MY Lord Mayor and the Aldermen, with the Sheriffs, méet at the Guildhall at eight of the clock in the mor­ning, apparelled in their Violet Gowns lined, and their Cloaks of Scarlet lined, without their Horses.

And when they have béen toge­ther in the Council-Chamber a certain time, concerning the No­mination of certain persons to be Elected, my Lord and the Alder­men come out, and put on their Cloaks in the Orphans Court, [Page 2] and then go down in order to the Hustings Court, and there being set, master Recorder standeth up, and maketh his obeysance, first to my Lord, and then unto the Com­mons, and declareth unto them wherefore they are assembled toge­ther, shewing unto them that it is for the election of one of the She­riffs of London, and the Sheriff of Middlesex, for the year next en­suing, and the confirmation of the other Sheriff nominated by my Lord Mayor, according to his Prerogative; and also for master Chamberlein, and other Offi­cers.

But my Lord and the Aldermen go up to my Lords Court, and there remain untill the Sheriff be named and chosen, the door shut to them.

Then M. Sheriffs, M. Cham­berlein, master common Ser­jeant, [Page 3] master Town-Clerk, and the Counsellors of the City, and other Officers, remain still in the Hustings Court, to take and recei­ve the Name of him that shall séem by their judgments, fréely and with one consent, to be nomi­nated and elected, and justly tried out, not onely by voice, but also by hands, to be Sheriff for the year following.

Then the Commons go to the Election of master Chamberlein, the two Bridge-masters, the Au­ditors of the City and Bridge-house acounts, and the Survey­ors of Béer and Ale, according to the accustomed manner.

That done, the Sheriffs, master Chamberlein, M. common Ser­jeant, M. Town-Clerk, the Coun­sellors of the City, the two Secon­daries, & the Wardens of the head Companies, master Common [Page 4] Crier going before them with his Mace, 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 Hustings Court, and there being set in order and pla­ced, master Recorder standeth up as he did before, and maketh re­hearsal of the names of those whom they have nominated and chosen, asking them whether it be their frée Election, yea or no. And they grant, Yea, yea. Then master Recorder giveth them thanks, and so they arise and depart home.

THe Aldermen méet my Lord & the Sheriffs at the Guild­hall Chappel, at two of the clock [Page 5] after Dinner, in their Violet Gowns lined, and their Horses, without Cloaks, and there hear Evening Prayer: which being done, they take their Horses and ride to Newgate, and so forth of the Gate, entring into the Cloth-Fair, and there make a Proclama­tion: the Proclamation being made, they ride through the Cloth-Fair, and so return back again through the Church-yard of great S. Bartholomews to Aldersgate, and so ride home again to the Lord Mayors house.

SO many Aldermen as do dine with my L. Mayor and the She­riffs be apparelled in their Scar­let Gowns lined, and after Din­ner their Horses be brought to them where they dine: & those Al­dermen which dine with the She­riffs [Page 6] ride with them to my Lords 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 and so home again to the said Lord Mayors house.

The next day, if it be not Sun­day, for the Shooting, as upon Bartholomew-day: but if it be Sunday, the Monday following.

MY L. Mayor and the Sheriffs ride to S. Magnus Church in their Scarlet Gowns lined, without their Cloaks, after Din­ner, at two of the clock, & there the Aldermen méet my Lord, and af­ter the Evening Prayer they ride through the Fair, till they come unto S. Georges Church, and far­ther [Page 7] to Newington Bridge, or to S. Thomas of Waterings, to the stones that point out the liberties of the City, (if it be so their pleasures) and they return back again unto the Bridge-house, and have a Banquet there, and then over the Bridge, and there the Al­dermen take their leave of my Lord, and depart the next way, every one to his house. And after all is done, and my Lord brought home, my Lord Mayors Officers have a Supper made them by the Bridg-masters.

WHat day soever it falleth, so many of the Aldemen as be bidden to Dinner to either of the Sheriffs come thither to breakfast▪ or else to drink, at 8 of the clock in the morning, in their Violet [Page 8] Gowns furred, with their Viole [...] Cloaks furred, brought with them, without Horses. And if the She­riff be an Alderman, then they must put on their Cloaks, and the Sheriff likewise his Cloak, and so go to the Guild-hall betwéen two of the gray Cloaks: And if the Sheriff be no alderman, then to come betwéen two of the Alder­men without Cloaks, and the Sheriff in his Livery-gown and his Hood. And after when he is sworn, then to put on his Violet Gown and Cloak, and his chain thereon. And the Aldermen must bring him home to his place, with their Cloaks, to Dinner, and so af­ter Dinner take their pleasure.

