The Worshipful Company of Innholders

History of the Innholders’ Hall 

Tucked behind the rumbling Lower Thames Street is the Innholders’ Hall, with a room that’s held the same function since the 17th century. Formed in the 15th century when the hostellers and haymongers joined forces, the Innholders (as they later became known) received their first Royal Charter in 1514 from King Henry VIII. The Innholders regulated the inns of the City, establishments providing accommodation, food and drink to visitors and their accompanying horses, hence the hay monger link.

Outside the hall is their coat of arms on an iron sign made by the Blacksmith’s company in 2000. The arms feature two horses flanking a crest with three bundles of grain known as ‘garbs’ surmounted by the black cross of St Julian. St Julian is a patron saint of hospitality there is a small statue of St Julian in the main entrance of the Innholders’ Hall. At the very top of the coat of arms is a star representing the star of Bethlehem that marked the location of the stable outside the inn where Jesus was born. Their motto translates from the Latin a”Hence Hope Shines Forth”.

Successive Royal charters gave them control over all the inns in the City of London and this monopoly grew as London expanded out of the walled city, first to 3 miles around then 12 miles. 

By the 19th century it was impossible to maintain such strict controls. This fact, along with National government licensing acts meant the Innholders became a more inward facing company.

Since the 1980s they have returned to their close links with the hospitality industry, most visibly with the Master Innholders’ annual awards.

Inside the Innholders’ Hall

Incredibly the Innholders have been based on the same site since at least 1613 when they acquired the freehold. However, there’s further evidence that they’ve been here even earlier in the 16th century.

Inside is an incredible historic survivor, the Lower Court Room which still contains its original wood panelling and plaster ceiling from 1670.

The actual livery hall contains late 17th century panelling and was restored following damage during the Second World War.

The members still gather for meals and events in this room, just as they have done on this site since 1613.