The Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass is one of the long established Livery Companies which form the backbone of the organisation of the City of London. These Livery companies originated in the medieval craft Guilds. The guilds were formed specifically to look after skilled craftsmen's interests by establishing codes of conduct, setting high standards and regulating the training of apprentices. They were also active in discouraging unskilled or foreign craftsmen from practising in the City.

During the reign of Edward III (1327-1377) the Guilds were formally organised. The distinguishing "Livery", the robes worn by the Guild, was defined and the laws and ordinances by which they were governed were codified. Each guild was administered then, and still is, by a Master, Wardens and a Court of Assistants.

There is clear evidence that the Guild of Glaziers existed as early as 1328. From its beginnings it was a powerful organisation, glass was a luxury item and as important then in weatherproofing buildings and letting in light as it is today. The medieval members would have been craftsmen or masters of workshops mostly making plain leaded windows. Stained glass as we know it was generally confined to cathedrals and other churches where it was used to depict Biblical subjects for educational as well as decorative purposes. Most of the coloured glass used in such windows was originally imported from Europe and skilled craftsmen from the continent also worked in England, although they were not entitled to join the Guilds.

During the Middle Ages the Glaziers came under the jurisdiction of the Lord Mayor of London and the Court of Aldermen, which after a while proved unable to protect their interests successfully. The Glaziers therefore sought a Charter of Incorporation from the Privy Council which was granted by Charles I in 1638. However, in 1683 Charles II revoked all the powers granted to the Glaziers, along with those of many other City Livery Companies. Partial restitution was achieved in a new Charter granted by James II in 1685, and complete reinstatement of rights in 1689. A final supplemental Royal Charter was granted by HM Queen Elizabeth II in 1956.

In the 1685 Charter we have our first tangible link with the past. The name of the Master included in the text is one John Oliver, a skilled and learned man who was not only a successful glass painter but also surveyor to the City of London after the Great Fire of 1666. He was a fine mapmaker and engraver. An interesting window of his survives at Northill in Bedfordshire as does a glass sundial bearing his signature and dated 1664. The head of the silver Mace carried by the Beadle on all ceremonial occasions is inscribed "Gift of John Oliver, a Loving Member of the Company" Although not hallmarked it dates from about 1690.

In the 20th Century several well known artist/craftsmen have been Master. Lawrence Lee, Master in 1973, is perhaps best known for his windows in Coventry Cathedral. Michael Farrar-Bell (Master 1974) created fine windows throughout the country and Brian Thomas (Master 1976) was responsible for the windows in the American Chapel in St. Paul's Cathedral and in Westminster Abbey. More recently Alfred Fisher, Master in 1991, has windows in Guildhall and Westminster Abbey in London, throughout the UK and internationally.