John Norman, Lord Mayor of London (1453)
Encyclopedia
John Norman was a 15th century draper
, sheriff, alderman
and for a term the Lord Mayor of London
(in 2006 the title was changed to Lord Mayor of the City of London). He is known as being the first lord mayor to take a boat to Westminster
to pledge his allegiance. Up until that point lord mayors of London had ridden or walked to Westminster in the yearly pageant on Lord Mayor's Day
. Such river pageants existed until 1856, and today the lord mayor rides within a state coach during the pageant which is known today as Lord Mayor's Show
. John Norman left his name to a song, supposedly created by the watermen who rowed him to Westminster, titled "Row the Boat, Norman".
Once mayors were elected they had fifteen days to take the oath at Guildhall
. The day following taking the oath, the mayor would then ride to Westminster to be sworn before the Sovereign or the barons of the Exchequer. By the 15th century, during this yearly pageant the mayor would have been joined by members of the city's companies
dressed in their liveries
and accompanied by minstrel
s. (Today the parade is known as the Lord Mayor's Show). John Norman is considered to be the first lord mayor to go to Westminster by water. It is thought that his infirmity may have been the reason for the river procession instead of the customary parade. An historian of the Watermen's Company. H. Humpherus, in describing the river procession stated that Norman, "who having at his own expense built a noble barge
, had it decorated with flags and streamers, in which he was this year rowed by watermen with silver oars, attended by such of the city companies as possessed barges, in a manner so splendid that 'his barge seemed to burn on the water'". The river procession seems to have been popular amongst the London commoners. Thus six years after Norman's river ride the commonality of London requested to have all further mayors go by barge to Westminster and all medieval mayors of London after Norman went by river to be sworn. The barges that were used in this fashion are the origin of the word "float
" which is today used to describe decorated platforms or vehicles that are sometimes towed at parade
s, carnivals or festivals. River processions continued to be held for mayors until 1856.
According to the 15th century Sheriff of London Robert Fabyan
, the watermen made John Norman a song of praise, which began: "Rowe the bote, Norman, Rowe to thy Lemman". A 19th century music antiquary named Edward F. Rimbault
thought that the melody to this song was the same as one published in John Hilton
's compilation of rounds
: Catch That, Catch Can (1658). The same melody has appeared in several other rounds (such as Turn Again, Whittington and Heave and Ho, Rumbelow) found in various collections. It is not certain which set of lyrics was the original, and whether the melody was written for Norman or Richard Whittington
(who was lord mayor three times, first elected in 1397). It is thought likely that the melody would have been passed down as a folk song from previous generations. In such case according to Mary C. Taylor, it would have been only natural for a new set of lyrics to celebrate John Norman's inauguration, which was fifty-six years after Whittington's first.
During John Norman's tenure as mayor, he presided over all 165 meetings of the court of alderman, mayors court, and court of common council. In 1462, he was admitted to certain lands adjoining those of the Earl of Shrewsbury
. Norman died in 1468 and gave his tenements to the Drapers Company on the north side of All Hallows Church, Honey Lane
, where he was buried, on the condition that they pay 13s
4d yearly for lighting the lane. Later in 1473, the lands he had possessed at the time of his death were seized as no heir came to be admitted.
appear illustrated in the portrait (pictured right) painted by Roger Leigh who lived around 1450. They (pictured above left) are recorded in the Harleian Mss., number 2169 on folio 65; and are blazoned: Or
, three bendlets
gules
, a chief
per fess
argent and ermine
, charged in chief with three fleurs de lys sable
. In the mid 19th century, Burke
however gave a different blazon which omits the ermine: Or, three bars gules on a chief argent as many fleurs de lis sable.
Draper
Draper is the now largely obsolete term for a wholesaler, or especially retailer, of cloth, mainly for clothing, or one who works in a draper's shop. A draper may additionally operate as a cloth merchant or a haberdasher. The drapers were an important trade guild...
, sheriff, alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
and for a term the Lord Mayor of London
Lord Mayor of London
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...
(in 2006 the title was changed to Lord Mayor of the City of London). He is known as being the first lord mayor to take a boat to Westminster
City of Westminster
The City of Westminster is a London borough occupying much of the central area of London, England, including most of the West End. It is located to the west of and adjoining the ancient City of London, directly to the east of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and its southern boundary...
to pledge his allegiance. Up until that point lord mayors of London had ridden or walked to Westminster in the yearly pageant on Lord Mayor's Day
Lord Mayor's Day
Lord Mayor's Day, in England, is the day marked by a pageant known as the Lord Mayor's Show for the Lord Mayor of the City of London. It is actually styled "The Presentation of the Lord Mayor at The Royal Courts of Justice". When King John allowed the City to choose its Mayor it was with the caveat...
