Membership
Membership of the Worshipful Company of Poulters falls into two categories: Freemen and Liverymen.
One may become a freeman, or acquire the “freedom of the Company”, upon fulfilling the Company’s criteria: traditionally, one may be admitted by “patrimony or matrimony” if either of one’s parents were a freeman of the Company at the date of one's birth; by “servitude” if one has served the requisite number of years as an apprentice to the Company; or by “redemption”, i.e. by paying a fee (the vast majority are admitted by redemption).
The Court of the Company may also vote to admit individuals as Honorary Freemen.
Freemen are generally entitled to advance to become Liverymen by a vote of the Court of the Company. Only Liverymen can take part in the election of the Lord Mayor, the Sheriffs and the other traditional officers of the City of London.
Table of Fees from 1st April 2026
Admission to Freedom of the Company by either Patrimony or Matrimony | £180 |
Admission to Freedom of the Company by Redemption | £360 |
Admission to the Livery from Freedom by either Patrimony or Matrimony | £780 |
Admission to the Livery from Freedom by Redemption | £1,500 |
Admission to the Livery from Freedom by Redemption (under 40 on admission) | £660 |
Admission as a Court Assistant | £1,200 |
Quarterage of £375 per annum payable on 1st April each year.