A Moment in History

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1188

First historical mention of the Dyers Company

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First historical mention of the Dyers Company

1188

The Dyers’ Company is recorded as existing in 1188 as a guild or organised body and may have started well before that date. The Dyers possibly called themselves a “fraternity” before succeeding as a Livery Company.

1347

The order to join guilds

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The order to join guilds

1347

Around this time it was ordered that every craftsman should join a guild. In 1347 the names of the Dyers sworn are recorded. They were sworn to obey a ban on the sale of sheepskin or calf leather which had been scraped and made to look like roe leather.

1349

Appointment of special officers

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Appointment of special officers

1349

In the thirteenth century Woad was still greatly used, and was in fact the main source for blue dye until the end of the 18th century when indigo became widely available. In 1349 the Dyers appointed special officers, a Broker and a Measurer of Woad, to supervise this part of their craft. A Woad Porter was also employed, an office which continued for several centuries, eventually becoming an honorary position for the senior member of the Livery before disappearing.

1362

Trade Regulations

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Trade Regulations

1362

The Dyers were actively involved and concerned with trade regulations. For example in 1362 it was ordered “that no dyer should be so daring to prepare any manner of cloth”. There was a further order that “dyers should dye wool as a raw material and should not be paid until the wool is dry”. Furthermore the Dyers were given responsibilities and powers including the power to seize all “false and naughtie wares”.

1388

The 1388 Inquiry

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The 1388 Inquiry

1388

Alarmed by the violence of guild rivalries and fearful of further peasant revolts, a Commission of Inquiry was issued to obtain from every fraternity, guild and craft-guild in the country, a declaration of its origin, constitution and the extent and nature of its possessions. The guilds were also asked to return their charters for inspection, when it was ingeniously found that much of their lands were held illegally. If the Dyers made a return, it would seem to have been lost long ago.

1390

Dyers mentioned in Canterbury Tales

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Dyers mentioned in Canterbury Tales

1390

In the Prologue to Chaucer's Canterbury Tales (Chaucer himself was a Vintner) he writes of a Haberdasher, Carpenter, Webber, Tapiser and Dyer being clothed in the livery of a great and solemn 'fraternity'.

1398

The Loving Cup

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The Loving Cup

1398

In the Middle Age the Dyers had no chocolate, tea or tobacco. They had, however, The ceremony of the Loving Cup in which the drinker is guarded on both sides as he sips from the cup. This ceremony derives from the assassination of the Saxon King Edward the Martyr, who was said to have been tracherously stabbed in the back whilst drinking from a loving cup.

1423

Dyers hire Brwers' Hall

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Dyers hire Brwers' Hall

1423

Early in the 15th century the Dyers hired Brewers’ Hall; but there is no record of their having done this after 1423. It is stated that the Dyers had a Hall of their own in Anchor Lane. The Dyers acquired their second Hall in 1545.

1453

Progress by water

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Progress by water

1453

The custom of riding to Westminster during the Mayoral progress was changed to that of going by water. John Normanbeing chosen Mayor of London in 1454 built a stately barge at his own expense and on usual anniversary was rowed thither attended by several companies of the City, including the Dyers who acquired their own barge.

1471

Incorporation of the Company of Dyers

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Incorporation of the Company of Dyers

1471

In 1598 John Stow wrote in his Survey of London “King Henry VI, late King of England, of famous memory, by his Highness Letters-Patent or Charter of Incorporation, bearing the date the sixteenth day of February, in the nine and fortieth years from the beginning of his Reigne, and in the first yeere of the redemption of his Royal power, did incorporate the Company of Dyers in London, and so they have ever since continued”.More about the Royal Charter can be found here: : http://www.dyerscompany.co.uk/history/royal-charter/

1472

Confirmation of The Dyers Charter of incorporation

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Confirmation of The Dyers Charter of incorporation

1472

Shortly after granting incorporation of The Dyers, Henry VI died. The Charter was finally confirmed by Edward IV on December 2nd 1472. The first charter had granted licence for a fraternity or perpetual guild to the glory of God and the Virgin Mary, consisting of two Wardens and a commonalty of free brothers and sisters with a common seal and with the power to make reasonable and honest ordinances for the government of the mistery. It had also given the right to search merchandise and works pertaining to their trade and to seize false goods within twenty miles of the City.

