Posted
on November 8, 2014
This event has been held every year, continuously, for more than 470
years. It's been happening off-and-on for almost 800 years!
(London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England.)
Every
year a Lord Mayor of the City of London is chosen, and every year the
Lord Mayor makes a trip from the center of London to the Royal Courts
of Justice, in the City of Westminster, to take an oath of loyalty to the Crown.
(This is more than swearing allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II; it is
swearing allegiance to WHOEVER sits in the throne.)
It
is strange to realize that the Lord Mayor of the City of London is
different than the Mayor of London! (Even weirder, “the City of
London” is different than the city called “London.” More on
that below.) London has only had an elected head known as a mayor for
the past 15 years, but the Lord Mayorship has existed since 1189 and
was once one of the most important offices an English person could
have.
So,
what is “the City of London”?
 |
| The red portion in the very heart of London is called the "City of London." |
It
is a city and ceremonial county within London, the part that was
settled by the Romans in the 1st
century CE and that continued to be considered London through the
Middle Ages. It is about a square mile in size, and it includes
around 7,000 residents and many business and financial
establishments.
(When
we say London,
we generally mean Greater London, which includes the City of
Westminster and some 30 other boroughs – and around 8,400,000
residents!)
Now,
what's all this about the Lord Mayor's “Show”?
I
mentioned that the Lord Mayor travels from the heart of London known
as “the City” to the royal enclave at Westminster. Well, this
procession grew to be a “show” – pomp and pageantry, show and
fun!
The
Lord Mayor used to travel via horseback and barge, but now typically
rides in a coach.
(In 1710 a drunken flower girl somehow knocked the
Lord Mayor off of his horse, and he broke his leg...and we can't have
that!)
 |
| Gog and Magog |
A
great many “Livery Companies,” such as Goldsmiths and
Fishmongers, participate in the show, as do regiments such as the
Honourable Artillery Company.
Favorite charities and old schools and
business associations of the year's Lord Mayor are invited to
participate as well. Volunteers create and parade giant reproductions
of statues of Gog and Magog.
In
addition to the procession (aka parade), there is a river pageant and
a fireworks display. I read that the fireworks may be cancelled this year, though, to save money.
Did
you know...?
 |
| A float in the Lord Mayor's Show |
Have
you ever wondered why large displays rolling down the street in a
parade or carnival are called “floats”? Well, it's all because of
the Lord Mayor's Show! In the past, much of the procession to
Westminster and back took place on a barge on the River Thames. The
barge and other boats and watercraft were highly decorated for this
parade-on-the-river, and each unit became known as a “float.”
When parades on the street began to feature decorated cars and carts
and rolling displays, the name transferred over...
Also
on this date:
Domino Day
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ahead:
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