ALL the Aldermen méet my Lord and the Sheriffs at [Page 9] eight of the clock in the Morning at Guildhall, in their Scarlet Gowns and their Cloaks furred, and their Horses: and after they have béen a certain time together in the Council-Chamber, they come forth into the Orphans Court, and put on their Cloaks, and so go in order to the Chappel, there hearing Service and Ser­mon, and my Lord with certain Aldermen receive the Commu­nion.

And then after the Communion ended, and they have offered, return again into the Council-Chamber, and, pausing a while, return to the place where the Hustings is kept: and being set in order, Master Re­corder ariseth up, and maketh his obeysance first to my Lord, and after to the Commons, & declareth unto them, that they of old Custom know that the cause of their Assem­bly [Page 10] and méeting together is for the election of the Lord Mayor for the year ensuing; declaring unto them divers Grants from the Kings Progenitors for this their Election from time to time. That done, my Lord and the Aldermen go up into my Lords Court; and there tarry (the door being shut to them) till the Election be brought to them. Then standeth up master Common Serjeant, (the Sheriffs standing on either side of him) and by the Sheriffs M. Chamberlein, M. Town-Clerk, the two Secon­daries, and the Counsellors of the City, in the said Hustings Court before the Commons. And he the said Common Serjeant maketh a short rehearsal of 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 [Page 11] should use themselves in their E­lection; that is, how they must no­minate and chuse two, of the which two my Lord and the Aldermen must confirm one: which two be­ing nominated, elected and cho­sen, M. Common Serjeant, the Sheriffs, with the rest before na­med, and certain of the head War­dens of the cheif Companies, go up to my Lord and the Aldermen, and there present the names of those two which the Commons have nominated in their Election.

Then the Lord Mayor and the Aldermen procéed by scrutiny to elect one of those two persons, which the said Commons had be­fore nominated. Then cometh down my Lord again to the Hu­stings Court, and he (whom they have chosen) on his left hand, and so my Lord and the Aldermen sit down again in order: but he who [Page 12] is chosen sitteth next unto my Lord on his left hand. Then stan­deth master Recorder up, and rea­deth unto them the names of such persons whom they have nomina­ted and chosen: of which my Lord and the Aldermen have admitted one, whose name is N. asking them whether it be their frée Ele­ction, yea or no: and the Commons answer, Yea, yea. Then the Sword-bearer taketh off his Tip­pet, and hath it for his labour, and putteth, on his Chain, and the Mayor new elected standeth upon the Hustings Court, and giveth thanks, &c. That being done, the old Mayor doth likewise give them thanks, &c. Then they arise up, and put off their Cloaks, and my Lord Mayor hath the Lord elect riding with him to the eldest She­riffs to Dinner.

THen after Dinner my Lord Elect goeth to my Lord Chancellor, (or Lord Kéeper) if he be at home at his place, or near unto it, with five or six of the Al­dermen, and master Recorder with him, in their Violet Gowns, ei­ther by foot or by water, as the dwelling-place of the Chancellor (or Lord Kéeper) requireth. The common Hunt, with the extraor­dinary Officers, and those that be at liberty, attend on him.

ALL the Aldermen must be at the two Sheriffs houses in the morning at eight of the clock, [Page 14] in their Violet Gowns furred, & their Horses, without Cloaks: but my Lord, master Recorder and the two Sheriffs must be in their Scarlet Gowns furred, and their Cloaks born to Westminster with them, and so ride to the Guildhall, and from thence to the Vinetrée, and there taking Barge land at Westminster-bridge, and in the Hall put on their Cloaks, and so go up to the Exchequer: and there the two new Sheriffs be presen­ted, & the old sworn to their account.

Then they put off their Cloaks, and take Barge, landing again at the Vinetrée, and there take horse: and my Lord Mayor rideth to the eldest Sheriffs to Dinner, master Recorder and the Sheriffs riding next my Lord, the two Sheriffs carrying two white rods in their hands, and their Hench-men go­ing after them.

THe old Mayor shall have so many of the Aldermen as dine with him come to his place at eight of the clock in the morn­ing, in their Violet Gowns furred, with their Violet Cloaks furred, and Horses, and the Sheriffs to fetch him to the Hall, and there tarry in the Council-Chamber un­till 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 forth into the Orphans Court, and put on their furred Cloaks, and go to the Hustings Court: & there being set in order, the Common Crier maketh Pro­clamation, commanding every man to kéep silence.

