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History of Optometry Episode 6:
King Charles I and the First royal charter of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers

King Charles the first is a controversial figure, whose authoritarian rule over Great Britain, and Ireland, provoked a civil war, which led to his execution. However he did have some accomplishments.

In this episode, we will see how King Charles the first's royal charter of the Worshipful Company of Spectacles, impacted the field of optometry.

Born on November 19, 1600 in Dunfermline Palace in Fife Scotland, Charles the First became king at the young age of 24.

His introduction to the throne was riddled with ongoing issues, including a general distrust of Buckingham, along with failures within the Spanish War.

However, among all of these, in 1629 he successfully granted a royal charter to the Worshipful Company of Spectacles in London.

This charter, provided the company with the ability to set regulations, and standards for optical devices that endured until the industrial revolution and its advancements in mechanics and manufacturing, rendering them obsolete.

The company was ultimately given the right to set the standards, for the examinations, that were administered to those who postulated to become practicing opticians.

Although this charter may seem minuscule in the grand scheme of optometry, it in fact played a fundamental role.

The Worshipful Company of Spectacles virtually became one of the first governing bodies of the optical industry.
It set standards for quality control in manufacturing, while also developing policies and regulations for the industry.

It also helped create the foundation for the accountability, management, and administration of practices and manufacturing specifications.

Although King Charles the first is one of Britain’s most controversial figures there is no denying his contributions to the field of optometry and how they still resonates today.