The Lord Mayor's Show began as quite a serious event.

In 1215, King John granted the city a charter to choose their own mayor, but with the stipulation that their chosen official would have to be approved by the Crown and swear loyalty to the Sovereign.

The Lord Mayor of London travelled in a procession to the Royal Courts of Justice in Westminster where he duly swore his allegiance to the Crown.

Over the years this journey became quite an elaborate event known as the Lord Mayor's Show, and has continued to be an annual event that each new Lord Mayor of London goes through as part of their inauguration.

The parade takes place on the second Saturday in November and takes all afternoon to run its route through the streets of London.

In the evening, there are fireworks to cap off the exciting day.

Thousands of people turn out to watch the parade and the show was actually the first event to be broadcast live on television.

The modern show still retains quite a bit of the old pomp and pageantry.

The Lord Mayor travels the route in an elaborately painted and gilded State Coach drawn by 6 horses.

The Great Livery Companies take part in the parade; they are trade associations in London.

There are twelve main groups who have the right to participate which are the Grocers, Fishmongers, Drapers, Mercers, Goldsmiths, Merchant Taylors, Salters, Skinners, Haberdashers, Vintners, Clothworkers, and Ironmongers.

Additional livery companies may be invited to participate, and the Lord Mayor's own trade group is always invited to participate in the event.

The parade begins at the Guildhall, and the mayor joins in from his official residence at the Mansion House.

Some privileged regiments take part in the procession, such as the Royal Fusiliers and Artillery Company.

Many military bands also march in the parade, as well as representatives of many organizations which are of great importance or meaning to the Lord Mayor.

The Lord Mayor's Show is a magnificent display of London’s past and present.

Visiting Lord Mayor's Show

Mansion House, City of London, City, EC4N 8BH

13th November 2010

Opening Times

11am-5pm | Procession: 11am-2.30pm, Fireworks: 5pm

Ticket Prices

FREE

Photo courtesy: dgj103

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