The Guild of Mercers’ Scholars is a voluntarily-run Guild in the City of London, made up from alumni and associates of the Mercers’ Company’s cluster of schools. Amongst its principal objectives is enabling its members to become Liverymen of City Companies.
By engaging with pupils and former pupils of the Mercers’ Cluster of schools, the Guild of Mercers’ Scholars aims to demonstrate and promote helpful reciprocal communication, outreach and recognition with the Worshipful Company of Mercers and amongst all members and partners.
"To encourage former pupils of Mercers’ Foundation and Associated Schools and others to become Freemen and Liverymen"
The Guild is arranged along the lines of a Livery Company, and so is run by an elected Court, consisting of a Guild Master, Renter Warden, Junior Warden, an Honorary Clerk and Honorary Treasurer and additional Assistants as deemed necessary. The Court meets four times a year within 21 days of each quarter day, Lady Day, Mid Summer Day, Michaelmas Day and Christmas Day.
The Guild Master and Wardens are advised by Guild Assistants who are Past Guild Masters, one Guildman representing each of the Foundation and Associated Schools and Court Assistants who are Guildmen progressing through the Court in order of precedence.
The Guild’s Constitution can be viewed here.
"Former pupils of the Mercers' School, and schools within the Mercers' Cluster"
The Court welcomes applications for membership from former pupils of the Mercers’ School, and schools within the Mercers’ Cluster:
The Assistant Clerk (Membership) will be pleased to send information regarding membership and offer assistance and advice in obtaining the Freedom of the City of London.
Please email clerk@theguildofmercersscholars.com if you have any further questions.
You must attend one of the schools or colleges in the Mercers’ cluster and apply via your school/college. Speak with your School Liaison Officer (SLO) for the Guild, who will be a member of the school/college staff; if you do not know who this is, ask your Head of Year, Head of Careers Guidance, or a senior member of school staff. Your SLO will be able to explain the application and admission process. The Guild’s School Court Assistant (SCA) will also be involved with the application, selection, and admission process. Pupils/students nominated by their school for the apprenticeship scheme need to be supported by the SLO and SCA, as well as having their application supported by a parent/guardian.
The Guild application form needs to be accompanied by a copy of your FULL birth certificate, a copy of your CV and a personal statement setting out why you want to join the apprenticeship scheme, what you hope to get out of it, and what you might contribute to the Guild once you have converted to become a full Guildman.
The Guild enrolment fee is £50, payable when your application is submitted. Thereafter, the annual subscription for an apprentice is £25 payable on 1 July each year.
After four years, you will be invited to convert to a full Guildman. You need to submit an essay on any aspect of the City of London, between 1,000 and 2,000 words and must include a list of sources. You should discuss the subject of your essay with your Apprentice Master about six months beforehand. You are then eligible to gain the Freedom of the City of London by servitude.
If you have attended one of the schools or colleges in the Mercers’ cluster and are over 18 years of age, you can join the Guild by direct entry as a Guildman at any time. There is no upper age limit. This involves becoming a Freeman of the City of London by redemption first, then admittance to the Guild. You need to be proposed and seconded by current Guildmen. You can speak to the relevant School Court Assistant and/or contact the Membership Clerk for further information. This can be a lengthy process, as the application for the Freedom of the City needs to be endorsed by two Guildmen who are also Liverymen and be vetted and approved through the Court of Common Council.
The Guild application form needs to be accompanied by a copy of your FULL birth certificate and a copy of your CV.
The Guild enrolment fee is £100, payable when your application is submitted. Thereafter, the annual subscription for a Guildman is £75 payable on 1 July each year.
Once your Guild application has been approved, the Membership Clerk will advise you about the next step, which is applying for the Freedom of the City of London. The ‘Freedom Fine’ or fee of £150 is payable to the City of London Corporation when your Freedom application is submitted for vetting and approval through the Court of Common Council.
This is by invitation from the Guild Master, and usually only offered to Head teachers and Principals of the schools and colleges in the Mercers’ cluster, and/or their School Liaison Officers. While all Guild fees are waived, candidates will need to pay their ‘Freedom Fine’ or fee of £150 (see above).
As an apprentice, you are bound in the Chamberlain’s Court at Guildhall in the City of London and sign your Indenture certificate, along with a parent/guardian and your Apprentice Master. Afterwards, on the same afternoon, you make your Guild Declaration at the Guild’s Membership Court, also held at Guildhall.
As a Guildman or Honorary Guildman, you are granted the Freedom of the City of London in the Chamberlain’s Court at Guildhall. Afterwards, on the same afternoon, you make your Guild Declaration at the Guild’s Membership Court, also held at Guildhall.
The dress code is smart, with jacket and tie for gentlemen. Pupils/students should dress as they would for a job or university interview.
Please see the City of London Corporation website: https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/about-us/law-historic-governance/freedom-of-the-city
It is best to use public transport; details about how to find Guildhall can be found on Guildhall’s website: https://www.guildhall.cityoflondon.gov.uk/find-us
Note: The Chamberlain’s Court is accessed from Aldermanbury.
It is the policy of the Guild to treat candidates and Guild members fairly, taking account of race, religion or belief, sex, gender reassignment status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, disability, or age. We are committed to ensuring our Guild is inclusive and all its members promote:
Be sure to book in soon for this highlight of the Guild's year.
Meet Guildsmen and Court Assistants Lydia Kendrick and William Jackson
