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.
  • 2025 Tony Miller installed as Master of the Coopers’ Company, with his daughter Laura Miller joining the Court as Under Warden

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