Its origins can be traced back with certainty to 1292, although it probably existed in some form up to a century earlier as the Guild of Our Lady and St Thomas Becket.
Its successor, the Mistery of Free Brewers, were granted the right by the Mayor and Aldermen of London to appoint Masters and Wardens in 1406.
Henry VI granted the first of a series of Royal Charters to the company in 1437–38.
[1] From the mid-16th century, masters were elected annually; all of those whose names are known are listed below.
[2] A continuous list of masters is available from the early 18th century.