As our Clerk announces every year at the Nomination Dinner for the new Master, the organisation and operation of our Company is governed by two documents: our Charter, granted by King Charles I in 1637; and the Ordinances granted by his son, King Charles II, in 1670. Both are illuminated documents, inscribed on vellum, which have spent much, if not most, of the last 400 years rolled up and stored in wooden boxes. Today, they are lodged in the Guildhall Archive, that cares for them on behalf of the Company.
As we are now in the reign of King Charles III, the Heritage and Collections Committee was directed by the Master to enquire as to their current state of preservation, and whether any conservation could and should be undertaken. After a detailed examination, it was recommended that the Charter should be flattened and cleaned to better preserve it. This also allows it to be properly photographed for the first time in many years.
The first part of this work involved a 3D scan of the Great Seal of the Realm, which originally showed King Charles enthroned but has experienced some damage over the centuries. This was recently completed and will allow for a replica to be made for display at The Proof House. The replica of the Seal will be shown alongside a copy of the Charter, which has now been flattened and is in the process of being cleaned. It is hoped this will be completed in the next few months, and will then be photographed before going into its new home – a specially made conservation box, which we hope will keep this priceless piece of our heritage preserved for many more years to come.
