Clockmaking on Lothbury
12th February 2025St Margaret Lothbury
The Chairman of the Broad Street Ward Club and Immediate Past Consort of the Carmen, Sarah Sturrock, organised their annual lecture to be given by James Nye, Chairman of the Antiquarian Horological Society, on the subject of Clockmaking on Lothbury: Craft, Community and Conflict in Pre-Fire London.
It was held in St Margaret's Lothbury, which itself partially survived the Great Fire of London. However, most traces of the original street buildings have now gone, because the Bank of England is across the road!
The lecture was not on clockmaking specifically but was more about the people, their businesses and where they lived on Lothbury. Alongside at least 9 clockmakers, the Founders' Hall and a lot of foundries were close by, no doubt supplying components to the clockmakers. James took us on a fascinating walk along the street as it was, discussing the political and religious affinities of the occupants, along with their wealth or otherwise, and the general situation in London at the time.
As a descendant of a line of clockmakers (my maternal eight times great grandfather was apprenticed to a London Clockmaker in 1640 and became a member of the Clockmakers Livery in 1657), this subject was of great interest. I have some information/dates on my forebears but there is a lot more to be explored so hopefully this lecture will lead me further into the subject.
After the lecture, a very nice buffet supper was enjoyed in the church by myself and a good group of Livery Masters and Consorts from my year group.
A very interesting informal evening out!