By the Rev. K H. Goddarcl. 



47 



the Mayor and Commonalty of New Sarum. James I., in 1612 

 granted a new charter establishing an already-existing body of 

 mayor, recorder, twenty-four aldermen, forty-eight assistants called 

 " Le Eight and fortie," with two chamberlains, four constables, 

 three sergeants-at-inace {servientes ad clavas), and other officers. 

 Further charters were granted by Charles I., Charles II., and Anne, 

 but the provisions of James the First's charter continued mainly in 

 force until 1835. 



The mayor, recorder, six aldermen, and eighteen councillors com- 

 pose the present corporation. 



The city sergeants-at-mace, originally two in number, were in- 

 creased in 1435 to three, at which number they have since been 

 maintained. 



The mayor, aldermen, and councillors now wear red cloth gowns, 

 with broad black facings. The mace-bearers wear uniform and 

 cocked hats. 



In 1496 Hen. VII., his queen, and his mother, visited the city, and it was 

 " agreed that all of the twenty-four that have been mayors shall ride in scarlet 

 to meet the king, and that all those who have not been mayors shall ride before 

 the mayor in crimson. The forty-eight are to ride after the mayor in green." 1 



In 1574, on the visit of Elizabeth, " for the apparelling Mr. Mayor and his 

 associates that have been mayors, and others of that number, it is agreed that 

 they shall be clad in scarlet gowns, and all the forty-eight to be in comely black 

 citizens' gowns lined with taffeta or other like silk, and certain others to be ap- 

 parelled in a similar manner to attend the mayor." 2 



1580. Oct. 22nd. " At this assembly it is agreed by the consent of the whole 

 company that every mayor from henceforth shall as well clothe his wife as also 

 himself in scarlet, according to the orders and customs heretofore used, upon pain 

 every mayor making default and doing the contrary shall forfeit and lose to the 

 benefit of the chamber 201. And it is likewise agreed that every magistrate or 

 alderman having passed the office of mayor shall not by himself nor his wife 

 accompany the mayor and his brethren nor the mayor's wife and the mistresses 

 upon principal festival days, viz., Christmas Day, and the two days following, 

 New Year's Day, Twelfth Day, Purification of Our Lady, Easter Day, and Easter 

 Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Sunday, and Whit Monday, and all Hallows Day 

 without having and wearing their scarlet gowns upon pain of every magistrate 

 making default 5 shillings." 3 



1 Hatcher and Benson, Old and New Sarum, 210. 

 2 Ibid, 286. 

 3 Ibid, 289, 290. 