. Such river pageants existed until 1856, and today the lord mayor rides within a state coach during the pageant which is known today as Lord Mayor's Show
Lord Mayor's Show
The Lord Mayor's Show is one of the longest established and best known annual events in London which dates back to 1535. The Lord Mayor in question is that of the City of London, the historic centre of London that is now the metropolis's financial district, informally known as the Square Mile...
. John Norman left his name to a song, supposedly created by the watermen who rowed him to Westminster, titled "Row the Boat, Norman".
Draper, sheriff, alderman, mayor of London
John Norman was the son of John Norman of Banbury and was a draper by trade. He lived at Sands End. In 1443 he was Sheriff of London and alderman of Castle Baynard Ward, removing to Cheap Ward in 1448. Also during 1448 he requested to be discharged from the office due to his advanced age and infirmity; and that if in the event he was nominated for the office of mayor that he should be avoided in preference another nominee. Even so, Norman represented the City of London in the parliament of 1449 and was elected Mayor of London in 1453.Once mayors were elected they had fifteen days to take the oath at Guildhall
Guildhall, London
The Guildhall is a building in the City of London, off Gresham and Basinghall streets, in the wards of Bassishaw and Cheap. It has been used as a town hall for several hundred years, and is still the ceremonial and administrative centre of the City of London and its Corporation...
. The day following taking the oath, the mayor would then ride to Westminster to be sworn before the Sovereign or the barons of the Exchequer. By the 15th century, during this yearly pageant the mayor would have been joined by members of the city's companies
Livery Company
The Livery Companies are 108 trade associations in the City of London, almost all of which are known as the "Worshipful Company of" the relevant trade, craft or profession. The medieval Companies originally developed as guilds and were responsible for the regulation of their trades, controlling,...
dressed in their liveries
Livery
A livery is a uniform, insignia or symbol adorning, in a non-military context, a person, an object or a vehicle that denotes a relationship between the wearer of the livery and an individual or corporate body. Often, elements of the heraldry relating to the individual or corporate body feature in...
and accompanied by minstrel
Minstrel
A minstrel was a medieval European bard who performed songs whose lyrics told stories of distant places or of existing or imaginary historical events. Although minstrels created their own tales, often they would memorize and embellish the works of others. Frequently they were retained by royalty...
s. (Today the parade is known as the Lord Mayor's Show). John Norman is considered to be the first lord mayor to go to Westminster by water. It is thought that his infirmity may have been the reason for the river procession instead of the customary parade. An historian of the Watermen's Company. H. Humpherus, in describing the river procession stated that Norman, "who having at his own expense built a noble barge
Barge
A barge is a flat-bottomed boat, built mainly for river and canal transport of heavy goods. Some barges are not self-propelled and need to be towed by tugboats or pushed by towboats...
, had it decorated with flags and streamers, in which he was this year rowed by watermen with silver oars, attended by such of the city companies as possessed barges, in a manner so splendid that 'his barge seemed to burn on the water'". The river procession seems to have been popular amongst the London commoners. Thus six years after Norman's river ride the commonality of London requested to have all further mayors go by barge to Westminster and all medieval mayors of London after Norman went by river to be sworn. The barges that were used in this fashion are the origin of the word "float
Float (parade)
A float is a decorated platform, either built on a vehicle or towed behind one, which is a component of many festive parades, such as those of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the Carnival of Viareggio, the Maltese Carnival, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Key West Fantasy Fest parade, the...
" which is today used to describe decorated platforms or vehicles that are sometimes towed at parade
Parade
A parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually celebrations of some kind...
s, carnivals or festivals. River processions continued to be held for mayors until 1856.
According to the 15th century Sheriff of London Robert Fabyan
Robert Fabyan
Robert Fabyan , chronicler, was born in London, of which hebecame an Alderman and Sheriff. He kept a diary of notable events, whichhe expanded into a chronicle, which he entitled, The Concordance of Histories. It covers the period from the arrival of Brutus in England tothe death of King Henry VII...
, the watermen made John Norman a song of praise, which began: "Rowe the bote, Norman, Rowe to thy Lemman". A 19th century music antiquary named Edward F. Rimbault
Edward Francis Rimbault
Edward Francis Rimbault , English organist and author. Some of his historical musical anthologies were published by the Percy Society.*Co-founded the Musical Antiquarian Society in 1840....
thought that the melody to this song was the same as one published in John Hilton
John Hilton (composer)
John Hilton was an English early baroque composer. He is best known for his books Ayres or Fa-Las for Three Voices and Catch That Catch Can.- Life :...
's compilation of rounds
Round (music)
A round is a musical composition in which two or more voices sing exactly the same melody , but with each voice beginning at different times so that different parts of the melody coincide in the different voices, but nevertheless fit harmoniously together...
