. Mediæval London . lve Companies were distinguishedby their greater wealth, and the Lord Mayor was obliged as a necessaryqualification for office to be a member of one of these Guilds. The inner life of these ancient Guilds, which were in high prosperityduring the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, abounds in features ofquaint and picturesque interest. The chief event of annual importancein the life of the Guild was the Election Day, with its religious services,feasts, and ceremonies. A solemn dirge or requiem was held on the Eveof the Festival for the repose of the souls of the deceased bre
. Mediæval London . lve Companies were distinguishedby their greater wealth, and the Lord Mayor was obliged as a necessaryqualification for office to be a member of one of these Guilds. The inner life of these ancient Guilds, which were in high prosperityduring the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, abounds in features ofquaint and picturesque interest. The chief event of annual importancein the life of the Guild was the Election Day, with its religious services,feasts, and ceremonies. A solemn dirge or requiem was held on the Eveof the Festival for the repose of the souls of the deceased brethren andsisters of the Fraternity. The procession was lighted by numerous waxtorches, garnished with points (, bows) and streamers of fi-ugal repast followed, consisting of a kilderkin of ale, white buns,cheese, and spiced bread. The important proceedings of the followingday, that of the festival itself, began with a solemn performance ofgrand mass at one of the great monastic churches or at one of the. z;oozo •a m ^ S ^5 CIVIC RULE T,S larger parish churches, the musical part of the service being renderedby the Company of Parish Clerks. The brethren attended in theirnew liveries, and the invited guests included Priors, Abbots, noble-men, and the Mayor and Corporation, with the chief City the church they returned in the same state to the Hall to-dinner, but first the chief business of the day, the election of the newMaster and Wardens proceeded with all due formality. The retiringMaster and Wardens entered with garlands on their heads, precededby the beadle and by minstrels playing. Then the garlands weretaken off, and after a little show of trying whose heads among theassistants the said garlands best fitted, it was found by a remarkableCoincidence that the persons previously chosen were the right oath of office was then administered ; a loving cup was next broughtin, from which the old Master and Wardens drink to the new Master^nd W
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookidcu3192402049, bookyear1901
