| Salters' Company | |
| Motto: | Sal Sapit Omnia |
| Location: | Salters' Hall, London EC2 |
| Association: | Salt and chemistry industry |
| Precedence: | 9th |
| Master: | Piers Vacher |
The Worshipful Company of Salters is one of the Great Twelve City Livery Companies, ranking 9th in order of precedence.
An ancient merchant guild associated with the salt trade, the Salters' Company originated in London as the Guild of Corpus Christi.[1]
The Salters' Company was first granted a Royal Charter of Incorporation in 1394, with further charters authorising the Company to set standards regulating salt industry products from the City of London. The formal name under which it is incorporated is The Master, Wardens and Commonality of the Art or Mystery of the Salters of London.[2] The Company was originally responsible for the regulation of salt merchants, but began losing control over the trade as the population of London increased and spread outwards from the City after the Industrial Revolution. Until the 19th century, the main use for salt was to preserve food for the winter months. Salt was probably the first traded commodity which if not available locally was imported.[3]
Through careful stewardship of financial bequests and funds, the Company now serves as a significant educational and charitable institution whilst maintaining links with its heritage by supporting education in chemistry, for example by awarding scholarships to chemistry and science students, among whom is Sam Carling .[4]
Since Sir Robert Bassett in 1475/76, eighteen Salters have served as Lord Mayor of London, the most recent being Sir Richard Nichols in 1997/98.[5]
The Master Salter for 2024/25 is Piers Vacher,[6] [7] supported by the Company Wardens, Commoner Andrew McMurtrie,[8] Anthony Cecil, 4th Baron Rockley,[9] and John Stebbing .[10]
Since 2019, the Clerk to the Salters' Company is Tim Smith.[11]
The former Salters' Hall in St Swithin's Lane, London, bombed in 1941, was during the 1700s the meeting place of Presbyterians and in 1719 the site of the "Salters' Hall controversy" a notable turning point for religious tolerance in England.[12]
The present Salters' Hall on Fore Street, EC2 dates from 1976,[13] designed by architect Sir Basil Spence, being Grade II-listed in 2010. A major redevelopment by architects de Metz Forbes Knight[14] including a new entrance pavilion was completed in 2016.[15]
Established in 1918 as the Salters' Institute of Industrial Chemistry to support chemistry students after the First World War, particularly those whose studies had been interrupted by military service,[16] the Salters' Company's educational charity awards prizes for students of chemistry, chemical engineering, biology and physics (plus science technicians), as well as running various activities to promote the study of science.[17]
The Company received a grant of arms in 1530 from Thomas Benolt,[18] then its crest and supporters in 1591 from Robert Cooke, both Clarenceux King of Arms.
The Salters' Co. arms are blazoned:
Escutcheon
Per chevron Azure and Gules three Covered Salts Argent garnished Or.
Crest
On a Wreath of the Colours a Cubit Arm erect issuing from Clouds all Proper holding a Covered Salt Argent garnished Or.
Supporters
Two Otters Sable bezanty ducally gorged and chained Or.[19]
Its motto is Sal Sapit Omnia, Latin for Salt Savours All.[20]