Worshipful Company of Musicians

One of the Livery Companies of the City of London. It is ranked at #.50

Its motto is Preserve Harmony


 * Its history dates back to at least 1350.
 * 1469 the earliest official charter known was granted by King Edward IV to his minstrels
 * In 1500, the Fellowship of Minstrels was granted incorporation as the Musicians' Company by the Lord Mayor of the City of London, and the Company was given the right to regulate all musicians within the City
 * In 1632 Charles I revoked the 1604 charter.
 * In 1637 the Westminster Musicians Guild attempted to assert control of the City's musicians, and the Company fought hard to retain its privileges, operating without a charter from 1632 to 1950.
 * In 1949 the Company successfully petitioned the City authorities for permission to apply to King George VI for a new charter of incorporation.
 * The new charter was granted in 1950.

Masters of the Company who have been composers or otherwise connected with music include: Frederick Bridge, 1892; Herbert Sullivan, 1926; Hugh Allen, 1937; Herbert Howells, 1959; Jack Westrup, 1971; and Lennox Berkeley, 1976.

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