1474

The first Dyers Hall at Three Stars

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The first Dyers Hall at Three Stars

1474

From more recent data it is likely that The Dyers had their first hall at Three Stars an area of dwellings and land on Thames St (Upper Thames Street). Although there still remains a slight anomaly that it was bequethed from Sir Robert Tyrwhitt, then deputy chamberlain of Henry VIII, on 4 March 1545. In addition that The Dyers had a Hall on Anchor Lane in the Vintry. We can be certain however, that the Dyers had interests in this stretch of the Thameside from the end of the Fourteenth Century.The Dyers were granted their Charter in 1471 and the pedigree soon begins to reveal the names of Dyers who must have been among the driving forces of those who established the guild. In 1474 Moresby granted to Robert Carteleage and John Hawe, gentlemen, the messuage called le Three Sterres with shops in front and abutting north on Thames Street and south on the bank of the water of Thames (ripam aque Thamisie). In 1475 Cartleage and Hawe granted the property to Thomas Danyell, dyer, Humphrey Starkey, Recorder of London; William Dunthorne, Common Clerk of the City; Robert Vaus, gentleman; Thomas Roger, fishmonger, and Thomas Rede, dyer. They granted it in turn to John Meryden senior alias John More senior of Wing (Bucks), yeoman, and William Blakenoll of Westminster at some date before 14 September 1484, when the latter granted lez thre Sterris to Henry Warfeld, William Body, dyers, William Dunthorn and John Hawghes, gentlemen, and Thomas Rede, John Lewes, William Michell, Robert Roseby, John Bernys, John Symson and Thomas Nicholson, dyers.According to Judge Daynes the Company’s second hall on this site being discussed, in All Hallows the Less, was given to it by Sir Robert Tyrwhitt, deputy chamberlain of Henry VIII, on 4 March 1545 described as all that great messuage called the Three Stars and all houses, buildings, wharves, stairs, draft and post galley to the same belonging, and also a little house and tenement belonging thereto. Seven almshouses were to be built on part of the site. But this must have been a regrant or confirmation, for a viewers’ certificate of the period 1509–13, concerning a variance in the parish of All Hallows the Less, refers to the common hall of the craft and fellowship of Dyers in Thames Street, and confirms that the Company had actually acquired the property considerably earlier, most probably in or soon after 1484.

1515

Order of Precedence is set

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Order of Precedence is set

1515

In 1515, the Court of Aldermen of the City of London settled an order of precedence for the 48 livery companies then in existence, based on those companies' contemporary economic or political power. At that time the Dyers had 12th place and have therefore been a member of the Great Twelve City Livery Companies.

1516

Controversy and variance in the precedence

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Controversy and variance in the precedence

1516

In January 1516 Lord Mayor William Boteler summoned The Wardens of The Dyers to The Star Chamber and summarily removed them for negligence. The negligence consisted of failing to detect fraud in the dyeing of silk. He also declared that the Shearmen (Clothworkers) should “henceforth go, stand and ryde in all processions and other goings…. next before the seyd Wardens and felisshippe of Dyers and that the seyd Wardens and felisshippe of Dyers shall charitably and lovingly followe next the seyd Wardens and fellishippe of Shearmen… without any further strife or debate”. This was too much for the Dyers, whose Wardens proclaimed that they would rather eschew the procession than obey. They were threatened with a fine of £20 and presumably calmer counsel prevailed, as the Dyers kept their £20 and, ever after, their thirteenth place.

1545

The Dyers first benefactor Sir Robert Tyrwhitt

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The Dyers first benefactor Sir Robert Tyrwhitt

1545

The Dyers received an important benefaction from Sir Robert Tyrwhitt (Vice-Chamberlain to King Henry VIII). The deed provided that seven almshouses should be erected. Namely four for men and three for women. This benefaction was a threefold boon. It started the Dyers’ provision, since very substantially extended, for needy old age. It made the Dyers, a riparian guild and it gave them a palatial Hall.

1550

The Royalty of Swans

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The Royalty of Swans

1550

The Dyers had their Royalty of Swans estimated well before 1545. It is at least probable that it was a pendant to the gift of the Riverside Hall, which Sir Robert Tyrwhitt made to them in that year. The only other City Company which has now a like Royalty is the Worshipful Company of Vintners.

1552

Colours fixed by Parlimentary Statute

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Colours fixed by Parlimentary Statute

1552

In 1552 a noteworthy interference by the Parliament took place when the colours of cloth sold in England were settled by statue. There were 16 colours settled in total. This was to prevent the impact of the New World and new dyestuffs introduced at that time. The agreed colours were: Scarlet, Red, Crimson, Murray (purple from the Latin for Mulberry), Puke (blue-black like a Damson), Orange, Tawny, Russet, Marble Grey, Sadnew (Sepia), Azure and Watchett (a very pale Blue).

1556

Foreigners admitted

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Foreigners admitted

1556

in 1553 A petition was presented before King Edward VI to givr leave for certain Flemish dyers to be allowed to work in an English dyehouse in Southwark. In 1556 and 1611 the Dyers supported the admission to their trade of selected foreigners.

