Barbican Living

Rise of the City of London

In the 12th century, the City was given the right to choose its own sheriffs (from "shire reeve"). The sheriffs were the king’s representatives in the various parts of England and always appointed by the king, so this was a considerable concession.  The City was also allowed to collect its own taxes.

The City won new privileges from weak kings, or kings who needed finance. The City negotiated the right to elect its own mayor, in return for funding Richard the Lion Heart's crusades. The right to elect their mayor was confirmed by King John in 1215, a month before Magna Carta.

The Lord Mayor gradually absorbed the roles of the Royal Sheriffs and the Port Reeves.  There were periods when London offended the king and was ruled by wardens. The right to have a mayor was restored in 1298. In 1319 Edward II issued a charter confirming the constitutions by which London was to be ruled.

From about 1275 records were kept of the activities and discussions of London’s rulers.  Power was in the hands of the Mayor, two Sheriffs, and the Aldermen.  An Alderman was elected, usually for life, by the citizens of the ward he governed, but the other Aldermen could over-ride the election.  They also controlled the electorate and the method of election of the mayor who was elected annually from amongst the Aldermen.

The City became progressively more important in Medieval times and the outcome of many of the contests and civil wars often depended on the City’s support.  The City supported the barons in their demand for the Magna Carta.

Guildhall is the town hall of the City.  It is known to have existed in the 1100’s but the present building was built in the 1400’s.

The official residence of the Lord Mayor is Mansion House.  This was built in 1752.

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