300 YEARS OF CEREMONIAL DRESS &
FORENSIC WIG MAKING

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1689 - Ede and Ravenscroft is founded

In the same year that Their Majesties King William and Queen Mary are crowned, what was to become Ede and Ravenscroft is founded by William and Martha Shudall in Holywell Street at the heart of London’s tailoring district.  Research shows that the company existed some fifty years before, but became officially “established” when appointed for royal work. Detailed records still exist and the day book for the years 1747-62 survives to this day and is now housed in the Guildhall Library.

1726 - Thomas Ravenscroft founds his wig making business

Thomas Ravenscroft founds his wig making business in Serle Street, Lincoln’s Inn.  Throughout the 18th century the Ravenscrofts, working at the centre of legal and literary London, build a thriving business.

1750 - Thomas Ravenscroft’s son, also Thomas, inherits the firm

Thomas Ravenscroft’s son, also Thomas, inherits the firm. He collects portraits of the legal celebrities of his time. Subsequent Ravenscrofts ensure that over the years the collection grows.

1757 - The Robemaker, William Shudall dies

William Shudall dies. His widow, Martha, continues to run the business.

1760 - His Majesty King George II dies

His Majesty King George II dies. The firm deals with the ceremonial dress for the funeral.

1761 - The Coronation of HM King George III

The firm sets to work, preparing robes for the lavish coronation of His Majesty King George III. Francis Stone, robemaker, joins Martha Shudall in partnership.

1770 - Martha Shudall retires

Around this period, Martha Shudall retires. Francis Stone maintains the firm's position as robemakers to the knights of The Most Noble Order of the Garter and the court. He is also appointed as robemaker to King George III.

1797 - William Webb inherits the robemaking business

Francis Stone dies, leaving a well-run and successful business to his son-in-law, William Webb. Webb is granted a new royal warrant.  He introduces an ornate invoice for the firm, which acted as an early form of mission statement and states – William Webb supplies ‘…. all kinds of robes for peers, peeresses and bishops, serjeants, clergymen, king’s council, barristers and attorneys, livery’ gowns and robes for any corporation in Great Britain’.

1811 - Joseph Ede joins the firm as an apprentice

1822 - Humphrey Ravenscroft perfects and patents a wig

Humphrey Ravenscroft (1748 – 1851), grandson of the founder, finally perfects and patents a wig made of white horsehair that needs no powdering or curling.  This is the famous forensic wig, whose pattern is still used today.

Throughout his life he collects portraits of lawyers and bishops. Some of these are still displayed in the Bar Room at 93 Chancery Lane.

New barristers and QCs are invited to sign a book when measured for their first wig.

1827 - The firm moves premises to 193 Fleet Street

1831 - William Webb dies

William Webb dies and the robe making business is passed to his son, Frederick. Assisted by Joseph Ede, Frederick Webb soon receives a royal warrant appointing him robemaker to His Majesty King William IV.

1834 - Thomas Adams buys the firm

Joseph Ede's uncle, Thomas Adams, buys the robe making business and the new name Adams and Ede is displayed over 193 Fleet Street. Joseph Ede is appointed robemaker to William IV. He continues the firm's unbroken record as holder of the royal warrants.

1835 - Full bottomed forensic wig introduced

After a further ten years’ research, Humphrey Ravenscroft introduces the new and improved full bottomed forensic wig.

1837 - Joseph Ede is appointed as robemaker

Joseph Ede is appointed as robemaker to Her Majesty Queen Victoria. This is the first of a series of warrants granted to the firm throughout Queen Victoria’s long reign.

1844 - Humphrey Ravenscroft opens academy for young ladies

Humphrey Ravenscroft’s passion for philanthropy inspires him to open an academy for young ladies in Coburg Road, Camberwell.

1848 - Francis Ravenscroft joins the London Mechanics’ Institution

Francis Ravenscroft, part owner of the company, joins the London Mechanics’ Institution as a student. His exceptional business flair ensures election onto the Committee of Management a year later.  The Institution was part of Birkbeck College, pioneer of lifelong learning, and now a constituent college of the University of London. He is also elected a member of the Society of Arts.

