650 years of the Worshipful Company of Fletchers
While the Fletchers of the City of London are this year celebrating the 650th anniversary of their existence, the Company has no exact foundation date. At some point before 7 March 1371 the leading men of the two crafts of the Bowyers and Fletchers, who had previously formed one association, agreed that the two crafts should separate completely, and that henceforth no one individual should be allowed to make and sell both bows and arrows. A majority of the membership of the two crafts readily agreed with this, but on 7 March the leading men of the two crafts appeared at Guildhall before the Mayor and Aldermen to complain of four named individuals – John Patyn, Robert atte Verne, Richard Prodhomme and John Lyon – who had continued to make and sell both bows and arrows.
In the days that followed, the quartet of ‘renegades’ appeared at Guildhall, and explained that they needed longer to wind up their affairs, as they not only had remaining stock and unfinished articles belonging to both crafts but were also training apprentices in the skills pertaining to both. This seemed reasonable to the Mayor and Aldermen, who gave the four until Easter (which – much like this year – fell in the first week of April) to sort out their outstanding business and to decide which of the two crafts they wished to join. Patyn, Prodhomme and Lyon seem to have done so, but atte Verne took rather longer, and only decided to become a Bowyer in August of the same year. Nor was this the end of the affair: atte Verne eventually changed his mind once more, and by the autumn of 1386 had risen to sufficient prominence in the Fletchers’ trade to be elected one of the fledgling company’s wardens.
The prohibition on combining the drafts of Bowyers and fletchers came to be regarded as the first of the Fletchers’ Company’s ordinances, many more of which were enacted over the course of the 15th century. Unlike the many other companies, the Fletchers did not have their rights enshrined in a Royal Charter. Into the 21st century they remained a Company ‘by prescription’, that is, they relied upon the authority of the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London for the enforcement of their regulations and ordinances, sharing any fines imposed on rule-breakers with the City’s Chamber.
650th Anniversary Banquet
On 7 March 2022 the largest ever gathering of Fletchers and their guests assembled at The Mansion House for the 650th anniversary banquet. We were honoured by the presence of HRH The Princess Royal, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, the sheriffs and their consorts, and representatives from our military affiliates. A carpet guard was provided by cadets from our RRF and Air force affiliates.
It was a wonderful occasion, with a real buzz in the air. We were inspired by music from the London Banqueting Ensemble, including the traditional Post Horn Gallop, and from Mark Wilde and David Owen Norris, who performed two of our Fletcher Songs.
Our charter and new grant of arms were on prominent display, thanks to the efforts of Deputy Master Stuart Robbens. HRH The Princess Royal congratulated us on the grant of a charter, and the Lord Mayor raised a toast to the Company, for its next 650 years.
Music of the Fletchers
The Fletchers’ Songs – a special recording for the 650th anniversary of the Worshipful Company of Fletchers
At a court of the Worshipful Company of Fletchers held on 26 January 1818 at the City of London Tavern in Bishopsgate Street (sadly demolished in 1876), Samuel Arnott, a former Upper Warden of the Fletchers’ Company (the equivalent of the present day Master) presented the Company with a bound copy of four songs, the words of which he had written for use at the Fletchers’ four quarterly dinners.
We are delighted to present a recording of these songs as part of our 650th anniversary sung by Mark Wilde, accompanied by Professor David Owen Norris. The Company thanks both for their generosity in making these recordings available for our website.
65Objects
We are delighted to bring you a history of the Worshipful Company of Fletchers in 65 objects. (It's actually our 650th anniversary but that would have been a very large number of objects!) Each object reflects special moments in our history, from the fourteenth century to the present. We hope too that it gives you a flavour of the diverse and fascinating activities of Company and also of The Fletchers Trust. Join with us in celebrating our significant anniversary.
Our thanks to Liveryman Josie Gowler for coordinating and preparing these 65Objects with the assistance of our learned Clerk, Kate Pink.