Then Master Town-Clerk[Page 16] giveth him his Oath: and when He hath taken, his Oath, the old Lord ariseth, and giveth the new Lord his place, the old Lord taking the new Lords place: and then master Chamberlein delivereth first to him the Scepter, next the Keys of the common Seal, lastly, the Seal, of Office of the May­oralty, after master Sword-bea­rer giveth him the Sword. Then they arise & put off their Cloaks, and the old Lord rideth home with the new Lord 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, ride to his place, the Sword born before him: and so after Dinner the Aldermen de­part home at their pleasure.

ALL the Aldermen and the Sheriffs come to my new Lord at eight of the clock in their Scarlet Gowns furred,A Velvet Hood, Cap of Mainte­nance. and their Cloaks born with them, and their Horses, and so ride to the Guild-hall, and the Bachellors and the Livery of my Lords Company be­fore him.

But the old Lord rideth from his own place to the Hall alone, having no Officers to wait upon him, but the common Hunt, as a Gentleman Vsher, going, and those Officers that be at Liberty,A Velvet Hood for both Mayors. and the common Hunt his man, (with his own men following him) and so tarrieth at the Hall.

And after they be come all toge­there, [Page 18] they take their Horses, and ride to the Vinetrée, and there take Barge to Westminster-bridge.

And after they be landed, the Lord mayor and the Aldermen put on their Cloaks within the Pal­ace, and go round about the Hall, making curtisie in the Hall, and so go up to the Exchequer to be sworn. Then after the Oath ta­ken in the Exchequer, they come down again, and go first to the Kings Bench, then to the Com­mon Place, and so put off their Cloaks, and go about the Kings Tombs in Westminster Abbey, and then take Barge again. And being landed, he rideth to the Guildhall 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, mas­ter Recorder and the She­riffs [Page 19] go up to my Lords Table to bid them welcome, and likewise all the other guests there, and from thence to the Lady Mayoress Ta­ble, and so come out to the Gentle­womens Table, & to the Iudges: and so from thence my said new L. Mayor goeth into the Cham­berleins Office, where he dineth; and the old Lord Mayor, at their first coming into the Hall, goeth up to the high Table in the Hust­ings, and there kéepeth the State for that Feast. And after the Hall is allmost served of the second, then the new Lord Mayor goeth, with master Recorder and those Alder­men that dine with him, to bid the old Lord and all the guests in the Hall welcome. Then after Dinner goeth to S. Pauls, with all the Companies waiting before my Lord.

ALL the Aldermen and the Sheriffs come to my Lords place in their Scarlet Gowns fur­red,All-Saints day is the last day that the old Lord rides with the new. and their Cloaks and Hor­ses, and from thence ride to the Guildhall, my Lords Company and the Bachelors before him, and there hear Evening Prayer: and when Prayer is done, they ride to S. Pauls,Cap of Mainte­nance. and there both the new Lord Mayor and the old put on their Cloaks, and go up to the quire, and there hear the Ser­mon: which done, they go about the Church, and there put off their Cloaks where they were put on. Then they take their Horses a­gain, and the Aldermen bring my Lord home, and then they have Spice-bread and Hippocras, and so take their leave of my Lord.

THe Lord Mayor and every Alderman is to sit in his Ward in his Violet Gown and Cloak furred.If it be not Sunday.

FOr Christmas-Holydaies,No Cloak. un­till Twelfth-day, if me Lord and the Aldermen go abroad to any publick méeting, they are to wear Scarlet: but on the work­ing-daies within the twelve daies, if my Lord go to the Guild­hall, Markets or Strées, they wear Black,

UPon Innocents day the Al­dermen dine at my Lords,No State. and the Sheriffs, in Scarlet: but [Page 22] the Ladies wear Black.

MY Lord and the Aldermen méet at the Guildhall at eight of the clock in the morning, in their Scarlet Gowns furred, and their Cloaks furred without Horses, to receive of their Wards their Indentures of the Ward­mote Inquest, and for the swearing of the Constables and Scaven­gers.

Black Sword.MY Lord and the Aldermen méet at S. Pauls Cross at one of the clock, to hear the Ser­mon, in their pewke Gowns and without their Chains and Tip­pets.

ALL the Aldermen and She­riffs come unto my Lords place before eight of the clock to Breakfast,A Hood for my Lord. Cap of Mainte­nance. in thir Scarlet Gowns furred, and their Cloaks and Hor­ses: and after Breakfast, take their Horses, & ride to the Spittle, and there put on their Cloaks, and so sit down in order to hear the Ser­mon; which done, they ride home­ward in order, till they come to the Pump within Bishopsgate, and there so many of the Aldermen as do dine with the Sheriffs take their leave of my Lord, and the rest go home with him.

LIke as before in the other two days save that my Lord and [Page 24] the Aldermen must be in their Vi­olet Gowns, and sutable Cloaks, but the Ladies in Black.

