The Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers is one of the ancient
livery companies of the
City of London. The organisation, which engaged not only in
tallow candle making but also in the trade of
oils, first received a
Royal Charter in 1462.
Traditionally tallow chandlers operated separately from
wax chandlers: beeswax candles customarily being used in churches and noble houses, while tallow (animal fat) candles were generally used in other homes. As is the case with most other livery companies, the Tallow Chandlers' Company is no longer a trade association of
candlemaker
A chandlery was originally the office in a wealthy medieval household responsible for wax and candles, as well as the room in which the candles were kept. It could be headed by a chandler. The office was subordinated to the kitchen, and only exist ...
s, its decline precipitated by the advent of
electric lighting. The company now exists as a charitable institution and supports education in oil-related fields.
The company ranks 21st in the
Precedence of Livery Companies in the City of London. Its
motto is ''Ecce Agnus Dei, Ecce Qui Tollit Peccata Mundi'':
Latin for "Behold the Lamb of God, Who Takes Away the Sins of the World", words of
St John the Baptist (Patron Saint of the Company) in reference to
Jesus.
External links
The Tallow Chandlers' Company
Livery companies
1462 establishments in England
Corporatism
Companies of medieval England
Charities based in London
Grade II* listed livery halls
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