The early years of the Company The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers has existed for over 600 years. The first record of the Company, and its master, dates from 12 September 1416, in one of the City of London Corporation’s Letter Books. These books record the administrative business of the Court of Common Council and Court of Aldermen, and any matters regarding the City of London. The entry details the swearing in of Thomas White into the office of Master of the “Mistery of Tylers” before the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City, along with two wardens, John Grace and Geoffrey Powes, who would have assisted with governing the Company. A celebration of the 600th anniversary of the Company was held in 2016 with a gala concert at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. The Company’s first hall was located in the Parish of All Hallows London Wall, but they did not stay for long. In 1536 the Company acquired land to build its second, larger, hall on the south side of Leadenhall Street, behind the Cock & Hoop tavern. The Company’s earliest document describes this transaction. Bearing the signature of Sir Thomas Audley, the Lord Chancellor of England, the estate was transferred to the carpenter Thomas Alderton, who then sold it to the tiler Ellys Dyall. The Tylers and Bricklayers became the official corporate owners in 1582.
Extract from Letter Book I showing the swearing in of Thomas White
It was in this second hall that the Company’s copy of the Geneva Bible of 1589 (also known as the “Breeches Bible”), a predecessor of the King James Bible, was chained to a lectern for the swearing of oaths. The master and wardens’ accounts of 1641 record: “2 greate bibles one of them haveing a lock and chaine to it”.
View of the houses on the south side of Leadenhall Street, including the entrance to Bricklayers’ Hall. The image also depicts three figures digging up the road and a variety of street sellers and pedestrians. Image © City of London, London Metropolitan Archives
The Company’s earliest document, showing the transfer of land to build the second Bricklayers’ Hall.
Image © City of London, Guildhall Library
the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers
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1568
The Company’s royal charter is granteD Elizabeth I granted the Company’s original royal charter of incorporation in 1568. She was staying at Gorehambury House, Hertfordshire, the residence of Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England. His name appears on the first page of the Company’s Book of Ordinance, which sets out its rules and regulations.
The Company’s copy of the charter is now lost but a near contemporary copy has been transcribed into one of the City of London Corporation’s Letter Books. This shows the City taking keen interest in matters concerning the livery companies.
The copy of the Company’s royal charter of incorporation, found in one of the City of London Corporation’s Letter Books. Image © City of London, London Metropolitan Archives
Queen Elizabeth I.
The following year the Company was granted its Achievement (or Coat) of Arms, which was witnessed and signed by the Garter, Clarenceux and Norroy Kings of Arms on 3 February 1569. The Kings of Arms are the only people with the authority to grant armorial bearings and noble titles. Two years later, a new book of ordinances was created outlining duties, powers and procedures of the Company. It was witnessed by Sir Nicholas Bacon, William Marques
the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers
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of Winchester and Robert Catlyn, the Lord Chief Justice. Under the terms of this charter, the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers had authority over all those working as tilers or bricklayers, both in the City and within a 15-mile radius. Officers of the Company inspected sites to check that materials and workmanship met the Company’s standards. Those found lacking would be summoned to appear before the Court of Assistants and fined.
“O rare Ben Jonson” Ben Jonson (1572-1637) is the Company’s greatest son. He was apprenticed to his stepfather, Robert Brett (master of the Company in 1608-09), as a bricklayer for a time, before turning to acting and literature. After serving his apprenticeship, he became a freeman of the Company, and paid his first quarterage on St Peter’s Day 1596. Jonson was extremely erratic in the payments of his quarterage and for the years 1602 to 1610 he is absent from the Company’s records.
To celebrate this return, the Company records “wyne and sugar for Benjamin Jonson: 10 shillings and 8 pence”. This display of generosity indicates Jonson’s rising fame. It certainly made no economic sense to use almost all the money Jonson had owed to the Company to pay for his celebrations.
In 1611 he turns up again in the record books to pay all his arrears for the preceding years: 11 shillings and four pence. The Company was delighted to welcome back Jonson, who was now a notable playwright.
Quarterage Book from 1588-1616, showing Jonson paying his quarterage (sums of money owed to the Company), which was four pence a quarter, on St Peter’s Day in 1596.
