Walking Tour - The Pattern of Human Existence: London’s Livery Companies

We might think of the City of London Livery Companies today as overblown, rich, dining clubs with weird, ancient ceremonials. But for hundreds of years they made the City tick: They regulated and protected trade, provided welfare and retirement services and formed an essential part in the machinery of the City’s government.

Richard’s walk connects together a number of the Companies’ Livery Halls, many of which are fine, protected buildings on sites impacted by fire and bombing. He also shows how they sometimes played a role in national and international politics and managed conflict between Companies leading to riots and death.

Plotting a course to the north of the City, up and down walkways and passed City gardens, we also take in some of the fantastic historic remains of the City’s Roman and medieval wall, fortifications and gates.