What is Searching and Sizing?
One of the most fascinating traditions of the Worshipful Company of Founders is Searching and Sizing, an ancient privilege once used to protect fair trading within the City of London.
Under powers granted by Royal Charter, Founders' officers could enter merchants' premises, inspect trading weights and determine whether they were true and lawful. On 13 October, this historic custom was brought back to life when the Company visited Cloth Cornhill, owned by Founders Freeman Benedict Butterworth, where a selection of weights was examined before the assembled Company.
In centuries past, any weights found wanting could have been destroyed on the spot and their owner brought before the Court. Fortunately for Mr Butterworth, the modern-day ceremony was conducted in good humour, offering an entertaining glimpse into the Founders' historic role while preserving all the colour, pageantry and tradition of this remarkable ancient practice.
“As with all the ancient livery companies, the Founders' ordinances grant the company the right to undertake searches for inferior or poor quality items that fall under their purview. Since at least the sixteenth century, such searches included weights.
On a balmy October evening in a picturesque court off Cornhill the Founders undertook a not entirely serious re-enactment of this venerable privilege. After a slight delay due to the vagaries of public transport, and witnessed by a baffled audience of City workers, we were piped into Cloth Cornhill where Beadle Emma Rousell orchestrated the ceremony. A number of weights were presented and assessed, and the item which did not pass muster was confiscated (rather than destroyed!). Rather than paying a fine, the proprietor of the establishment - Founder Ben Butterworth - provided us with fine hospitality in the form of some excellent crémant and sausages, which was gratefully received.
A great time was had by all and it was wonderful to witness the longevity of our company's traditions. Perhaps we should make this a regular event!”
- Tracey Hill