THE
WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF
SCRIVENERS
The Worshipful
Company of Scriveners is 44th in the order of precedence of the
Livery Companies of the City of London. As their name implies the Scriveners have
always been, by definition, writers, and they were originally known as Writers
of the Court Letter as opposed to the members of the Stationers’ Company,
also a City Livery Company, who are derived from the Writers of the Text
Letter. Shortly stated this distinction
is essentially between those who wrote confidential documents such as wills,
charters and legal documents, and those who wrote other books and, in
particular in the early years, church service books. In the case of the Scriveners the legal
connection is now represented by the notarial profession and in particular the
scrivener notaries who have traditionally practised in the City of London, and who are
obliged to become members of the Company on qualification.
In
addition to the scrivener notaries, the Scriveners’ Company is the
traditional “home” for calligraphers and for members of the College of Arms and those with interests in
heraldry. The membership of the Company
is however a broad church and comprises those from a wide range of working
backgrounds but in particular such “professionals” as solicitors,
barristers, chartered accountants, actuaries and also members of the clergy,
company directors, investment advisers, genealogists and diplomats
General Information History of the Company Calendar List of Members Qualification as a Scrivener Notary Contact Details Links