Mayors of London

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

The chief Magistrate of the City and senior Alderman. First appointed 1191. First mentioned in the City Charter, 1202-4, Charter of John. The fifth Charter, 1215, gave the citizens power to elect their own Mayor annually. This privilege was revoked on numerous occasions in the reigns of Henry III. and Edward I. when the City was taken into the King's hands and a Custos appointed in the place of the Mayor to punish the City for contumacy.


Lists to be found in the Letter books, Liber Albus and elsewhere (Cal. L. Bk. F. pp. 276-303).

Various privileges conferred on them by Royal Charters.

Elected 28th Oct. (Cal. L. Bk. D. p. 16).

Day of election changed in 1346 to Oct.13, and to Michaelmas Day in 1546 by Act of Common Council (Cal. L. Bk. G. p. 198).

Seems to have been first called "dominus Mayor," 1440 (ib. K. p. 243).

Related Words