Alfred Plummer - The London Weaver’s Company 1600 - 1970

The history of the London Weavers Company from the twelfth century to the close of the sixteenth century was written some forty years ago by Dr Frances Consitt. The present work continues the Companys history from 1600 to 1970, or, in other words, from the days of Elizabeth I to those of Elizabeth II. In this volume it has been my aim to present the Weavers story not in isolation but in its historical setting, and to attempt to bring to life the small but pulsating world in which these London craftsmen lived and worked in good times and bad, through prosperous, cheerful days as well as through great public catastrophes and bitter private suffering. How far I have succeeded, if at all, the reader must judge.

I am grateful to the Worshipful Company of Weavers for the opportunity to undertake the research upon which this book is based, and in particular to Dr Lawrence Tanner, C.V.O., F.S.A., for taking the initiative during his term of office as Upper Bailiff in 1963-4, and thereafter for his unflagging interest in the progress of the work. My thanks are due to successive Upper Bailiffs and especially to the late John Patrick Early who, despite failing health, always gave the project staunch support. At a later stage Dr Tanner, Mr Richard Early and the Clerk of the Company, Mr Romilly Ouvry, read the completed draft and made some valuable constructive suggestions which I now acknowledge with thanks.

Among many other helpful people to whom I am indebted for their perfect courtesy and efficient service I must mention a number of librarians, archivists and keepers of records, such as those at the Guildhall Library, the Shoreditch Central Library, the Bethnal Green Museum and the Greater London Record Office. Also I must thank Miss Rose Dearman for permission to include among the illustrations the portrait of her father, Francis Dearman, who was one of the last of the Spitalfields silk weavers. Finally, I must thank the Companys Beadle, Mr John Jackson, and his wife for their active concern for mycomfort and sustenance whenever I was working at Weavers House, New Wanstead.

Woodford Green

Essex

A.P.