Invariably these days when one mentions the Mayor of London people immediately thing of a slightly chubby, unfailingly amiable, blond bloke with a ready wit riding a bike that has increasingly taken his name and it`s true that Boris Johnson is a Mayor of London but he is certainly not the only one. For London, being greedy, as the city is want to do, has two Mayors and if truth be told, it`s Boris, not the other one, who is the Johnny come lately. Indeed, it’ the Lord Mayor of London not The Mayor of London who can claim the great and grand institution, the Lord Mayor of London who who can point to an official residence that dates from the 18th century not to mention an office that was founded in the 13th century.

In fact, the first Lord Mayor, Henry fitz Ailwin actually took office in the year 1189.

It was William the Conqueuer, having subdued all England who first acknowledged the city of London`s ancient right to make it`s own laws and to carry out self government. Later, Henry Ist would go further and grant to the city the possession of Middlesex and the right to choose their own sheriff and judges, and collect their own taxes. However it would take a further 60 years for Prince John (soon to succeed hist brother Richard Ist as King John) to finally rub stamp the charter that his predeccessor had agreed. Therefore in 1189, local alderman Fitz Ailwin was proclaimed Mayor and thus began an office and institution that has now run for over 700 years.

In 1215, the first Lord Mayor`s Show took place. In its earliest days the processions’ main purpose was to convey the new Mayor to the Palace of Westminister so he could swear his oath of allegiance to the monarch and be presented to the court. It was also the first opportunity that many of the citizens of London would have to see their new leader and hence it was a joyous occasion and soon became a dazzling proclamation of the strength and dignity of the city.

Fitz Ailwin held office as Lord Mayor from his inauguration in 1189 right through until his death in 1212 but soon the incumbent was been limited to one year`s office.

In the earliest days the procession to court was undertaken by river (then the quickest way to travel around London) and hence we still use the word `float` to describe a vehicle in a procession. However nowadays the Lord Mayor`s show passes through the streets of London and the oath takes place at the Royal Courts of Justice.

As the years have passed the procession has increasingly taken on the air of a parade and a celebration and it has also increasingly become a symbol of the diversity and of the city with steel bands, vibrant music and dancing. Over 6000 people took part in last years festival and this year`s is set to be the best yet.

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