Grinling Gibbons’ Transubstantiation Oath (Drapers’ Company declaration signature book 1689-1876)
Creator(s): Worshipful Company of Drapers
Date: Entry for 1704 (contained within Declaration Signature book dated 1689-1876)
Accession Number: DR/MD1
Materials: Work on paper (book)
Location: Drapers’ Hall, Throgmorton Avenue, London EC2N 2DQ
Credit Line (copyright notice for material) : © The Drapers' Company
NOTES ON THE ARTWORK
As Grinling Gibbons fortunes rose, so too did his prominence within the Drapers’ Company. In 1704 he was elevated to governing body of the Company, the Court of Assistants, by his election as Warden of the Drapers’ Company. This role carried with it key financial responsibilities and oversight. Upon being appointed, Gibbons was required, as were all Wardens and Masters on a yearly basis, to sign an oath swearing that he did not believe in the religious principle of transubstantiation. This was designed to prevent Catholics from holding office, a common practice across all official public positions during this period of religious turbulence and ‘popish’ fear.
Grinling Gibbons' oath recorded in the Drapers' Company declaration book, 1704 © The Drapers' Company
