The Worshipful Company
of Bowyers
Forthcoming Bowyer Events
Click here for details of proposed future Bowyers' Events
Carol Service
6 December 2021
January Court and Livery Dinner
26 January 2022
City and other News
Lord Mayor's Farewell Bulletin
11 November 2021
Click here to view
Shrievel Addresses
to Common Hall
24 June
Click here to view
St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate November 2021 Newsletter
Download a copy
Mercian Regiment Update
A copy of the regiment's latest quarterly newsletter can be found at this link
Suited and Booted newsletter
Download a copy here
City of London Livery Briefing
Download the latest edition
Tracing Your Bowyer Ancestors
The Worshipful Company of Bowyers supported the RollCo project by providing transcriptions of admission records which are now freely available online at www.londonroll.org
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
Poitiers Supper - Old London Bridge
On Wednesday 17 November, 22 Bowyers and guests enjoyed a splendidly convivial evening for our annual Poitiers Supper talk.
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).
Bowyers' History Since 1666
- Talk and Supper
On the 8th September 22 Bowyers and their guests gathered at the Market Porter in Borough Market to enjoy each other’s company and listen to a fascinating talk from Past Master Tony Kench.
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.