Extract from Warden Accounts 1605-1633 showing “wyne and sugar for Benjamin Jonson”
the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers
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A miniature of Jonson, after an original painting by Abraham van Blyenberch.
Jonson died in poverty in 1637. He is buried in Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey. The story is told that he begged “18 inches of square ground in Westminster Abbey” from Charles I and he is buried standing up. The epitaph on his grave reads: “O rare Ben Jonson”.
The Company’s glory days The Company prospered throughout the early 1600s. However, by 1636, difficulties were arising. Charles I created two rival companies, namely the Company of Brick and Tyle Makers and the new Corporation of the Suburbs. These organisations threatened the ancient rights of the Tylers and Bricklayers and the
Company objected immediately, petitioning the Privy Council. These objections were taken as far as Charles I himself. The master and his wardens met the King and the Privy Council at Hampton Court on 30 September 1638 to state their case for their right to oversee and control building in the City of London.
Extract from Charter and Memorandum Book, 1639, which transcribes the meeting between King Charles I and the Privy Council in 1638. The lesser mace head given by Peter Mills to the Company in 1660. The inscription reads: “The guift of Peter Mills to the Company 1660”. This is the Company’s oldest piece of silver.
A commission was appointed to examine the abuses of the King. One of the commissioners appointed was Sir Inigo Jones, the first significant English architect. The commission ruled in the favour of the Tylers and Bricklayers, and by 1640 the King’s rival companies had collapsed. Charles I was forced to back down. The Company’s good fortune did not continue for long. During this period, the Company had amassed great wealth, both financially and in terms of its silver. However, in 1642 all the livery companies were assembled at Guildhall by the King and asked to contribute towards the cost of the Civil War. Much of the Company’s silver was sold for a little over £170 and the money was surrendered to the Crown.
1600s Image © City of London, Guildhall Library
the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers
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The Company and the Great Fire The Great Fire of London raged through the City of London in the first week of September 1666. It damaged or destroyed two-thirds of the City, including 52 livery halls, 87 parish churches, St Paul’s Cathedral and over 13,000 houses. This marked a turning point for the Company. Up to this point, it had the monopoly on building in the City, but it was quickly realised that the Company would be unable to cope with the scale of rebuilding that was needed. To try and prevent the use of itinerant bricklayers, the Court met in November 1666 and decided to take on a greater number of apprentices. Bricklayers’ Hall was one of a handful of livery company halls to survive the fire and was used by a number of companies, including the Coopers’ Company.
The City appointed Peter Mills, who had been twice master of the Company, as one of the city surveyors to oversee the City’s rebuilding. Mills was the author of a plan for the rebuilding of the City, but this particular plan was not carried out. Nevertheless, he went on to become one of the leading surveyors and architects in 17th-century London.
The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers was keenly aware of the opportunities that rebuilding London would afford and its craftsmen were instrumental in the rebuilding of the City. They created many significant structures, including the brick cone which supports the dome of Sir Christopher Wren’s newly built St Paul’s Cathedral.
Engraving by Wenceslaus Hollar of the old St Paul’s Cathedral on fire Image © City of London, Guildhall Library
London Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral, depicted after the City had been rebuilt after the Great Fire. Image © City of London, Guildhall Library
the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers
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1666
The Company in the 18th century The end of the 17th century saw more difficulties for the Company. Following an attack by Charles II on the legality of livery companies, in April 1684 the Tylers and Bricklayers were forced to surrender their charter to the King. A new, more repressive, charter was issued, but this was short-lived and the old charter was restored in 1687 under James II.
The original charter, which was restored in October 1687. This copy, transcribed into one of the Company’s volumes, shows the first page.
18th-century Company livery medals. One side has the arms of the Company, while the other has those of the City of London Corporation.
