Library & Archives
The Company’s archives date back to the 14th century, and the Library's collections include over 8,000 books and over 15,000 images, magazines, journals, films and special research collections.
1581 Apprentice Book
An entry from Apprentice Book 1 dated 1581
‘I Rowland Lockey son of Leonard Lockey of this parish of St Bride’s Fleet Street, crossbowmaker, have put myself (ap)prentice to Nicholas Hilliard…’ Lockey completed his apprenticeship with Elizabethan England’s most famous miniaturist and later worked under the patronage of Bess of Hardwick at Hardwick Hall.
An entry from Apprentice Book 1 dated 1581
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History of the Company
The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, more commonly known as the Goldsmiths' Company, is one of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London and received its first royal charter in 1327.
Collections
Internationally recognised, the Goldsmiths’ Company has one of the finest collections of silver made in Britain, numbering some 8,000 examples from 1350 to the present day.