The Worshipful Company of Drapers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London; it has the formal name of The Master and Wardens and Brethren and Sisters of the Guild or Fraternity of the Blessed Mary the Virgin of the Mystery of Drapers of the City of London but is more usually known as the Drapers' Company. The organization was founded in 1361; it received a Royal Charter three years later. It was incorporated, or became a Company, under a Royal Charter in 1438, and was the first corporate body to be granted a coat of arms.

Originally, the organisation was a trade association of wool and cloth merchants. It was one of the most powerful companies in London politics, over one hundred Lord Mayors having been members of the Company; the first, Henry Fitzailwyn, is thought to have been a draper. During the Plantation of Ulster, it held land around Moneymore and Draperstown in County Londonderry.

Today, the company exists as a charitable, ceremonial, and educational institution. This has included providing the site and some of the buildings of Queen Mary College in the University of London, and administering almshouses such as the Henry Lucas Hospital. Drapers' Hall, opposite the London Stock Exchange, is the base of the Company, and this is lent out as a banqueting hall to raise funds for corporate and charitable activities.

Three royal princes joined the Company, though none were expected at the time to become kings:

• Prince William of Orange, later King William III of England
• Prince Carl of Denmark, later King Haakon VII of Norway
• Prince Albert Duke of York, later King George VI of the United Kingdom

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and King Harald V of Norway are members of the Company.

The Company ranks third in the order of precedence of Livery Companies, thus being one of the "Great Twelve City Livery Companies." The Company's motto is Unto God Only Be Honour and Glory.

See Also

• Coat of Arms of The Drapers Company

External Link

• The Drapers' Company (http://www.thedrapers.co.uk/)