Town Hall, Exeter ([1845?])

Cossins, James. Reminiscences of Exeter fifty years since. Exeter: William Pollard, 1877. p. 7.MAYOR CHOOSING FIFTY YEARS AGO.The election of Mayors for the city of Exeter, under the old Chamber, was about Michaelmas; the Mayors were nominated by the body, the freemen being nominally the electors. I never remember any opposition.On the day of the election, the members of the body and freemen assembled in the Guildhall; the intended Mayor was proposed, with the other officials; after taking the oath and duly signing the documents, on the cheering subsiding, the Hall echoed the sound of various drawings of bottled wine corks, the liquor being freely passed around the table, the nearest outsiders also having the privilege of tasting, or an old familiar face in the back ground would have a glass sent to him. A procession was then formed to perambulate the city walls, headed by the tradesmen's corps of constables, about twenty-four in number; then the staff and mace-bearers, sword-bearer, the Mayor-elect walking uncovered, with his hat in hand; Aldermen, with scarlet robes and three-cornered hats, followed by members and officials; in the rear being three tradesmen's sons, named Mayor's stewards, (the outside one called gutter steward), wearing long black robes, with tufts and three-cornered hats, who had the privilege of dining at the Mayor's banquets. Some of the electors and inhabitants would accompany the procession, and give vent to their feelings by an occasional cheer.[…]. The ceremony wound up in the evening with the good old English custom of dinner.[Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]

Steel l.engr vign

83x83mm

Title later altered to: Guildhall, Exeter