Lord Mayors of York

238 Pages·2016·1.07 MB·English

Lord Mayors of York.

Before the conquest the person who was entrusted with the government had the title of Portgreve
or Burgbreve.
1140. The title of Mayor was assumed in the reign of King Stephen when the office was filled by
Nigel. This gives a term of 26 years precedence over London when Fitz Alwyne was elected to the
office [Fitz Alwyne was elected in 1189], Oxford also taking precedence over London, the Mayor of
that town being elected in 1179.
The title of Mayor is derived from the French and from the May bough or wand which the Judge
received on May Day. It was at the Maypole where all cases were judged by the people (Brand's
Antiquities, pg 26). The office of Mayor is of such honourable distinction that only the sovereign or
the heir presumptive ranks higher. Even His Majesty's representative has his seat at the right hand
when the Mayor occupies the chair. His election to office was, by ancient custom, vested in the
Aldermen only but afterwards the commoners were included (Drake History and Antiquities of the
City of York (1785), Vol 3, pg 23), and was held by one person for several years. Nicholas
Fleming held the honourable position for 13 years. In the year 1394 it was deemed advisable that
such a long tenure of office should be curtailed, therefore, after a long deliberation, the council
decided that in the future one year should be the limit of time and that the twelve aldermen should,
in rotation, be elected Mayor. This rule was, however, set aside when Sir William Frost was in
office and retained it for seven years being knighted by Richard 2nd who conferred the title of Lord
on William de Selby when he gave to him the State Sword and the Cap of Maintenance in 1389.
The Sword belonged originally to the Emperor Sigismund who sent it to England to be hung over
his stall in St George's Chapel, Windsor when he received the Knighthood of the Garter. On his
death it became the property of Canon Hanslap of Windsor (a native of York) who presented it to
the Corporation to be used as a sword of state (Exchange & Mart, June 6, 1914) and the first
bearer of it was Thomas Barneby who received an annual salary of 6 marks.
The Cap Of Maintenance or Cap of Estate is supposed to be of ecclesiastical origin but first
appears on the head of King Edward 3rd (surmounted by his Leopard's Crest) in 1339 on his
assumption of his title of King of France. At the coronation of King Henry 7th there were two
Esquires wearing mantles furred with ermyns and hats of Estate of crimson cloth of gold turned up
behind and furred with ermyne. In the reign of King Henry 8th a grant was made to John Forrester
of Watlin Street, Co Salop for wearing his hat in the Royal presence (vide Sketch Oct 5th, 1921).
The Rev Canon Lord Forrester, Residentiary Canon of York Cathedral, enjoyed this honourable
privilege when he assumed the title of Lord Forrester and this privilege is still retained by the Sword
bearer to the Lord Mayor who wears this Cap on all occasions - even during divine worship. He
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received a salary of 8-16-8.
The Mace 1304. King Edward granted that, for the [purpose] of increasing the honour of the
City, Maces of gold or silver might be carried before the Mayor. The oldest in England is claimed
by Hedon in Holderness and dates to the time of King Henry 6th. The head bears 3 lions rampant
between corded bands rising from a coronet encircled by a cresting of roses. On the flat surface of
the head are the Arms of France and England quarterly between the initials HH.
The first Mace was presented to Robert Savage, Lord Mayor of York in 1393, to be borne before
him and his successors; as also the Cap of Maintenance to the Sword bearer. (Drake History and
Antiquities of the City of York (1785) Vol 2, pg 7).
The Great Mace was made in 1647 during the Mayoralty of Thomas Dickinson. (Torr Antiquities
of York, pg 110). Mr Thomas was Mace bearer in 1712 and also acted as City Clerk.
Election of Lord Mayor Took place in London on the Feast of St Simon and St Jude, Oct. 28th
and went, the day following, to Westminster to be sworn before the Judges. If he should decline the
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honour he is mulcted of a fine of 100. The election day was afterwards changed to Michaelmas
Day in 1752.
In York the election day was on Jan. 15th and on Feb. 3rd the Lord Mayor (elect) entered upon
his duties. York Directory, pg 67.
The dignity of the office has been jealously guarded in times past. In 1486 the Sheriff of London
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was fined 50 for kneeling in too close proximity to the Lord Mayor in St Paul's Cathedral. In the
14th century it was the custom for the Mace to be carried before the Mayor of Hull wherever he
went about the town, for neglect of which he had to pay a fine of 40/-. (Gent History of Hull).
No one carrying on the business of Innkeeper was allowed to hold the office of Mayor of Hull
neither was a Butcher eligible. In York the former was ineligible but in London a joiner enjoyed the
distinguished honour in 1238. From 1400 to 1500 nearly all the Mayors in the City were merchants
with the exception of a dyer, a grocer and a goldsmith. The last named was one of a wealthy class
of tradesmen. In the 16th century the choice is more varied comprising goldsmiths, a glass painter,
a carver, tanners, drapers and an innkeeper. In the 17th century it would appear that all class
distinction had been abolished as lawyers and butchers, an architect and a toyman, a hosier and
glover enjoyed the privilege of being Lord Mayor and from 1760 to 1770 the apothecaries
monopolised the civic honour.
