About the Bowyers

The Worshipful Company of Bowyers is one of the older and smaller of the City of London's livery companies. We celebrate our piece of history, we work hard at our charitable activity, and we provide a convivial sociable environment that keeps our members engaged... Find out more

Bowyers’ 2021 Carol Service

On Monday evening 6 December the Bowyers’ Company held its annual Carol Service at its home church of St Botolph without Bishopsgate, and it was one of the most perfect any of us could remember. St Botolph’s excellent choir under its director Iestyn Evans was on top form for their five choir carols, and we all enjoyed being able to sing aloud once again for our five familiar congregational carols – what a great pleasure.

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Two New Bowyers Publications

As fellow Bowyers will be aware this year, 2021, marks the 400th Anniversary of the Charter of 25th May 1621 granted By King James the First to the Master, Wardens and Society of the Mystery of Bowyers of the City of London, although the company was already ancient at that time with records dating back to 1363. To mark the occasion, the Bowyers have published not one commemorative publication, but two!

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Royal Hospital Chelsea Visit

On the evening of Wednesday, 10th November, a small party of Bowyers had the great privilege of a personally-guided tour of the Royal Hospital Chelsea by our Mercian antecedent-Regiment Chelsea In-Pensioner, John Byrne (one of only a few authorised Royal Hospital Tour-Guides).

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Our Coat of Arms

The arms of the Company were granted by Sir Thomas Holme, Clarenceux King of Arms on 10 November 1488. The main charge is the 'flote' which was a device for planing and smoothing the bow stave. The chevron has no special meaning but is simply to separate the 'flotes' in the design. It is commonly found at this time in arms granted to corporations, livery companies and others. Likewise, so far as we know the mullets are merely decorative.

The Crest of three bows may represent the product in use and ties up neatly with the motto: Crecy, Poitiers, Agincourt.

The Supporters were granted in July 1996. The dexter is a representative of a medieval bowyer in the livery of his Company (black and white) holding a 'flote' as one of the tools of his trade. The sinister, a representation of an archer of the time of Agincourt symbolises the product in use.

The supporters stand upon a green mound which is strewn with pointed stakes set at an angle such as were used by the archers at Agincourt as a defence against cavalry.