The Four Prentices of London

The Four Prentices of London were wealthy young men in the 16th and 17th centuries who were bound by a formal agreement called a “merchants’ indenture” to serve a master and learn a trade, like a formal apprenticeship. These young men came from prominent merchant families and used these apprenticeships to gain skills, social status, and business connections. Essentially, they represented the influence and ambition of London's merchant class, acting as a bridge between family wealth and commercial success. The term highlights their role in shaping London's trading and economic growth during that period.