Esther M. Zimmer Lederberg
The Worshipful Company of Girdlers

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girdler coat of arms
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Guilds were a device to limit competition. Guilds effectively could search and inspect makers or traders of competing products, and seize and destroy "substandard" wares. A method had to be devised to identify who these "policing inspectors" were, that had the right to seize and destroy "substandard" wares. Guild members were assigned color coded clothes or "livery", thus could be identified. As could be anticipated, such policing and seizure and destruction of goods could lead to violence.

Girdlers made belts worn around the waste or about the hips, to close a toga or tunic. A rope girdle, or a girdle of leather or woven fibers were the original girdles. Originally, girdlers held meetings at the great selde or shop, known as Girdlerselde. The first actual hall was not created until c. 1435. The patron saint being St. Lawrence, as a nearby church was the church of Saint Lawrence in the Old Jewry.

Interesting images:
  1. Click to see Juno Borrowing Girdle of Venus
  2. Click to see Hercules Obtaining Girdle of Hyppolita

References

  1. Hazlitt, W. Carew; "The Livery Companies of the City of London: Their Origin, Character, Development, and Social and Political Importance"
  2. Smythe, William Dumville "An Historical Account of the Worshipful Company of Girdlers, London"

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