LONDON-COMPANYS-L Archives

From: Peter Wilson <>
Subject: [London-Companys] Alderman Plumbers
Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 11:29:46 +0000
In-Reply-To: <200009062300.e86N0a119973@lists5.rootsweb.com>

ALDERMAN PLUMBERS

Lead does not rust, is malleable enough to seal cracks, strong enough when
alloyed with tin to hold stained glass together for years. Lead expands and
contracts little in heat or cold, and it is poisonous. Craftsmen in lead
were surely among the Norman cathedral builders, but the first evidence of a
guild of plumbers is their ordinances of 1365, which listed such projects as
gutters, conduits, tap-troughs, furnaces, belfries, roofing and cisterns.
The latter sounds particularly ominous, since we now know that even lead
crystal decanters leach poison into wine, if kept for months. In 1371 the
Plumbers built a melting furnace in Eastcheap. Plumbers paid close
attention to appearance, since they could not alter the inescapable danger
of their craft. A later ordinance forbade taking an apprentice who was
already "greatly disfigured in any part of his body," lest the deformity be
attributed to lead exposure.

Precious Lead was guarded almost as carefully as we guard plutonium today.
The ordinances of 1365 required "that no one of the said trade shall buy
stripped lead of the assistants to tilers, laggers or masons, or of women
who cannot find warrant for the same. And if any one shall do so, himself
of by his servants, or if any on e of them shall be found stealing lead, tin
or nails, in the place where he works, he shall be ousted from the said
trade for ever, at the will and ordinances of the good folks of such trade."
New ordinances in 1488 and 1520 required every journeyman to provide his own
tools when working with a master plumber. The Company later acquired the
right of search.

Late in the 18th century Parliament still asked the Plumbers' master and
wardens to inspect the milled lead roof of Greenwich Palace when it began to
leak. This shows that the social fraternity still retained some connection
with its founder's trade.

>From 1532 till 1639 the Plumbers rented the Vintners' Hall in Palmers
[Anchor] Lane for their Court and meetings. In 1588 the Company obtained a
Grant of Arms, with the motto "Justicia et Pax." Their first charter of
incorporation in 1611 was followed by several others through 1694, each
attempting to amend some defect in the last. The Hall they built in 1639 in
Chequer Yard, Bush Lane, was burned in 1666 and rebuilt in 1669. This Hall
was demolished in 1875 to make room for the Cannon Street Station.

The privilege of stamping lead weights was taken from the Plumbers in 1599
and awarded to Guildhall but James I restored the right by his charter of
1611. The charter required that both solder and weight leads be impressed
with the image of St. Michael the Archangel, patron saint of plumbers. A
new seal for solder was made in 1808.

It cost 6d "to make an essay [assay]" of tin and lead in 1679. In 1687 the
Company protested that lead milled for shipbuilding was being used for
roofing, against the law. The Plumbers Court demurred, however, at the
proposal that they install their own "engine to mill lead." This suggests
that by then the Company was beginning to move away from their original
craft, and no longer wished to get their hands dirty, or be exposed to lead.
In 1694, 8 gns were "paid allowed Mr. Man for himselfe and servant for 2
years, and mending the beame scales and weights, with 10s expenses..."

The usual fee for admission as a freeman in the mid 17th century was 20s and
a silver spoon, symbolizing their place at the annual feast. Later outgoing
Masters have been presented with a silver ladle at their "Ladle Dinner."

Conscientiousness, or at least good posture, also paid, careerwise.
Apprentices were enjoined, "According to your carriage expect your reward
for good or ill from God and your friends." By 1875, however, the apprentice
system had been replaced by informal "on the job training" of unskilled
laborers, after which they might open their own business as plumbers. In
1879 the Company offered the freedom to competent plumbers of 15 years'
experience, and diplomas to those of 10 years' experience who could prove
their ability.

A few years later these procedures were made official with examinations
sponsored by the City and Guilds of London Institute. In 1886 the Company
formed a national Register of plumbers, which should be helpful to future
genealogists. It was not necessary to be certified to the register to have
a plumbing license, however. By 1909 this voluntary register contained
14,250 names. In 1921 the Company helped establish the Plumbing Trade
National Apprenticeship Council, and by 1950 there were 25,000 registered
plumbers. In 1953 they re-named themselves the Registered Plumbers
Association, and their Rigister is now maintained by the Institute of
Plumbing.

In 1893 the Company contracted with King's College to offer plumbing
courses, and established a workshop and museum. Unsurprisingly, the site
contained a maze of ancient, unsanitary drains, which had to be replaced.
At the onset of WWI, when specialized techniques of lead burning for
munitions plants were in high demand and short supply, the Company offered
its help. They were politely snubbed. By 1915 Lloyd George begged them to
set up a training program in King's College, and trainees did their bit to
defeat "the Hun." The Company is still represented on Government and Trade
Committees.

The company awards a gold medal annual to the student showing most promise,
and a St. Michael medallion for outstanding contributions to their art and
craft. My source does not mention their benefactions, but Rev. Beaven
found four who served as aldermen:


Term......................................Alderman Plumbers
.
1897-1902ff.....................Sir J. KNILL
1885-1898........................Sir S. KNILL

1628-1628.........................W. MOTT

1897-1902ff.....................Sir T. V. STRONG

Sources:
Valerie Hope, Clive Birch & Gilbert Torry, "The Freedom: Past and Present of
the Livery, Guilds and city of London" 1982, printed by Barracuda Books,
Buckingham, pp 131-132.
Rev. Alfred Beaven in "The Aldermen of the City of London," Published by the
Corporation of the City of London (printed by Eden Fisher, London, 1908 &
1912), v.1, p 352.

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