Welcome to the Website of the Worshipful Company of Scriveners
Membership Event
The evening reception and concert planned to take place at The Charterhouse on Thursday 18th June has now been postponed until the autumn.Latest News
Mr Joseph Alhadeff, Vice President of Oracle Corporation, and Mr Sheriff Gillon were the Principal Guests at the Company's Spring Dinner at Haberdashers' Hall on 23rd April. Among the other guests were the Master Tyler, the Master Farrier and the Master Insurer.*
A party of Scriveners, led by the Master, visited Lincoln for the weekend of 20-22 March. Highlight of the visit was an extended tour of Lincoln Cathedral, where the Company's former Honorary Chaplain, The Very Reverend Philip Buckler, is now Dean. Among the many treasures on show was the Cathedral Library designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The visitors were also privileged to attend mattins and admire the singing of the Cathedral choir.
The famous Lincoln Imp (above)
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Common Hall was held at Tallow Chandlers' Hall on Tuesday 10th February. A record of the proceedings has been circulated to all members.
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The Master's ceilidh aboard HQS Wellington on 29th January was much enjoyed by those who attended, a fair proportion of whom summoned the resolve to don highland dress. Guests were piped aboard and into dinner, following which the dancing commenced.
The Master and Mrs Karen Kennair with the Piper Professor Mark Watson-Gandy and his wife
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On Tuesday 13th January 2009, in a ceremony at Old Bailey, the Master presented Sheriff George Gillon and Sheriff and Alderman Roger Gifford each with the quill pen with which he had signed himself into office, together with a Parker Duofold pen for more general use. As is traditional, the Master also presented the Sheriffs with a contribution from the Sexcentenary Fund to the Sheriffs' and Recorder's Fund, a charity which helps to reduce re-offending by making grants for training, tools of trade, clothing and household equipment. It also gives to families of serving prisoners, primarily to allow their children to enjoy holidays and other recreation. Following the brief ceremony members of the Company were able to meet the Sheriffs informally over drinks, following which Secondary Charles Henty conducted a fascinating tour of the building, the Courts and the cells below.
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On 8 December the Master hosted a luncheon at the Mansion House in honour of the Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Ian Luder, to whom he presented the quill pen with which he had signed himself into office previously. The wife of the Lord Mayor, Mrs Lin Luder, Sheriff Roger Gifford, and Mr Richard Martin, Swordbearer, were also present together with Wardens, Liverymen, Freemen and a Companion of the Company and their guests.
Presentation of the Quill Pen
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This year's officers, installed at the Court meeting in July 2008: William Kennair (Master), Lee Brace (Upper Warden), Ruth Campbell (Renter Warden), Edward Gardiner (Notarial Deputy):
Who We Are
The Worshipful Company of Scriveners is 44th in the order of precedence of the Livery Companies of the City of London. As their name implies the Scriveners have always been, by definition, writers and they were originally known as Writers of the Court Letter. Their occupation was the writing of confidential documents such as wills, charters and legal documents. By contrast writers of books, and, particularly in the early years, church service books, were generally members of the Stationers' Company. Nowadays the Scriveners' connection with the legal profession is through the scrivener notaries, who have traditionally practised in the City of London and are obliged to become members of the Company upon qualification.
Members of the Scriveners' Company come from a wide range of professional backgrounds and include solicitors, barristers, patent attorneys, genealogists, financial advisers, teachers, civil servants, members of the clergy and a wine consultant. The Company is also the traditional "home" for calligraphers, members of the College of Arms and those with interests in heraldry.
The Company's motto is Scribite Scientes - "Write, ye Learned Ones".
Click here to see a more detailed account of the Company's history. There is also a published history of the Company available in hardback copy which can be purchased on application to the Clerk. See contact details.
Members of the Scriveners' Company come from a wide range of professional backgrounds and include solicitors, barristers, patent attorneys, genealogists, financial advisers, teachers, civil servants, members of the clergy and a wine consultant. The Company is also the traditional "home" for calligraphers, members of the College of Arms and those with interests in heraldry.
The Company's motto is Scribite Scientes - "Write, ye Learned Ones".
Click here to see a more detailed account of the Company's history. There is also a published history of the Company available in hardback copy which can be purchased on application to the Clerk. See contact details.
What We Do
Professional activity includes regulating the standards and qualifications of the scrivener notaries, whose training makes them proficient not only in notarial practice but also in foreign laws and languages.
Civic functions entail upholding the right and duty of liverymen to attend at Guildhall in Common Hall to vote in the elections of the Sheriffs and the Lord Mayor.
The Company maintains a Charity Fund, from which annual grants are made to a variety of institutions, charities and individuals. Beneficiaries include students at a number of schools in the City of London, the church of St-Martin-within-Ludgate and the Welfare Funds of HMS Portland and LXX Squadron at RAF Lyneham. A prize for excellence in calligraphy is awarded annually to a student at Reigate School of Art.
Social functions include a widening variety of lunches, receptions and visits to places of interest. The latter have included the Bell Foundry in Whitechapel, Sir John Soane's Museum at Lincoln's Inn Fields and a weekend visit to Portugal. The Company's Spring and Autumn Dinners in April and October are more formal occasions, as is the annual luncheon at Mansion House at which the Lord Mayor is presented with the Scriveners' Quill Pen with which he signed himself into office. A list of forthcoming events can be accessed via this link.
Civic functions entail upholding the right and duty of liverymen to attend at Guildhall in Common Hall to vote in the elections of the Sheriffs and the Lord Mayor.
The Company maintains a Charity Fund, from which annual grants are made to a variety of institutions, charities and individuals. Beneficiaries include students at a number of schools in the City of London, the church of St-Martin-within-Ludgate and the Welfare Funds of HMS Portland and LXX Squadron at RAF Lyneham. A prize for excellence in calligraphy is awarded annually to a student at Reigate School of Art.
Social functions include a widening variety of lunches, receptions and visits to places of interest. The latter have included the Bell Foundry in Whitechapel, Sir John Soane's Museum at Lincoln's Inn Fields and a weekend visit to Portugal. The Company's Spring and Autumn Dinners in April and October are more formal occasions, as is the annual luncheon at Mansion House at which the Lord Mayor is presented with the Scriveners' Quill Pen with which he signed himself into office. A list of forthcoming events can be accessed via this link.
Snapshot from the Scriveners' visit to Oporto
Reception on board HQS Wellington following the installation of the Master and Wardens
Membership
There are three ways of becoming a member: by REDEMPTION (payment), by SERVITUDE (if you have been apprenticed to a member) or by PATRIMONY (if your father or mother was a member at the time of your birth). A new member is first elected to the Freedom of the Company and becomes eligible to become a Liveryman once he or she has obtained the Freedom of the City of London.
A newly cloathed Liveryman with
the Beadle
the Beadle
Events Membership Contact Details History Qualification as a Scrivener Notary