A "Skinner" (Pelliparius, Latin) is now understood to be a Furrier.
Furs were sold in bundles at fairs around England such as at Boston, Winhester,
St. Ives, Stamford, and at St. Edmundsbury. England has a cool climate, and
furs were often valued. By the 13th and 14th centuries the
increase in use of furs shows an increase of prosperity. Trade-guilds were
associated with religious fraternities. the Skinners were associated with
the Fraternity of the Body of Christ (Corpus Christi) and the Fraternity of
Our Lady's Assumption (Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption). Both of these Fraternities
are Catholic, thus potentially could lead to problems in Reformation England.
In addition to the trade in furs, the Skinners became increasingly involved in
Curing (using an acidic chemical, such as tannic acid from Oak trees to make
leather) and Tawing (make hides into leather without the use of tannin,
especially by soaking it in a solution of alum and salt). As time passed,
furs ceased to be used to show social rank. Thus progressively less use of
furs in paintings: Holbein, Vandyck, Lely.
Activities associated with the Skinners included: Processionals, Banquets
(including a "High Table" 1,
use of Grand Stands, attendance at Coronations, Pageants, and use of a
ceremonial Barge with an elaborately costumed Barge Master.
Fox, Adam "A Brief Description of the Worshipful Company of Skinners"
Hazlitt, W. Carew; "The Livery Companies of the City of London:
Their Origin, Character, Development, and Social and Political Importance"
1
A "High Table" is a table usually located atop a platform to
confer higher status upon the occupants of this table. The "hoi-polloi"
are seated at lower tables. The expression "upper crust" often is
associated with a "High Table" in that the upper crust of bread
is cut off and served to the people at "High Table", the remaining
bread is served to the "hoi-polloi".
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