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.

Bowyers' Summer Drinks - 7 Sep 2023

It was a very balmy – some might even say steamy – evening on Thursday, 7th September when a total of 33 Bowyers, including their family members and other guests, met at The Happenstance Bar & Restaurant in Paternoster Square from around 5-30pm for late summer drinks and buffet food in what was an inaugural "Informal Bowyers' Drinks" event.

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The Coronation Lunch, Cutlers' Hall, 24 May 2023

To celebrate the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on 6th May 2023 the company held a luncheon for Bowyers, friends and supporters at the Cutlers' Hall on 24th May 2023. The Cutlers' decked their hall in red, white and blue, and some of our guests were similarly attired. The Master welcomed our principal guests including from our fellow warrior companies the Master Cutler, Christopher Robinson, and the Master Gunmaker, Rowlie McBeath.

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St George's Charity Banquet, 27 April 23

On 27th April 2023 the Bowyers and assembled guests, some 100 strong, had a superb banquet at the Vintners' Hall. This is the showpiece event for the Bowyers and particularly with its supported charities which Bowyers, partners and guests attend for St George's every year.

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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.