her sister Panacea (Cure-All), she represented

1541-516: The Apothecaries Act 1815 ( 55 Geo. 3 . c. 194), followed by further acts of Parliament. The title of the original licence was Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries (LSA). When the General Medical Council was established by statute in 1858, the LSA became a registrable qualification. From 1885, the examination included surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, which were required by law following

1608-454: The City and Guilds of London Institute . From their inception, livery companies cared for their members in sickness and old age by the giving of alms . Today, they continue to support both their members, and wider charitable aims and activities such as education and training . Numerous educational establishments in England were founded by and retain association with livery companies, among

1675-506: The City of London , its governance and the Lord Mayor of the City of London . Prior to the foundation of the Society in 1617, London apothecaries were in the Grocers' Company (founded 1345, and whose trade was described in 1365 as the "Mistery of Grossers, Pepperers and Apothecaries"). In the 14th and 15th centuries, the Grocers, Pepperers, Spicers and Apothecaries were the trades constituting

1742-640: The City of London Solicitors' Company and the Worshipful Company of Engineers . Other companies whose trade died out long ago, such as the Bowyers' Company , have evolved into being primarily charitable foundations . Some companies, such as the Pinmakers, disappeared entirely in the Victorian era . After the Carmen's Company received City livery status in 1848 no new companies were established for 80 years until

1809-569: The City of London constituency , as it was a preserved ancient borough franchise under the terms of the 1832 Act. Today 39 out of 111 City livery companies own premises in London, as well as the Watermen and Lightermen which although not strictly a livery company, retains headquarters still in regular use. Among the earliest companies known to have had halls are the Merchant Taylors and Goldsmiths in

1876-552: The Company of Parish Clerks nor the Company of Watermen have applied or intend to apply for livery status, which remains a long-standing City tradition. This is granted by the City Corporation in effect to control a company. The Watermen and Parish Clerks are governed by statutes and royal charters with responsibilities outside the City. The Company of Watermen and Lightermen was established by Act of Parliament in 1555 to regulate

1943-629: The Honourable Company of Master Mariners in 1926 (granted livery in 1932). Post-1926 creations are known as modern livery companies . The Nurses' Company , the newest, was granted livery status in 2023, making it the 111th City livery company in order of precedence . The Honourable Company of Air Pilots is exceptional among London's livery companies in having active overseas committees in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand and North America. Livery companies were originally formed, starting in

2010-588: The House of Lords overturned a ruling of the Queen's Bench in the Rose case , which effectively gave apothecaries the right to practice medicine , meaning that apothecaries may be viewed as forerunners of present-day general (medical) practitioners or family physicians . The Apothecaries Act 1815 gave the Society the power to license and regulate medical practitioners throughout England and Wales. The Society retained this role as

2077-601: The Ironmongers . Many livery halls can be hired for business and social functions, and are popular for weddings , commercial and society meetings, luncheons and dinners. Three livery companies (the Glaziers and Painters of Glass , Launderers and Scientific Instrument Makers ) share a hall in Southwark , just south of and outside the City of London, while the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers has long been based at Proof House in

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2144-823: The Leiden Botanical Garden , led to cotton being planted for the first time in the Colony of Georgia . Jealously guarded during the Society's tenure, in 1983 the garden became a charity and opened to the public for the first time. The garden is a member of the London Museums of Health & Medicine . It is also Grade I listed in the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England by English Heritage . 51°30′46″N 0°06′12″W  /  51.5128°N 0.1032°W  / 51.5128; -0.1032 Livery Company A livery company

2211-472: The London Borough of Tower Hamlets . Companies without halls customarily book use of another livery hall for their formal gatherings, giving members and guests the opportunity to visit and enjoy different City livery halls by rotation. Blue plaques throughout the City of London indicate where companies formerly had halls. Whilst several livery companies may aspire to owning or regaining their own hall it

2278-465: The Medical Act 1886 ( 49 & 50 Vict. c. 48), and in 1907 the title was altered by act of Parliament to LMSSA to reflect this. The society ceased to be recognised by the General Medical Council as a provider of primary medical qualifications in 2008, although it had rarely issued any licences since 1999, the year the United Examining Board was abolished. Notable people who qualified in medicine as

