The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire

Early History

Hallamshire was the southern-most shire of Anglo-Saxon Northumbria and its boundary separated Northumbria from Mercia, centred on the parish of Sheffield and including the parishes of Handsworth and Ecclesfield. The manufacture of cutlery, which includes any implement that has a cutting edge, has been practiced in this area for centuries aided by the abundant supply of fast flowing water to power the wheels and sandstone to make the grinding wheels

Surviving 16th century records show that the powerful Earls of Shrewsbury, as lords of the Manor of Hallam, had taken an active interest in the local trade, but upon the death of Gilbert, Earl of Shrewsbury in 1616, the manor passed to non-resident lords. The cutlers of Sheffield were left without any guiding control over their affairs, so petitioned Parliament for an Act of Incorporation in 1624. The Company took over the responsibility for binding apprentices, admitting freemen, registering marks and devised regulations to ensure the quality of workmanship.

In 1624 the Cutlers' Company claimed jurisdiction over the working lives of cutlers, scissorsmiths and shearsmiths (and sicklesmiths) in Hallamshire 'and six miles round'.