ALL the Aldermen méet my Lord and the Sheriffs at S. Pauls School in their Scarlet Gowns, furred, without their Cloaks or Horses, to hear the Ser­mon.

FOr Whitsunday all the Alder­men méet my Lord & the She­riffs at the new Church-yard, in their Scarlet Gowns lined, with­out Cloaks, to hear the Sermon: which being ended they depart.

If his plea­sure be to go.ALL the Aldermen must méet my L. Mayor & the Sheriffs [Page 25] at S. Pauls in their Scarlet Gowns, without Cloaks, to hear the Sermon.

ALL the Aldermen méet my Lo. either at the thrée Cranes, (if the King be at Westminster) or at S. Mary hill, (if the King be at Gréenwich) by seven of the clock in the morning in their Scarlet Gowns, and Cloaks born with them: and after Morning Pray­er they take Barge to the Kings place, where they attend till that Ceremony be ended, and so go home with my Lord Mayor to Dinner.

ALL the Aldermen méet my Lo. and the Sheriffs at S. Pauls, [Page 26] in their Scarlet Gowns furred or lined, without Cloaks or Horse, as the time of the year requireth, when the Term beginneth.

ALl the Aldermen méet my Lo. and the Sheriffs at Guild-hall at nine 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 sit in the Hustings Court while the Commons chuse them. The order is, that they must chuse master Recorder for one of their Knights, and one gray Cloak for the other, and two Com­moners for the Burgesses: which done, they depart.

FOr the Lords and Commissio­ners coming down to assess the Subsidies, my Lord Mayor and the Aldermen wear their black Gowns as at other times, and the Comissioners are to be war­ned by master Sheriffs Offi­cers.

MY Lord and the Aldermen sit in the Hustings Court while they be chosen, in their Violet Gowns without their Cloaks, and do not remove untill the Ele­ction be done.

My Lord in a crim­son velvet Gown, Coller of Esses and Scepter. No Cloak.ALl the Aldermen méet my Lo. and the Sheriffs at the thrée Cranes in the Vintry, at the hour of their summons, in their Scar­let Gowns, and Cloaks born with them, lined or furred, according to the time of the year, where ta­king Barge, they land at West­minster, and there they attend in the Checquer-Chamber (being ser­ved with Wine and Cakes) untill they are called by the Heraulds: then they put on their Cloaks.

Beginning upon Mi­chaelmas E [...]enFRom Michaelmas to Whit­suntide, Violet furred: and from Whitsuntide to Michael­mas Scarlet lined.

The Lord Mayor and those [Page 29] Knights that have born the Office of Mayoralty ought to have their Cloaks furred with gray Amis, and those Aldermen that have not béen Mayors are to have their Cloaks furred with Chalabre.

And likewise such as have béen Mayors are to have their Cloaks lined with changeable Taffata, and the rest are to have them lined with gréen Taffata.

THe first day of every Quar­ter-Sessions, in the forenoon onely, my Lord and the Sheriffs wear their Violet Gowns and Cloaks furred; but at Midsum­mer Quarter-Sessions the first day they wear Violet Gowns and Scarlet Cloaks, and on the other daies Black.

THe Aldermen must be in their Violet Gowns, except such as have of their friends black Gowns. When any Alderman dieth, master Sword-bearer is to have a black Gown, or xxxiii. s. iiii. d. in mony: and if he giveth my Lord a black Gown, master Sword-bearer is to have another, or xl. s. in mony, the price thereof, and so carry the Sword in black before my Lord.

Master Chamberlein is not to wear his Tippet but when my Lord Mayor or the Aldermen wear their Scarlet or Violet.

FOr the Nomination of an Al­derman, my Lord weareth his [Page 31] black Gown and Violet Cloak, and both the Sheriffs black Gowns.

MY Lord and the Aldermen méet at the Guild-hall in their Violet Gowns without Cloaks, but my Lord Mayor must have his Cloak. This Court the Common Crier warneth.

FOr the Election of the Gover­nours of the severall Hospitals, the Lord Mayor and the Aldermen wear black Gowns.

The four Pleaders, the Cham­berlein, Town-Clerk, Common Serjeant, two Iudges of the Sheriffs Court, the Secondaries, [Page 32] Vnder-Chamberlein and Bridg­masters, are to attend my Lord at his house, before his going abroad upon all Festival times, and gene­ral days.

COurts of Aldermen in ordina­ry are kept at the Guild-hall every Tuesday and Thursday through the whole year, except Holy-daies, the month of August, untill Bartholomew-day be past, the wéek before Christmas, Shrove-tuesday, and the wéek be­fore Easter.