2345-465: The Square Mile , less competitive. The City adapted with Britain's role in the expansion of global trade by establishing exchanges which later became guardians of business conduct . From the 1870s however, there was a revival, with livery companies extending their original educational purpose to technical education, supporting new industries and providing the necessary training, most notably through

2412-587: The freedom of the City of London , now an essential formality, though in the past the Freedom carried benefits, such as being able to drive a flock of sheep across London Bridge at no charge. Livery companies are governed by a Master (alternatively styled Prime Warden in some companies, or Upper Bailiff of the Weavers' Company), a number of Wardens (holding various titles such as the Upper, Middle, Lower, or Renter Wardens), and

2479-600: The watermen on the River Thames responsible for the movement of goods and passengers and remains the only ancient City guild to be formed and governed by Act of Parliament. They are then strictly not 'companies without livery' at all but simply 'companies'. The Ward Beadles of the City of London are the elected officials, not representatives, of the City Wards so have constitutional standing. They are associated together for mainly communications and social activities; they are

2546-564: The "Court" which is the governing body of the Society. Members of the Court wear dark-blue gowns with gold facings. The Master and Wardens have chains of office and particular traditional robes – the Master's trimmed with musquash, the wardens' trimmed with fitch. Liverymen are "clothed" upon attaining that rank (modernly with a solicitor's-type black robe and a blue/cream epitoge). The Society's only truly academic dress were: The chief operating officer of

2613-515: The 12th century, to guarantee that a member was trustworthy and fully qualified, and that the goods they produced were of reputable quality, the two-fold aim being to protect the public and to protect members from charlatans. After the Middle Ages , they continued to be established until the 17th century, when political upheaval in England, the growth of London outwards from the City rendered many such livery companies, which only controlled trade within

2680-478: The 14th century, and, uniquely, the kitchen and the crypt of Merchant Taylors' Hall survived both the Great Fire of London and the Blitz , the kitchen now having been in uninterrupted use for over 600 years. Besides part of Merchant Taylors' Hall kitchens, the oldest interiors extant of a livery hall proper are those of the Apothecaries' Society , most rooms of which date from 1668 to 1671; significant portions of

2747-458: The 1980s. The hall is the oldest standing livery hall of the city, with the first-floor structure and arrangement of the Great Hall, Court Room and Parlour remaining as rebuilt between 1668 and 1670. In addition to providing qualifications in, and regulation of, the trade of the apothecary and dispensing, the Apothecaries' Society offered primary medical qualifications until 1999. This began after

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2814-617: The Archive received Heritage Lottery funding. Today the Archive is active with a "Friends of the Archives" group and a number of events throughout the year. Many people use it to make enquiries regarding family history, the history of the Apothecaries' Society and other historical activities. Due to its historical holdings, the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries is a member of The London Museums of Health & Medicine group. At least 80% of

2881-468: The City's Sheriffs , Bridge Masters, Ale Conners , Auditors, members of the City Livery Committee, and approve the aldermanic candidates for election to the office of Lord Mayor of London . Entry to a livery company may be by one of four routes: Regardless of method of entry, membership carries the same duties, responsibilities and privileges. Membership of a livery company may combine with

2948-701: The City, with the young freemen being open to those under the age of 40. The Honourable Company of Freemen of the City of London of North America (headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) represents Freemen and Liverymen of the City of London living in North America. The City Corporation of London retains the lordship of three manors in Southwark ( Guildable , King's and Great Liberty ). Now membership organisations, members are eligible to serve as ceremonial officers or jurors in their relevant manorial jurisdiction . These courts retain legal-standing under

3015-729: The Forensic and Clinical Aspects of Sexual Assault (2009–14), the administration of which was taken up by the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine in 2014. Thus, the society's innovation may be seen to have nurtured the recognition and establishment in the UK of pharmacy and medical specialisms (and the subsequent founding of their specialist royal colleges and faculties) including for General Practice, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Occupational Medicine, Public Health Medicine, and Forensic & Legal Medicine. The Society currently awards postgraduate diplomas in

