Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers
Encyclopedia
The Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers is one of the Livery Companies
of the City of London
. The organisation was established in 1358 by the granting of by-laws and ordinances by the Lord Mayor (John de Stodeye) and Aldermen. New ordinances were issued in 1371. The Company received a Royal Charter
in 1484 - one of only two known Royal Charters of Richard III
.
The Wax Chandlers, or merchants in beeswax
products, were traditionally separate from the Tallow Chandlers
; beeswax candles were customary in churches and noble and royal homes, while tallow candles were used in ordinary homes. As is the case with most other Livery Companies, the Wax Chandlers are no longer a trade association of wax candle makers, instead existing as a charitable institution. They are Patrons of the National Honey Show and the British Beekeeping Association. They award an annual Wax Prize to the value of €5000 to support innovation in the design or use of waxes.
The Wax Chandlers' Company ranks twentieth in the order of precedence
of Livery companies after the ruling in 1515 of Lord Mayor William Boteler. The Company was granted arms by Sir Thomas Holme, Clarenceux King of Arms on 3 February 1485 and supporters were added in 1530. The Company's motto is Truth Is The Light.
The Company has had a Hall at 6 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7AD since 1501. The current Hall is the sixth and was substantially rebuilt in 1954 after damage during World War II. It has just been refurbished and is available to hire. It may be visited by prior booking during London Open House Weekend. The Hall is looked after by the Company Beadle.
The Company is governed under a Royal Charter of Charles II
of 1663 and by ordinances of 1664. It is ruled by Master Wax Chandler and his Upper and Renter Wardens and by a Court of Assistants. These are elected at the Election Court in June and installed ceremonially in office on the first Thursday in August. The Company is administered by its Clerk.
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 organisation was established in 1358 by the granting of by-laws and ordinances by the Lord Mayor (John de Stodeye) and Aldermen. New ordinances were issued in 1371. The Company received 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 1484 - one of only two known Royal Charters of Richard III
Richard III of England
Richard III was King of England for two years, from 1483 until his death in 1485 during the Battle of Bosworth Field. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty...
.
The Wax Chandlers, or merchants in beeswax
Beeswax
Beeswax is a natural wax produced in the bee hive of honey bees of the genus Apis. It is mainly esters of fatty acids and various long chain alcohols...
products, were traditionally separate from the Tallow Chandlers
Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers
The Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation, which engaged in not only tallow candle making but also in the trade of oils, received a Royal Charter in 1462...
; beeswax candles were customary in churches and noble and royal homes, while tallow candles were used in ordinary homes. As is the case with most other Livery Companies, the Wax Chandlers are no longer a trade association of wax candle makers, instead existing as a charitable institution. They are Patrons of the National Honey Show and the British Beekeeping Association. They award an annual Wax Prize to the value of €5000 to support innovation in the design or use of waxes.
The Wax Chandlers' Company ranks twentieth in the order of precedence
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 Livery companies after the ruling in 1515 of Lord Mayor William Boteler. The Company was granted arms by Sir Thomas Holme, Clarenceux King of Arms on 3 February 1485 and supporters were added in 1530. The Company's motto is Truth Is The Light.
The Company has had a Hall at 6 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7AD since 1501. The current Hall is the sixth and was substantially rebuilt in 1954 after damage during World War II. It has just been refurbished and is available to hire. It may be visited by prior booking during London Open House Weekend. The Hall is looked after by the Company Beadle.
The Company is governed under a Royal Charter of Charles II
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
of 1663 and by ordinances of 1664. It is ruled by Master Wax Chandler and his Upper and Renter Wardens and by a Court of Assistants. These are elected at the Election Court in June and installed ceremonially in office on the first Thursday in August. The Company is administered by its Clerk.