The Ceremony of the Keys

Every night at 9.53 p. m. the Chief Warder of the Yeomen Warders (Beefeaters) of the Tower of London lights a candle lantern and then makes his way towards the Bloody Tower. In the Archway his Escort awaits his arrival. The Chief Warder, carrying the keys, then moves off with his Escort to the West Gate, which he locks, while the Escort " present arms". Then the Middle and Byward are locked.

The party then returns to the Bloody Tower Archway, and there they are halted by the challenge of the sentry. " Halt! " he commands. " Who goes there? " The Chief Warder answers, " The keys". The sentry demands, " Whose keys? " " Queen Elizabeth's keys", replies the Chief Warder. " Advance, Queen Elizabeth's keys; all's well", commands the sentry.

Having received permission to proceed through the Archway, the party then form up facing the Main guard of the Tower. The order is given by the officer - in -charge to " Present Arms". The Chief Warder doffs his Tudor-style bonnet and cries, " God preserve Queen Elizabeth". " Amen", answer the Guard and Escort.

At 10 p. m. the bugler sounds the " Last Post" (signal to return). The Chief Warder proceeds to the Queen's House, where the keys are given into the custody of the Resident Governor and Major.

The Ceremony of the Keys dates back 700 years and has taken place every night during that period, even during the blitz of London in the last war. On one particular night, April 16, 1941, bomb blast disrupted the ceremony, knocking out members of the Escort and Yeomen Warders. Despite this, the duty was completed.

Only a limited number of visitors are admitted to the ceremony each night.

Application to see it must be made at least forty - eight hours in advance at the Constable's office in the Tower. Visitors with the permission are admitted at 9.40 p.m. and leave at 10 p.m.

The Lord Mayor's show

The splendid civic event known as the Lord Mayor's show is watched by many thousands of people, who throng the streets of the City of London to see this interesting procession and admire its glittering pageantry. The ceremony is the gesture of pride in the City's history and strength as a world commercial centre. The ceremony seems still more bright and colorful because it is always held on the second Saturday in November when the city is often wrapped in mist or rain.

Its origin dates back more than six hundred years, when it began as a waterborne procession with ornate barges sailing down the river Thames. Dressed in his fur - trimmed scarlet gown, a " Cap Dignity", and wearing the great 5 feet long gold chain of office the newly elected Lord Mayor first watches a cavalcade of decorated floats pass by his stand at his official residence, the Mansion House. Then he steps into his gilded State Coach and takes up his position of honour at the rear of the procession. Accompanied by the Pikemen in their half -armour the Lord Mayor is driven in his gilded coach from Guildhall, past St. Paul's Cathedral, down Fleet Street to the Royal Court of Justice, where he takes his oath of office before the Lord Chief Justice. The tradition of taking oath (" declaration") originated in 1230 during the reign of Henry III and the final declaration was made before the Barons of the Exchequer.

The Lord Mayor's coach, weighing 4 tons and pulled by six horses was built in 1757 and was painted by the famous Florentine painter Giovanni Cipriani. A body guard of Pikemen and Musketeers march beside the coach. Many people in the procession wear traditional historic costumes. Each year a theme relating to London life or history is chosen and floats decorated with tableaux on this theme precede the Lord Mayor's coach. The Lord Mayor who is also the City's Chief Magistrate, is selected by the liverymen of the City Companies (guilds). One of the most distinguished of London's Lord Mayors was Dick Whittington (1423) who held office four times. After the oath has been taken, the entire procession returns via Victoria Embankment to the original point of departure.

On the following Monday evening the Lord Mayer gives a splendid Inaugural banquet at Guildhall. This has two traditions - a first course of turtle soup and speech from the Prime minister.

This glittering occasion is attended by many of the most prominent people in the country and is usually televised. The Prime Minister delivers a major political speech and the toast of the hosts on behalf of the quests is proposed by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Half the cost of the Show and Banquet is paid by the Mayor and the other half is met by the two Sheriffs. One can imagine how high the costs are but a Lord Mayor regards such financial sacrifices as worthwhile because of the prestige, since in his year of office he is second in importance in the City only to the Sovereign. The official residence of the Lord Mayor in Mansion House, which was designed in Palladian style in the 18th century, has been altered since. The Guildhall, dating from the 15th century is the place where the Lord Mayor, Alderman and the City fathers conduct the City's affairs. Important banquets and ceremonial occasions are held there. The City has not only its own Mayor, but also its own government and its own police force. Even the sovereign (Queen) has to stop at the City's frontiers until the Lord Mayor allows admittance.