A selection of events in Coopers’ History. While the first written record of a cooper in London is the Roman Junius the Cooper, this timeline focuses on key periods in the Company’s history.

The Middle Ages

  • 1298 A number of coopers fined for "Contempt of King and Mayor".
  • 1396 Fraternity of Coopers petitioned the Lord Mayor for the right to prevent coopers using inferior materials.
  • 1420 Coopers were required coopers to mark their casks with a unique iron stamp. Each cooper had their own mark.
  • 1457 Ordinance passed to burn casks made of inferior wood.

The Tudor Period

  • 1501 Henry VII granted a Royal Charter incorporating the Company, establishing a Master and Wardens.
  • 1531 Parliament empowered Wardens to gauge barrels in London, marking approved ones with St Anthony's Cross.
  • 1536 Nicholas Gibson, of the Grocers' Company, established alms houses and a school in Ratcliffe.
  • 1547 First purpose-built hall completed, funded in part by John Heath.
  • 1554 Coopers assumed responsibility for the administration of its first charity – the Ratcliffe Charity formed by Nicholas Gibson in 1536.

The Stuart and Commonwealth Period

  • 1643 Company’s plate sold to support Parliamentary armies.
  • 1657 Thomas Venner, Cooper, led Fifth Monarchists in failed attempt to overthrown Oliver Cromwell.
  • 1661 Venner led a violent uprising in the City against the newly restored monarchy of Charles II. He was captured and executed.
  • 1666 Great Fire destroyed the Company’s Hall.
  • 1678 Hall rebuilt at the cost of £5,000.
  • 1685 Revised Charter issued by Charles II.

The Georgian Age

  • 1741 Adopted bye-laws for regulation of the Company.
  • 1742 Sir Robert Willimot, first Lord Mayor not to translate to one of the Great Twelve Companies on taking office.
  • 1777 Sir James Esdaile became Lord Mayor, remaining a Cooper.

The Victorian Era

  • 1827 The Society of the Livery founded to maintain the rights of the Livery, especially in electing Wardens.
  • 1840 Thomas Johnson elected Lord Mayor.
  • 1855 Sir David Salomons, the first Jewish Lord Mayor.
  • 1868 Third Hall constructed, later destroyed during WWII.
  • 1874 David Henry Stone elected Lord Mayor.
  • 1891 Coopers' School merged with Coborn School.

The 20th Century

  • 1940 The Hall destroyed during the Blitz.
  • 1957 The Worshipful Company of Coopers bought the Freehold to 13 Devonshire Square. Further information on other occupants of the building can be found here.
  • 1959 The first meeting was held at 13 Devonshire Square. 
  • 1970 Foundation stone laid for new Coopers' and Coborn School at Upminster.
  • 1974 Sir Murray Fox elected Lord Mayor.
  • 1990 The court voted to admit women to the Livery on an equal basis with men.

The 21st Century

  • 2000 Pamela Maryfield, former principal of Strodes School, Egham, first woman admitted to the Livery.
  • 2001 Six more women admitted to the Livery.
  • 2008 Ian Luder elected Lord Mayor.
  • 2013 Sharon Ashby first woman appointed as Warden. 
  • 2015 Ajax, a shire horse, become an Honorary Freeman of the Coopers and Company Mascot; more information can be found here.
  • 2016 Alderman Ian Luder served as Master.
  • 2022 Clare Hughes the first female Master.

This timeline captures the evolution of the Coopers' Company through significant milestones in governance, charity, education, and infrastructure.