merciarius

Latin merx meant goods, commodity, wares — the same root as merchant and merchandise. Merciarius described a dealer in goods generally; in medieval English trade the word specialized to mean a dealer in textiles, particularly fine fabrics. The mercer occupied a prestigious position in the medieval trade hierarchy: dealing in silk, linen, and luxury cloth meant dealing with the wealthiest customers.

The Worshipful Company of Mercers, founded in London by 1394, was granted its first royal charter by Henry IV. It became one of the Great Twelve livery companies — the most prestigious trading companies in the City of London. Famous mercers include Richard Whittington (Dick Whittington of pantomime fame, actually a wealthy mercer and four-time Lord Mayor), Thomas Gresham (who founded the Royal Exchange), and Colet (who founded St Paul's School).

The mercer's trade was the most cosmopolitan in medieval England: fine textiles came from Flanders, Italy, and the Levant. A London mercer's shop in 1350 might contain Italian silks, Flemish linens, and Byzantine brocades. Mercers were among the first English merchants to establish relationships with Italian banking houses — the trade in luxury fabric helped create England's first financial networks.

Today the Mercers' Company no longer trades in textiles. Like most livery companies, it has transformed into a charitable and educational foundation, managing estates and supporting schools. Gresham College in London, founded by Thomas Gresham and administered by the Mercers, still delivers free public lectures — the mercer's educational legacy.