The Blacksmiths' Livery Company
First mentioned in 1299 and receiving its first Royal Charter from Queen Elizabeth I in 1571, the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths is one of the oldest City of London Livery companies.
The Company is proud of:
- The sustained support for the institutions and activities of the City of London.
- Its enduring involvement with the craft.
- Its support of a wide variety of charitable causes, notably the education of young blacksmiths.
Craft
The Company is one of the few Livery Companies in London where the craft that bears its name is still a vibrant trade.
Approximately 50% of the Company's charitable spending is used in the direct support of young blacksmiths in education.
The Company sponsors an awards programme which recognises the work of blacksmiths.
The Company participates in and supports a large number of County Shows each year at which the work of blacksmiths from all over the country is exhibited and judged.
County Shows
The Company supports 12 County Shows during the course of each year. Blacksmiths from all over the country exhibit their work and take part in live forging events; the results at the County Shows form the basis of the National Blacksmiths' Competition.
Points from each Show are aggregated together and the overall winners in each category (Static Competition and Live Forging) are honoured at our annual Michaelmas Awards Luncheon in London.
Although all of the 2020 and the majority of the 2021 County Shows were cancelled due to Covid, they returned in 2022 and have been thriving ever since. The National Blacksmiths' Competitions are held at 8 of the County Shows being held this year and the Blacksmiths' Company is represented at each of these shows.
Education and Training
As part of its commitment to the craft of blacksmithing, the Company is fully committed to the education and training of young blacksmiths.
Approximately 50% of our Charitable Trust's financial resources are devoted to the provision of bursaries to students at national colleges providing blacksmithing courses.
We currently support students at the following colleges:
- The National School of Blacksmithing - Hereford and Ludlow College
- Kingston Maurward College - Dorchester, Dorset
- Plumpton College - Near Brighton, Sussex
In addition, through our sponsorship of County Shows and our Company Awards programme, the Company encourages working blacksmiths to exhibit their work and have it recognised nationally by their peers.