The Beginning

A Brief History of the Company

The Company, which existed for many years before it received a Charter, joined the Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights in petitioning the Court of Aldermen in 1631 to assist them in procuring Letters Patent from the King owing to the difficulty in controlling the members of their respective trades. The civil wars delayed the process and it was not until 31st May 1677 that the Charter was received. By this, King Charles II constituted: “Edmund Awbry, our Coachmaker, Charles Nevill, our Coach Harnesse maker, Thomas Brigham, Coachmaker to our Dear Brother the Duke of York,” and others named and all who follow the trade as a body politic and corporate in Deed and Name as the Master, Wardens, Assistants and Commonalty of the Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers.

Within ten years of the grant, on 5th October 1686, the Company was forced to surrender to the King the powers conferred by Charter “And do with all submission implore his grace and favour to re-grant the same”. On 12th May the following year a second Charter was granted by King James II. The chief change was that the King, by Order in Council, might displace the Master, Wardens, Assistants and Clerks, or any of them, and require the Company to elect others. On 22nd October 1688, King James II made a re-grant to the Company of their surrendered rights.

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