History of the Company
ORIGINS
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.
CHARTER
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.
MASTERS OF THE COMPANY
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.
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