The order of my Lord Mayor, the Aldermen & the sheriffs, for their meeting and wearing of their apparel throughout the year, * ⁎ *  
❧ Imprinted at London by john day. * ⁎ * 1568.   


The first day of August for the election of the sheriffs of London.  
MY Lord Mayor and the Aldermen, with the Sheriffs meet at the Guildehall at viii. of the clock in the morning, appareled in their violet gowns lined, and their scarlet cloaks lined, without their horses.  
And when they have been together in the counsel chamber a certain time at their pleasures, my Lord and the Aldermen come out and put on their cloaks in the Orphans court, and then go down in order to the Hustinges court, & there being set, master Recorder standeth up and maketh his obey sans: first to my Lord, and then to the Commons & declareth unto them wherefore they are assembled together, showing unto them that it is for the election of one of the sheriffs of London and the shear of Middlesex for the year next ensuing, and for the confirmation of the other Sheriff nominated by my L. Mayor according to his prerogative.  
But my Lord and the Aldermen go up to my lords court, and there remain until the Sheriff be named and chosen, the door shut to them.  
Then M. sheriffs, M. Chamberlein, master common Sergeant, master Towneclarke, the two Secondaries & the counsellors of the city remain still in the Hustinges court, to take and receive the name of him that shall some by their judgements, freely, and with one consent to be nominated & elected & justly tried out, not only by voice, but also by hands to be Sheriff for the year following.  
That done the sheriffs, M. Chamberlain, M. common Sergeant, M. Towneclarke, the two Secondaries, the Counsellors of the city, and the Wardens of the head Companies carry up the report to my Lord and the Aldermen of their said election.  
Which report received, my Lord and the Aldermen come down again to the Hustinges court, and there being set in order & placed, master Recorder standeth up as he did before, & maketh rehearsal of his name whom they have nominated and chosen, ask them whether it be their free election, yea, or nay. And they grant yea yea. Then Master Recorder giveth them thanks, and so they arise and departed home.   

¶ On Barthelmew even for the fair in Smithfield.  
The Aldermen meet my Lord & the sheriffs at the Guild hall chapel at ij. of the clock after diver in their violet gowns furred, and their horses, without cloaks, and there hear Evening prayer: which being done, they take their horses and ride to Newgate, and so forth to the gate entering into the cloth fair, and there maketh a proclamation, and the proclamation being made, they ride through the eloth fair and so return back again through the churchyard of great S. Bartholomew's to Aldersgate, and so ride home again to the Lord Mayor's house.   

¶ On Bartholomew day for wrestling.  
So many Aldermen as dine with my Lord Mayor & the Sheriffs be apparelled in their scarlet gowns lined, & after dinner their horses be brought to them where they dine, & those Aldermen which dine with the sheriffs, rideth with them to my L. house, to accompany him to the wrestling. Then when the wrestling is done, they take their horses and ride back again through the fair, and so in at Aldersgate, & so home again to the said Lord Mayor house.   

¶ The Sunday after Bartholomew day.  
The Aldermen meet my Lord Maior and the sheriffs at Paul's cross, at viii. of the clock in the morning, apparaled in their scarlet gowns lined, without cloaks or horses, and there hear the sermon & if there be a wrestling or a shooting after dinner, than they come to my lords place with their said scarlet gowns lined, & their horses as before on Bartholomew day.   

¶ For our Lady fair in Southwark.  
My Lord Mayor and the sheriffs ride to S. Magnus' church in their scarlet gowns lined with out their cloaks, after dinner at ij. of the clock, and there the Aldermen meet my Lord, and after the Evening prayer they ride through the fair till they come to S. George's church, and further to Newington bridge (if it be so their pleasures,) and then return back again over the Bridge, and there the Aldermen take their leave of my lord, and departed the next way every one to his house.   

¶ For the swearing of the Shrieffes upon Michaelmas even.  
What day soever it falleth, so many of the Aldermen as be bidden to dinner to either of the shrieves, shall come thither to breakfast, or else to drink at viii. of the clock in the morning, in their violet gowns furred, with their cloaks brought with them, without horses. And if the sheriff be an Alderman, them they must put on their cloaks, and the Sheriff likewise his cloak, and so go to the Guild hall between two of the Grey cloaks. And if the sheriff be no Alderman, them to come between. ij. of the Aldermen without cloaks, and the Sheriff his livery gown and his hood. And after when he is sworn, them to put on his violet gown and cloak & his chain thereon. And y● Aldermen must bring him home to his place with their cloaks to dinner, and so after dinner take their pleasure.   