3082-570: The Fraternity of St Anthony. Before that, apothecaries had been Spicer-Apothecaries or Spicers since the 12th century. Having sought autonomy for many years, the apothecaries finally separated from the Grocers' Company on 6 December 1617 when they were granted a royal charter by James I. During the remainder of the 17th century its members (including Nicholas Culpeper ) challenged the College of Physicians members' monopoly of practising medicine. In 1704,

3149-626: The Goldsmiths' Company Assay Office , while others are awarding bodies for professional qualifications. The Scriveners' Company admits senior members of legal and associated professions, the Apothecaries' Society awards post-graduate qualifications in some medical specialities, and the Hackney Carriage Drivers' Company comprises licensed taxi drivers who have passed the " Knowledge of London " test. Several companies restrict membership to those holding relevant professional qualifications, e.g.

3216-539: The Great Twelve City Livery Companies. Presently, there are 111 City livery companies, with the newer companies generally being ranked by seniority of creation. The origins of some companies, and the granting of their liveries, are now obscure. The Merchant Taylors and the Skinners have long disputed their precedence, so once a year (at Easter) they swap between sixth and seventh places. This mix-up

3283-466: The Lord Mayor, educates liverymen regarding the City Corporation's activities and represents the livery companies in communications with the City. Membership generally falls into two categories: freemen and liverymen. One may become a freeman, or be admitted to the "freedom of the company", upon fulfilling certain criteria: traditionally, by "patrimony", if either parent/grandparent were a liveryman of

3350-463: The Master, Wardens and Assistants wear livery gowns at company functions. Masters wear them at the City's formal events, e.g. the two Common Halls and the United Guilds Service, and Lord Mayor's Show, wherever they may participate. Ordinarily, liverymen wear ties or brooches at formal functions and each company differs by allowing men/women to wear distinct items subject to the occasion, such as

3417-744: The Society is its Clerk and the hall is managed by the Beadle. The Clerk wears a black solicitor's gown trimmed with blue ribbons, and the Beadle's robe is decorated with miniature hanging rosettes. Other roles in the society include the Dean (a senior member who oversees the educational functions), the Registrar (who directs the examinations' department), the Curator, and the Presidents of the Faculties. The Society of Apothecaries

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3484-549: The annual election of the Lord Mayor of London , the Sheriffs and various other City civic offices, including the Ale Conners and Bridge Masters . A liveryman is a full member of his/her respective company. When a freeman is promoted liveryman, the candidate is said to be 'clothed in the livery': indeed, a livery gown is placed on him at the Court meeting which he wears to the subsequent formal or social occasion. Thereafter only

3551-431: The best-known being the Haberdashers' , Merchant Taylors' and Skinners' schools. Most livery companies maintain proud affiliations with regular and reserve units of the British Armed Forces , providing links between civilian and military life. The livery companies have always been a constituent part of the governance of the City of London . The senior members of the livery companies, i.e. liverymen , elect

3618-496: The company; by "servitude", if one has served a requisite number of years as an apprentice to a senior company member; or by "redemption", upon paying a fee. Most livery companies reserve the right to admit distinguished people, particularly in their sphere of influence, as Honorary Freeman/Liveryman/Assistant . Freemen may advance to become liverymen, after obtaining the Freedom of the City of London , and with their court of Assistants' approval. Only liverymen are eligible to vote in

3685-427: The crest in the Grant is based on Dürer's 1515 depiction of a rhinoceros, an animal which he had never seen but which he drew from a description, the dorsal horn may have been intended to be on the dorsum of its nose, rather than on the animal's back. The illustration in the original grant of arms accords the society the helmet of a peer (noble), and the text specifies the red/white mantling usually associated with

3752-409: The fabric of this building are also medieval, from the 13th-century priory, part of which became Apothecaries' Hall. Several companies that do not have a hall of their own share office premises within the hall of another company on a semi-permanent basis, examples being the Spectacle Makers' Company , which uses part of Apothecaries' Hall, and the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights , which co-habits with

3819-445: The financial district and historic heart of the capital ), not least by providing charitable-giving and networking opportunities. Liverymen retain voting rights for the senior civic offices , such as the Lord Mayor , Sheriffs and Common Council of the City Corporation , London's ancient municipal authority with extensive local government powers. The term livery originated in the designed form of dress worn by retainers of

