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Worshipful Company of Clockmakers

November 26, 2023

The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers was established under a royal charter granted by King Charles I in 1631.[1] It ranks sixty-first among the livery companies of the City of London, and comes under the jurisdiction of the Privy Council. The company established a library and its museum in 1813, which is the oldest specific collection of clocks and watches worldwide.[2] This is administered by the company's affiliated charity, the Clockmakers' Charity,[3] and is presently housed on the second floor of London's Science Museum. The modern aims of the company and its museum are charitable and educational, in particular to promote and preserve clockmaking and watchmaking, which as of 2019 were added to the HCA Red List of Endangered Crafts.

Worshipful Company of Clockmakers
Arms of the Clockmakers' Company, granted in January 1672. Blazon: Sable, a Clock ye Four Pillars thereof Erected on Four Lyons, and on Each Capital a Globe with a Cross, and in the Middest an Imperiall Crowne all Or, and for their Crest upon an Helmet Proper Mantled Gules Doubled Argent and Wreath of their Colours a Spheare Or, the Armes Supported by the Figures of a Naked Old Man Holding a Scithe and an Hour Glasse Representing Time, and of an Emperour in Roabes Crowned Holding a Scepter.
MottoTempus Rerum Imperator
Location1 Throgmorton Avenue, London EC2N 2BY
Date of formation1631 (1631)
Company associationHorology
Order of precedence61st
Master of companyJane Pedler
Websiteclockmakers.org

The Clockmakers' Museum, comprising a collection of clocks, watches, portraits and ephemera is housed in a new gallery provided by the Science Museum, officially opened by Princess Anne on 22 October 2015. The museum was first established in 1813, and was housed at London's Guildhall from 1874 to 2014. It claims to be the oldest collection specifically of watches and clocks in the world. Though the collection is now housed in the Clockmakers' Museum in South Kensington, the company's archive and library are however still kept at Guildhall Library. The museum collection includes John Harrison's sea watch H5, once personally tested by King George III.

Motto edit

The company's motto, Tempus Rerum Imperator, can be translated as ‘Time, the Ruler of All Things’. It appears as an epitaph on the tombstone of former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson, a liveryman of the company.

History edit

Prior to the seventeenth century, clockmaking by native English craftsmen was mostly confined to the production of turret clocks. Domestic clocks and watches were mostly imported or the work of immigrants from the European continent. Because turret clock making involved working in ferrous metal, clockmakers within the City of London tended to be freemen of the Blacksmiths’ Company, though some were members of other livery companies, notably the Clothworkers.[4]

After the loss of many London clock and watchmakers in the plagues of 1598 and 1603, the trade consolidated and began to grow. The continued influx of newcomers led to resentment from those who had become established in London towards outsiders who came to set up in or near the City and who threatened their market. From 1620 onwards, groups of clockmakers attempted to set up their own guild. The Blacksmiths initially succeeded in opposing these moves. Eventually, however, with the king issuing charters as a means of raising much needed finance at a time when he had prorogued Parliament, the clockmakers succeeded in securing a royal charter, on 22 August 1631, to the distress of the Blacksmiths, who could naturally expect to lose members, and therefore income.[5]

The charter gave regulatory authority to the Clockmakers to control the horological trade in the City of London and for a radius of ten miles around. It incorporated a controlling body which should have ‘continuance for ever under the style and name of The Master, Wardens and Fellowship of the Art and Mystery of Clockmaking’. It provided that the fellowship should be governed by a master, three wardens and ten or more assistants who would form the Court. The first master was David Ramsay, a Scot, who had been appointed watchmaker to James VI of Scotland, later James I of England. The noted clockmaker Edward East also formed part of the first court.[6]

The original charter is still in the company's possession and is housed with the rest of its library and archive in the Guildhall Library.[7] The company obtained a grant of arms from the College of Arms in January 1672. In 1766, the Court of Aldermen granted the company its livery. The number of liverymen was originally limited at sixty but has been increased in number over the years by approval of the City of London Corporation and currently stands at a maximum of three hundred.[8]

Horological Training and Awards for Excellence edit

The company bestows three awards for excellence: the Tompion Medal for outstanding achievements in horology, the Harrison Medal for the propagation of horological knowledge and its appreciation, and the Derek Pratt Prize for innovation, ingenuity, elegance, and the highest standards of workmanship and precision performance in the craft and science of time and timekeeping. The company also closely co-operates with the trustees of the George Daniels Educational Trust in supporting education in horology.

Affiliations edit

The Clockmakers Company is formally affiliated with the Antiquarian Horological Society, the UCL Observatory, HMS Protector, the Royal Navy's Ice Patrol Ship,[9] HMS Archer, a P264 Class University Royal Naval Unit based in Edinburgh, and XIII Squadron RAF.

Masters edit

 
The Reverend Henry Leonard Nelthropp MA FSA, Master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers of the City of London 1893 and 1894.
 
The Newgate Street clock, the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers' 375th anniversary gift to the City of London.

