The Worship Company of Saddlers Election Lunch and Procession.
The Worshipful Company of Saddlers invited me to photograph their election lunch and procession to St Vedast – Alias Foster Church in the City of London. This wonderful day at the Worshipful Company of Saddlers also involved taking photographs of their Wardens, Court and reception.
The day started with photographing the Liverymen in the Saddlers’ Court room as they were electing a new Master, followed by a formal group shot of the Liverymen in the Livery Room, and then outside on the steps of the hall, before a procession through the streets of the City to St Vedast Church for a formal service. The procession was escorted by horses and riders from the the Metropolitan Police Mounted Branch.
After the service the Liverymen and their guest returned to the Saddlers’ Hall for a drinks reception and formal dinner with speeches.
The Worshipful Company of Saddlers – Saddlers’ Hall
There have been four Saddler’s Halls dating back to circa 1393.
The original Saddlers Hall is thought have been completed circa 1395, at the time of the Saddler’s Incorporation Charter, after William de Lincolne bequeathed 10 marks to the Saddlers Company in his will on condition they built a common hall for their use.
The Hall occupied a site on Westchepe which is the Western part of Cheapside in an area known as “The Saddlery.” Unfortunately it fell victim to the Great Fire of London and was destroyed in 1666.
The Hall was rebuilt on the same site in 1670, but was once again burned down in 1821 due to a fire which started in a nearby building.
The third hall was built in 1822 only to be destroyed by air attacks in the Second World War on December 29th 1940 during the Blitz by Nazi bombers.
The fourth and present hall was built between 1956 and 1958 and still stands in part on the original site in Gutter Lane.
The Worshipful Company of Saddlers Support British Equestrianism
The Worshipful Company of saddlers is one of the very oldest of the City of London Livery companies. The earliest surviving records of a Guild of Saddlers in London date from circa 1160 AD, although the Guild could well pre-date that. The Company now supports the Society of Master Saddlers and saddlery trainees and apprentices, as well as all disciplines in British Equestrianism.