1849 - Francis Ravenscroft becomes Governor of Birkbeck College

Aged 20, Francis Ravenscroft becomes Governor of Birkbeck College and holds this post for over 50 years.

1851 - Ravenscrofts founded Birkbeck Bank

Astute financial know-how leads the Ravenscrofts to found Birkbeck Bank. After Francis’ death the Bank continues, managed by Clarence Ravenscroft (who was also a non executive partner in the E&R firm) until 1911 when it is taken over by the Westminster Bank.

Humphrey's passionate belief in education and helping others to further themselves was a huge inspiration to his son Francis, who, at the young age of 22 took over the business when his father died.

1862 - Joseph Ede dies

Joseph Ede dies and his widow Anne assumes control, but does not survive her husband by many years.

1868 - Ede and Son is formed

Joseph and Ann's son, also Joseph, inherits the company and is appointed robemaker to Queen Victoria.  The name changes to Ede and Son and the shop moves to 93 & 94 Chancery Lane where it remains to this day.

1871 - Joseph Webb Ede marries Rosanna Ravenscroft

Joseph Webb Ede marries Rosanna Ravenscroft, daughter of Burton Ravenscroft who runs a successful wig making business. Joseph Webb Ede dies soon after at the age of 26. For the third time in its history, the firm is under female management and remains so for the next 60 years.

1885 - Francis Ravenscroft guarantees Birkbeck College's development

Francis Ravenscroft personally guarantees the cost of developing new premises for Birkbeck College on Fetter Lane. The Breams Buildings would be home to the college for the next 66 years.

1901 - Queen Victoria dies

Queen Victoria dies and the Court mourns for one year.  She is succeeded by her son His Majesty King Edward VII.  Ede & Son provides robes for the coronation.

1902 - Ede and Son merges with Ravenscroft, the wig maker

Master wigmaker and benefactor, Francis Ravenscroft dies at his home in St John's Wood aged 73.

Ravenscroft wig maker merges with Ede and Son and moves from Serle Street to 1 Star Yard, with premises backing on to the Chancery Lane shop.

1911 - Appointed robemaker for HRH the Prince of Wales

As well as robemakers for His Majesty King George V's coronation, Ede Son and Ravenscroft is appointed robemaker for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, making his Garter Robes for the coronation and the purple velvet robe for his investiture at Caernarvon.

1921 - The firm's name changes to Ede and Ravenscroft

1922 - A volume is opened for the signatures of women barristers

A volume is opened for the signatures of women barristers and includes many names of note such as Margaret Thatcher and Elizabeth Lane, subsequently The Hon Mrs Justice Lane.

1931 - Rosa Ede dies

Rosa Ede dies, all the London papers commemorate this remarkable woman who held a royal warrant as robemaker for over sixty years. The firm remains in the Ravenscroft family for the next forty years.

1936 - Appointment of HM King Edward VIII

Following the death of George V the firm receives the appointment of robemaker to His Majesty King Edward VIII. After only 11 months, Edward abdicates, having never been crowned.

1937 - The Duke of York becomes His Majesty King George VI

The Duke of York becomes His Majesty King George VI after the abdication of his elder brother.  The Duchess of York becomes Queen Elizabeth. The company is appointed robemakers for His Majesty King George VI's coronation.

1952 - Elizabeth succeeds to the throne

On the death of her father, Her Royal Highness the Princess Elizabeth succeeds to the throne. The company is appointed robemakers for the coronation.

1969 - The investiture of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales

The investiture of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales takes place at Caernarvon Castle.  He wears a robe made by Ede and Ravenscroft.

1989 - Ede and Ravenscroft embarks on its fourth century

Ede and Ravenscroft embarks on its fourth century and holds all four royal warrants as robemakers to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, His Royal Highness Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh; Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.