Golden Lane Estate

Dick Whittington and other Lord Mayors

The City negotiated the right to elect its own mayor, in return for funding Richard the Lion Heart's crusades. The first Lord Mayor, Henry Fitz Aylwin, held office from 1192 to 1212.  The second mayor, Roger Fitz Alan, obtained a charter from King John allowing the City to elect its own Chief Magistrate. Although Fitz Alan was a commoner, London's position was regarded as so crucial that he was the only commoner among the barons who negotiated the Magna Carta with King John. William Walworth, a fishmonger who was Lord Mayor in the reign of Richard II, executed Jack Straw and personally killed Wat Tyler, and was knighted on the spot by the grateful king. Click death of Wat Tyler to read Stowe's account.

There was a Dick Whittington who was Lord Mayor of London, in 1397, 1406, and 1419, who may or may not have had a cat.  He was famed for his generosity.  When he heard that Henry V had won the Battle of Agincourt, he threw the king’s bond for £60,000 into a fire at a banquet to celebrate.  He renovated Bart’s Hospital and Newgate Prison, and also paid for a 120-seat public toilet.

The official residence of the Lord Mayor is Mansion House.  This was built in 1752.

Each year in early November the Lord Mayor’s show passes near the Barbican with military bands, cavalry and floats. This has been going on since 1215. The charter granted to the City that year required the Mayor to swear loyalty to the king.  So when a new Lord Mayor was elected, he led a procession, which became ever more extravagant, at which he gave his oath of office. The Aldermen joined the parade in 1378. Musicians were included by 1401.  Pageants were specially commissioned to entertain the onlookers. In 1757 the Lord Mayor travelled for the first time in a coach, and it is still used today. The part of the procession where a state barge was used to ferry the Mayor to Westminster Hall no longer takes place.

If you care to visit the Museum of London you can see some of the Lord Mayor's most ornate carriages from days gone by.

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