THE CINQUE PORTS AND CIVIC CEREMONIAL

Traditionally, the mayors of English boroughs have worn full-length, scarlet-coloured robes, trimmed with fur, whilst presiding over council meetings, attending civic church services and undertaking other civic duties. They are accompanied by their town clerks wearing lawyer’s gowns and wigs and by town-sergeants clad in a variety of traditional uniforms and bearing the mayor’s symbol of authority, the mace. Some town-sergeants wear tunics, with knee breeches, hose and buckled shoes; others frock coats or capes. Although these traditional garments are worn less often, today, they are still used at mayor-making ceremonies and other formal occasions.

When the fourteen mayors of the Cinque Ports assemble for meetings of the Court of Brotherhood and Guestling or Shepway and when they take part in the annual Speaker’s Day parade and service of thanksgiving, ceremonial dress is always worn. The only exceptions to this colourful spectacle are the mayors of Sandwich, and its limb of Deal, who always wear black robes. This is a continuing mark of respect for John Drury who, as mayor of Sandwich in 1457, died at the hands of French raiders.

Mayors, town clerks, town-sergeants and officers of the Confederation assemble at Dover to greet the Lord Warden (July 2000) - Photo courtesy of Paul Cannon

Representatives of the Confederation at Dover to greet the Lord Warden (July 2000) - Photo courtesy of Paul Cannon

 On ceremonial occasions, the Speaker, in addition to his or her chain of office as mayor, wears a badge of white and yellow gold, depicting the arms of the Cinque Ports surrounded by 14 diamonds, representing the membership of the Confederation.

 

 

 

The symbol of the authority of the Admiral of the Cinque Ports, is a silver oar. The original was stolen during the 1960’s and a replacement was made by Gerald Benney, the silversmith, in 1979. It is 34.5 inches in length, with a tapered shaft, bearing the inscription "This Oar was first used at the Installation as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother at Dover on the 1st August 1979". Both sides of the blade are engraved with an anchor surmounted by a crown. By kind permission of the Lord Warden, the Oar of Admiralty is borne, in front of the Speaker, on ceremonial occasions.

For more information about civic ceremonial, see www.civicprotocol.com 

 

ŠThe Confederation of the Cinque Ports (2004)