: Catch That, Catch Can (1658). The same melody has appeared in several other rounds (such as Turn Again, Whittington and Heave and Ho, Rumbelow) found in various collections. It is not certain which set of lyrics was the original, and whether the melody was written for Norman or Richard Whittington
Richard Whittington
Sir Richard Whittington was a medieval merchant and politician, and the real-life inspiration for the pantomime character Dick Whittington. Sir Richard Whittington was four times Lord Mayor of London, a Member of Parliament and a sheriff of London...
(who was lord mayor three times, first elected in 1397). It is thought likely that the melody would have been passed down as a folk song from previous generations. In such case according to Mary C. Taylor, it would have been only natural for a new set of lyrics to celebrate John Norman's inauguration, which was fifty-six years after Whittington's first.
During John Norman's tenure as mayor, he presided over all 165 meetings of the court of alderman, mayors court, and court of common council. In 1462, he was admitted to certain lands adjoining those of the Earl of Shrewsbury
Earl of Shrewsbury
Earl of Shrewsbury is a hereditary title of nobility created twice in the peerage of England.-First creation, 1074:The first creation occurred in 1074 for Roger de Montgomerie, one of William the Conqueror's principal counselors...
. Norman died in 1468 and gave his tenements to the Drapers Company on the north side of All Hallows Church, Honey Lane
All Hallows Honey Lane
The Church of All Hallows, Honey Lane was a small Roman Catholic, and later Church of England, parish in the City of London, England. It was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666 and not rebuilt.-Location:...
, where he was buried, on the condition that they pay 13s
Shilling
The shilling is a unit of currency used in some current and former British Commonwealth countries. The word shilling comes from scilling, an accounting term that dates back to Anglo-Saxon times where it was deemed to be the value of a cow in Kent or a sheep elsewhere. The word is thought to derive...
4d yearly for lighting the lane. Later in 1473, the lands he had possessed at the time of his death were seized as no heir came to be admitted.
Heraldry
John Norman's coat of armsCoat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
appear illustrated in the portrait (pictured right) painted by Roger Leigh who lived around 1450. They (pictured above left) are recorded in the Harleian Mss., number 2169 on folio 65; and are blazoned: Or
Or (heraldry)
In heraldry, Or is the tincture of gold and, together with argent , belongs to the class of light tinctures called "metals". In engravings and line drawings, it may be represented using a field of evenly spaced dots...
, three bendlets
Bend (heraldry)
In heraldry, a bend is a coloured band running from the upper right corner of the shield to the lower left . Writers differ in how much of the field they say it covers, ranging from one-fifth up to one-third...
gules
Gules
In heraldry, gules is the tincture with the colour red, and belongs to the class of dark tinctures called "colours". In engraving, it is sometimes depicted as a region of vertical lines or else marked with gu. as an abbreviation....
, a chief
Chief (heraldry)
In heraldic blazon, a chief is a charge on a coat of arms that takes the form of a band running horizontally across the top edge of the shield. Writers disagree in how much of the shield's surface is to be covered by the chief, ranging from one-fourth to one-third. The former is more likely if the...
per fess
Fess
In heraldry, a fess or fesse is a charge on a coat of arms that takes the form of a band running horizontally across the centre of the shield. Writers disagree in how much of the shield's surface is to be covered by a fess or other ordinary, ranging from one-fifth to one-third...
argent and ermine
Ermine (heraldry)
Ermine is a heraldic fur representing the winter coat of the stoat . Many skins would be sewn together to make a luxurious garment, producing a pattern of small black spots on a white field...
, charged in chief with three fleurs de lys sable
Sable (heraldry)
In heraldry, sable is the tincture black, and belongs to the class of dark tinctures, called "colours". In engravings and line drawings, it is sometimes depicted as a region of crossed horizontal and vertical lines or else marked with sa. as an abbreviation.The name derives from the black fur of...
. In the mid 19th century, Burke
Bernard Burke
Sir John Bernard Burke, CB was a British officer of arms and genealogist.-Personal life:He was born in London, and was educated in London and in France. His father, John Burke , was also a genealogist, and in 1826 issued a Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Peerage and Baronetage of the...
however gave a different blazon which omits the ermine: Or, three bars gules on a chief argent as many fleurs de lis sable.
See also
- Lord Mayor's DayLord Mayor's DayLord Mayor's Day, in England, is the day marked by a pageant known as the Lord Mayor's Show for the Lord Mayor of the City of London. It is actually styled "The Presentation of the Lord Mayor at The Royal Courts of Justice". When King John allowed the City to choose its Mayor it was with the caveat...
- Lord Mayor's ShowLord Mayor's ShowThe Lord Mayor's Show is one of the longest established and best known annual events in London which dates back to 1535. The Lord Mayor in question is that of the City of London, the historic centre of London that is now the metropolis's financial district, informally known as the Square Mile...
- Lord Mayor of LondonLord Mayor of LondonThe Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...
- List of Lord Mayors of London
- List of Sheriffs of London