The Silent Ceremony
The
Lord Mayor is formally admitted to office in November, the day
before the Lord Mayor's Show. The ceremony is known as the
Silent Ceremony because, apart from a short declaration of office
by the incoming Lord Mayor, no words are spoken. The outgoing Lord
Mayor ceremonially hands the City insignia to his successor.
Common Hall
Common Hall is summoned by the
Lord Mayor, by formal notice to the Masters and Wardens of the
livery companies that they should give notice to their liverymen to
attend at Guildhall on a certain day. The
Sheriffs and other officers are elected on Midsummer Day, and
the Lord Mayor on Michaelmas Day (or the next weekday). Voting is
by a show of hands but if a poll is demanded, one is held a
fortnight later.
United Guilds Service
The enormously popular United Guilds Service takes place each
year, filling St Paul's Cathedral to capacity. Members of all
companies join with the Lord Mayor and
Aldermen, with great ceremony and an address by a leading
churchman.
Cart Marking
Although carts are no longer used for transport in the City, the
traditional Cart Marking ceremony still takes place each year.
Since the fourteenth century or earlier, only licensed and marked
carts could ply for hire. The ceremony takes place in Guildhall
Yard, and Carmen bring their trucks, veteran and vintage vans,
waggons and carriages to be inspected by the Master of the Carmen's
Company and branded or marked.
Swan Upping
Since about the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century, the
Vintners' and Dyers' Companies have had the right to share a
royalty on the swans on the Thames with the Monarch. Each year in
July the swan-upping voyage, counting and marking the swans, takes
place on the Thames.