1572

Death and legacy of Sir Robet Tyrwhitt

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Death and legacy of Sir Robet Tyrwhitt

1572

In 1572 Sir Robet Tyrwhitt died leaving behind a legacy that secured the future of The Dyers to the present day. His benefaction secured The Dyers as one of the major Livery Companies and at the time of his death The Dyers had a substantial Hall and seven almshouses. Sir Robert could have been described as one of the first great diplomats of his time given he kept on good terms with Cardinal Wolsey, Oliver Cromwell, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Queen Mary I and for a short while Queen Elizabeth I

1578

Obtaining Ordinances from Queen Elizabeth

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Obtaining Ordinances from Queen Elizabeth

1578

Despite their natural conservatism the Dyers began to use new dyes from the New World, particularly the Portuguese ‘brazil’ from South America. In 1571, still pursuing their traditional policy, they joined with thirteen other craft guilds in petitioning the Court of Aldermen for a return to the condition of ancient times when each guild controlled exclusively its particular craft and things were ‘truly substantially and workmanly made’. They declared that by doing so ‘the Aldermen would purchase everlasting renown and immortal fame here on earth, with the fruition of the immortal God in the world to come’ – a generous if somewhat unusual business proposal. In 1578 the Dyers obtained Ordinances from Queen Elizabeth, and the Ratification of these is their only enabling document which escaped the Great Fire.

1578

The coat of arms

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The coat of arms

1578

The Company’s coat of arms was granted in 1578. The Arms predate the first records held by the College of Arms, which begin in 1530, but they were confirmed and the Supporters and Crest added in November 1577 by Robert Cooke, Clarenceux King of Arms. The Arms, Crest and Supporters are on the Ordinances of 1578 hanging in the Committee Room, and it could well be that this document shows the first formal use of the augmented ‘achievement’. Click here to see The coat of arms section

1585

Encampment at Blackheath

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Encampment at Blackheath

1585

In 1585 the long hostility between England and Spain broke out into war and an invasion was feared. The City Militia, about 4,000 strong, including a large contingent from the Livery Companies, was encamped at Blackheath to resist any such attempt. The Grocers, Haberdashers and Merchant Taylors each sent 395 men and the Lesser Companies contributed in proportion: the Brewers and Leathersellers 100 each, the Dyers and Tallow Chandlers 40 each, the Stationers 27 each. When the Armada eventually came three years later, a force more than double this number was assembled at Tilbury.

1586

The Purchase of White Cock

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The Purchase of White Cock

1586

In 1586 the threat of invasion did not cause the Dyers to suspend their charitable work. The ‘Blewcocke Lane,’ noted as the west abutment of the tenement in the lease of 1571, is presumably to be identified with the ‘White Cock Alley’ shown west of Dyers’ Hall on both Leake’s map of 1666 and Ogilby and Morgan’s map of 1676. According to Judge Daynes, the Dyers purchased the White Cock in 1586 for use as accommodation for almspeople in an extension of the Tyrwhitt almshouses, and Harben notes that a White Cock Alley was purchased by the Dyers in 1586 as the messuage, then a dye house, called the White Cock.

1587

The Dyers Purchase Lands in Dow Gate

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The Dyers Purchase Lands in Dow Gate

1587

1587 The Company bought lands in Dow Gate which were the site of a college of Priests called Jesus Commons. Clearly it had survived into the reign of Queen Elizabeth because it is described as being discontinued within 30 years of 1598 when the college was dissolved and turned into tenements.In its former glory it was a House well furnished with brass napery and plate etc besides a library well stored with books. All of which were of old time given to a number of priests that should keep commons there; as one left this place (by Death or otherwise) another should be admitted to his room. Commons means eating meals together. The fact of this establishment existing beyond the Reformation suggests it might have been a place where the redundant priests were housed by the City. This would explain it being discontinued in the 1560s as sympathy for the old religion decreased and numbers died off.

1597

Corn supplies

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Corn supplies

1597

The Skinners and Dyers assisted in the purchase and storage of corn. This service was not continued after 1666.

1609

Swan-upping

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Swan-upping

1609

Evn though it was believed that The Royalty of Swans was granted and performed in the Tyrwhitt era, the first recorded reference to swan-upping was in 1598. This occurs in the records of the Worshipful Company of Founders. The reference, however, deals only with the baking of pies for a swan-upping voyage. Swan-upping is mentioned in the earliest Minute Book of the Worshipful Company of Vintners in 1609.

1609

James I and the Ulster Plantation

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James I and the Ulster Plantation

1609

In 1608 James I launched his scheme for the ‘Plantation of Ulster’. The suppression of rebellions in the north of Ireland had led to the confiscation of half of the province of Ulster. In 1609 he asked the City Companies for their support, which after much pressure they gave, and for which they were to suffer three centuries of trouble and unrest. The Dyers contributed £580 to the Salters’ holding of £3,333 6s. 8d.; their fellow shareholders were the Saddlers, Cutlers, Joiners and Woolmen, and the lands held were entitled ‘The Manor of Sal’. After enduring many tribulations and the hostility of the Irish from who the lands had been taken, all the minor Companies eventually withdrew.

1617

The discreditable Cloth Project

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The discreditable Cloth Project

1617

The Dyers inspectors found out that logwood was being dishonestly used instead of the true dyes and questionable means were used to resist inspection. They also became involved in the discreditable Cloth Project of Alderman Cockayne. The schemes goal was to dye undressed cloth through a monopoly he acquired from King James, and control the export of finished material. The export markets did not cooperate and there could be no economic success. As a result, export and revenue fell, unemployment and poverty mounted. After three disastrous years the textile trade had suffered severely and did not recover quickly.

