Mesters to Masters

Cutlery has been made in Sheffield for at least 700 years. This history of the Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire is a rare opportunity to investigate the changing role of an industry and its locality. Founded in 1624 as an exclusive craft guild, the Cutlers' Company originally controlled the whole of the cutlery trade around Sheffield by sanctioning trade marks and apprenticeships. Stripped of its power by parliament in the early 19th century, when it was seen as being too powerful, it has since played a crucial role in protecting trademarks and representing the interests of the cutlery and steel trades more generally. From Masters to Masters not only presents a history of the company and its role at the heart of local trade and industry, but also provides a detailed description of the Cutlers' Hall, one of Sheffield's best-known buildings. The book also includes details of the outstanding collection of cutlery and silverplate housed in the Cutlers' Hall. Rich in detail and drawing on archives held at the Hall, this book will be of great interest to economic and social historians, and those with a particular interest in cutlery and steelmaking in Hallamshire.