July Court and Livery Dinner, Bakers' Hall
On 9 July around 40 Bowyers and their guests gathered for the July Court and Livery Dinner at Bakers’ Hall.
The Master Bowyer, Sir David Wootton, was pleased to welcome his granddaughter (visiting from the USA), the Master Armourer and Brasier, the Clerk to the Bakers’ Company and the Clerk to the Armourers and Brasiers’ Company. Bowyers’ Liveryman Martin Kotarba provided an warm welcome and the toast to our guests, referencing the Warrior Group and the 2024 Arms & Armour Conference (most kindly) hosted by the Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers in September 2024 (and at which Bowyers’ Professor Anne Curry spoke). Assembled guests enjoyed the excellent hospitality of Bakers’ Hall with catering provided by The Cook and The Butler.
During the preceding Court meeting, Freeman Tom Park was admitted to the Freedom of the Company and Freeman Professor Anne Curry was clothed in the Livery of the Company, a historic evening for the Bowyers’ Company as the first woman liveryman.
As background, between 1685 and 1746, nine women were admitted as apprentices but none progressed to the freedom or livery. In the 17th and 18th Centuries, eleven apprentices of both sexes were apprenticed to the widows of Bowyers. Maria Sainsbury, daughter of Thomas Sainsbury (Lord Mayor 1786-1787) was admitted to the freedom on 21st February 1813 by patronage but she did not progress to the livery. She died in 1843. There is no surviving record of any woman liveryman. Professor Curry was admitted to the Freedom of the Bowyers’ Company in 2023.
The next Company Dinner is the 2025 Agincourt Banquet, at Cutlers’ Hall, 30 October 2025. The Master and Wardens do hope to see you there.