1639

Charitable gifts bequeathed

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Charitable gifts bequeathed

1639

Charity is a cornerstone of the modern Livery Company and its roots lie firmly in the behaviour of its ancient craft. Records show that in the reign of Charles I that Henry Trevillian and Samuel Gouldsmith bequeathed charitable gifts in 1639 and 1649 respectively.

1666

The Great Fire and loss of Dyers' records

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The Great Fire and loss of Dyers' records

1666

The Fire of London began at night on the 1st September; by the evening of the next day both the Dyers Hall and the Dowgate property were destroyed. There is no record of how individual dyers or Company officials responded to the crisis as it unfolded but the lack of records suggests that there was no hero like the Renter Warden of the Skinners, Mr Foster. He organised the removal of their plate and muniments to successive places of safety even as his own property was burning. The Master of the Tallow Chandlers piled his coach with the Company charter, records and plate and removed it all to Hampstead. There is no memory of similar disinterest among the Dyers but someone certainly was concerned; some records and the beautiful charters survived: perhaps as much as could be hurriedly stuffed into a bag.Any temptation to condemn the senior members of the Company for not doing more should be resisted. Dyers Hall in 1666 was down by the river and close to the ‘true heart of the fire’, on Thames Street. Samuel Pepys awoke at 7am on the 2nd September, the Lords Day, and after various consultations and observations took to the river. The Fire had already reached the Old Swan and travelled very fast along the riverbank, reaching the Steelyard (next to Cannon Street) in an hour. One can imagine a sleepy Beadle or Clerk grabbing what records he could as his wife and children called to him to hurry. Someone certainly did what they could in a panic-stricken area. The Skinners and Tallow Chandlers had much more leisure to organise a rescue as the Fire only reached Dowgate Hill in the evening. Of the 45 Halls that were destroyed Dyers Hall was among the first to succumb.

1671

1667 & 1671 Dyers' records

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1667 & 1671 Dyers' records

1671

The extant records of the Dyers’ proceedings began in 1667 since everything before that date was lost in the Great Fire. A Dyers’ book of 1671 foreshadows the state of impecuniosity in which the Company found itself in the last quarter of the seventeenth century. The Dyers managed to rebuild their Hall, which had been burnt down in the Great Fire; but the rebuilt Hall was destroyed by another fire in 1681.

1681

Second Dyers Hall destroyed by fire

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Second Dyers Hall destroyed by fire

1681

Dyers’ Hall at the Three Stars was rebuilt after The Great Fire of 1666 only to be destroyed by a further fire in 1681, after which the Company abandoned the project of rebuilding the Hall, despite the fact that their holding in Dowgate Hill, the eventual site of their next hall, was unavailable to them until 1731 due to a lease arrangement with The Skinners. The Court Minutes record meetings held in various places, for the regular ones, in private houses, while the election of officers were held in halls such as the Fishmongers in 1682, The Joiners in 1683, and later the Salters and Drapers.

1708

A welcome financial return

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A welcome financial return

1708

Having not yielded any income for around 17 years, The Dyers fortunes took a postive turn in 1708 when the Irish Estates paid a dividend of around £450. Other benefactors of the dividend inlcuded The Salters who had a larger share and out of a kindness, agreed to henceforth lower their Hall rental charge to The Dyers.

1715

A private insurrection

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A private insurrection

1715

An interesting and revealing entry to the minutes in 1715 led to The Dyers having to deal with a private insurrection. The leaders were Messrs. Powell and Monk. "They seized swans, purposted to bind and loose apprentices, attempted to collect rents from the Company's tenants and generally arrogated to themselves the powers of Wardens". The Wardens naturally took the matter to The Court of Alderman. The Court decided against Powell and Monk and in favour of the Company's elected Wardens, Messrs. Lee and Spence. Nevertheless Mr Powell had to be threatened with legal action before he would surrender swans that he had kidnapped.

1719

The duty to uphold craft standards

During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the Dyers continued to consider it their duty to...

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The duty to uphold craft standards

1719

During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the Dyers continued to consider it their duty to uphold the standards of their craft in the City and in widening fields. They petitioned Parliament against abuses and frauds in 1719 and 1726. Finally in 1783 a controlling act was passed.

1721

Purchase of further almshouses

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Purchase of further almshouses

1721

In 1721 the Dyers’ care for needy old age was extended by a gift contained in the Will of William Lee. This gift resulted in the purchase of further accommodation in St. John’s Street, Spitalfields, Bethnal Green, namely almshouses for six poor persons.

1722

Steward and Annual Feast

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Steward and Annual Feast

1722

The Dyers were able to lessen the expenditure expected from their Steward. They decided to relieve him from the cost of the “annual feast”. One economy was made by a rule that the members should not bring their servants to a feast. Another was the use of tickets to defeat what now is called “gatecrashing” in the picturesque translation style.

