Wax Chandlers' Hall
| Wax Chandlers' Hall | |
|
Middlesex | |
|---|---|
 Wax Chandlers' Hall | |
| Type: | Livery hall |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TQ32268136 |
| Location: | 51°30’56"N, 0°5’43"W |
| City: | London |
| History | |
| Address: | 6 Gresham Street |
| For: | The Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers |
| Livery hall | |
| Information | |
| Owned by: | The Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers |
| Website: | Wax Chandlers' Company |
Wax Chandlers' Hall is the livery hall of the Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers, one of the oldest of the livery companies of the City of London, although with one of the smallest memberships (about 120 members).[1] The hall stands at 6 Gresham Street as it and its predecessors have since 1501, in the reign of King Henry VII
The Livery Hall of the Wax Chandlers has stood on the same site at 6 Gresham Street since 1501. The current hall is the company's sixth hall. It substantially rebuilt in 1954 after damage during Second World War, and was recently refurbished.
The Hall is popular for hire on corporate or social occasions. Wax Chandlers' Hall can sometimes be viewed by the general public during the annual London Open House Weekend or by prior arrangement.
The Company owns other property on Fleet Street in the City.
The Company
The Wax Chandlers' Company, ranked 20th in the City Livery Company order of precedence. It has an association with the Church of St Vedast alias Foster in nearby Foster Lane.[2] It is separate from the Tallow Chandlers Company, which has a separate livery hall Tallow Chandlers' Hall in another part of the City: the wax chandlers historically made candles of beeswax, reserved for churches and the wealthy, while the tallow chandlers made the cheaper, everyday candles of tallow.
The company was established at some time before 1330 (when it was recorded as being invited to contribute funds to King Edward III) and possibly before 1199 (from when there is some documentary evidence, relating to a property in Aldersgate Street, of its existence as a body). The company received further Byelaws and Ordinances from Lord Mayor John Stodeye in 1358, and received a Royal Charter in 1484 – one of only three known Royal Charters of King Richard III, the others being for the College of Arms and for the incorporation as a county borough of the city of Gloucester. The current governing charter is that granted in 1663 by King Charles II and its Ordinances are of 1664.
As with many City Livery Companies today, the Wax Chandlers' Company no longer operates primarily as a trade association and its role has evolved into that of a civic, ceremonial, educational and charitable institution. Reflecting its origin, the Company still donates candles to St Paul's Cathedral and is patron of the National Honey Show and the British Beekeeping Association.
Outside links
References
Livery Halls of the City of London  |
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