It was customary for the Lord Mayor of London to attend divine worship officially on Xmas Day,
the Epiphany and Purification, proceeded by the Dragon Whifflers (pipes), swordsmen, musicians,
councillors, mace bearer and the City Waits. (Customs in Cathedrals by Mackenzie & Waters, pg
88. [Walcott Mackenzie, E.C.]). A similar custom was observed at York.
Costume of Lord Mayor This varied at different periods as the fashion changed. In the more
ancient time he would wear a suit of armour and over it his cloak of velvet. In a note to
Shakespeare's Plays by Knight, Vol 2, the costume is described as a cloak of crimson velvet with a
girdle about his middle, a baldrick (a belt) of gold about his neck trailing down behind him and on
his head a green velvet hat, furred.
In a description of the Lord Mayor's procession he is described as wearing a gown of scarlet and
on his left shoulder a hood of black velvet and a rich collar of gold or SS about his neck. Horner,
Year Book. Nov.
Thomas Gent, the York historian, says that on the 15th Jan., the election of the Lord Mayor, he
wears a scarlet gown lined with fur.
On his election it was customary to provide wine for to drink his health. Twelve gallons of red
and white wine for the Lord Mayor and Aldermen and six gallons for the commoners. In the
Mansion House are some cups known as the Ward Pottery, inscribed with the name Ward, which
were specially used on this occasion.
Previous to the Mansion House being built Civic receptions to Royal personages and other
notabilities were held at the private residence of the Lord Mayor, several of which still remain
showing
that even Kings were entertained in what may be now considered humble dwellings.
Marriages Between the years 1652 and 1657 marriages were legally made before the Lord
Mayor and some of the Aldermen in the Church of St Michael le Belfrey. These marriages were
legalised by the passing of an Act of Parliament and that no marriage otherwise should be legal,
the banns being published three times, either in the Church or in the public market place. Marsden,
History of the Late Puritans.
It has been the custom, for many years, to present (on the Mayor's election day) to the new
Lady Mayoress, a symbol of office which is called "The Staff of Honour". The old Staff having
become decayed, a new one, made of ebony of the finest Indian wood and tipped with silver, was
presented to the Corporation by Alderman Towne in 1726. This staff is said to have been taken in
battle when borne before an Indian Emperor by his mareschal. Davies Walks through the City of
York, pg 49.
Aldermen This title is derived from the Anglo Saxon Ealdorman (older and man). Aldermanly in
London obtained its name from being used by the Aldermen for their meetings, i.e. a Bury or Court,
and the necessary qualification to serve as one was the possession of a freehold.
Their costume consisted, in the time of Richard 2nd, of a cloak of green lined with the same
colour material.* It was in King Henry 3rd reign that cloaks were first used by Aldermen.* In 1550
armour was still worn under their robe of office. In York they were chosen from those who had
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served as Sheriff or paid the fine which was 315.* In the time of Sir Richard Yorke the Aldermen
who had passed the chair were allowed scarlet gowns. This colour is now adopted by the whole
bench of Aldermen.
*History of London's Guildhall
*Dr Brewer History
*Peacock's Guide
Sheriff From the year 1396 to 1836, a period of 440 years, the City always had two Sheriffs
but since the Municipal Act was passed there has been but one. Those who fined for the office of
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Sheriff paid, formerly, 50 but in late years it has been 70. About a month after his election he
takes an oath of secrecy in the Council Chamber, the same as the Aldermen and Councillors take
to every new Lord Mayor, at which they used to drink wine only from a bowl of silver gilt which is
called the "Black Bowl". (Drake History and Antiquities of the City of York (1785), Vol 2, pg 25.)
The Arms of the City Viz St George's Cross charged with five lions is ascribed by Drake as
representing the five worthy captains who governed the City so well that [William the Conqueror
made] Sir Robert Clifford governor [thereof and the other four to aid him in council. Drake
Eboracum, pg 217]. Dean Purey Cust refutes this as armorial bearings did not exist in the
Conqueror's time also the cross of St George was [not] introduced until the time of King Henry
2nd. The earliest representation in stone is on a spandrel of the Lady Chapel.
1140.
Nigel
The first Mayor of York.
King Stephen, at his [re]building of St Peter's Hospital and endowing it with his Threaves of Corn,
commanded Nigel, then Mayor of York, to deliver up a place in the City near the West Wall to
receive the poor and lame in. Vide Stowes Chronicles. Drake History and Antiquities of the City of
York (1785), Vol 2, pg 6.
In a letter by George McGuire, Town Clerk, on the 28th Dec. 1889, he gives the different
authorities who state the date of the first Lord Mayor: Torr 1719, Gent 1730, Drake 1736, who all
refer to the term of the third Mayoralty of William de Selby, 1389, as the year when King Richard
2nd conferred the peculiar honour upon the City.
Mr Robert Davies, however, read a paper before the Philosophical Society in 1868 in which he
showed that the above writers had been inaccurate and there is no record of a document extant to
show the title of "Lord" was conferred upon Richard [William] de Selby but that the title has been
assumed ever since.
See McGuire letter pasted in to History of Percy family, MS Minster Library, pg 84.