1725

Livery List and gift of Swans

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Livery List and gift of Swans

1725

The earliest extant list of the Dyers’ Livery began in 1725. In 1726 there was the first recorded gift of swans by the Company. It was a gift to Lord Bateman.

1727

Swan Upping and Dinner at Putney Heath

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Swan Upping and Dinner at Putney Heath

1727

The Dyers were keen on their Royalty of Swans and in Swan Upping. A minute of 1727 reads: "The Wardens and Court of Assistants agreed to go swan-upping on the first Monday of August and The Court desired the Renter Warden would be pleased to provide a dinner at Putney Heath, three six-oared barges to carry the Company up the water. Music and other necessaries as usual, in case John Hopkins Esquire can provide coaches on the same terms as usual".

1729

Condition for Nomination for the Court

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Condition for Nomination for the Court

1729

Although the Dyers were generous to more than one of their members who had suffered from misfortune, financial failure, however, was a bar to membership of the court. In 1729 the Court passed a resolution that anyone who had failed in his circumstances and had made or should make any composition with his creditors should not be put in nomination for the Court of Assistants. This rule as modified by a provision in favour of a man who has paid "20s. in the pound" and has been solvent for seven subsequent years remains in force today.

1731

A question of boundaries

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A question of boundaries

1731

In 1731 the lease to the Skinners of the Dyers’ Dowgate Hill property fell in; and the Dyers decided not to renew it. This decision led to a question of boundaries; but the strip of land involved was minute. The matter was settled without litigation and the Skinners and Dyers have been good friends ever since.

1735

Austerity and Summons

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Austerity and Summons

1735

In 1735 The Wardens and Court of Assistants received a Summons to show cause as to why they did not attend the Lord Mayor on Lord Mayor's Day. They explained that they had the misfortune twice to have their Hall burnt down and to lose all their plate, trophies, and ornaments and to have been involved in large debts, which from time to time by frugality and good management they had been endeavouring to discharge but had not been yet quite able to effect this. In the result they were excused.

1738

Additional Almshouses

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Additional Almshouses

1738

In 1738 The Dyers found another benefactor. Mr. John Peck offered to present the Company the cost of four additional rooms at the Spitalfields site where the almspeople of Lee’s Charity were housed so that there would be ten units in addition to the fifteen provided by the Tyrwhitt and West benefactions. In 1745 the almshouses were - for the first time - insured against fire.

1768

Loss of Court Room

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Loss of Court Room

1768

Whilst the Dyers were without a Hall the Court used to meet at the Court Room in Elbow Lane to do most of its business, leaving one or two items to be dealt with after an adjournment for lunch, which was taken at “The George” in Ironmonger Lane. The Court also dined together on Election Day. the other entertainments were the Swan-upping Dinner given in August and a dinner given in a borrowed Hall in December. The Court Room at Elbow Lane eventually fell down in 1768

1770

A new Dyers Hall

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A new Dyers Hall

1770

Following the collapse of The Court Room in 1768 a new Dyers Hall was built on Elbow Lane and fronted on to what is now College Street, off Dowgate Hill on the site of the previous Court Room.

1776

The Seal

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The Seal

1776

The Dyers had given attention to their corporate seal. An emblazonment had been procured from the College of Arms. A new seal was ordered to be obtained in accordance with the emblazonment.

1777

Almspeople moved

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Almspeople moved

1777

In 1777 the Thyrwhitt and West almspeople, by then 16, were moved to new premises in the City Road. These had a center part and two wings. The almspeople from Thames Street (White Cock) were put into the East Wing; and those from Holborn (White’s Alley) were put into the West Wing. The Dyers also aqucuired some surplus land in the City Road and this land they let on building lease.

1779

A government request

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A government request

1779

In 1779 The Dyers were approached by The Government. The Company recorded that the Treasury had referred The Dyers to the case of an inventor who had supplied a new method for dyeing scarlet and crimson and other colours on linen and cotton. Shortly afterwards, in 1787, they were asked to nominate twelve prominent Dyers who could be consulted on the ‘Meritts and Utility’ of future claims for such discoveries.

1806

Declining an invitation to Lord Nelson's Funeral

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Declining an invitation to Lord Nelson's Funeral

1806

It was with deep regret that The Dyers were unable to accept in 1806 The Lord Mayor's invitation to attend him in their barge at Greenwich on the occassion of Lord Nelson's funeral. The simple reason foer their inability to attend was that The Company had no barge.

1815

Revival

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Revival

1815

The Year 1815 saw the final defeat of the Emperor Napoleon I. After this defeat the Dyers began to hold regular Court dinners; and Committee dinners were held from time to time. That the membership of the Company was the well kept up is shown by the fact that 300 copies of the annual list of Assistants and Liverymen were ordered to be printed.

1838

Dyers Hall rebuilt

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Dyers Hall rebuilt

1838

By 1826 it was clear that Dyers Hall would need substantial improvements to bring it up to date but it was decided to merely repair the hall, though one firm of builders offered to rebuild the hall for £6,515 10s. or in a more superb manner for £7,125 10s. Eventually, following the coronation of Queen Victoria, Dyers Hall reached a point where on-going repairs could not be sustained.In 1838 an architect appropriately named Charles Dyer, was employed to rebuild the Dyers’ Hall. The new Hall was completed in 1841; but it was not until 1843 that it was sufficiently equipped for a banquet to be held there.

