The Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers
Published: 19/05/2011
The Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers is twentieth in the order of precedence of the City of London Livery Companies.
Its trade was the making and sale of beeswax candles and other wax chandlery, including torches, images and wax for seals. Before the Reformation, acts of devotion to speed souls through Purgatory required vast quantities of beeswax for candles, tapers and images. Mediaeval trade relied on wax seals to attest contracts and the like, and wax coated writing tablets were the BlackBerries of the time. Wax and honey were important in early medicine, and the Wax Chandlers were also a minor medical guild.
The Company was granted Ordinances by the Mayor and Aldermen in 1371. It received a Royal Charter in 1484 and acquired the site of its Hall in 1501. Fire, bad workmanship, bombs and town planning have accounted for five Halls and the Company now occupies its sixth Hall on the site. A major remodelling of the public areas of the Hall took place in 2006/7, under the design supervision of Kim Quazi of ACQ Architects.
Today the Company administers charities, supplies beeswax candles to St Paul's Cathedral, and maintains strong links with beekeeping and the wax industries. The Company sponsors prizes for beekeeping and mead-making, public lectures on beekeeping and the National Honey Show. In recent years the Company has played a part in the Thames Gateway Partnership, of which the City of London Corporation is a member. Initiatives have included sponsorship of Erith School in its successful bid to become a Specialist School in Maths, Computing and Sport. More recently it helped and encouraged Trinity School Belvedere attain Specialist Status. A Small Grants Scheme is operated in Bexley in conjunction with the local Voluntary Services Council. The Company is also heavily involved with three projects working with young people “at risk” in Inner London.
Further information on the Wax Chandlers can be found at their website: www.waxchandlers.org.uk