[See Newspaper cutting "A Tournament in York in the Reign of King Stephen, 1142, pg 550a,
large copy].

1189
Took Flower
Twice Mayor of York [in the] reign of Richard 1st, 1189 and 1216. He was father of St Thomas
[Robert] of Knaresborough.

[See Newspaper cutting "Remarkable Yorkshire Incidents" re the hermit of Knaresborough, pg 551,
large copy].

1195
Drugo Berentine
[In the reign of Richard 1st.]

[See Newspaper cuttings on pg, 551, large copy, re William Malet, High Sheriff of York].

1200
William de Selby was the Abbot's Forester. His children afterwards settled in York and in their
mercantile pursuits they were very successful.

1217
Hugh de Selby
The King ordered the Sheriff of York to give to Hugh de Selby, the Mayor, the house with its
appurtenances which belonged to Leon the Jew of York, which King John gave to him. W.W.Morrell
[History and Antiquities of Selby, pg 75].

1219
Thomas Palmer

1225
Henry de Sexdecim Vallibus or Sezevaux
Chequy or and az[ure], on a canton of the 2nd, a star of six points, argent. Vide Drake's
Eboracum (1736) pg 395.
The name of De Sezevaux or De Sexdecim Vallebus is derived from a town on the Wolds now
called Thixendale, a place famous for its sixteen dales. Drake History and Antiquities of the City of
York (1785), Vol 1, pg 18.
A Robert de Sexdecim Vallebus was Rector of the Church of St Michael's, Spurriergate from 1269
to 1288 (Torr MS, York Churches.) and a Cesevaux was buried in St Martin's Church, Coney St. in
1373, apparently Nicholas Cesevaux who founded a chantry in this church, at the altar of St Mary,
for the soul of Elene, his wife. Drake History and Antiquities of the City of York (1785), Vol 2, pg
359.
In the 28th year of Edward 1st, John de Sezevaux was senior MP for the City of York.
In the 7th year of Edward 2nd, Nicholas de Sezevaux was MP.
In the 12th year of the same King's reign, John de Sexdecim Vallebus was MP.
In the 12th year of Edward 3rd, John de Sezevaux was MP.
The daughter of Henry de Sexdecim Vallebus was married to Thomas Fairfax, who lived at Walton.
viz. Agnes his only daughter and heiress. Analecta Ebor[acensia, Sir Thomas Widdrington].
Henry de Cesevaux served as Baliff during the Mayoralty of Gacius de Calvo.