1841

Change in Almshouses

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Change in Almshouses

1841

The building in Spitalfields had to be given up because the land on which it stood was wanted by the Eastern Counties Railway Company. New premises were found in Balls Pond Road, Islington. To these Spitalfields almspeople were transferred. Later the City Road Almshouse inhabitants were also transferred to Balls Pond Road.

1841

Gift by Mr. George Maguire

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Gift by Mr. George Maguire

1841

Mr. Maguire added to his charitable donation a further £300. The Court gave him a framed vote of thanks and asked him to sit for his portrait so that it could hang in the Hall, as it does to-day.

1846

The swans and cygnets

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The swans and cygnets

1846

The swans and cygnets upped during the ten years 1837 to 1846 varied between 584 and 432 per year. The Figures are totals, They give the total birds of the Crown, the Vintners and the Dyers. The Dyers’ average was about 140.

1851

St. Mark’s Hospital

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St. Mark’s Hospital

1851

In 1851 the rest of the almspeople were transferred to Balls Pond Road from the City Road premises. These were sold and bought by St. Mark’s Hospital, a foundation which had been created in1838 and was transferred to the City Road premises in 1854. The Dyers and the Hospital became close and continuous. Several of the Dyers’ Prime Wardens and several other members of their Court served on the Hospital’s Committee of Management.

1852

Change of Clerk

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Change of Clerk

1852

In 1852 the Dyers lost their Clerk, Mr. B. C. Luttly, who with his father whom he succeeded had held the clerkship for over fifty years. His successor was Mr. Henry Batt who, like almost all the Clerks of the Company, was as well a Liveryman as also a solicitor.

1854

Gold medals for Prime Wardens

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Gold medals for Prime Wardens

1854

This year saw the first inauguration of the gold medals for the past Prime Wardens. The decision was to give gold medals to those members of the Court who had served both as the office of Prime Warden and that of Renter Warden. This decision is still in force as regards the office of Prime Warden.

1856

Mauveine, the first synthetic dye

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Mauveine, the first synthetic dye

1856

Dyeing was moving into new territory as synthetic dyes were discovered. In 1856 Sir William Perkin, while attempting to create a cure for malaria, discovered the aniline dye mauveine and successfully produced industrial quantities of Mauve, Britannia Violet and Perkin’s Green for the textile trade from his dyeworks at Greenford until 1874. William Perkin was knighted in 1906, and died in 1907.

1857

Dowgate Hill

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Dowgate Hill

1857

In 1856 the Dyers began to build on Dowgate Hill. Previously the entrance to their Hall was in Elbow Lane which led west from Dowgate Hill and is now known as College Street. They made a new entrance from Dowgate Hill. They also built two houses and a tavern or public house; and these faced Dowgate Hill.

1861

Dyers crossing borders

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Dyers crossing borders

1861

The production of synthetic dyes was not of course confined to British shores, and developments had been made notably in Germany and the United States, although it was hampered in the latter by a lack of industrial chemists. The first aniline plant in Germany was built near Cologne in 1861. Dyers from England travelled to America during this time to set up a factory in Brooklyn in 1864.

1862

Aliens Petition

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Aliens Petition

1862

In 1862 a constitutional point came before the Court. This arose from an application to be admitted to the freedom by redemption. The applicant was an alien. He was required to get naturalised. He did so and was admitted.

1863

Armourers and Braziers

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Armourers and Braziers

1863

The year 1863 saw a dispute which arose with the Armourers and Braziers, whose windows overlooked 28 Upper Thames Street which was owned by the Dyers, so that the light to those windows would be obscured by some works contemplated by the Dyers. After agreeing on terms the Dyers gave way gracefully; and ever since they have been on very friendly terms with the Armourers and Braziers.

1875

Severe winter

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Severe winter

1875

The winter of 1875 had been extremely severe so that the number of swans had decreased. Discussions as to how the swans should be protected and what number should be aimed at led to a report. In this it was pointed out that there was an increasing dislike of the swans on the part of the fishermen and some residents. The report recommended that the number of the Dyers’ swans should not much exceed fifty.

1877

R.S.P.C.A. intervention

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R.S.P.C.A. intervention

1877

In 1878 the R.S.P.C.A. took exception to the way in which swans were marked and pinioned. It started a legal proceedings against the Crown, the Vintners and the Dyers. The result was a compromise. It was agreed that pinioning was absolutely necessary; that swan-upping should be held in July, so as to avoid the August Bank Holiday and that the bills of swans should be marked in a modified form. The Dyers were to have one nick and the Vintners two nicks (which word being misspelt or misheard must have inspired the Public House sign and name “The Swan with Two Necks”).

