The Company bases its structure on those of the European embroiderers’ guilds of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, with officers and a formal set of ranks.

We have three Officers, assisted by one or more Wardens.

Officers

Guildmaster: The Honourable Baroness Magnifica Ceara Shionnach

The Guildmaster (who may be male or female, in keeping with period practice) guides the company in practical matters and is the ceremonial head of the guild. The Guildmaster is elected by the Masters of the Guild from within their ranks.

Patron: Currently Vacant

The Patron sponsors the activities of the Company, providing prizes for the quarterly competitions and the championship. The Patron must have an interest in fostering needlework in Lochac and a willingness to support this in a practical manner, and is selected from within the ranks of Lochac’s royal peerage.

Champion: Mistress Fionn O’Mara (2023)

The Champion is the premier of the Company, selected by the Guildmaster on the quality of their work during the previous year, especially work submitted as entries in the Company’s series of annual competitions.

Wardens

Wardens coordinate embroidery in their local groups, or take on specific tasks for the company.

Mistress Muirghein ni Ghrainne is the current warden for Presentations, coordinating the Royal Gifts made for each reign.

Ranks

The Company is structured with three ranks, to which any member of the Company may aspire: Apprentice (apprendre – “to learn”); Journeyman (journe – “day” – originally men hired to work by the day) and Master.

  • Masters have presented 5 works in different techniques at master level, or been recognised by the Order of the Laurel for embroidery.
  • Journeyman have presented 3 works in different techniques at journeyman level.
  • Apprentices have presented a single work at apprentice level.

For details, see the Company Ordinances.

Ranks may be updated throughout the year, but are formally recognised at the Guilds Event each year, where new apprentices, journeymen and masters are officially declared.

The Company includes many other non-ranked embroiders of all levels of skill and experience. Although they have not submitted their work to the Masters and are not listed here, many of these gentles are nevertheless very active members of the Company. You will see some of their names appearing in pages on competitions, presentations, projects, and other works.