William Senzo or Sezevaux de Cedecim Vallebus.
*In Glover's notes of arms in St Mary's Church, Malton "a man kneeling in his surcoat quarterly 1
and 4 argt a fess wavy gules between 3 magpies ppr 2 and 3 argt a chev gules between 3 trefoils
slipped az".
Willelmus Senzo et Emmota uxor eius
Johannes Overton et Agnes uxor eius. [Glover's Visitation of Yorkshire, pg 447].
Foster gives these arms to Ovington amongst the quarterings of Fairfax of Oglethorpe "chequey az
and or, a canton sa, a mullet of six points. Archaeological Journal, part 109 [Vol 28], pg 42.
*See account and notes on St Mary's [?] Church stained glass, pg 262.

1230
Hugo de Seleby
Arms: sable, 3 swans argent.
Alice de Bugthorp gave a stone house near the Church of St Gregory, Micklegate. Hugo de Selby
and Rogero Decano being the witnesses. Widdrington Analecta Eboracencia, pg 81.

1249
Nicholas Orgar
In which year William Fairfax was Bailiff and it is owing to this family possessing some ancient MS
which records the name of Gilbert de Luda as Mayor of York. [1284].

1252
John de Seleby
Was Mayor and no doubt the son of Hugo, Mayor in 1230. John de Seleby also was Mayor in
1263.
Bailiff in 1321, probably a son John.
[See Newspaper cutting "How King Henry 3rd Kept Christmas at York" in 1252, front page of large
copy].

1257
Gacius de Calvo Monte or Chamont

1259
Hugo de Cressy
Who was also Mayor in 1260

1263
Adam le Cerf
[Drake gives John de Seleby].

1271
Walter Stokes
Mayor in 1271,78 and 79. He being very aged and not capable to execute his office of Mayor, in
the midst of the year [1279] Sir Gilbert Luda was elected in his stead. Vide Stephen Bulkley Lord
Mayors.
[Torr Antiquities of York, pg 22].
Gilbert de Luda (or Louth) was a wealthy goldsmith and lived in Bretegate and served as Baliff at
the same time Adam le Cerf was Mayor. Davies Walks [through the City of York], pg 73.
Note: Bretegate was that part of the street lying between Coney Street and Peter Lane. Ibid.

1273
John le Espicer
and Apothecarius when Gilbert de Luda was one of the Bailiffs.
1274
Robert de Bromholme

1275
John de Bromholme
Who also served as Mayor in 1276, 1277, Nicholas de Selby being one of the Bailiffs.

1278
Walter de Stokes
Served as Mayor in this and the following year and had as one of the Bailiffs John le Espicer, no
doubt son of the Mayor who was in office in 1273.

1280 - 1281
The City was in the King's hands and Richard de Rummundeby was Custodian of it.

1283
Sir John Sampson
Also Mayor in 1285.

1284
Sir Gilbert de Luda
Who had served as Mayor in 1279. His grandfather, John, was Baliff of York in 1235. His father
Jeremy was a wealthy goldsmith and Bailiff in 1263, whilst he himself was Mayor of York in 1282
and advanced money to King Edward 1st. He was a patron of Stillingfleet Church and died in 1288.

1286
Nicholas de Selby

Who was also Mayor in 1287 and 1288. He had been Bailiff in 1277. His son John was an
Apothecary, Chamberlain in 1317, Bailiff in 1321. Davies [Walks through the City of York] pg 210.

1289
The City was again in the King's hands, Roger de Easingwold being the Governor.

1290
Roger Basey

1291 - 1296
During these years the Government of the City was in the King's hands and Sir John de Melson or
Meaux was Governor of the City. He was a great warrior and tall of stature as appeareth by some
of his arms and namely his helmet still to be seen in Aldborough Church in Holderness where he
lyeth buried under a faire monument no wayes defaced upon which is engraved in stone the armes
of Roos, Oatred, Falco de Oyry, Hastings, Lascelles, Hilton and others. Bulkley Lord Mayors. [Torr
Antiquities of York pg 23].

1297
Nicholas de Langton Bailiffs
Senior Bailiff in 1286, Mayor 1297 & 1306. Simon Sichman
In 1315 Nicholas de Langton de Ebor founded a chantry "ad John Boni
altarem Beata Maria Virginia in Ecclesia Sancta Trinitas vico de John Shipton
Colliergate pro salute anima mea et anima Margaret uxoris mea.
Part of his property is described as lying between Petergate and
Patrick Pool.
The bailiffs who served in 1306 were John de Appleby
Walter Gower
Walter Fleming
In 1294 Walter Langton was Master of St Leonard's Hospital.
Drake History and Antiquities of the City of York (1785), Vol 2, pg 365.

