Worshipful Company of Drapers - History

History

An informal association of drapers undoubtedly existed as early as 1180. The organisation was founded in 1361; it received a Royal Charter three years later. It was incorporated as a company under a Royal Charter in 1438, and was the first corporate body to be granted a coat of arms. The charter gave the company perpetual succession and a Common seal. Over the centuries the original privileges granted by Royal Charter have been confirmed and amended by successive monarchs. The acting charter of today is that granted by James I in 1607, amended by four supplemental charters, most recently in 2008.

A Brotherhood of Drapers, a religious fraternity attached to the church of St. Mary Bethlehem in Bishopsgate, is also known to have existed in the 1360s. It was founded in honour of St. Mary by "good people Drapers of Cornhill and other good men and women" for the amendment of their lives. The location of St. Mary can hardly have been convenient for the majority of drapers who lived in and around Cornhill, Candlewick Street (now Cannon Street) and Chepe (Cheapside). Possibly it was for this reason that allegiance was transferred to St Mary le Bow in Cheapside and later to St Michael, Cornhill, where the Company continues to worship today. Despite these changes, the Drapers retain the Blessed Virgin Mary as their patron saint.

Originally, the organisation was a trade association of wool and cloth merchants. It has been one of the most powerful companies in London politics. Over one hundred Lord Mayors have been members of the Company; the first, Henry Fitzailwyn, is thought to have been a draper. During the Plantation of Ulster, the company held land around Moneymore and Draperstown in County Londonderry.

Three Royal Princes joined the Company, though none had been expected to become King:

• Prince William of Orange, later King William III of England
• Prince Carl of Denmark, later King Haakon VII of Norway
• Prince Albert Duke of York, later King George VI, Emperor of India and King of the United Kingdom

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and King Harald V of Norway are members of the Company. Another, who would have become monarch had he survived his elder brother, was Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany.