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2 The Procession 3 See Also 4 External Links |
The office of Lord Mayor of London has existed since 1189 (though the office was then known as Mayor of London). In 1215, the post was royally sanctioned by a Charter granted by King John. The Charter required that a Lord Mayor-elect must travel to the City of Westminster in order to swear allegiance to the Crown.
The procession was originally held on October 28. When Great Britain adopted the Gregorian calendar, the date of the Show changed to November 9. In 1959, to fix the day of the week on which the Show would be held, it was decided that the Show be held on the second Saturday of November.
The procession includes several participants, including members of the military, horses, automobiles, carriages, floats, marching bands, and the Lord Mayor's State Coach. Many of London's Livery Companies also participate. Of the Livery Companies, only the "Great Twelve" participate as of right; the others participate by invitation.
The procession commences at about eleven o'clock in the morning. The various participants enter the procession, and then the Lord Mayor joins at the back. Originally, the Lord Mayor rode on horseback. However, in 1757, a drunken flower girl caused the Lord Mayor to fall from his horse; since then, the Lord Mayor has ridden in the State Coach.
The procession passes by, among other monuments, Saint Paul's Cathedral, and pauses at the Royal Courts of Justice on The Strand. The Lord Mayor then takes an oath of allegiance in the presence of the Lord Chief Justice and other judges. Thereafter, the Lord Mayor returns to his home, Mansion House. The procession concludes at about half past two in the afternoon. History
The Procession