Page:An Historical Essay on the Livery Companies of London.djvu/19

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Livery Companies of London.
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with us in all our assemblies and councils that we may use them to Thy Glory and the discharge of our duties."

The plate belonging to the Companies was frequently chased in accordance with their ecclesiastical character, being ornamented with the figure of a saint or some other religious device.

Pageants.All royal processions into or through the City afforded an opportunity for the Citizens of London and the Liverymen of the various Companies to display their loyalty.

It is recorded that on the occasion of the marriage of Henry III in 1236, and again on the marriage. of his daughter in 1252, the return of Edward I from his victory over the Scots, 1298; the coronation procession of Henry IV in 1399 (when Froissart states "Cheapside to have had seven fountains with red and white wine"); the entry of Queen Margaret into England in 1466; the entry of Joan, Queen of Henry IV in 1401; on the arrival of Henry V; the coming of the same King from France to London; after the victory of Bosworth, Henry VII; 1485, the Coronation of his Queen, 1487; on the arrival of Princess Katharine from Spain, to marry Prince Arthur 5th of Henry VII; in 1509, when Henry VIII married Katharine (his Brother's Widow); the Coronation of Lady Anne Boleyn in 1533; and many other interesting occasions, it is stated "That the whole Commonalty of the City who seem to have been Liverymen, brought up the rear, clothed in white gowns and scarlet hoods, with divers conuzances embroidered on their 'sleeves.'"

At the Royal Funerals the attendance of the various Companies was also required.

The Warden of one of the Chief Livery Companies was allowed to attend the Lord Mayor as Chief Butler at a Coronation.

In the year 1559 the twelve principal Corporations