The first day of August for the election of the Shiriffes of London .

MY Lord Mayor and the Aldermen , with the Sherifes meete at the Guildehall at viij . of the clocke in the morning , apparelled in their violet gownes lyned , and their scarlet clokes lyned , without their horses .

And when they haue bene together in the counsaile chamber a certain time at their pleasures , my Lord and the Aldermen come out and put on their clokes in the Orphanes court , and then go downe in order to the Hustinges court , & there being set , maister Recorder standeth vp and maketh his obey saunce : first to my Lord , and then to the Commons & declareth vnto them wherfore they are assembled together , shewing vnto them that it is for the election of one of the Shiriffes of London and the shere of Middlesex for the yere next ensuing , and for the confirmation of the other Shirife nominated by my L. Mayor accordyng to hys prerogatiue .

But my Lorde and the Aldermen goe vp to my Lordes courte , and there remayne vntill the Shiriffe be named and chosen , the dore shutte to them .

Then M. Shiriffes , M. Chamberlein , maister common Sergeant , maister Towneclarke , the two Secondaries & the counsailers of the citie remayne still in the Hustinges court , to take and receiue the name of him that shall some by their iudgementes , freelye , and with one consente to be nominated & elected & iustly tried out , not only by voyce , but also by handes to be Sheriffe for the yeare folowing .

That done the Shiriffes , M. Chamberlaine , M. common Sergeant , M. Towneclarke , the two Secondaries , the Counsailers of the citie , and the Wardens of the head Companies carie vp the reporte to my Lord and the Aldermen of their said election .

Which report receiued , my Lord and the Aldermen come down againe to the Hustinges courte , and there being set in order & placed , maister Recorder standeth vp as he did before , & maketh rehersall of his name whom they haue nominated and chosen , asking them whether it be their free election , yea , or nay . And they graunt yea yea . Then Maister Recorder geueth them thankes , and so they arise and depart home .

¶ On Barthelmew euen for the fayre in Smithfield .

The Aldermen mete my Lord & the Shiriffes at the Guilde hall chappel at ij . of the clocke after diuer in their violet gownes furred , and their horses , without clokes , and there heare Euening prayer : which being done , they take their horses and ride to Newgate , and so forth to the gate entryng into the cloth fayre , and there maketh a proclamation , and the proclamation being made , they ride through the eloth faire and so returne back againe through the churchyard of great S. Bartholmewes to Aldersgate , and so ride home againe to the Lord Mayors house .

¶ On Bartholmew day for wrestling .

So many Aldermen as dyne with my Lord Mayor & the Shirifes be appareled in their scarlet gounes lyned , & after dinner their horses be brought to them where they dine , & those Aldermen which dine with the shirifes , rideth with them to my L. house , to accompany hym to the wrestlyng . Then when the wrestling is done , they take their horses and ride backe againe through the fayre , and so in at Aldersgate , & so home againe to the sayd Lord Mayors house .

¶ The Sonday after Bartholmew day .

The Aldermen mete my Lord Maior and the shirifes at Paules crosse , at viij . of the clock in the mornyng , apparaled in their scarlet gounes lyned , without clokes or horses , and there heare the sermon & if there be a wrestlyng or a shoting after dinner , then they come to my lordes place with their said scarlet gounes lined , & their horses as before on Bartholmew day .

¶ For our Lady fayre in Southwarke .

My Lord Mayor and the shiriffes ride to S. Magnus church in their scarlet gounes lined with out their clokes , after dinner at ij . of the clocke , and there the Aldermen mete my Lord , and after the Euening prayer they ride through the faire till they come to S. Georges church , and further to Newington bridge ( if it be so their pleasures , ) and then returne backe againe ouer the Bridge , and there the Aldermen take their leaue of my lord , and depart the next way euery one to his house .

¶ For the swearing of the Shrieffes vpon Michaelmas euen .

What day soeuer it falleth , so many of the Aldermen as be bidden to dinner to either of the shrieues , shall come thither to breakfast , or els to drink at viij . of the clock in the mornyng , in their violet gownes furred , with their clokes brought with them , without horses . And if the shiriffe be an Alderman , them they must put on their clokes , and the Shirife likewise his cloke , and so go to the Guilde hall betwene .ij. of the Gray clokes . And if the shiriffe be no Alderman , them to come betwene . ij . of the Aldermen without clokes , and the Shirife his liuery gowne and hys hoode . And after when he is sworne , them to put on his violet gowne and cloke & his chain theron . And y● Aldermen must bring him home to his place with theyr clokes to diner , and so after diner take their pleasure .

¶ Vpon Michaelmas day for the election of my Lorde Mayor .

All the Aldermen mete my L. & the Shiriffes at viij . of the clocke in the morning at Guilde hall in their scarlet gownes and theyr clokes furred , and their horses , and after they haue ben a certain time together in the counsail chamber , they come forth into the Orphanes courte , and put on theyr clokes and so goeth in order to the chappell , there hearing seruice , and my Lord with certaine Aldermen receiue the communion .

