MEMBERSHIP

Admission to the Company comes by three routes:-

• By Patrimony - where any child of a Freeman born after the admission of the Freeman to the Company has a right of admission to the Freedom.  The Company has policies in place which are designed to keep the number of Liverymen at approximately 125. 
  
• Following Servitude - where a Freeman or Liveryman binds an Apprentice, often his son or daughter, between the ages of 14 and 21.   This servitude, which used to be the period when apprentices learned the craft of weaving, is now symbolic, but by serving his or her Master "faithfully" an apprentice has the right of admission to the Freedom of the Company after seven years.
  
• By Redemption  - where a "fine" was traditionally paid for admission to the Company, but which is today the route by which people involved in textiles and not otherwise eligible for admission are admitted to the Company, following recommendation by three existing members of the Livery and a selection process.

Honorary Freemen may be appointed from time to time, the current number including H.R.H. Princess Michael of Kent and the Bishop of London.