The early food livery companies were the medieval equivalent of today's UK Trading Standards and Environmental Health departments, checking weights and measures and quality of goods.  They also controlled imports, set wages, working conditions and they trained apprentices.  

In the City of London today street names - such as Bread Street, Cloth Fair, Fish Street Hill, Ironmonger Lane, Mason's Avenue, Milk Street and Poultry - mark the sites where it all began. Initially known as Guilds they later became Livery Companies. 

The word 'guild' derives from the Saxon word for payment, since membership of these fraternities was (and is) paid for.  The word 'livery' refers to uniform clothing used as as means of identification.  Today new companies, in their formative years, are usually referred to as guilds.  

Last updated 12 November 2008