Worshipful Company of Carmen

Stained glass to the Company of Carmen, Guildhall, London (detail)

The Worshipful Company of Carmen is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London, whose origins date back to 1517.

Carmen, or drivers of carts, caused upset in 1481.^[1] The King conscripted carts to carry his wine allowing rural carters to force food prices up. By offering to provide the King's carriage and clean the streets the Fellowship of Carmen was established in 1517 with authority to control the cartage trade. Carmen organised themselves into a fraternity and plied for hire. However, this was contested by the Woodmongers' Company, who owned more carts. The Carmen turned to Christ's Hospital, who were short of cash at the time. However, by 1597 the Carmen had fallen out with Christ's Hospital, the Woodmongers asserted their control again, and absorbed the Carmen in 1605.^[1] However alongside other rearrangements in the haulage trade, the Carmen separated and formed their own fellowship in 1668, but were unsuccessful in gaining the power to regulate carmen, until the Woodmongers became defunct in 1746. The Carmen did not acquire a Royal Charter until 1946.

Now that carts have been rendered obsolete by cars, the Carmen remain as a charitable and ceremonial institution with over 460 Liverymen, 170 Freemen plus additional apprentices. The Carmen participate in the ceremony of Cart Marking, which originated in the rule that no cart could ply for hire within the City of London unless licensed by the Carmen. Presently, the ceremony involves cars, rather than carts, and involves those who wish to take part voluntarily, regardless of whether they wish to ply for hire or not.

The Carmen's Company ranks seventy-seventh in the order of precedence for Livery Companies.^[2] Its motto is Scite, Cite, Certo, Latin for Skilfully, Swiftly, Surely. After its acceptance in 1746 there would not be another new livery company until the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, formed in 1932.^[2]

External links

• The Carmen's Company

References

• Bennett E. (1952) The Worshipful Company of Carmen of London. A short history, London: Simpkin Marshall

Livery companies and guilds in the City of London
Livery companies in order of precedence	Mercers Grocers Drapers Fishmongers Goldsmiths Skinners Merchant Taylors Haberdashers Salters Ironmongers Vintners Clothworkers Dyers Brewers Leathersellers Pewterers Barbers Cutlers Bakers Wax Chandlers Tallow Chandlers Armourers and Brasiers Girdlers Butchers Saddlers Carpenters Cordwainers Painter-Stainers Curriers Masons Plumbers Innholders Founders Poulters Cooks Coopers Tylers and Bricklayers Bowyers Fletchers Blacksmiths Joiners and Ceilers Weavers Woolmen Scriveners Fruiterers Plaisterers Stationers and Newspaper Makers Broderers Upholders Musicians Turners Basketmakers Glaziers and Painters of Glass Horners Farriers Paviors Loriners Apothecaries Shipwrights Spectacle Makers Clockmakers Glovers Feltmakers Framework Knitters Needlemakers Gardeners Tin Plate Workers Wheelwrights Distillers Pattenmakers Glass Sellers Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers Gunmakers Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers Makers of Playing Cards Fanmakers Carmen Master Mariners Solicitors Farmers Air Pilots Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Blenders Furniture Makers Scientific Instrument Makers Chartered Surveyors Chartered Accountants Chartered Secretaries and Administrators Builders Merchants Launderers Marketors Actuaries Insurers Arbitrators Engineers Fuellers Lightmongers Environmental Cleaners Chartered Architects Constructors Information Technologists World Traders Water Conservators Firefighters Hackney Carriage Drivers Management Consultants International Bankers Tax Advisers Security Professionals Educators Arts Scholars
Companies without Livery	Parish Clerks (Worshipful Company of) Watermen and Lightermen (Company of) Public Relations Practitioners
Guilds	Entrepreneurs HR Practitioners Nurses
Category:Organisations based in the City of London