Although not a Livery Company, the Guild of Freemen came into being on 29th July 1908 with the purpose of ‘uniting a common interest in the City’. It had been realised that there were a large number of people who had obtained their Freedom (of the City of London) but did not belong to a Livery Company and thus had no ongoing connection with the City. Although starting very small, by the time of the Centenary Dinner, membership had reached 2,500.


The Guild has a varied programme of Dinners in Livery Halls and visits to places of interest chosen by the Master of the Year.

Membership is open to all Freemen of the City of London, regardless of nationality, gender or religion, and our membership is drawn from all over the world, bound by a common interest in the City of London and the welfare and education of its citizens.

There is no record of the Guild having a Beadle until one was appointed in 1912. To the present day the Guild has only had five Beadles. The current Beadle, John Hollingsworth, having taken up the post in October 1988.

For further information please see The Guild of Freemen