Fortunes changed for the Company in the 18th century, and it once again began to prosper. New ordinances were issued in January 1724. These retained the ordinances of 1570 and added new responsibilities, particularly regarding the inspection of buildings. The 18th century also saw three liverymen from the Company serve in the office of sheriff for the City of London. Two of them, Sir Samuel Fludyer and Sir William Plomer,
Sir William Plomer, a Tyler and Bricklayer who went on to become Lord Mayor in 1781-82. A reproduction of an original watercolour held at Guildhall.
went on to become Lord Mayors of London. These events were cause for great celebration and the Company responded with generosity, showing great pride to be associated with them. It is recorded that the Court attended Lord Mayor Plomer when he was sworn into office on 18 November 1781. This was followed by dinner at the Mansion House, where the Clerk records that they had a superb meal at which “the wines were good” and they ate ice cream. It was Sir William Plomer who suggested on 23 April 1777 that liverymen should be issued with silver medals. The current livery medals of the Company are based on this original design.
Extract from Court Minute Book 1773-1791: “the wines were good”
In 1832 the Company decided to build almshouses for “decayed liverymen and their widows”. These were designed by William Grellier, who became master in 1849. The almshouses were closed in 1928 and later demolished.
the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers
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Engraving of almshouses
the 19th and 20th centuries During this period, three members of the Company rose to prominence for their work on the design or rebuilding of four cathedrals.
Liverpool Cathedral
Sir Giles Gilbert Scott (1880-1960) was the first recipient of the Company’s gold medal in 1935 for the building of Battersea Power Station, although arguably his greatest achievement was his design for Liverpool Cathedral, created at the age of 21. He also designed the iconic red telephone box in 1924 and was also responsible for the rebuilding the House of Commons after the Second World War. He was admitted to the Company’s Court of Assistants in 1950, where he remained until his death.
Sir Edward Maufe (1883-1974) won the architectural competition for the building of a new cathedral in Guildford in 1932. The first brick was laid in 1938. It is the only brickbuilt cathedral in England, and was consecrated in 1961. Inside you will find a Company window and commemorative plaque. Maufe had already won the Company’s gold medal for design work at the London Hospital. He also added extensions to Bradford Cathedral, completed in 1963. Maufe became a member of the Court of Assistants in 1950 and was master of the Company in 1960-61.
Thomas Francis Rider (1843-1922) was head of a family company established in London in 1796. During the 1890s, he was responsible for rebuilding the nave of Southwark Cathedral to designs by Sir Arthur Blomfield. In his obituary, The Times described him as a city worthy, having been Chief Commoner of the City and master of the Company in 1893-94. In 1918 he received the Royal Victorian Order from George V and the award of the Sacred Treasure from the Emperor of Japan. A window designed by Laurence Lee in Southwark Cathedral commemorates Thomas Francis Rider’s life and work.
Southwark Cathedral
Guildford Cathedral
the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers
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The Company in the 21st century The challenges and opportunities of a new century have caused the Tylers and Bricklayers, like so many ancient institutions, to adopt revised priorities. Its main aims are to continue to nurture good fellowship within its membership and to contribute to charities within and outside the construction industry.
The Master, Jeff Fuller, and Liveryman Bob Howard MBE with winners of the Craft Awards in tiling and bricklaying at the Craft Awards luncheon at Trinity House in 2018.
From this strong base, they will launch their key endeavour; The Encouragement of the Company’s Three Crafts: u By an increased entry into the crafts achieved by support of training at all levels, by participation in existing competitions for students, through our close links with the Royal Engineers and their London cadet forces and by an outreach programme into schools; and u By encouraging the quality of design and workmanship in the crafts through the establishment of Master Craftsman status and through the Company’s Triennial Awards and annual Craft Awards. Restoration of 31 Great James Street, Bloomsbury. Special commendation for brickwork at the 2017 Triennial Awards.
Newport Street Gallery’s spiral staircase
Restoration of the Sir Eduardo Paolozzi mosaics at Tottenham Court Road underground station, winner of the Company’s Triennial Award (wall and floor tiling).
Newly created mosaic ceiling in the Chapel of St George and the English Martyrs, Westminster Cathedral. Special Commendation in the Company’s 2017 Triennial Awards.
Roof restoration at New Place, Banstead, Surrey, winner of the Company’s Roof Tiling and Slating Award 2017.
the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers
A celebration
Newport Street Gallery’s spiral staircase, winner of the Company’s Triennial Brick Award 2017.