1878

City and Guilds

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City and Guilds

1878

In 1878 the City and Guilds of London Institute was founded. The Dyers were amongst the City Companies which stood by its cradle. The Dyers’ contribution was a two-fold. They gave a prize, which naturally enough was allocated to the proficiency in the making and using of dyes. The encouragement by the City Companies of technological studies showed foresight as to needs which in recent times have been more widely recognised.

1881

St. Paul’s Great Bell

In 1881 the Dyers subscribed to a fund with which to buy a Great Bell...

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St. Paul’s Great Bell

1881

In 1881 the Dyers subscribed to a fund with which to buy a Great Bell for St. Paul’s Cathedral.

1884

Founding of The Society of Dyers & Colourists

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Founding of The Society of Dyers & Colourists

1884

In 1884 the Society of Dyers and Colourists was founded. It was designed to deal not with any question as to wages or trade regulations but with the advancement of science and technology; and it was to give special regard to the tinctorial arts. It started a Journal; and both the Journal and the Society have flourished exceedingly. It has had very friendly relations with the Dyers’ Company.

1908

Dyers’ Research Medal

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Dyers’ Research Medal

1908

In 1908 the Dyers with the concurrence of the Society of Dyers and Colourists instituted a Research Medal to be awarded annually on the recommendation of that Society to the author of or the most substantial contributor to a paper published in that Society’s Journal. The paper had to embody the results of scientific research or technical investigation connected with tinctorial arts.

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1910

Sir Winston Churchill

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Sir Winston Churchill

1910

In 1910 the Dyers’ letter of sympathy on the death of King Edward VII was acknowledged on behalf of King George V by a grateful letter from the then Home Secretary, now passed into history as the Right Honourable Sir Winston Chruchill, O.M., C.H.

1914

War Gifts

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War Gifts

1914

When the War broke out in 1914 the Dyers subscribed to several War Charities including the Y.M.C.A., the Red Cross, the Belgian People’s Fund, the Serbian Red Cross and the Prince of Wales National Relief Fund.

1915

Working for the War Office

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Working for the War Office

1915

During the Boer War and the First World War many dyeworks switched to making explosives, and in 1915 it is recorded that the Holliday dyeworks in Huddersfield was producing 100 tons of picric acid a week for the War Office.

1932

Gift of Swans to Victoria, B.C.

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Gift of Swans to Victoria, B.C.

1932

In 1932 the Court sent six pairs of swans to the City of Victoria in British Columbia.

1936

Almshouses moved to Crawley

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Almshouses moved to Crawley

1936

An important decision was made concerning the Dyers’ Almshouses. It was decided to move the almspeople from Islington to Crawley on a new piece of land and with existing infrastructure as a self-contained estate. The existing Almshouses in King Henry’s Walk, Balls Pond Road were sold.

1939

War preparations

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War preparations

1939

A provision was made for an air-raid shelter to be constructed in the basement of Dyers’ Hall so as to comply with the Civil Defence Act 1939; that various records were removed to the National Safe Deposit in Queen Victoria Street; preparations were made for photographic copies to be taken of some of the Company’s records so that in the event of bombing or fire the history of the Company would be saved.

1940

Dyers’ Hall bombed

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Dyers’ Hall bombed

1940

Dyers Hall was hit in an air raid in December 1940. The roof was hit by an incendiary bomb; but the damage was minimised by the prompt action of the Hall-keeper Mr. Stiles, whose energetic work as an Air Raid Warden was of great value to the Company on this and later occasions.

1948

Norwich School

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Norwich School

1948

In 1948 an association, which still exists, was formed with Norwich School following bomb damage to the school in The Second World War. The Dyers extended their activities to general education as the Company became more involved. For the full story of The Dyers relationship with Norwich School click HERE

1950

Almshouses

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Almshouses

1950

The Almshouses at Crawley had by 1950 become one of the finest sets of almshouses in England. The Court paid them their annual summer visit and have done, ever since.

1960

Affiliation with 30th Signals Regiment

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Affiliation with 30th Signals Regiment

1960

In 1960 the Company adopted the newly formed 30th Signal Regiment, whose Commanding Officer was Past Prime Warden Colonel A.R. (Tubby) Marshall.

1987

Naval affiliation with HMS Brilliant

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Naval affiliation with HMS Brilliant

1987

The Dyers first Naval affiliation was with HMS Brilliant, a Type 22 frigate. She was commissioned in 1981 and served in the Falklands War in 1982, notably in the Battle of Seal Cove. The Dyers Company affiliation started in 1987, and in January 1991, Brilliant was deployed to the Persian Gulf as part of the Operation Granby Task Force, in the First Gulf War.

She was decommissioned from Royal Navy service in 1996.

