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The Cutlers' Company.
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between the way called Paternoster Church on the West, and the Course of Walbrook on the East; paying yearly one clove of Gilliflowers at Easter, and to the Priory and Convent of St. Mary Overy 6s. This house some time belonged to Simon Dolefly, Grocer, Mayor in the year 1359. They of this Company were (of old time) three Arts or sorts of Workmen, to wit—The first were Smiths, Forgers of Blades, and, therefore, called Bladers. And divers of them proved wealthy men, as namely Walter Nele, Blader, one of the Sheriffs, the 12th of King Edward the Third, deceased, 1352, and buried in St. James, Garlickhithe. He left lands for the mending of Highways about London, between Newgate and Wycombe and elsewhere. The second were Makers of Hafts and otherwise Garnishers of Blades. The third sort were Sheath Makers for Swords, Daggers, and Knives. In the tenth of Henry IV certain Ordinances were made betwixt the Bladers and other Cutlers. And in the reign of Henry V they were all three Companies drawn into one Fraternity or Brotherhood by the name of Cutlers.
The general business of the Company is carried on at the Hall, and the Court and Committee Meetings are likewise held there.
In the Dining Hall, the great hospitality for which the Cutlers' Company has ever been and still is distinguished, continues to be lavishly dispensed. One of the most time-honoured toasts or sentiments drank with enthusiasm at the Cutlers' Feasts is that in which the sympathy of every Liverymen towards the Company is expressed. May it continue to be used for many years to come. It is a sentiment also with which I trust I may not inappropriately conclude my short history of the Cutlers' Company.
"The Cutlers' Company—
May it flourish root and branch."
THE END.
