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

Freedom of the City for John Shields

On Wednesday 6 March 2024 at a delightful ceremony in Guildhall, Bowyer Freemen John Shields was honoured to be sworn in to the Freedom of the City of London by the Clerk of the Chamberlain's Court. He was accompanied at the ceremony by his wife Linda, four other family and close friends, and by Bowyer Past Masters Michael Wren and Tony Kench with his wife Enid. We welcomed John into the Freedom of the Bowyers' Company in early 2023, and it is a great pleasure that he has become a regular supporter of Bowyer events.

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Court & Livery Dinner, Cutlers' Hall, 23 January 2024

On 23 January 2024 45 Bowyers' enjoyed a marvellous Court and Livery dinner at Cutlers' Hall.

The Master, Mr Nigel Heilpern, welcomed the Master Cutler and those gathered to 'the historic and splendid surroundings' of Cutlers' Hall and passed thanks for the 'tremendous fellowship and hospitality' that the Bowyers' always enjoy at Cutlers' Hall. The Master spoke of a shared heritage amongst the Warrior Companies and the historical location of Bowyers' Hall.

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Poitiers Supper 15 November 2023

The Bowyers assembled for the annual Poitiers Lecture at Truckles in Pied Bull Yard entitled "How the Bowyers got started in the 14th Century" led by past Master Tony Kench (2016 – 2018). This is a follow on from Tony's previous talk in 2022 about the Finsbury Marks, and it was just as well received.

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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.