1298
James Fleming Laurence Fleming
Will Langley
Robert Meeke
1299
Jo[hn] Sampson Thos. Appleby
Mayor 1299, 1300. Ralf Jaire
Laurence Flower

1300
John Sampson
Mayor 1299, 1300. Will. de Osney
Nicholas Pocklington
William Sparrie

1301
John le Spicer Gilbert Arnald
Ralf Lyncolne
Thomas Selbye
1302
John le Spicer Robert de Walton
Andrew Bullingbrook
William Dornhill
1303
John le Spicer William Usburne
Barth. de Newcastle
Vincent Wardnell
1304
John le Spicer Thomas Borovit
Walter Whitem.
Robert Lindsey
1305
Andrew Bolingbroke John de Appleby
Mayor 1305, 1309. Walter Gower
Walter Fleming
1306
Nicholas de Langton Same as in 1305
Mayor 1297, 1306

1307
John de Askam Richard de Allerton
Roger de Roston
Adam Stockfield
1308
John de Askam Adam de Pocklington
Gyles Brabance
Allan Stockfield
1309
Andrew Bolingbroke William de Redness
Richard Cattan
Allan Stockfield
1310
Robert le Meeke William de Redness
Mayor 1310, 1317. William Gimpley
Richard Bilborough
Matilda, daughter and co-heiress of Robert le Meeke, was married
to Nicholas de Calam who served as Bailiff in 1314. She was the
daughter of his first wife Agnes who died August 1305 and was a
Lytester of Ripon. York Weekly Post 14/8/1909.
In 1322 Robert Meeke founded a chantry in St Crux Church at the
altar of St Mary, valued at 6 marks, and was buried in St Crux Church.
Drake [History and Antiquities of the City of York (1785), Vol 2] pg 313.

1311
Nicholas Fleming Thomas Agviler
Robert Wistow
This year the King (Edward 4th) kept his Xmas at York William Grantham
and caused the walls to be repaired.

This Mayor was in office in the following years, viz. 1312,
1313, 1314, 1315, 1316, 1319, and was slain at the battle of
Myton on Swale where also 2000 of the citizens fell. The rest,
with their generals, retreated back to York. The battle took place
in 1319. Nicholas Fleming's body was brought to the City and
buried in the Church of St Wilfrid at the altar of St Mary and a
chantry founded there.
Drake [History and Antiquities of the City of York (1785)] Vol 2, pg 374.
After the death of her husband, Elena Fleming, his widow,
on Oct 21st, 1319, took her solemn oath of chastity from the
hands of Archbishop William de Melton in the Chapel of his
Manor at Thorpe.

Nicholas de Flemyng
Mayor from 1311 to 1316 and again in 1319.
The family of which James and Laurence appear as the heads were probably two brothers who had
made their way to York in connection with the wool trade which was then carried on with the
Flemings and was so lucrative that later every one from the highest dignitary in the Church down to
the small trader had some interest in the business.
James must have been well settled in York before 1298 as the honour of Mayor was conferred
upon him and Laurence served as Bailiff during his Mayoralty.
In 1305 Walter de Flemyng who was, in all probability, another merchant from that country, served
as Bailiff.
In 1311 Nicholas is appointed the Chief Magistrate and, with the exception of two years, held it eight
years in succession and might have held it for a longer period had not the aggression of the Scots
necessitated the prompt opposition of the force at disposal in this district marshalled at York and in
addition to the trained bands was an army made up of Clergymen, Monks, and Canons with a
confused heap of Husbandmen, Labourers, Artificers and Tradesmen in all to the number of 10,000
which were commanded by the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of Ely, the latter being the
leader of this heterogenous troop. Also Nicholas Flemying, the Mayor, had gathered together the
citizens to the fight and during the conflict, which took place at Myton about ten miles from York,
the Mayor was counted among those who were slain, the number being estimated at from 2,000 to
3,000.
His body was brought back to the City and interred in the church of St Wilfrid and an indulgence
was granted, by the Archbishop, of 40 days to all parishioners of that parish who should say a
paternoster and Ave Maria for the repose of his soul and a chantry was ordered in the church for