And then after the communion ended , returneth againe into the councell chamber & pause awhile , returne downe into the Hustings court , and there beyng set in order , Maister Recorder ariseth vp and maketh his obeisance first to my Lord , and after to the commons , and declareth and sheweth vnto 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 yeare ensuing , declaring vnto them diuerse grauntes from king Iohns tyme , for this their election from time to time : That done , my lord & the Aldermen go vp into my lordes court and there tarieth ( the dore beyng shut vnto them ) til the election be brought to them . Then standeth vp M. common Sergegeaunt ( the shiriffes standing on either side of him ) and by the shiriffes M. Chamberlain , M. Tounclarke , the two Secondaries , and the counsellers of the Citie in the said Hustings court before the commons . And he the said Common Sergeant maketh a short rehersall of that that M. Recorder had spoken to them before : saying , there resteth no more for him to say , but to put them in remembraunce in what order and sorte they should vse themselues in their election . That is , how they must nominate and chose two , of the which ij . my Lord and the Aldermen must confirme one , which two being nominated , elected , and chosen , M. common Sergeant , the shiriffes , with the rest before named , and certain of the head Wardens of the chiefe companies , goeth vp 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 procedeth by Scruteny to elect one of those two persons which the said commons had before nominated . Then commeth downe my lord againe to the Husting court , and he of his left hand whome they haue chosen , and so my Lord & the Aldermen sit down againe in order , but he who is chosen fitteth next vnto my L. on his left hand . Then standeth M. Recorder vp , and redeth vnto them the names of such persons whom they had nominated and chosen , of the which my L. and the aldermen hath admitted one , whose name is N. asking them whether it be their fre election yea or nay . And the commons answereth yea , yea . Then the Mayor new elected standeth vpon the Hustings court & geueth them thanks , &c. That beyng done , the olde Mayor doth likewise geue them thankes , &c. Then they aryse vp & put of their clokes , and my Lord Mayor hath the L. elect riding with him to the kings shiriffe to dinner .

¶ For the presenting of my Lorde elect , to my L. Chancelor .

Then after diner my lord elect goeth to my Lord Chancelor if he be at home , at his place , or nere vnto it with v. or vj. of the Aldermen & M. Recorder with him in theyr violet gownes either by fote or by water , as the dweling place of the Chauncelor requireth .

¶ The morrow after Michaelmas daye for the Shriefs going to Westminster .

All the Aldermen must be at the ij . Shrifes houses in the morning at 8. of the clock in their violet gowns furred , and theyr horses , without clokes . But my Lord , M. Recorder , & the ij . shirifes must be in their scarlet gownes furred , and theyr clokes born to Westminster with them , & so rideth to the Guilde hal , & from thence to the Vintrie , there taking barge landing at Westminster bridge , and in the hall putteth on their clokes and so go vp to the Exchequer : and there the ij . new Shirifes be presented and the old sworne to their accompt .

Then they put of their clokes & take barge landing againe at the vintrie , & there taketh horse & my lord rideth to the kings shiriffe to dinner . M. Recorder and the Shiriffes riding next my L. the two shiriffes carying ij . white rods in their handes , and their henche men going after them .

¶ The order for Symon and Iudes day .

The old L. Mayor shall haue so many of the Aldermen as dineth with hym , come to his place at viij . of the clock in the morning in their violet gounes furred , with their clokes & horses , & the shiriffes to fetche him to the hall , & there tarieth in the Councel chamber , vntil the new Mayor commeth , and the rest of the Aldermen come , with the company of either of the Lordes before them . And after they haue bene together a certaine space , come out into the Orphanes court , and putteth on their clokes and go to the Husting court , and there being set in order the common cryer maketh proclamation , commaunding euery man to kepe silence . Then after the proclamation the old lord ariseth vp , and geueth the new L. his place . Then M. Towneclarke geueth him his othe , and when he hath sworne , M. Chamberlain deliuereth vnto him , first the scepter , then the kayes and the purce , with the seale , then M. Swordbearer the sword . Then they arise and put of their clokes , and the old L. rideth home with the new L. to his place and there leaueth him and as many of the Aldermen as dine wyth 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 Symon & Iudes day for my L. goyng to take his oth at Westminster .

All the Aldermen and the Shiriffes commeth to my L. elect at viij . of the clocke in their scarlette gounes furred , A veluet whoode . & their clokes born with them , and their horse , and so rideth to the Guild hall , & the Bachelers and the liuery of my L. company before him .

But the olde Lord rideth from hys owne place to the hall alone hauing no officers to waite vpon him , whoode . but the common hunt as a gentleman vsher going before him , Veluet whoddes for both Mayors . & the common huntes man and one yeoman of the watersside with his owne men followyng hym , and so tarieth at the hall .

