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.

2 Mercian's Final Parade: an Emotional Day

On Thursday afternoon, 28 July 2022, the 2nd Battalion of the Mercian Regiment held its Final Parade at Weeton Barracks (near Preston) on the day of its disbanding, as the Mercian Regiment shrinks from two Regular battalions to one. The Bowyers had been invited, and Past Master Tony Kench and Liveryman Jon Preece were delighted to have had the opportunity to represent the Company.

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New Master's Installation and Dinner

The New Master’s Installation for Nigel Heilpern was held on 6th July at St Botolph’s Without Bishopsgate followed by lunch at the Mercer restaurant in Threadneedle Street. The service was rousing and supported by wonderful music from the choir at the Church.

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TS St Vincent - Brentwood Sea Cadet Unit

It has been over two years since the Bowyers’ have had the opportunity to visit our Sea Cadet Unit in Brentwood due to the ongoing restrictions caused by the COVID pandemic.Happily this was rectified on 28th April when the Master and four other members of the Company were able to visit TS St. Vincent in Brentwood on the evening of their Royal Naval Support Visit.

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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.