Worshipful Company of Ironmongers
Encyclopedia
The Worshipful Company of Ironmongers is one of the Livery Companies
of the City of London
. The Ironmongers, who were originally known as the Ferroners, were incorporated under a Royal Charter
in 1463. The Company's original association with iron merchants, however, has lessened, especially due to the movement of the industry from Southern England to the North, where iron ore has been more readily available. Thus, the Company remains primarily as a charitable institution.
The Company ranks tenth in the order of precedence
of Livery Companies; it is therefore one of the "Great Twelve City Livery Companies." The Company's motto is God Is Our Strength.
Livery Company
The Livery Companies are 108 trade associations in the City of London, almost all of which are known as the "Worshipful Company of" the relevant trade, craft or profession. The medieval Companies originally developed as guilds and were responsible for the regulation of their trades, controlling,...
of the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
. The Ironmongers, who were originally known as the Ferroners, were incorporated under a Royal Charter
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
in 1463. The Company's original association with iron merchants, however, has lessened, especially due to the movement of the industry from Southern England to the North, where iron ore has been more readily available. Thus, the Company remains primarily as a charitable institution.
The Company ranks tenth in the order of precedence
Order of precedence
An order of precedence is a sequential hierarchy of nominal importance of items. Most often it is used in the context of people by many organizations and governments...
of Livery Companies; it is therefore one of the "Great Twelve City Livery Companies." The Company's motto is God Is Our Strength.