The Lord Mayor of London and the Coronation - The History of his Role, Robes and Crystal Sceptre.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ต.ค. 2022
- #Coronation #LordMayorofLondon #CrystalSceptre #Procession #MedievalLondon #medievalart #medievalgoldsmiths #jewels #sceptre #coronationcharlesIII
In this video today, another instalment in my 'Coronation in Focus' series, I want to talk about the role and the robes of one person, someone who holds an ancient office - the Lord Mayor of London. If you look at photos of the Coronation of Elizabeth II and of George VI - you can see the Lord Mayor of London, in his colourful and distinctive robes, standing in a prominent position close to St Edward’s chair, between two other keys figures - the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod and Garter Principal King of Arms, the chief of the heralds. In this video, I will look at the historical reasons why the Lord Mayor has such a prominent position at the coronation, and also the significance of the wonderful robes he is wearing, most particularly the spectacular fifteenth-century crystal sceptre' that he carries.
Michael Hall's article on the Crystal Sceptre.
Michael Hall, 'The crystal sceptre of the City of London', The Burlington Magazine, December 2015.pp 827-831. There is no free copy I'm afraid, you can find it via JSTOR at this link: www.jstor.org/stable/43858358
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Absolutely fascinating Allan. I'm always looking forward to the next installment. I recently remembered something my sixth form History teacher Mr Mabon told our class many years ago, about history ''without the past, the future has no meaning''
I think that is absolutely true David - if we don't learn from the past we are condemned to make the same mistakes over and over again.
Beautiful.
Even we at the bottom of the earth, have a crowned mace when our parliament is in session in Hobart.
When we traveled in '19 I told my son "when people ask you where you are from, say Hobart. They will either know, be interested and ask, or not be bothered. He said in most countries many were aware of his city, but in the UK, nine out of ten, knew.
For many of us, free or transported, we trace much of our history to the United Kingdom, though not all and unlike in my childhood increasingly embrace nations that did and do reside in our land. My ancestor moved here with his family 202 years ago (I also have convict ancestry). Yet our shared history with the United Kingdom still resonates so deeply.
I thank you for your work.
Interestingly, the US House of Representatives also has a ceremonial mace.
I hear Hobart, I think Hobart Zoo and the tragic loss of Benjamin. Those who know will know, others may be interested and ask, and others still won't be bothered!
@@EC2019 Thanks, at least we got her on film before she died.
This channel is quickly becoming one of my favorites! ❤
Mine, too❗️⚜️👑
That's lovely of you to say so.
And lovely of you too Diane, thank you.
Thanks - very interesting mace research I didn't know about.
You probably already know, 1381 was a significant moment in the Lord Mayor of London's history which saw him defending the greedy establishment from citizens rising up to demand change. The Great Rising (later known as the Peasants Revolt) came to a halt when the then Lord Mayor William Wallworth fatally stabbed the rebel leader Wat Tyler the rebel leader in the neck mid way through negotiations to end the violence.
Brutal!
In this case the King was actually sympathetic to the citizens rather than the greedy establishment (the Great Rising was an appeal to the King, not a rebellion against him) so I can see why you wouldn't include it here. But I think it's still interesting context for anyone seeking to understand how the City of London relates to British citizens today.
One of mine as well. ❤
Another INFORMATIVE video, Allan!! I NEVER knew that the Lord Mayor of London and Mayor of London were two different positions altogether!! I learn something new every time I watch your videos!! 👍💖💚
My pleasure - there are quite few Lord Mayors across the United Kingdom.
The Lord Mayor of the City of London. I voted for one at the yearly election years ago as a Citizen. The Lord Mayors Show when he drove fromGuildhall to Mansion House was a major occasion but unfortunately I never saw one as it was on a weekday.
@@mavisemberson8737 Oh wow!! How interesting!!
The mace is an incredible piece of art history. I look forward to seeing it use next year.
I absolutely love how detailed and concise your presentations are. Stupendous Quality videos my good sir.
Thanks for this, one of many historical curiosities surrounding the coronation. A small quibble; the procession from the Tower or "royal entry" was on the day before the coronation. On the day itself, the ceremony began at 7 am in Westminster Hall when the king presented various nobles and clerics with the items of regalia, which were carried on foot to the Abbey. So there were two processions up to and including 1661.
According to my ancestry, I have 12 Lord Mayors of London dating back to the 1400’s in my family line. Wonderful video as always.
Thank you for yet another outstanding video!
My pleasure - such a fascinating subject and I have found the crystal sceptre a beguiling object from the moment I first laid eyes on it.
