The Salters' Company was first granted a Royal Charter of Incorporation in 1394, with further charters authorising the Company to set standards regulating salt industry products from the City of London. The formal name under which it is incorporated is The Master, Wardens and Commonality of the Art or Mystery of the Salters of London.[2]
The Company was originally responsible for the regulation of salt merchants, but began losing control over the trade as the population of London increased and spread outwards from the City after the Industrial Revolution.
Until the 19th century, the main use for salt was to preserve food for the winter months. Salt was probably the first traded commodity which if not available locally was imported.[3]
Through careful stewardship of financial bequests and funds, the Company now serves as a significant educational and charitable institution whilst maintaining links with its heritage by supporting education in chemistry, for example by awarding scholarships to chemistry and science students, among whom is Sam CarlingMP.[4]
Since 2019, the Clerk to the Salters' Company is Tim Smith.[11]
Salters' Hall
The former Salters' Hall in St Swithin's Lane, London, bombed in 1941, was during the 1700s the meeting place of Presbyterians and in 1719 the site of the "Salters' Hall controversy" a notable turning point for religious tolerance in England.[12]
Established in 1918 as the Salters' Institute of Industrial Chemistry to support chemistry students after the First World War, particularly those whose studies had been interrupted by military service,[17] the Salters' Company's educational charity awards prizes for students of chemistry, chemical engineering, biology and physics (plus science technicians), as well as running various activities to promote the study of science.[18]
The Salters' Co. arms are blazoned: Escutcheon: Per chevron Azure and Gules three Covered Salts Argent garnished Or. Crest: On a Wreath of the Colours a Cubit Arm erect issuing from Clouds all Proper holding a Covered Salt Argent garnished Or. Supporters: Two Otters Sable bezanty ducally gorged and chained Or.[20]
Its motto is Sal Sapit Omnia, Latin for Salt Savours All.[21]
^"This threefold body came together, then, at Salters' Hall, and first met the very day following that on which the Royal Assent had ratified the repeal of the Schism Act. It was thus repealed on the 18th February, 1719, and they met on..." (Gordon, Alexander (1922). "The story of Salters' Hall". Addresses, biographical and historical. p. 142.)