The ceremonial aspects of the Lord Mayor's role remain
something of which the City is proud. For most business
meetings, however, the Lord Mayor attends in suit and badge rather
than full Mayoral costume.
Read more about the Lord Mayor's Show and other public events
here.
Ceremonial offices:
The three ceremonial officers are appointed by the
Court of Aldermen.
The Swordbearer of London
The office has been in existence since the 14th Century but is
first distinctly mentioned in 1419 when issues about his job
description came up. It was then recorded that the Lord Mayor
should have, at his own expense, someone to bear his sword
before him: ‘a man well-bred (one who knows how in all places, in
that which unto such service pertains, to support the honour of his
Lord and of the City).
The Common Cryer and Serjeant-at-Arms
The office of Common Cryer and Serjeant-at-Arms may be the oldest
of the three ceremonial offices. The Common Cryer and
Serjeant-at-Arms carries the Great Mace of Government before the
Lord Mayor. The office was established well before 1338 when it was
held by one of the King’s Serjeant-at-Arms. In 1419 the title held
by the mace bearer was Common Serjeant-at-Arms of the City,
otherwise called the Common Cryer. He had a salary of sixty
shillings a year, robes, fees from the Alderman and Sheriffs and a
‘sufficient horse’ for the honour of the City. By 1559 the current
title was in use.
The City Marshal
The origin of the City Marshal can be found in letters patent of
Queen Elizabeth I dated 1595 which gave powers to a marshal to
maintain order in the City.
Subsequently, an Under-Marshal was appointed along with six
Marshalmen. All were provided with horses. With the passing of the
Police Acts of 1829 and 1839, many of the policing duties were
removed from the marshals. Nevertheless, the City Marshal is still
the Lord Mayor’s peacekeeper. As such he ‘clears the way’ by the
marshalling of civic processions ‘and calls the names of the
members thereof in their proper order.’ He also represents the Lord
Mayor at all Entry of Troops. He challenges, then escorts those
regiments (seven: 2008) honoured to be allowed to exercise their
privilege to march through the City ‘with drums beating, bayonets
fixed and colours flying.’
Read more about the Mansion House plate collection here.