The Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers

www.joinersandceilers.co.uk

Livery Dinner
November 2015, Armourers' Hall, City of London

 

Livery Dinner
November 2012, Cutlers' Hall, London

  

THE JOINERS AND CEILERS’ COMPANY

A Charter was granted to the Company on 14th April 1571 by Queen Elizabeth I, in the Mastership of Lewis Stockett, then Surveyor-General to the Queen. This original Charter is still in good condition and is kept at Guildhall. In 1684 King Charles II demanded that the Joiners (as with other Companies) surrender its Charter and, on the advice of the Lord Mayor, this was done. A new one was given (but never accepted) in 1685. The 1571 Charter was restored to the Company in 1688 by King James II and stands in toto. The original seal is missing and the present seal is thought to have been affixed by King James II.

The Arms were granted on 10th August 1571 and are reproduced on the Great Seal of the Company which hears that date. The seal bears the motto “God grannte us to use justice with Mercye”. This was changed in 1769 to the present “Join Loyalty and Liberty”, a political slogan associated with John Wilkes, who was Master in 1770. The supporters originated early in the eighteenth century and are associated with the Boyce family. Although these full armorial bearings have been in use for over 200 years, it was not until 1995 following Letters Patent completed by the Lancaster Herald of Arms, that submissions were made to the College of Arms for recognition and acceptance.