Upholding our Traditions History THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF UPHOLDERS of the City of London can trace its history back to the early days of the Craft Guilds in which were fostered the high quality of goods and the high standards of workmanship that have always been the pride of English industry. The craftsman in Upholstery was known by a name that varied from Upheldere to Uphouldesterr, but mainly as an Upholder and it is under this latter name that the Company came into existence "On the Saturday after the Feast of St. Matthias in the 35th year of the reign of Edward III" (i.e. the 1st March 1360, Old Style). The election, in February 1360, of Wardens "to survey and govern the men of the mistery" is recorded in the City archives together with the grants in 1474 of the right to search for and seize all wares in the City pertaining to the Craft that were insufficiently or not truly made. The Company received the grant of its Coat of Arms in 1465 in the reign of Edward IV, and its Royal Charter was granted by Charles 1 on June 14th, 1626. The original Charter was destroyed in 1666 in the Great Fire, but a new exemplification was obtained in 1668 and the grant was therein confirmed by Charles II. Further information can be found in: Featherbedds and Flock Bedds by J F Houston Copies are available to purchase from clerk@upholders.co.uk In 2009 the Livery celebrated a new phase of our links with the Royal Navy. We were delighted when one of our Liverymen, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope was made First Sea Lord and at the January Court Meeting the Master signed an article of affiliation with HMS Triumph. She is a Trafalgar class, hunter/killer, nuclear powered submarine, launched in February 1991 by Mrs., now Lady Ann Hamilton and commissioned in October the same year. Triumph sailed to Australia in 1993, travelling 41,000 miles submerged without support - the longest solo deployment so far by a nuclear submarine. After the 9/11 attacks in the USA, Triumph, along with her sister ship Trafalgar, formed part of a task group in 2001 as part of the American led invasion of Afghanistan.  The British component of this was called Operation Veritas.  During Operation Veritas, Triumph launched Tomahawk missiles on targets inside Afghanistan. After her refit in Plymouth she was re-commissioned on 23rd April 2010 (St George's day).  As the youngest of the "T" Boats she is due to continue in service until 2022.   Triumph's current Commanding Officer is Commander Rob Dunn Royal Navy. For the latest news click here Snr Warden Jim Kelly, Mistress Mrs Susan Squire, Master Julian Squire and Jnr Warden Jeremy Appleyard (2010) Alongside HMS Triumph HMS Triumph THE ORIGIN OF LIVERY COMPANIES The Livery Companies of the City of London can trace unbroken descent from medieval Trade Guilds. The term "Guild" is said to derive from the Saxon word "gildan", to pay, since members paid towards the costs of the brotherhood. Guilds were craft or trade societies. They protected consumers and employers against incompetence or fraud by training sufficient apprentices to provide an adequate supply of skilled craftsmen selling goods of true quality and weight. They helped workers by preventing unlimited competition and ensuring reasonable wages and conditions. They searched out inferior work and punished the offenders. They settled trade and domestic disputes by arbitration, while their halls served as centres for meeting and recreation. Members paid contributions as to a benefit society, then received relief when ill, infirm, or old, and had their burial expenses paid. There was a strong religious element in the Guilds, each adopting a patron saint and being attached to a local monastery or church. Their distinctive costumes, or liveries, the colour of which varied according to the Company, were perhaps based on the several habits worn by monks. Thus the Guilds became known as "Livery Companies". The second 'HMS Upholder' The second submarine named 'Upholder' was built by VSEL for the Royal Navy and launched by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent on 2nd December 1986. Her first Captain was Lieutenant Commander G.A.R. McCready, M.B.E., R.N., who was appointed in Command of HMS Upholder in November 1987. After much deliberation she was also allowed to sail under Wanklyn's crest, not the official one. She was Commissioned on 9th June, 1990. The Commissioning ceremony marks the climax of all the varied aspects of completion - the fitting out, the drafting and training of the crew and the appointment of the Officers. The Commissioning Warrant is the authority for the Captain to commission the ship and command her and the Ship's Company on Her Majesty's Service. These photographs were taken to celebrate her Commissioning:- HMS Upholder - 'nearly home' HMS Upholder - surfaced at sea A copy of The First day cover The Worshipful Company immediately adopted the new HMS Upholder as soon as she was Commissioned and presented Lt. Cdr. McCready and the Ship's Company with a silver model of the first HMS Upholder which was displayed in the submarine's Trophy Cabinet throughout her Commission. Members of the Court and Liverymen of the Worshipful Company enjoyed some memorable visits to the ship when she was in London and we were taken on guided tours and shown some of the truly amazing technology that seemed to fill every available nook and cranny. A few members of the Company were privileged to go to sea in her.  