Our Livery Today | Becoming a Liveryman

There are three steps:

This can be achieved through one of the following:

Servitude – A candidate below the age of 21 can be bound Apprentice to a Freeman or a Liveryman (who might be one of their parents) for a minimum period of 4 years. At the end of that time the Apprentice Master/Mistress brings the Apprentice before the Court. If he or she is able to give a satisfactory report of the Apprentice’s behaviour the Court will decide whether the Apprentice can be admitted to the Freedom immediately or at a later date.

Patrimony – A candidate whose parent was a Freeman or Liveryman before the candidate was born may, after the age of 21, apply to the Court for the Freedom. The Court will determine when the admission can be made.

Redemption – A candidate is proposed and seconded by two Liverymen, one of whom must be a member of the Court. He or she meets a small committee which advises the Court as to their suitability. The Court makes the final decision. At the present time the annual subscription for a Freeman is £50.

3    THE LIVERY
A Freeman of the Company and of the City who wishes to become a Liveryman may be ‘beckoned’ by the Court to become a Liveryman. He or she is then clothed in the Livery at Common Hall and is entitled to the description ‘Citizen and Glass Seller’. At present there is a one-off payment of £650 and an annual charge (quarterage) of £200.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to be a Liveryman?

Becoming a Liveryman of one of the City of London's Livery Companies is a great privilege and honour. Being a Liveryman gives you the right to attend Common Hall and vote in the elections for the Sheriffs and the Lord Mayor.  The Lord Mayor, Sheriffs and Aldermen are drawn from among the ranks of the Livery.

What are the benefits of belonging to the Glass Sellers Company?

It provides you with an opportunity to mix with like-minded individuals; meet influential people in the City and in the glass industry; contribute to our Charitable works and support the education of young people. 

As detailed above but because of the wording of the oath made when becoming a Freeman of the City of London, candidates should be British or European Community citizens.

How do I apply to become a Liveryman?

You are likely to have attended one of our Court Dinners and you will usually know someone who is already a member of the Company. Hopefully, you will be invited by a Liveryman to make an application for membership but you do not have to wait to be asked. However, an existing Liveryman must propose and a Member of the Court will be required to second your application.

What happens next?

Firstly, you will need to complete an Application form. Your Proposer then makes a statement as to your suitability and a Member of the Court seconds the application.

Next you will be invited to London for a short interview conducted by the Interview Committee and, if your application is taken forward, it will be presented to the Court at the next Court Meeting. Providing the Court accepts your application, the Honorary Clerk will invite you to make your declaration as a Freeman of the Company at the next convenient meeting of the Court at which your Proposer will be expected to make a brief commendation. Afterwards you will join your Proposer at the Court Dinner.

If you are already a Freeman of the City of London, you will inform the Chamberlain's Court of your Freedom of the Company, otherwise the Company will support your application to become a Freeman of the City. You are expected to make this application within 6 months of becoming a Freeman of the Company and to advise the Honorary Clerk when you have received your Freedom.

You are then eligible to be called by the Honorary Clerk to be clothed as a Liveryman.

The progress of your application is dependent on the Company's cycle of meetings and your availability to attend those quarterly Court meetings to which you are called to make your declaration as Freeman and later Liveryman. On average, however:

• from application form to approval = minimum 3 months

• from approval to making declaration of Freeman of the Company = minimum 3 months

• from Freeman of the Company to Liveryman = minimum 3 months, but 6-12 months is likely (this depends on the speed with which you are able to become a Freeman of the City of London)

Upon becoming a Freeman: £50.00 and each year thereafter £50.00. In most circumstances, however, you progress to becoming a Liveryman before your first year's subscription is due. Upon becoming a Liveryman, a Fine (a once-off payment) becomes immediately payable. The Fine is currently £650.00.

The annual subscription, known as Quarterage, is payable each Michaelmas and is currently £200 and charged pro rata at the date of admission in the first year.

Upon clothing in Livery, the Master addresses the new Liveryman with the words "Members are expected to be regular in their attendance at meetings of the Company, and to support our charitable activities according to ability …"

In practical terms, you will be expected to complete a Gift Aid Form (which allows the Company to reclaim tax), together with a standing order, payable annually, in such a sum as the Liveryman feels appropriate. However, we are often asked for a benchmark. In response we use the expression "Bring an absent friend to a dinner twice a year, and donate that amount to the Charity Fund." Our Dinners currently cost £70 per person.