3886-558: The first book of Metamorphoses (Daphne and Apollo), which describes what Apollo says when he and Daphne are struck by Cupid's arrows but Daphne flees from him (Cupid – whose power had been doubted by Apollo – shot a golden arrow at Apollo but a leaden one at Daphne). This puts the motto in context and makes it particularly relevant to apothecaries: Inventum medicina meum est, opiferque per orbem dicor, et herbarum subiecta potentia nobis. Hei mihi, quod nullis amor est medicabilis herbis; nec prosunt domino, quae prosunt omnibus, artes! Medicine

3953-474: The following fields (with year of establishment): In addition to this professional qualifications role, the present-day Society also sponsors students and lecturers at UK Medical and Pharmacy Schools, and organises courses and public lectures through two faculties: the Faculty of the History and Philosophy of Medicine and Pharmacy and the Faculty of Conflict and Catastrophe Medicine . The Apothecaries have active event calendars for members, friends and

4020-468: The healing process) and Aglaea (the goddess of beauty, splendor, glory, magnificence and adornment). His usual attributes are a bow and arrow. The society motto – which, unusually, is specified in the blazon of the Grant of Arms and is therefore immutable – is Opiferque Per Orbem Dicor , a Latin part-quotation from Ovid referring to the Greek deity Apollo , meaning: "and throughout the world [I am] called [the bringer of] help". The full quotation, from

4087-437: The membership of the Society are required to be medical practitioners, and at least 85% must be medically qualified or registered pharmacists. In fact, the membership is predominantly made up of prominent physicians (rather than surgeons who, for historical reasons, are more likely to be members of the Barbers' Company ). The members of the Society are (in descending rank): The Master, Wardens and Assistants together constitute

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4154-450: The period between when a guild is recognised by the Court of Aldermen and when it is granted the rights of a livery. A guild initially applies to be a London Guild , and may later apply to the Court to become a Company of the City of London . After an indefinite period, such a Company of the City of London can apply to the Aldermen for livery status; if granted, they can thereafter use the honorific prefix Worshipful Company . Neither

4221-473: The public. The Apothecaries' building is open each year to the public during Open House Day. The Apothecaries host lectures and dinners organised for the Society or for the Faculties. The Faculty of Conflict and Catastrophe Medicine hold two lectures each year which are open to the public: the Audrey Few Lecture and the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Lecture. The Faculty of the History and Philosophy of Medicine and Pharmacy hosts several eponymous lectures throughout

4288-593: The same trade lived in close proximity often congregating at the same church . Like most organisations during the Middle Ages , these livery companies had close ties with the Roman Catholic Church (before the Protestant Reformation ), endowing religious establishments such as chantry chapels and churches , observing religious festivals and hosting ceremonies as well as well-known mystery plays . Most livery companies retain their historical religious associations, although nowadays members are free to follow any faith or none. Livery companies invariably established

4355-477: The society's grant of arms of 1617 as "the inventor of physic" (i.e. medicine), Apollo is depicted in the coat of arms with his head radiant, overcoming pestilence which is represented pictorially by a wyvern (a "serpent" in the blazon). Apollo was the father of Asclepius and therefore grandfather of Hygeia (goddess of health, cleanliness, and sanitation), Panacea (goddess of universal health), Iaso (goddess of recuperation from illness), Aceso (goddess of

4422-422: The year. The lectures in this series are named after persons significant to the Apothecaries' Society and medicine in general: Monckton Copeman, Geoffrey Flavell, John Locke, Osler, Sydenham, Sir Hans Sloane, and Gideon de Laune. The Livery Committee organises regular events for members of the Society. The Society of Apothecaries operates an Archive which is referred to as 'The Collection' on their website. In 2002,

4489-402: Was granted Arms by William Camden ( Clarenceux ) on 12 December 1617, less than a week after receiving its royal charter; the efficiency possibly indicating some planning of the break from the Grocers' Company. The society was not as speedy in settling its bill from the College of Arms however, as payment for the grant was not directed by the court until April 1620. Described in the blazon of

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