One regular visitor in the ship's early days was the Duchess of Kent who was affectionately known as 'Auntie Kate' by the crew. This new HMS Upholder was a 'First-of-Class' and the first new diesel electric submarine to enter service with the Royal Navy for some twenty years. The new 'Upholder Class' was, unfortunately, not to stay in service for many years and HMS Upholder was de-commissioned at the end of April 1994. The rest of the fleet of Upholder Class submarines were all de- commissioned over the next few months. The photos below show the Upholder diving at sea and the last RN crew of the boat assembled on deck (at a different time!). After she was de-commissioned HMS Upholder was sold to the Canadian Navy and re-named HMCS CHICOUTIMI. Unfortunately during her transit to Canada the boat suffered a serious fire and was subsequently laid up in Halifax, Nova Scotia for some years. In 2010 the Canadian Navy transported her round to the west coast to be refitted and returned to service. Hall In 1645 Andrew Yardly made a gift of £500 for the purchase of a Hall. The Rolls of Chancery for 1646 show the purchase of a property called “Wingfield House or Wingfield Place, between Lambeth Hill and St. Peter’s Hill, in the Parish of St Peters, in the Ward of Castle Baynard.” Unfortunately this was destroyed in the Great Fire and never replaced. A Blue plaque marks the site on the left as you walk from the Millennium Bridge up St Peter’s Hill towards St Paul’s Cathedral. Today the Upholders are one of the Livery companies that do not have a Hall. This enables us to enjoy functions in the splendour of many of the 41 Livery Halls in the City of London and hold our annual Ladies Night Banquet in The Mansion House by kind permission of the Lord Mayor. Extract from Featherbedds and Flock Bedds by J F Houston The Beadle Phillip Chancellor is Beadle to the Worshipful Company of Upholders. In this ceremonial role he is responsible for protocol, discipline and the smooth running of events. Mr Chancellor is also Beadle for the Ward of Cheap and an Ale Conner. The Beadle’s duties were to maintain a list of those eligible to vote, to manage elections and to enforce penalties handed down by the Master. The Toast Master Roy Theobald, FAMU is Toastmaster to the Worshipful Company of Upholders. In this role he acts as Master of Ceremonies, announces guests at receptions and introduces the speakers at dinners. He also ensures that dinners run smoothly and to time. As well as being Toastmaster for the Upholders Mr Theobald carries out this role for many other Civic and Private occasions. He also runs a successful Upholstery business. The Honorary Archivist Judy Tayler-Smith was appointed Honorary Archivist in 2009. In this voluntary role she maintains and researches the company’s records which are held by the Guildhall Library and our Treasures, mostly held in bank vaults. Judy Tayler-Smith is well known through her roles in the City Livery Club and the Farringdon and Cripplegate Ward Clubs. Company Treasures The booklet written by Past Master and Assistant Archivist Anthony Usher in 2003 includes photographs of our treasures which are seldom seen since they are stored in bank vaults. Our very rare triangular William III salt is however on permanent display in Salters’ Hall. An ancient term for the Livery companies is Mystery derived from the Latin "misterium" meaning "professional skill". However like many Liveries the Upholders maintain some mystery and mysticke about our ceremonies. So installation ceremonies for Freemen, Court Assistants, Wardens and the Master are open only to full Liverymen. Sheep Drive Amoung the ancient rights of Freemen of the City of London dating back to 1189 is the right to herd sheep over London Bridge without need or cause of having to pay a toll or fine. In 2008 and 2009 Freemen have exercised this right and in the process raised around £100,000 for City Charities. Right: Past Master Michael Gilham leading a sheep during his 2nd year in office. Below right: The Company of Pipemen & Musketeers, the Honourable Artillery Company clear London Bridge of traffic in preparation for the sheep drive. Three of the most important roles for maintaining the traditions of our Livery are the Beadle, the Toast Master and the Honorary Archivist. The Worshipful Company of Upholders of The City of London Top of page Top of page The Master’s Badge Few Liverymen have the opportunity to study our Master’s Badge at close quarters. The current badge is set on a silver cushion modelled in three dimensions and displayed diagonally and surrounded with gold braid is depicted in precious metals and enamels the full achievement of arms of the Company. On its reverse the badge bears  the inscription ‘The MASTER’S BADGE To Commemorate The Millennium. Presented by C F Hayman, Master 1989-90, A V Kinsey, Master 1991-92 B E Chapman, Master Elect 20 January 2000’ The Master’s Chain of office is a chain of two strands in silver-gilt with 24 spacers. The oval clasp is inscribed ‘Presented by A.W. Schuster MBE, Master 1958’. When not wearing his full regalia the Master wears his badge using a ribbon as illustrated. Earlier Badges The Senior Warden’s Badge is the original Master’s Badge dating from 1876 and it bears the enamelled coat of arms of the donor, Edward Hunter, Master 1876. This was replaced in 1963 when supporters and a motto were added to the Company’s grant of arms. A new badge for the Master comprising the full achievement was presented by P Tyson Woodstock TD, Master 1963. This badge became by The Warden to the Trade’s badge when the Millennium Master’s Badge was presented. Information in this article was compiled for Richard Goddard’s book “Masters’ Badges of the Livery Companies” due to be published in November 2010.