@@allanbarton As do I. I stopped the video for quite some time just to study it.
@@allanbarton It's *MY* Precious! LOL! 🤩
@@ludovica8221 LOL
I'm a new subscriber, an American, and greatly appreciate these videos that provide us with outstanding information in the lead-up to the coronation. They are informative and enjoyable. Thank you!
I agree 👍 ❗️🇺🇲
Thanks Cheryl, welcome. Thanks for your lovely comment.
@@allanbarton on the run up to the crowning of our new King and Queen I found this information very useful. I thought I would learn a bit about what was going to happen out of respect for my late Grandma
That was fascinating! I knew nothing of this (not being from the UK) and I was thrilled to learn about it. Thank you!
Excellent as always. You have set the bar rather high now!!!!!!
Thank you for a fascinating overview of the Lord Mayor's robes and symbols of authority. The Lord Mayor's bejeweled gold and crystal mace was especially interesting because its quality and materials are likely a distant echo of the splendor of the pre-Restoration regalia destroyed by Cromwell.
Yes, they give us a real glimpse of what the 15th century regalia would have looked like - would it were around today.
I love history! Nicely done!
Thank you.
Thank you for your most excellent channel! ❤🇺🇸
Greetings from Round Rock, Texas. We are very happy to have discovered your channel. The details, history, drawings, pictures and photographs of these ceremonies are superb. You clearly explain exactly what we are seeing, in clear, concise terms. Looking forward to many more. Thank you.
Hello and greetings from historic Lincoln in England. I am glad you have found it and you enjoy what you see - thanks for the kind comments.
The use of the mace as a symbol of authority comes from a long line of weapons being used to represent the physical force of the state. Probably most famously there were the axes of the lictors who accompanied Roman consuls, dictators and other official posts in the Roman Republic.
The city of London is based on the old Roman city's limits.Interestingly it was abandoned in the early Anglo-Saxon period due to the pagan Anglo-Saxons' suspicions of Roman ruins - which of course were far more intact and impressive that what exists today - and their perceived numious power. They did how ever create a settlement outside of it at some point. Only under Alfred the Great did the Anglo-Saxons move back into the city of London, largely because Alfred wanted to use the Roman walls as a basis for new rules as protection afainst the Vikings. The old settlement fell into decline but remained the district of Alnwick.
It is also worth remembering that London was connected by a Hanseatic league trading post to many northern European cities such as Lübeck with a strong tradition in goldsmithing. So it is very likely the latest techniques would have quickly disseminated there making its construction in London itself more probable.
Aldwich. '0ld wic. Alfred captured it from the Danes in 886. Moved the trading activities of Lundenwic to it. The Strand being the embankment of a much wider R Thames.
Another informative video. I love hearing you speak about the history of the Coronation. Looking forward to the next one and learning more Dr. Barton.
Blessings from the US.
More to come, thank you for your lovely words Meighan.
Fascinating, as always, Allan. Thank you!
Wonderful Video again Allan! When it started, I thought ''wonder if that means Sadiq Khan or not' which you answered in the first 2 minutes 🙂Thank you for these consistently great and informative videos.
I'm so glad that I discovered your channel! Your info is vital for understanding the events to come in a few months.
I'm so glad you like it Bev, thanks for your kind comment.
This is truly a valuable addition to the myriad historical channels on TH-cam. I love your narration, the illustration and the fact that you do not consider the lowest conmen denominator when talking to you audience. You invite us along for a fascinating journey and urge us to keep up to get to the end, an end where we have gained a new little bit of your apparent extensive knowledge about English/British history. I look forward to your videos 😃
Thank you for posting this great information Allan, appreciate it.
My pleasure!
Brilliant.. The crystal mace is so lovely!
I wouldn't mind having one myself!
Thanks for the knowledge. This is a great example of how history exposition should be done. Cheers.
That is very kind of you to say so.
The City of London Aldermen all have a Mace bearer as well, carried by their elected Ward Beadle.
One minor point - the elaborate part of a mace is its BOTTOM not its Top. The mace is carried upside down to show it is not being used as a weapon.
Thank you - that makes a lot of sense.
Good job mate
Thank you mate,incredible,I didn’t know "lord mayor" exists.
I was able to see the Crystal Scepter/ Mace on display in the Guildhall Museum some years ago. Very impressive.
Your channel was recently recommended to me, and I think it's great. This episode was of particular interest as my 5th great Uncle John Burnell was the Lord Mayor of London in 1787-88. He is to this day the oldest person to have served in that position, aged 83. John was originally a stonemason from Rothwell in Yorkshire and went to London to make his fortune. (à la Dick Whittington).
