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The City Unlocked

London Livery Companies from Wool to Digital
By Margaret Willes and Helen Esmonde
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Brief Description
A fascinating and beautifully illustrated book about the Livery Companies ... a must-buy for anyone with an interest in the history of the City - Vincent Keaveny CBE, former Lord Mayor of the City of London The City Unlocked traces the history of the City of... Read More
Format: Hardback
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A new history of the City livery companies written in collaboration with the companies themselves

A new history of the City Livery Companies written in collaboration with the Companies themselves

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A fascinating and beautifully illustrated book about the Livery Companies ... a must-buy for anyone with an interest in the history of the City - Vincent Keaveny CBE, former Lord Mayor of the City of London

The City Unlocked traces the history of the City of London through portraits of the individual livery companies from the medieval trades of the Drapers, Mercers and Goldsmiths, through to the professions of the present day, such as the Information Technologists and Tax Advisers. It shows how the development of the companies mirrors the economic history of the City, and the nation as a whole.

Working closely with the companies themselves, the authors reveal the hidden histories, customs, and origins of each company. Entries are illustrated with treasures taken from the companies' archives, some seen or photographed for the first time.

Written by two City insiders, both liverymen of the Stationers' Company, The City Unlocked provides fascinating accounts of individual companies and a new perspective on the economic history of the City of London.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781800814882

Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 10 September 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Profile Editions

Edition: Main

Illustration: Approximately 100, full colour

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 28.0mm

Width: 192.0mm

Height: 246.0mm

Weight: 1040g

Pages: 256

Collections

Helen Esmonde History & Archaeology History & Military Margaret Willes Non-Fiction

About the Author

A former Publisher at the National Trust, Margaret Willes is the author of The Curious World of Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn, The Gardens of the British Working Class and In the Shadow of St Paul's Cathedral, a history of the area around St Paul's and its famous churchyard. Her latest book is Liberty Over London Bridge: A History of the People of Southwark.Helen Esmonde ran Esmonde Publishing for 30 years and is a former Master of the Stationers' Company.

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