On this day
A look through the Barbers' Company archive and library to highlight important and interesting events and individuals across the Company's history.
For more information about any of the posts below please contact the Archivist
On this day in 1645, “Mr. William Kings … freely gave for the ornament of this House a giant Tortoiseshell whereon at his own charge he hath given order for the Company’s arms to be painted”. This tortoise or turtle shell now hangs in the Reception Room at Barber-Surgeons’ Hall. Curator Emeritus, Liveryman Richard Palmer, […]
March 6, 2023
On this Day
On this day in 1733 it was recorded in the Court minutes that Ambrose Dickins, Claudius Amyand, William Petty, John Shott, William Parker and Luke Maurice should receive proposals for building a cupola in the Hall parlour and report the same to the next Court of Assistants. There is no further mention of the cupola […]
March 7, 2023
On this Day
The Company’s first royal charter was granted on 24 February 1462 by the King Edward IV to ‘our beloved, honest and free men of the Mystery of Barbers of our City of London, exercising the mystery or art of surgery.’ The charter was very important for the Barbers, for several reasons: It incorporated the Company, […]
March 6, 2023
On this Day
On this day in 1617 a letter to the Company from King James I, was read out in the Court meeting. The minute reads: Upon the receipt of His Majesty’s letter under His Highness’s signet to this Company directed dated 13th of this instant month of January which being read at this Court thereby desiring […]
January 30, 2023
On this Day
On this day in 1560, the Company obtained an Inspeximus charter from Queen Elizabeth I. Written in Latin on parchment, it confirms the rights and privileges of the Company as given in previous charters. A translation follows: Elizabeth by the grace of God Queen of England, France and Ireland Defender of the Faith etc, to […]
January 30, 2023
On this Day
On this day in 1745, the Court minutes record the desire of the Surgeons to separate from the Barbers. This day the Gentlemen on the Surgeons side having made known at this Court their desire of being Separated from the Gentlemen on the Barbers and that each may be made a distinct and independent Body […]
September 30, 2025
On this Day
On 13th December 1308 Richard le Barbour was elected Master of the Company and presented to the Court of Aldermen at Guildhall. The event is recorded in the Corporation of London’s Letter Book C, folio 96, now stored at London Metropolitan Archives. An image of the entry in the Letter Book is on […]
December 12, 2022
On this Day
On 24 November 1740 William Duell, who had been hanged at Tyburn for sexually assaulting Sarah Griffin, revived on the anatomy table in the Anatomy Theatre at Barber-Surgeons’ Hall. The Old Bailey’s account of Duell’s trial can be read here. This was not the first time someone had revived on the anatomy table. An entry […]
November 22, 2022
On this Day
On this day in 1997, the long case clock in the Reception Room at Barber-Surgeons’ Hall chimed multiple times during a Committee meeting. BEHAPM William Shand described the event during his oral history interview. The extract can be listened to here and a transcript is provided below. Transcript: Now, another memory I have deals with […]
November 16, 2022
On this Day
On this day in 1631 the Court decided that a separate anatomy room should be built. The entry in the Court minute book reads: Also this Court taking notice of the lack of a private dissection room for anatomical employment and that hitherto the bodies have been a great annoyance to the tables, dresser boards and utensils in […]
October 20, 2022
On this Day