The City (of London) Biography (2nd Edition: 1800) described him as "very rich and very penurious".
It is also recorded in the City Biography that when his son fell off a ladder and killed himself Burnell's first question was "is the ladder all right?" [More likely to be a southern interpretation of "is the lad all right?"]
His table manners were said to be rather defective. He is said to have been advised by John Wilkes (Lord Mayor 1774-5) at a city feast when having difficulty in cutting a pudding with an ordinary implement to try a trowel!
His story was featured in edition 2 of 'Who Do You Think You Are' magazine.
Always enjoy the details shared. You educate while providing. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Hope you are feeling better.
Fascinating, once again.
Great video once again.
Glad you enjoyed it
Thank you so much for posting this. I have several ancestors that were Lord Mayer of London. I have been searching for information about it. Thank you again!
My pleasure Anitra.
Thanks! Brilliant clarity and detail on the subject. Ta, lad :)
What a brilliant expose' of coronation fact! Thank you, Allan. as time goes on, you continually whet my appetite for the event itself. For many, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Thank you - it is my pleasure to whet your appetite. I can't wait for it to come along, but there is plenty more to explore beforehand.
I finally got many answers to many questions I had after my British studies class. Me in my very new Latin American Republic just couldn't get the importance of this role 💖
We do have a curious history here in the UK, so many traditions keeping going when they have partly lost their original meaning.
I really like the subjects on this channel and the author/speaker has a compelling delivery.
Exceptional presentation. Thank you very much Allan!
My pleasure - it is such an interesting subject.
I adore your videos! You are so knowledgeable and interesting. Aloha from Maui!
Good morning from England. Thank you so much, I am really pleased you enjoy them.
The Crystal Septer s gorgeous. The big Mace carried before him is huge probably heavy, and unwieldy.
He couldn't have held it for long.
Like an earlier commenter, I did wonder about the silly hat. So, google is your friend, I found out all about it, your videos always lead me to further research! Thank you again.
Very glad to have sent you down such a fun rabbit hole!
I worked in the Supreme Court in Scotland about 25ish years ago, and the Macers would carry the mace into court followed by the judge. The mace would remain on the wall of the court during the court preceding for that day. It was removed at the end of the day. The maces used for criminal and civil courts were mostly from the 17th/18th centuries. The Lord President of the Court of Session would have the large gold macs, very much as you see it in the commons. Brilliant videos. Throughly enjoy them!
I know in England a job lot of them were made for the coronation of Charles II and then distributed. Thanks for the interesting insight and comment.
Thank you for your wonderful content.
Love your work! Thank you!
Thank you!
Your channel is fantastic, we should be thanking you! So well informed, so eloquent, so interesting! I only wish you might do IRL tours as well! Thanks for everything
I'm planning on doing that from next summer.
Thanks I’m loving this channel. Not long since I discovered it.
I'm really pleased you are enjoying it John.
Excellent content. Thank you so much. 🙏
My pleasure, thanks for your kind comment.
Two questions. When did the Lord mayor lose his ability to extend his authority Beyond Where It originally started? Does the mayor of greater London, if you will, where any special rubs or regalia himself? I love your channel from end-to-end thank you again!
I think it was the people of London that prevented Queen Matilda from being crowned during T'he Anarchy', the first civil war since William the Conqueror, because she was so haughty and unlikable that they revolted and threw her out of the city. That was around 1150 CE.
Facinating
Enjoyed. TYVM!
My pleasure.
Could you do an explainer on why the Garter King of Arms is called a "king"? Love the channel - thank you for the content!
That would be super - I think a whole video on the heralds would be fun to do. I've always been fascinated by them, when I was younger and obsessed with heraldry, I quite fancied being a herald.
@@allanbarton that'd be lovely, thank you!
also the great officers of state and various royal household officers
You crack me up…hehe. Midevil dog pic with growling…. Thanks again for the great education!
Alfie is funny, he only growls at two things, postmen and motorcycles.
Good pup! Mine alert at anything. Bell makes sure the farm perimeter is secure, but never crosses over the fence line❤
Is there any documented cases where the maces were used as actual weapons or to make a dramatic point?
Not to my knowledge. There have been occasions in Parliament when members of Parliament have grabbed hold of the mace.
Very interesting
Great video, give Fido a pat on the head from me, for not being too intrusive.
😂
I enjoyed this video 📹 so much. I love Royal British History; the pomp, and mostly, the tradition. I love that the Collar has the Tudor rose 🌹 interspersed in it. The Tudors are still alive in the 2️⃣1️⃣st century ‼️👑
Isn't it a beautiful thing with all those roses. Such a delight. Thanks for commenting Diane.