Those who have been Master of the company include the following:[10]

Company Chaplains and Church edit

Gallery edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "List of Charters Granted".
  2. ^ "The Clockmakers' Museum".
  3. ^ Charity No. 275380 registered with the UK Charity Commission
  4. ^ White, George (1989). English Lantern Clocks. ACC. pp. 51–54.
  5. ^ White, George (2018). The Clockmakers of London. London: WCC. pp. 14–19.
  6. ^ Atkins, Samuel (1881). Some Account of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers. London. p. 8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  7. ^ See the catalogue of the London Metropolitan Archive, reference CLC/L/CD
  8. ^ "The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers".
  9. ^ "The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers".
  10. ^ Masters since 1631, The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers website, accessed 06/02/2011
  11. ^ Watch sold by Sotheby's London with note about Thornton, 15 December 2015, Lot #45
  12. ^ [Radage, Dennis, Meinen, Warner, and Radage, Laila. (2016). Charles Gretton: Clock & Watchmaking Through The Golden Age. Vancouver, Canada: Three O'clock Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9940460-0-0. https://www.grettonbook.com
  13. ^ "Clockmakers Company Archives". 19 June 2012.
  14. ^ "Worshipful Company of Clockmakers List of Masters". Worshipful Company of Clockmakers. Retrieved 16 November 2021.

