Here’s a thread about London butchers. So what about the aprons? A broad stripe apron indicated a master butcher. A single broad stripe that the butcher works without any apprenticeship. A broad stripe with a thin line signifies the butcher trained with a 5 yr apprenticeship.

Shopping at the butcher was usually done daily, due to the lack of refrigeration. To combat this, salt preservation was used a lot to keep meat fresh. (Kew Butchers 1900)

The Butcher’s Livery company has a Coat of Arms, granted in 1540, featuring the motto, “Omnia Subjecisti Sub Pedibus, Oves et Boves” which translates as “Thou hast put all things under his feet, all Sheep and Oxen”.

J Launay’s horse drawn delivery service in Charing Cross Road.

Butcher’s Row has its origins in the reign of Queen Elizabeth on the site of a meat market between the bottom of what is now Kingsway & St Clement Danes Church

During the Second World War, butchers over the age of 35 were classed as a reserved occupation, meaning they were exempt from military service.