The world may love the history, tradition, pomp, and pageantry of Britain, but oddly it seems that many British do not. A great pity.
Good evening mr. Allan, I am writing from Italy and I have a question for you: who is the man with the fur hat and the spare that appears at minute 13? I noticed him several times in official circumstances. Thank you in advance.
He is the Lord Mayor of London's sword bearer. The hat is great!
@@allanbarton thank you very much for the info! That’s very kind of you. 🙏🏻
I used to live in the City of London in 1950's very few others went to the primary school there.
"The bit you bat at somebody with."
What an interesting video and I loved hearing your dog growling my dog goes wild when the postman comes to the house. Could we have more about the coronation and who is who plus who is the man with lovely for what ? Thanks x
Lots more to come Angela - will the dog bark next time!
@@allanbarton Hello , in your video one photo showed a man wearing a huge fur hat , he was stood next to the Lord Mayor I think , always wondered about him , thank you x
@@angelamatthew1487 he's the Lord Mayor's sword bearer. It is a very fetching hat.
@@allanbarton thank you for explaining, he looks very smart in it , I'm looking forward to your next video.
Hi Allan! Perhaps I missed this within the video, am I correct, in my assumption, that the sovereign appoints the Lord Mayor? What is the length of his term of office? Your attention to detail is much appreciated. Cheers!
The Lord Mayor is elected through a rather complex process, primarily by the City livery companies. They are elected in September, take up office and are in post for a year.
@@allanbarton Thank you, sir.
Interesting.
My grandfather's cousin was Lord Mayor in 1939.
His name was Coxen.
In the video around time 15:10 there is a promise of a link in the description to an article by Dr. Michael Hall about the scepter, but I can find no such link provided....
Michael Hall, 'The crystal sceptre of the City of London', The Burlington Magazine, December 2015.pp 827-831. There is no free copy I'm afraid, you can find it via JSTOR at this link: www.jstor.org/stable/43858358
@@allanbarton Thank you! Fortunately, I work for a university, and have JSTOR access!
9:45 you WILL see ducal robes unless the nobility and royal princes attend without any robes this time, which is highy questionable.
it is one of the few privileges left to attend coronation in full battle dress, shiny coronets included.
I wonder which part of the Coronation the Mayor of London will be changing into a something more "diverse" ?
🥰👍👏
Very interesting, thanks. Who appoints the lord mayor?
The Lord Mayor is elected within the City of London. But the underlying system is weird, and you should read the Lord Mayor of London Wikipedia article for a bit of depth.
They are elected through a very odd system - primarily the Livery Companies of the City of London are the electors.
@@oxwof Thank you
@@allanbarton Thank you
Lol at around 4:35 you hear the narrator's stomach growl and he blames it on his dog 🐕 🤣 😂
Ha, ha - it was the dog!
Great video. Might want to fix the title though 😉
My pleasure Nadia - it is confusing having two people with such similar titles.
@@allanbarton Did you mean to reply this to me? My comment was about the title saying "The Lord of Mayor" which I assume is a typo?
Sorry, @@vibraphonics I hadn't seen your comment, but thanks for helpfully pointing this out. Typo corrected.
What role do you think the elected Mayor of London could have in the coronation ceremony?
I would hope the mayor would get the same treatment as any senior elected politician, i.e. an invite to the coronation, especially as it is held in the city. No role in the ceremony however.
He may walk in the procession in the Abbey. Because I know for sure that the Prime Minister is part of procession. But since the office of Mayor was created in 2000, there is no precedent.
I don't think they will have any.
That is interesting in itself, that is primarily because the Prime Minister as First Lord of the Treasury, occupies part of one of the great offices of state, that of High Treasurer, which has long been divided up and held in commission.
That crown on the sceptre - is there any evidence it is a representation of one of the real crowns ie the original St Edwards or is it just "made up" ?
More likely of a state crown - English state crowns were similar circlets of crosses and fleur-de-lys.
At first I thought it was my stomach growling!
So was Dick Whittington a mayor or Lord Mayor ?
Lord Mayor by this point.
Why Dukes don't wear their robes ?
They do.
Nov 9
BABYLON FALLING
i hope he is allowed to bring his cat to the coronation
You should offer your services to the BBC or who ever covers the coronation because you know much more than them , their commentary is pathetic,
That's what my wife says - I am frustrating to be with when I watch any royal event on the Telly!
@@allanbarton Tom Fleming was the best , he knew the people and what was going on