The Origin of The Clothworkers' Company
The Fullers and the Shearmen found that they lacked the power of the older and larger companies. They therefore amalgamated to strengthen themselves against their rivals and the united body was called the Guild or Fraternity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Clothworkers in the City of London.
The new Company took over Shearmen's Hall and succeeded to the precedence of the Shearmen, as the most junior of the 'Great Twelve' Livery Companies. This led to a long-lasting rivalry with the Dyers who, at number 13, felt that they should have succeeded to twelfth place.
A Royal Charter was granted on 18th January 1528 and the first Ordinances of 1532 were signed by Sir Thomas More and others.
The new Company soon gained some important members, including William Hewett, Master 1543-44, who served as Lord Mayor of London. Adam Winthrop, Master in 1551-52, was the grandfather of John Winthrop, the first governor of Massachusetts and Connecticut. William Lambe, Master in 1569-70, founded Sutton Valence School in Kent and brought water to the part of London later crossed by Lamb's Conduit Street.
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