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1989

Affiliation with 617 Squadron 'Dam Busters'

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Affiliation with 617 Squadron 'Dam Busters'

1989

The Dyers affiliation with this famous World War 2 Bomber Squadron began in 1989 initiated by the late Philip Back DFC (PW 1990-91), a former Pathfinder pilot. At the time, No. 617 Squadron were based at RAF Marham in Norfolk and equipped with Tornado GR1 all-weather bomber aircraft.The Squadron disbanded in March 2014 as the Tornado force was gradually retired. in 2016 the Squadron began conversion training to the new F-35 (Lightning) before reforming as the first British squadron equipped with this aircraft in April 2018. The Lightning force is a joint military squadron and includes RAF and Royal Navy personnel, based at RAF Marham and also aboard the Royal Navy’s new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers. See Charitable Activity / Armed Forces / 617 Squadron for more info

1997

2nd Naval Affiliation HMS Grafton

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2nd Naval Affiliation HMS Grafton

1997

Following the decommissioning of HMS Brilliant The Dyers established an affiliation with a Type 23 Frigate, HMS Grafton. She was commissioned in 1997. In 2004 Grafton was deployed in the Persian Gulf. She was decommissioned from Royal Navy Service in 2006.

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1998

The Millenium stained glass window

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The Millenium stained glass window

1998

During a short period of refurbishment in the mid-nineties and to celebrate the upcoming millenium an Installation of the Millennium stained glass window in the Dyers’ Hall depicting many of the activities with which the Company was involved at the turn of the century was installed. . Click HERE to jump to the Millenium Window section

2007

3rd Naval Affiliation HMS Vanguard SSBN

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3rd Naval Affiliation HMS Vanguard SSBN

2007

In 2007 The Dyers established its third, and current affiliation with HMS Vanguard, one of the Navy’s Trident ballistic Missile-armed submarines, commissioned in 1993.HMS Vanguard is currently undergoing a Deep Maintenance Period (Refuel) (DMP(R)) in Devonport. This is a major undertaking, which will allow Vanguard to continue to provide the Continuous at Sea Deterrent (CASD) for her next commission. When the refit is complete, Vanguard will re-join the 3 other Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBNs) tasked with delivering CASD. After an extensive sea trials period, and a transit to the USA to load her complement of nuclear missiles, she and her crew of around 120 personnel will go on patrol. This patrol will last for months, during which she will remain constantly dived. Only when Vanguard has been relieved by the next SSBN will she return to the surface and transit back to base.

2015

Affiliation with The Queen’s Gurkha Signals

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Affiliation with The Queen’s Gurkha Signals

2015

The Queen’s Gurkha Signals are the Dyers’ most recent affiliation, which we were honoured to establish in 2015. See the Armed Forces section under Charitable Activity for the complete story

2018

Refurbishment of Dyers Hall

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Refurbishment of Dyers Hall

2018

Dyers Hall is currently undergoing a major reconstruction and refurbishment project. The project is substantial and will see the installation of a new lift, new lodgings and complete rennovation of the Court Room. It is the most major works that The Dyers have carried out since the 19th century. The hall is due to reopen in 2021. In the meantime dinners, court meetings and events have been occuring in other livery court rooms and Halls. Notably the Inn-Keepers, Drapers and Clothworkers.

2020

Continuing connection with the Craft of Dyeing

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Continuing connection with the Craft of Dyeing

2020

The Dyers’ Company is lucky to have a continuing connection with its Craft, and many members of the Company today are still involved in, or closely connected with dyeing and its associated trades, although the function of a trade body for the Craft has largely been taken over by the Society of Dyers’ & Colourists in Bradford.
The current Prime Warden Professor Roger Warden is himself a Dyer. Roger joined the Scottish College of Textiles as a lecturer in colour science in 1974 and after the College merged with Heriot-Watt University became Head of the School of Textiles & Design of the University between 2003 - 2009.

He was a Trustee of the Society of Dyers & Colourists between 2009-12 and since 2009 has been Chairman of the Society’s Education, Qualifications and Accreditation Board. In 2006 he was awarded the Gold Medal of the Society for outstanding contributions to colour education and colour science. In 2007 he was awarded the Research Medal of the Worshipful Company of Dyers of the City of London. Between 2003 – 06 he was the President of AUTEX, the Association of Universities for Textiles, a consortium of European university textile departments that collaborate on research and teaching in textiles. In 2012 he was awarded a lifetime achievement award in textiles by AUTEX.
In addition to publishing research papers on colour science he has co-authored two textbooks: “The Chemistry of Colour Application” (2000) and “The Chemistry of Textile Fibres” (2nd ed. 2015) and is the sole author of “An Introduction to the Coloration of Textiles” (2018).

2020

The Dyers and Covid 19

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The Dyers and Covid 19

2020

Like every organisation and across society, The Dyers have been affected by the global pandemic. Swan-Upping was cancelled for the first time since the Second World War and many dinners and functions have been held on-line or through virtual meet ups. Notably the 2020 Swan Dinner went ahead with a brilliantly orchestrated video meeting that included a recommended Swan Dinner Menu, toasts, songs and speeches, all from the comfort of The Court and Livery's home dining tables.

For the first time since the inception of The Dyers Company, Court Meetings were held via video conference. As ever, a good sense of humour and a strong bond of fellowship has prevailed.

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