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Illustration Friday - Climb

Threads of History  



The Worshipful Company
of Framework Knitters 
Most of the 108 livery companies of the City of London were trade guilds with strong religious ties owning their own chapels and having their own patron saints up to the time of the reformation. Then, Charters were granted to companies which stressed their responsibilities for and control of the commercial/trade standards, which they operated until centuries later.

The great majority of livery companies no longer control their trades but still assist them with various charitable works including student bursaries, scholarships, schools and almshouses.

The Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters was incorporated by Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth, on 13th June 1657 and was re-incorporated and its privileges extended by Letters Patent of His Majesty King Charles II on 19th August 1663 with the style, "The Master, Wardens, Assistants and Society of the Art or Mystery of Framework Knitters of the Cities of London and Westminster and the Kingdom of England and the Dominion of Wales". The company was incorporated by order of the Court of Aldermen as a Livery Company of the City of London on the 9th June 1713, being 64th in order of precedence.

The Company is one of the Liveries, which maintains a close association with its industry and many of the Company's membership of 275 men and women have direct connections with the knitting, and hosiery industries.

The Company supports two charities, its Almshouses at Oadby, Leicester (Charity No. 212946), for retired employees of the industry needing sheltered housing, and its Educational Trust (Charity No. 292630), which administers the Student Bursaries and Awards Scheme.

Arms : 
Argent a Knitting Frame Sable garnished Or

Crest: 
[Upon a Helm on a Wreath Argent and Gules] A Lamb passant proper resting the dexter forehoof on a Hank of Silk fesswise Or

Supporters:
On the dexter side a Student of the University of Cambridge in academical costume of the seventeenth century proper and on the sinister side a Female Figure also in seventeenth century costume habited Azure cuffs cap neckerchief and apron Argent holding in the dexter hand a Knitting Needle proper and in the sinister hand a Piece of Worsted Knit Gules

Motto: 
Speed, Strength And Truth United

History:
Originated in the first successful knitting machine, supposedly invented by a Cambridge graduate to gain the love of a lady. The Charter was awarded in 1657, when the Company became very prosperous. Later the industry tended to move to Leicester and Nottingham, where many of the Livery live. (Linky)

 

Stockings Addict...