If you walk along Cannon Street in the City of London today, you might notice a plaque on the wall of a modern office building. It marks the site of Cordwainers’ Hall, the livery hall of the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers, the ancient guild of leather workers and shoemakers.
The hall was destroyed by German bombs during World War II, but before that, it was a splendid and historic building that witnessed centuries of London’s history. Cordwainers’ Hall located at 7 Cannon Street, was destroyed by fire-bombs on December 29, 1940, and in April, 1941.
There is evidence of the Worshipful Company’s connection with the land on which it stood, in a grant to certain cordwainers in 1393, though first mention of a tenement called Cordwainers’ Hall is in a deed of 1440. The Company built what Stow termed a “faire new Hall” in 1557. This was destroyed in the fire of 1666.
The building burned by Hitler’s fire was the sixth, built in 1909-10. In its large hall hung splendid paintings by C. W. Furse, A.R.A., and Isaac M. Cohen, of Joseph Chamberlain and Sir J. Austen Chamberlain, the latter in Garter robes. “Joe” Chamberlain’s great-grandfather joined the Company in 1739, and six members of the family served the office of Master.
A cordwainer was a dealer in Cordovan leather, prepared with alum. The fraternity of cordwainers originally embraced most branches of the leather industry, and controlled the tanning of leather and the making of shoes in the City of London and an area of two miles around until the reign of William and Mary.
Now the Company is content to encourage the efficiency in the industry through technical schools and colleges.
Cordwainers’ Hall: A Lost Treasure of London
The first mention of Cordwainers’ Hall dates back to 1440, but the company itself was founded much earlier, in 1272. The name cordwainer comes from cordovan leather, a fine and expensive material imported from Spain and used for high-quality shoes. The cordwainers were proud of their craft and regulated it strictly within the city and its surroundings. They also supported charitable causes and education for their members and their families.
The hall that stood on Cannon Street until 1941 was the sixth one built by the company. It was erected in 1910, after the previous hall had been demolished to make way for a railway extension. The new hall was designed by Sir Henry Tanner in a classical style, with a stone facade decorated by Robert Adam. The interior featured a large hall with paintings by C.W. Furse and Isaac M. Cohen, depicting Joseph Chamberlain and his son Sir Austen Chamberlain, both prominent politicians and members of the company.
The hall was also home to many valuable records and relics of the company’s history, such as charters, silverware, banners and portraits. Unfortunately, most of these were lost when the hall was hit by incendiary bombs during two raids in December 1940 and April 1941. The fire gutted the building and left only a shell standing. The site was later cleared and rebuilt as an office block.
Today, the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers still exists as one of the oldest livery companies in London. It no longer has its own hall, but it continues to promote excellence in leather craftsmanship through awards, scholarships and sponsorships. It also maintains its charitable traditions and supports various causes related to footwear, education and health.
Cordwainers’ Hall may be gone, but it is not forgotten. It remains a symbol of London’s rich heritage and resilience.