[2] They are a member of the 'Leathery Group' of Livery Companies, along with the Leathersellers, Coachmakers & Coach Harness Makers, Cordwainers, Curriers, Girdlers, Loriners, Saddlers, and Pattenmakers.

[4] Glovers, along with Girdlers were originally classified as Cordwainers, but separated to form their own 'mistery' (trade or craft) organisation in 1349 when the bye-laws were recorded by the City Authorities.

[5] By the end of the 15th century, the traders and merchants in London were in general prospering much more than the makers of things, and hence wealth and influence accrued much more to the mercantile companies than the crafts.

After much internal dispute and protracted efforts to separate from the Leathersellers, the Glovers became independent again under a Royal Charter of incorporation from King Charles I in 1638, followed by having their ordinances accepted by the Court of Aldermen in 1644 and finally having their status confirmed as a livery company in 1680 (after delays caused by the English Civil War amongst other things).

[15] The Company nearly became extinct for a second time in the late 19th century, with the low point being 1880 to 1885 when George Hibbert appears to have been the sole member of the court and re-elected himself as Master each year.

The appointment of Sir Homewood Crawford (Solicitor to the Corporation of London) as Master in 1886 started a turnaround in the Company's fortunes (as it did at the Fan makers), with the assistance of Benjamin Scott (City Chamberlain).

By the 1950s it was clear that reform was needed, as the Court met four times per year but there were no other meetings of any kind so the ordinary members had minimal knowledge of and no involvement in the Company.

Significant changes started from 1970, with growing glove trade involvement, charitable projects, historical education, participation in City events, social activity, production of a newsletter, and rotation of the roles on the Court.

The CPC offers student bursaries and grants to selected schools and colleges and supports community projects in areas of need, including The Winch[26] which provides after-school clubs and holiday schemes for children in Campden.

The 2024 student glove design competition had two categories: a Glasto Glove (for any music artist who has ever played at Glastonbury, won by embroidery student Amelia Legg from the Royal School of Needlework, inspired by Lady Gaga[43]), or an Aesthetic Prosthetic (a prosthetic hand design that reworks function and form to a new artistic level, won by Yevheniia Mizevych from the London College of Fashion).

[44] The competitions are sponsored by The Company[45] and the winners in all categories receive cash prizes, which are presented at a formal luncheon in a City of London Livery Hall.