Explore these incredible Apprenticeship Indenture records from the historic London borough of Southwark, covering the 16th - 19th century. Find out if your ancestory undertook an apprenticeship, who their master was, and where it took place.
Explore these incredible Apprenticeship Indenture records from the historic London borough of Southwark, covering the 16th - 19th century. Find out if your ancestory undertook an apprenticeship, who their master was, and where it took place.
You will find information including -
Additional information about the apprenticeship can be found in the original document including details of the terms.
Apprenticeships in England have a rich history dating back to the medieval period. The system emerged during the 12th and 13th centuries as a structured method for training young people in various trades and crafts. Rooted in the guild system, apprenticeships were formalised agreements between a master craftsman and an apprentice, often lasting between seven and ten years. The apprentice would live with the master, learning the trade through hands-on experience while receiving food, shelter, and, occasionally, a small wage. In return, the master benefited from the apprentice’s labour. These agreements were typically overseen by trade guilds, which regulated standards, maintained quality, and protected the interests of both the apprentice and the master.
By the 16th century, the importance of apprenticeships grew as they became enshrined in law through the Statute of Artificers of 1563 under Queen Elizabeth I. This legislation established strict rules for entering trades, requiring apprenticeships to ensure a skilled workforce and protect employment standards. Over time, however, the influence of guilds declined with the rise of industrialization in the 18th and 19th centuries. The apprentice system adapted to factory work, focusing less on artisanal crafts and more on mechanical and industrial skills. By the 20th century, apprenticeships expanded into new industries, including engineering and services, evolving further with government oversight to ensure standardised training and fair treatment. Today, apprenticeships in England continue to play a vital role in workforce development, blending traditional principles with modern vocational education.
An Apprenticeship Indenture was a legal document that bound a child to a master or mistress for seven or mor years. A premium (sum of money) was paid to the master and in exchange they would train the child in their trade or profession and supply them with food, lodging, and clothing. An indenture needed the signature of a Justice of the Peace to become legally enforceable. Two copies were then made, one kept by the parents or parish and the other by the master.