Haberdashers' Company

Members of the Company, or Fraternity, were originally haberdashers by trade, selling ribbons, beads, purses, gloves, pins, caps and toys. The Company also had the right to search all Haberdashers' shops within three miles of the City, and to destroy goods, which were not up to standard.

Like other Companies, as the Haberdashers' became more successful they collected the status symbols appropriate to the times. Their first surviving ordinances were recorded by the Mayor's Court in 1371. In 1446 the first coat of arms was adopted and in 1448 Henry VI granted a charter of incorporation which entitled the Company to hold land, and to have its own Hall for meetings. The present coat of arms dates from 1503 and the current charter by which the Company is governed today was granted by Elizabeth I in 1578.

However, by the middle of the 17th century the emphasis had changed when control of the trade was lost. The charitable funds, hitherto operated by the early fraternity as a 'safety net' for members, multiplied and educational establishments became the Company's main raison d'être. The original foundations and almshouses provided by a number of wealthy, but mostly childless, Haberdashers at that time continue to the present day, together with numerous other minor charities of which the Company is trustee. Their objectives include such varied causes as relief for poor clergymen, help with school fees and limited support for the eleven parishes of which the Company is patron. Assistance is given to a wide range of national and local charities including major support for Centrepoint Soho (homeless youngsters), the Royal Hospital and Home at Putney (rehabilitation of those with severe brain injuries) and the Royal Surgical Aid Society.

The Company takes great interest and pride in all the schools of which it is Trustee ensuring that the revenues accruing are spent wisely and that building projects give good value for money. Most of the Governors and the Heads are appointed by the Company, but not members of staff; nor does it interfere in the daily running of the schools which is the proper concern of the respective Head under the direction of the Board of Governors. All the schools encourage the full development of the individual, and help the pupil to get the most out of both work and leisure time. The Schools are also concerned to promote a broad tolerance of different viewpoints and consideration for others, within the context of a Christian heritage. From their foundation by four, childless, Puritan Haberdashers who sought to enlighten future generations, the schools have developed and, today, over 7,000 pupils in ten schools encompassing the independent sector, 3 Academies, a Voluntary Aided Grammar School and a Voluntary Aided Primary School, are offered the best education available.

The other schools for which the Haberdashers' Company is Trustee are:-

• Adams' Grammar School
• Bunbury Aldersey Primary School
• Monmouth School
• Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls
• Agincourt School in Monmouthshire
• Haberdashers' Aske's School, Elstree
• Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girls, Elstree
• Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham Academy
• Haberdashers' Aske's Knights Academy

Abraham Darby Academy is the tenth school to become a member of the Family of Haberdashers' Schools and there will soon be twelve. The DCSF have now agreed to the Haberdashers' forming two new Academies in South London, involving a Primary School and 11 - 18 comprehensive.

To learn more about the Haberdashers' Company and to connect to the wider Family of Haberdashers' Schools, please visit www.haberdashers.co.uk