¶ Upon Michaelmas day for the election of my Lord Mayor.  
All the Aldermen meet my L. & the sheriffs at viii. of the clock in the morning at Guild hall in their scarlet gowns and their cloaks furred, and their horses, and after they have been a certain time together in the counsel chamber, they come forth into the Orphans court, and put on their cloaks and so goeth in order to the chapel, there hearing service, and my Lord with certain Aldermen receive the communion.  
And then after the communion ended, returneth again into the council chamber & pause awhile, return down into the Hustings court, and there being set in order, Master Recorder ariseth up and maketh his obeisance first to my Lord, and after to the commons, and declareth and showeth unto them, that as they of old custom know that the cause of their assembly and meeting together is for th'election of the L. Mayor for the year ensuing, declaring unto them diverse grants from king john's time, for this their election from time to time: That done, my lord & the Aldermen go up into my lords court and there tarrieth (the door being shut unto them) till the election be brought to them. Then standeth up M. common Sergegeaunt (the sheriffs standing on either side of him) and by the sheriffs M. Chamberlain, M. Tounclarke, the two Secondaries, and the counsellors of the City in the said Hustings court before the commons. And he the said Common Sergeant maketh a short rehearsal of that that M. Recorder had spoken to them before: saying, there resteth no more for him to say, but to put them in remembrance in what order and sort they should use themselves in their election. That is, how they must nominate and choose two, of the which ij. my Lord and the Aldermen must confirm one, which two being nominated, elected, and chosen, M. common Sergeant, the sheriffs, with the rest before named, and certain of the head Wardens of the chief companies, goeth up to my Lord and the Aldermen, and there presenteth the names of those two, the which the Commons hath nominated in their election. Then the Mayor and the Aldermen proceedeth by Scrutiny to elect one of those two persons which the said commons had before nominated. Then cometh down my lord again to the Husting court, and he of his left hand whom they have chosen, and so my Lord & the Aldermen sit down again in order, but he who is chosen fitteth next unto my L. on his left hand. Then standeth M. Recorder up, and readeth unto them the names of such persons whom they had nominated and choose, of the which my L. and the aldermen hath admitted one, whose name is N. ask them whether it be their free election yea or nay. And the commons answereth yea, yea. Then the Mayor new elected standeth upon the Hustings court & giveth them thanks, etc. That being done, the old Mayor doth likewise give them thanks, etc. Then they arise up & put of their cloaks, and my Lord Mayor hath the L. elect riding with him to the king's sheriff to dinner.   

¶ For the presenting of my Lord elect, to my L. Chancellor.  
Then after dinner my lord elect goeth to my Lord Chancellor if he be at home, at his place, or near unto it with v. or vj. of the Aldermen & M. Recorder with him in their violet gowns either by foot or by water, as the dwelling place of the Chancellor requireth.   

¶ The morrow after Michaelmas day for the Shriefs going to Westminster.  
All the Aldermen must be at the ij. sheriffs houses in the morning at 8. of the clock in their violet gowns furred, and their horses, without cloaks. But my Lord, M. Recorder, & the ij. sheriffs must be in their scarlet gowns furred, and their cloaks born to Westminster with them, & so rideth to the Guild hall, & from thence to the vintry, there taking barge landing at Westminster bridge, and in the hall putteth on their cloaks and so go up to the Exchequer: and there the ij. new Sheriffs be presented and the old sworn to their account.  
Then they put of their cloaks & take barge landing again at the vintry, & there taketh horse & my lord rideth to the king's sheriff to dinner. M. Recorder and the sheriffs riding next my L. the two sheriffs carrying ij. white rods in their hands, and their henche men going after them.   

¶ The order for Simon and judes day.  
The old L. Mayor shall have so many of the Aldermen as dineth with him, come to his place at viii. of the clock in the morning in their violet gowns furred, with their cloaks & horses, & the sheriffs to fetch him to the hall, & there tarrieth in the Council chamber, until the new Mayor cometh, and the rest of the Aldermen come, with the company of either of the Lords before them. And after they have been together a certain space, come out into the Orphans court, and putteth on their cloaks and go to the Husting court, and there being set in order the common crier maketh proclamation, commanding every man to keep silence. Then after the proclamation the old lord ariseth up, and giveth the new L. his place. Then M. Towneclarke giveth him his oath, and when he hath sworn, M. Chamberlain delivereth unto him, first the sceptre, then the keys and the purse, with the seal, than M. Swordbearer the sword. Then they arise and put of their cloaks, and the old L. rideth home with the new L. to his place and there leaveth him and as many of the Aldermen as dine with him. And the old Lord with the rest of the Aldermen rideth to his own place the sword borne before him, and so after dinner the Aldermon depart home at their pleasure.   

