History and heritageCompany history and timeline

The foundations

Sir Theodore de Mayerne was born into a Huguenot family in Geneva in 1573 and trained as a physician at centres of learning including Heidelberg and Montpellier. After serving Henri IV of France, he moved to England and built an influential career at the Stuart court.

His medical work brought him into contact with distillation as a practical art. In England, the right to distil was contested between existing trades and practitioners. De Mayerne first supported the Apothecaries in securing their own Charter and later helped pursue a separate corporate body for those distilling spirits for general consumption.

Timeline

1. 1573

   Theodore de Mayerne is born. Born in Geneva, de Mayerne studied medicine and developed a career that would take him through France to the English royal court.

2. 1617

   Charter granted to the Apothecaries. De Mayerne supported the Apothecaries’ case for the right to distil herbs, flowers and fruits for medicinal use, helping them secure a Royal Charter.

3. 1624

   De Mayerne is knighted. After becoming physician to James I, de Mayerne was knighted. He later served Queen Henrietta Maria and Charles I.

4. 1638

   Royal Charter for the Distillers. On 9 August, Charles I granted the Charter that established the Company to govern the trade and craft of distilling in London and its surrounding area. Sir Thomas Cademan was appointed the first Master.

5. 1639

   Coat of Arms granted. The Company’s arms were officially granted on 18 March. Their imagery combines water, sunlight, a still, barley and grapes in a visual account of distillation.

6. 1642–1660

   Civil war and disruption. The English Civil Wars and the execution of Charles I in 1649 disrupted commerce and the institutions associated with the Crown. De Mayerne died in Chelsea in 1655 and did not live to see the Company fully established within the City.

7. 1658

   Charter enrolled by the City. The Company’s Charter was formally enrolled by the City of London, a step in securing its place within the City’s corporate life.

8. 1672

   Livery status granted. Following the Restoration of Charles II, the Company developed more securely and was granted Livery status by the Court of Aldermen. The Distillers are now 69th in the order of precedence.

9. Nineteenth century

   Ceremonial life grows. Gifts including loving cups, a gavel and an extraordinary silver-gilt rose-water dish and ewer added to the Company’s ceremonial collection. Many remain part of Company occasions today.

   

10. 1955

    The Distillers’ Charity is established. The Company created a dedicated charitable body, giving structure to its tradition of generosity and public service.

11. 2012

    The Gin Guild is founded. Established by the Company, the Gin Guild created an international community for excellence, education and confidence in the gin category.

12. 2021

    The Distillers One of One begins. The first Distillers One of One auction brought the Scotch whisky industry together around rare, one-off lots, creating a new source of charitable funding.

13. 2022

    350 years of Livery. The Company marked 350 years since the grant of Livery status and continued to expand its charitable, educational and industry work.

14. Today

    The Company remains connected to its founding trade. It brings people together, shares knowledge, supports new talent and helps charitable work reach further.

Further reading

The Company’s history is explored in greater depth in The Worshipful Company of Distillers — A Short History. The updated 2024 edition traces the Livery from its origins to the present day and includes more than 50 photographs.