[MR] BBC: Annual Thames Sheep Drive

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

Yesterday actor Damian Lewis helped drive a small herd of sheep across the
Southwark Bridge into London in celebration of a thousand-year-old
tradition.

The annual, and rather symbolic, sheep drive recognizes the rights of
medieval London's liveried companies or guilds to bring their wares and
tools into the city without being taxed. This right dates back to at least
the 1100s, though the sheep drive was revived about 15 years ago. More than
a college stunt  or one of the many quirky British traditions we love so
much, the sheep were destined for the Worshipful Company of Woolmen's
annual livery fair. The fair is a fundraising event that supports the
guild's modern education and charitable activities. Mr. Lewis' honorary job
was by invitation, much like celebrities are asked to be grand marshals of
parades in this country.

Here is the BBC story: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y9l4z9qdqo .

London still has 111 liveried companies, the modern survivors of medieval
guilds. The most senior is the Worshipful Company of Mercers (general
merchants), which has a charter date of 1394 though it actually goes back
to at least the 1100s. Members of the companies are considered "freemen", a
term that originally meant they were free from the obligations of
apprenticeship.

For the history of the Liveried Companies, see
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livery_company .

Our friends, the Woolmen, are 43rd in precedence. You can learn more about
their history at https://www.woolmen.com/about/history/ .

Yours Aye,

Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆
Continuing a crusade to keep Merry Rose relevant and in business.