¶ On the morrow after Simon & judes day for my L. going to take his oath at Westminster.  
All the Aldermen and the sheriffs cometh to my L. elect at viii. of the clock in their scarlet gowns furred, 
A velvet hood.  & their cloaks born with them, and their horse, and so rideth to the Guild hall, & the Bachelors and the livery of my L. company before him.  
But the old Lord rideth from his own place to the hall alone having no officers to wait upon him, 
hood.  but the common hunt as a gentleman usher going before him, 
Velvet whoddes for both Mayors.  & the common huntes' man and one yeoman of the watersside with his own men following him, and so tarrieth at the hall.  
And after they be come all together, they take their horse and ride to the vintry, & there take barge to Westminster bridge.  
And after they be landed, the Lord Mayor and the Aldermen putteth on their cloaks within the palace, and go round about the hall, and so up the Exchequer to be sworn. Then after the oath taken in the Exchequer come down again, and goeth first to the king's bench, then to the common place and so put of their cloaks, and goeth about the king's tomb in Westminster abbey & then taketh barge again. And being landed, rideth to the Guildehall to dinner and all the companies of this City with him, and at their coming into the hall, the new Lord Mayor with two of the ancient Aldermen & the sheriffs go up to the Lords table to bid them welcome, and likewise all the other guests, and from thence to the Lady Mayresse table, and so come out to the gentlewoman's table, and so from thence my said new Lord Mayor goeth into the Chamberlains office where he dineth, & the old Lord Mayor at their first coming into the hall goeth up to the high table in the Hustinges, and there keepeth the state for that feast, them after dinner, goeth to Paul's with all the companies waiting before my Lord.   

For going to Paul's on all Saints day, Christmas day, Twelfth day, and Candelmas day.  
All the Aldermen and the sheriffs come to my lords place in their scarlet gowns furred, 
Velvet whoddes for both the old & new.  and their cloaks and horses, and from thence rideth to the Guild hall, my lords company and the Bachelors before him, and there heareth Evening prayer, and when prayer is done, they ride to Paul's and there both the new L. Mayor and the old put on their cloaks & goeth up to the Queer, & there heareth the Sermon, which done, they go about the church, and there put of their cloaks where they were put on. Then they take their horses again and the Aldermen bringeth my Lord home, and then they have spice bread & hippocras, and so take their leave of my Lord.   

For Sunday after Christmas holy days  
My L. and the Aldermen must be in their violet gowns without their cloaks to the end to hear the Sermon.   

For monday after Twelfth day.  
My lord and the Aldermen meet at the Guild hall at. viii. of the clock in the morning in their scarlet gowns furred, and their cloaks without horse, to receive of their wards their indentures of the warmot inquest, & for the swearing of the Constable's & scavengers.   

For good Friday.  
My Lord and the Aldermen meet at Paul's cross at one of the clock to hear the sermon in their pewke gowns and without their chains and Typets.   

For monday and Tuesday in Easter week.  
All the Aldermen & Sheriffs cometh to my lords place before 8. of the clock to breakfast in their scarlet gowns furred, 
hood.  & their cloaks and horses.  
And after breakfast take their horses and ride to the spittle, and there put on their cloaks, and so sit down in order to hear the sermon, which done rideth homeward in order till they come to the Well with two buckets with in bishopsgate, and there so many of the Aldermen as dineth with the sheriffs, taketh their leave of my lord, & the rest go home with him.   

For Wednisday in Easter week.  
Like as afore on the other ij. days but that my L. and the Aldermen must be in their violet gowns and suitable cloaks.   

For low Sunday.  
All the aldermen meet my lord & the sheriffs at Paul's in their scarlet gowns furred, without their cloaks or horse, to hear the Sermon.   

Upon the monday and tuesday in the Whitsun week.  
The Lord Mayor and Aldermen must meet with my Lord at Paul's in their scarlet gowns without cloaks, to hear the sermon.   

For the going to Paul's the first sunday of every Term.  
All the aldermen meet my lord & the sheriffs at Paul's in their scarlet gowns furred, or lined without cloaks or horse, as the time of the year requireth when the term beginneth.   

For the election of the Knights and burgesses of the Parliament.  
All the Aldermen meet my L. & the sheriffs at Guild hall, at ix. of the clock in their violet gowns and their cloaks furred or lined as the time of the year when they shall be chosen requireth.  
And sitteth in the Hustinges court whilst the Commons chose them. The order is, that they must choose M. Recorder for one of their Knights, and one grey cloak for the other, and ij. commoners for the burgesses, which done they depart.   

For the election of Bridge masters if any of them departed within the year.  
My lord and the Aldermen sitteth in the Hustinges court while they be chosen in their violet gowns without their cloaks, and do not remove until the election be done.   

The use of my lords cloak.  
From Lammas to Whitsuntide violet furred, and from Whitsuntide to Lammas, scarlet.   

For the burial of Aldermen.  
The Aldermen must be in their violet gowns, but those that have of their friends black gowns.  
And if any Alderman that dieth giveth my lord a black gown, M. Sword bearer must have an other or else xl. s. in money, the price thereof, & so carry the sword in black before my lord.   

For the Orphans court.  
My lord and the Aldermen come to the Guild hall in their violet gowns without cloaks, but my Lord Mayor must have his cloak on.  
Which court, the common crier warneth.  
FINIS.