And after they be come all together , they take their horse and ride to the Vintrie , & there take barge to Westminster bridge .

And after they be landed , the Lord Mayor and the Aldermen putteth on their clokes within the palace , and go rounde about the hall , and so vp the Exchequer to be sworne . Then after the oth taken in the Exchequer come downe againe , and goeth first to the kings bench , then to the common place and so put of their clokes , and goeth about the kings tombe in Westminster abbey & then taketh barge agayne . And being landed , rideth to the Guildehall to diner and all the companies of this Citie wyth him , and at their comming into the hall , the new Lord Mayor wyth two of the auncient Aldermen & the Shiriffes go vp to the Lords table to bid them welcome , and likewise all the other guests , and from thence to the Ladie Mayresse table , and so come out to the gentlewomans table , and so from thence my sayde new Lord Mayor goeth into the Chamberlaines office where he dineth , & the olde Lord Mayor at their first comming into the hall goeth vp to the high table in the Hustinges , and there kepeth the state for that feast , them after dinner , goeth to Poules with all the companies waityng before my Lord .

For going to Poules on all Saintes day , Christmas day , Twelfth day , and Candelmas day .

All the Aldermen and the Shiriffes come to my Lordes place in their scarlet gownes furred , Veluet whoddes for both the olde & new . and their clokes and horses , and from thence rideth to the Guilde hall , my lordes company and the Bachelers before him , and there heareth Euenyng prayer , and when praier is done , they ride to Poules and there both the new L. Mayor and the old put on their clokes & goeth vp to the Queere , & there heareth the Sermon , which done , they goe aboute the churche , and there put of their clokes where they were put on . Then they take their horses agayne and the Aldermen bringeth my Lord home , and then they haue spice breade & hypocras , and so take theyr leaue of my Lord .

For Sonday after Christmas holy dayes

My L. and the Aldermen must be in their violet gounes without their clokes to the ende to heare the Sermon .

For monday after Twelfth day .

My lord and the Aldermen mete at the Guilde hall at . viij . of the clock in the morning in their scarlet gownes furred , and their clokes without horse , to receiue of theyr wards their indentures of the warmot enquest , & for the swearyng of the Constables & Skauengers .

For good Friday .

My Lorde and the Aldermen mete at Poules crosse at one of the clocke to heare the sermon in their pewke gounes and without their cheynes and Typets .

For monday and Tuesday in Easter weke .

All the Aldermen & Shirifes commeth to my lords place before 8. of the clocke to breakefast in their scarlet gounes furred , whoode . & their clokes and horses .

And after breakefast take theyr horses and ride to the spittle , and there put on their clokes , and so sit downe in order to heare the sermon , whiche done rydeth homewarde in order till they come to the Well with two buckets with in bishopsgate , and there so many of the Aldermen as dyneth wyth the shiriffes , taketh their leaue of my lord , & the rest go home with him .

For Wednisday in Easter weke .

Like as afore on the other ij . daies but that my L. and the Aldermen must be in their violet gounes and sutable clokes .

For low Sonday .

All the aldermen mete my lord & the shirifes at Poules in their scarlet gounes furred , without theyr clokes or horse , to heare the Sermon .

Vppon the monday and tuesday in the Whitson weeke .

The Lord Mayor and Aldermen must meete with my Lord at Poules in their scarlet gownes without clokes , to hear the sermon .

For the goyng to Poules the first sonday of euery Terme .

All the aldermen mete my lorde & the shiriffes at Poules in their scarlet gounes furred , or lyned without clokes or horse , as the tyme of the yeare requireth when the terme beginneth .

For the election of the Knightes and Burgeses of the Parliament .

All the Aldermen mete my L. & the shiriffes at Guilde hall , at ix . of the clocke in their violet gownes and their clokes furred or lined as the tyme of the yere when they shall be chosen requireth .

And sitteth in the Hustinges court whilest the Commons chose them . The order is , that they muste chose M. Recorder for one of their Knightes , and one graye cloke for the other , and ij . commoners for the Burgeses , which done they depart .

For the election of Bridge maisters if any of them depart within the yeare .

My lord and the Aldermen sitteth in the Hustinges court while they be chosen in theyr violet gounes without their clokes , and do not remoue vntill the election be done .

The vse of my Lordes cloke .

From Lammas to Whitsontide violet furred , and from Whitsontide to Lammas , scarlet .

For the buriall of Aldermen .

The Aldermen must be in their violet gounes , but those that haue of their frendes blacke gounes .

And if any Alderman that dieth geueth my lorde a blacke gowne , M. Sword bearer must haue an other or els xl . s. in money , the pryce therof , & so cary the sword in black before my lord .

For the Orphanes court .

My lord and the Aldermen come to the Guilde hall in their violet gounes without clokes , but my Lord Mayor must haue his cloke on .

Which court , the common cryer warneth .

FINIS .