External links edit

  • The Clockmakers' Company

November 26, 2023
worshipful, company, clockmakers, established, under, royal, charter, granted, king, charles, 1631, ranks, sixty, first, among, livery, companies, city, london, comes, under, jurisdiction, privy, council, company, established, library, museum, 1813, which, old. The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers was established under a royal charter granted by King Charles I in 1631 1 It ranks sixty first among the livery companies of the City of London and comes under the jurisdiction of the Privy Council The company established a library and its museum in 1813 which is the oldest specific collection of clocks and watches worldwide 2 This is administered by the company s affiliated charity the Clockmakers Charity 3 and is presently housed on the second floor of London s Science Museum The modern aims of the company and its museum are charitable and educational in particular to promote and preserve clockmaking and watchmaking which as of 2019 were added to the HCA Red List of Endangered Crafts Worshipful Company of ClockmakersArms of the Clockmakers Company granted in January 1672 Blazon Sable a Clock ye Four Pillars thereof Erected on Four Lyons and on Each Capital a Globe with a Cross and in the Middest an Imperiall Crowne all Or and for their Crest upon an Helmet Proper Mantled Gules Doubled Argent and Wreath of their Colours a Spheare Or the Armes Supported by the Figures of a Naked Old Man Holding a Scithe and an Hour Glasse Representing Time and of an Emperour in Roabes Crowned Holding a Scepter MottoTempus Rerum ImperatorLocation1 Throgmorton Avenue London EC2N 2BYDate of formation1631 1631 Company associationHorologyOrder of precedence61stMaster of companyJane PedlerWebsiteclockmakers wbr orgThe Clockmakers Museum comprising a collection of clocks watches portraits and ephemera is housed in a new gallery provided by the Science Museum officially opened by Princess Anne on 22 October 2015 The museum was first established in 1813 and was housed at London s Guildhall from 1874 to 2014 It claims to be the oldest collection specifically of watches and clocks in the world Though the collection is now housed in the Clockmakers Museum in South Kensington the company s archive and library are however still kept at Guildhall Library The museum collection includes John Harrison s sea watch H5 once personally tested by King George III Contents 1 Motto 2 History 3 Horological Training and Awards for Excellence 4 Affiliations 5 Masters 6 Company Chaplains and Church 7 Gallery 8 See also 9 References 10 External linksMotto editThe company s motto Tempus Rerum Imperator can be translated as Time the Ruler of All Things It appears as an epitaph on the tombstone of former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson a liveryman of the company History editPrior to the seventeenth century clockmaking by native English craftsmen was mostly confined to the production of turret clocks Domestic clocks and watches were mostly imported or the work of immigrants from the European continent Because turret clock making involved working in ferrous metal clockmakers within the City of London tended to be freemen of the Blacksmiths Company though some were members of other livery companies notably the Clothworkers 4 After the loss of many London clock and watchmakers in the plagues of 1598 and 1603 the trade consolidated and began to grow The continued influx of newcomers led to resentment from those who had become established in London towards outsiders who came to set up in or near the City and who threatened their market From 1620 onwards groups of clockmakers attempted to set up their own guild The Blacksmiths initially succeeded in opposing these moves Eventually however with the king issuing charters as a means of raising much needed finance at a time when he had prorogued Parliament the clockmakers succeeded in securing a royal charter on 22 August 1631 to the distress of the Blacksmiths who could naturally expect to lose members and therefore income 5 The charter gave regulatory authority to the Clockmakers to control the horological trade in the City of London and for a radius of ten miles around It incorporated a controlling body which should have continuance for ever under the style and name of The Master Wardens and Fellowship of the Art and Mystery of Clockmaking It provided that the fellowship should be governed by a master three wardens and ten or more assistants who would form the Court The first master was David Ramsay a Scot who had been appointed watchmaker to James VI of Scotland later James I of England The noted clockmaker Edward East also formed part of the first court 6 The original charter is still in the company s possession and is housed with the rest of its library and archive in the Guildhall Library 7 The company obtained a grant of arms from the College of Arms in January 1672 In 1766 the Court of Aldermen granted the company its livery The number of liverymen was originally limited at sixty but has been increased in number over the years by approval of the City of London Corporation and currently stands at a maximum of three hundred 8 Horological Training and Awards for Excellence editThe company bestows three awards for excellence the Tompion Medal for outstanding achievements in horology the Harrison Medal for the propagation of horological knowledge and its appreciation and the Derek Pratt Prize for innovation ingenuity elegance and the highest standards of workmanship and precision performance in the craft and science of time and timekeeping The company also closely co operates with the trustees of the George Daniels Educational Trust in supporting education in horology Affiliations editThe Clockmakers Company is formally affiliated with the Antiquarian Horological Society the UCL Observatory HMS Protector the Royal Navy s Ice Patrol Ship 9 HMS Archer a P264 Class University Royal Naval Unit based in Edinburgh and XIII Squadron RAF Masters edit nbsp The Reverend Henry Leonard Nelthropp MA FSA Master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers of the City of London 1893 and 1894 nbsp The Newgate Street clock the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers 375th anniversary gift to the City of London Those who have been Master of the company include the following 10 1631 David Ramsay 1636 Elias Allen 1645 1652 Edward East 1699 Henry Thornton 11 1700 Charles Gretton 12 1702 Joseph Windmills 1703 Thomas Tompion 1708 Daniel Quare 1717 Nathaniel Chamberlain 1718 Thomas Windmills 1795 1812 Harry Potter 13 1810 1811 Paul Philipp Barraud 1817 John Roger Arnold 1821 1823 1825 1827 1847 Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy 1855 1862 Charles Frodsham 1893 1894 Revd Henry Leonard Nelthropp 1902 1914 William Henry Mahoney Christie KCB FRS 1922 1931 Sir Frank Watson Dyson KBE FRS FRSE 1926 Hugh Rotherham 1932 Sir Francis Newbolt KC FCS 14 1946 Lord Iliffe of Yattendon GBE 1949 1954 Sir Harold Spencer Jones KBE FRS FRSE PRAS 1950 William Hamilton Shortt FBHI 1959 Viscount Falmouth 1960 Lord Harris 1969 Sir Richard van der Riet Woolley OBE FRS 1974 Sir Frank Chalton Francis KCB 1976 Sir Hugh Wontner GBE CVO 1980 George Daniels CBE DSc FBHI FSA AHCI 1986 Viscount Falmouth 1989 Lord Murton of Lindisfarne OBE TD PC 2000 Alexander Boksenberg CBE FRS 2001 Sir George White Bt FSA 2002 Michael Monro Smith 2003 Christopher John Hurrion 2004 Philip John Willoughby 2005 Diana Muriel Uff 2006 Maj Gen David Anthony Somerset Pennefather CB OBE 2007 David John Poole FBHI 2008 Dr Michael David Sanderson PhD 2009 Cdr Peter John Linstead Smith OBE RN 2010 Howard Carl Newman FBHI 2011 Andrew Charles Henry Crisford FSA 2012 Mark Westcombe Elliott FCA 2013 Prof Paul Eugene Marcus Jarrett FRCS 2014 Jonathan Daniel Betts MBE FSA FBHI 2015 Philip William Tennant Whyte Hon FBHI 2016 Robert Michael Justice Stewart 2017 Roy Charles Harris FBHI 2018 Andrew Lewis James FRSA Hon MBHI 2019 Jonathan Edward Hills 2020 Joanna Migdal Lady White 2021 Mark H Levy 2022 Dr James Nye FSA 2023 Jane Pedler This list is incomplete you can help by adding missing items September 2017 Company Chaplains and Church editFather Tim Handley St James GarlickhytheGallery edit nbsp Elias Allen nbsp Thomas Tompion nbsp John Arnold nbsp Charles FrodshamSee also editAntiquarian Horological Society British Horological Institute Clockmakers Museum Dingwall Beloe Lecture Series Charles GrettonReferences edit List of Charters Granted The Clockmakers Museum Charity No 275380 registered with the UK Charity Commission White George 1989 English Lantern Clocks ACC pp 51 54 White George 2018 The Clockmakers of London London WCC pp 14 19 Atkins Samuel 1881 Some Account of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers London p 8 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint location missing publisher link See the catalogue of the London Metropolitan Archive reference CLC L CD The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers Masters since 1631 The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers website accessed 06 02 2011 Watch sold by Sotheby s London with note about Thornton 15 December 2015 Lot 45 Radage Dennis Meinen Warner and Radage Laila 2016 Charles Gretton Clock amp Watchmaking Through The Golden Age Vancouver Canada Three O clock Publishing ISBN 978 0 9940460 0 0 https www grettonbook com Clockmakers Company Archives 19 June 2012 Worshipful Company of Clockmakers List of Masters Worshipful Company of Clockmakers Retrieved 16 November 2021 External links editThe Clockmakers Company Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Worshipful Company of Clockmakers amp oldid 1173993137, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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