Detailed History

The Company's History

It is impossible to precisely date the origins of the 'mistery' or fellowship of Coopers, but groupings of trades and craftsmen were probably in existence in the 12th century.

The earliest mention in the written record of London Coopers coming together in an organised group to fix prices is 1298. A Mayor's Court held on 22nd May committed three named Coopers and others to gaol for contempt ‘in that they made an ordinance that no one should sell a hoop, formerly sold at a half-penny and three-farthings, for less than a penny '. They were later released after paying fines between six pence and five shillings.

Early Governance

By 1420 there is a record of an ordnance introducing Coopers’ marks. These marks were unique to each individual and were recorded by the Company in mark books. (Coopers’ mark books are held at The London Archives, the earliest dating from the 16th century. Ref CLC/L/CI/A/007/MS05633.) In 1422, in the reign of Henry V, the fraternity of Coopers was governed by two Wardens. It was during this period that various Companies came under the influence and control of the Court of Aldermen. To regain their independence and right to self-government many Companies, including the Coopers, sought and obtained Royal Charters. The Coopers Company was no doubt encouraged by the bequest of John Baker, a former Company Warden, who died in 1490. He left his property in Basinghall Street to the Coopers' Company subject to his wife's life interest and provided that a Charter of Incorporation was obtained within ten years of her death.

On 29th April 1501, towards the end of Henry VII’s reign, the Company obtained its Charter of Incorporation which provided for 'one Master and two Keepers (or Wardens) of the Commonalty of Freemen of the Mistery of Coopers'. The first Master of the newly incorporated Company was Hew Crompe. A transcription of the charter, made by Honorary Archivist Patrick Beet, can be viewed here.

This charter was confirmed unaltered by Mary and Elizabeth I and remained in force until 1661 when the second or Governing Charter, under which the Company still acts, was granted by Charles II. This charter provides for a Master, two Wardens and 17 Assistants and gives the Company the right to make byelaws for its own internal organisation. The byelaws were last approved in 1741 and remain in force today. A copy of theses byelaws put together by Honorary Archivist Patrick Beet can be viewed here.

A third charter, limiting the powers of the Coopers’ Court and Company was imposed in 1685 as a result of the City of London’s conflict with the monarchy but this was revoked under William and Mary in 1688 and the 1661 Charter was restored.

Powers

As well as powers granted by its Charter, the Coopers' Company also imposed its authority over the trade by Acts of Parliament. One such Act gave the Company the power to inspect and gauge all vessels used for the storage of ale, beer and soap. And it charged a farthing a vessel for the privilege! The Company's 'Sealer' with his branding iron became a familiar, if unpopular, visitor to all cooperages. Other Acts sought to control foreign-born traders and ‘aliens’ – a term used to describe anyone coming from outside of London – and allowed the Company to exercise its powers in London and its suburbs for two miles outside the City walls.

Waxing and Waning

With the expansion of seaborne trade in the 16th century and the growth of the navy under Henry VIII, casks were in great demand. The coopering craft enjoyed great prosperity, supplying casks for everything that had to be stored on board ship – food, drink, ammunition and cargo – and it is only in modern times that coopers ceased to be a rating in the navy. Civilian coopers continued working in naval dockyards until 1970 when the Royal Navy officially ended sailors’ rum ration.

Coopers, as with their sister companies, were at the height of their influence and power during the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries. The increasing wealth of the livery companies and of individual members led to an increased concern with charitable giving with many alms houses and schools founded during this time. The Coopers' Company's School (1536), and the Cloker Bequest (1573) are early examples of the Company's charitable work.

The end of the commercial influence of many Livery Companies came with the growth of other industrial centres in the country, increasing foreign imports, and with changes in social and economic conditions. Although Companies tried to maintain their influence over trades, by the 1800s many of their original functions had largely ceased. The craft of coopering itself suffered a gradual decline as the effects of the Industrial Revolution were felt and by the beginning of the 20th century the majority of craftsmen were employed in the brewing and whisky Industries which took little notice of the Company's regulations. A further significant decline in the trade occurred with the introduction of metal casks in the brewing industry.

Today, the Company is proud to support the resurgence in wooden cask usage in micro-brewing and cider making and continue its long tradition of managing charitable and educational trusts.

Watch the ‘Trussing In’ of Theakston Journeyman Cooper, Euan Findlay in October 2021

Watch the last apprenticed cooper in the Royal Navy taking part in the ‘trussing in’ ceremony (1967)

Watch barrel manufacturing by Royal Navy sailors (1917)