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TheWorshipful Company of Merchant Taylors is one of the 113livery companies of theCity of London.
The Company, originally known as theGuild and Fraternity of St John the Baptist in the City of London, was founded prior to 1300, first incorporated under aroyal charter in 1327, confirmed by later charters in 1408, 1503 and 1719.
Its seat is theMerchant Taylors' Hall betweenThreadneedle Street andCornhill, a site it has occupied since at least 1347. The Company'smotto isConcordia Parvae Res Crescunt, from theRoman historianSallust meaningIn Harmony Small Things Grow.
The Company was at first an association oftailors. By the end of the 17th century, its connection with the tailoring trade had virtually ceased and it became what it is today, a philanthropic and social association – albeit that it has recently rekindled its links with Savile Row and is the principal sponsor and organiser of the prestigious biannual "Golden Shears" competition for aspiring young tailors.
It ownsMerchant Taylors' School in Sandy Lodge and St John's Preparatory School in Northwood, both in Hertfordshire, and is associated withMerchant Taylors' School, Crosby,Merchant Taylors' Girls' School in Crosby,Wolverhampton Grammar School,Foyle and Londonderry College,Wallingford School, andThe King's School, Macclesfield. It is also associated withSt John's College, Oxford, founded bySir Thomas White (a Master of the Company) in 1555, and withPembroke College, Cambridge. It donates prizes toSt. Helen's School in Northwood, which is considered its 'sister school', and supports anopera student at theGuildhall School of Music and Drama. It also supportsTreloar School in Hampshire, a school and college for children with physical disabilities.
It has a major interest in charitable support for the elderly and isolated in Inner London, as well as for people living with disabilities. It is a major provider ofalmshouses in theLondon Borough of Lewisham and has plans to develop brand new accommodation for local elderly people.
Under an order issued by mayor Robert Billesden in 1484, the Company ranks in sixth or seventh place (making it one of the Great Twelve City Livery Companies) in theorder of precedence of the Livery Companies, alternating with theSkinners' Company. The annual switch occurs atEaster. The Merchant Taylors are normally sixth in the order of precedence in odd numbered years, and at seven in even numbered years.
51°30′51″N0°05′07″W / 51.5141°N 0.0854°W /51.5141; -0.0854
