The Lambarde Cup, 1578, by John Bird. Presented to the Company by William Lambarde in 1578, the founder of Queen Elizabeth’s College almshouses, as a token of his thanks to the Company for agreeing to take on the Trusteeship of the almshouses. Around the rim of the cup there is an inscription which reads: A proctour for the poore am I – remember theim before thou dye.
Over the centuries the cup has come to represent the charitable role of the Company and was placed in front of the Master whenever he dined in the Hall as a reminder of this important role.
Due to its age and vulnerability to damage through its frequent use, the Company commissioned a copy to be made by Mr. William Haynes. The hand worked copy was completed in January 2002 and therefore the hallmark features the Golden Jubilee mark.
The original cup now remains on permanent display in the Silver Vault at Drapers’ Hall whilst the copy is now proudly used as intended by William Lambarde.
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