1453: The Annual Lord Mayor's Show


More or less annual 1453 to 1856

In the 12th century, London was granted its own government and required to elect a new Mayor every year. The day after the oath-taking ceremony at the Guildhall, the new Mayor would journey to Westminster to swear allegiance to the Crown. At some point between the late 14th and mid 15th centuries, the procession made by the Mayor, accompanied by the livery companies in full ceremonial dress and with minstrels playing, took to the water in hired barges. The first barge built for this purpose was for Sir John Norman, of the Drapers' Company, in 1453.
This might conceivably have been an indirect result of the Black Death! The devastating plague which was at its height in the previous hundred years ( but continued sporadically over the next century) might have meant that the Lord Mayor preferred to travel on water rather than passing through infected areas.

A nice historical symetry might be that one of the reasons for quitting the river in 1856 was the Great Stink - which made the river less attractive than the surrounding roads.

1483: Coronation of King Richard III

The royal barges destined to convey the king and queen, and the other great personages of the party, were covered with canopies of silk, and were otherwise magnificently adorned.
Great crowds of spectators assembled to witness the scene. Some came in boats upon the water, others took their stations on the shores, where every prominent and commanding point was covered with its own special crowd, and others still occupied the windows of the buildings that looked out upon the river.
Through the midst of this scene the royal barges passed down the river to the Tower. As they moved along, the air was filled with prolonged and continual shouts of "Long live King Richard!" "Long live the noble Queen Anne!"

1487: Queen's procession

As early as 1487 this journey was accompanied by some kind of special pyrotechnical display as when Henry VII's queen processed by water from Greenwich to the Tower of London with an escort of livery company barges and -

a Barge, garnysshed and apparellede, passing al other, wherin was ordeynede a great red Dragon spowting Flamys of Fyer into Temmys.

1533: Coronation of Anne Boleyn

The first Lord Mayor's pageant described by the old chroniclers is that when Anne Boleyn, sometime wife of King Henry VIII, -

came from Greenwich to Westminster on her coronation day, and the Mayor went to serve her as chief butler, according to ancient custom. ...
the water procession on that occasion resembled that of Lord Mayor's Day. The Mayor's barge, covered with red cloth (blue except at royal ceremonies), was garnished with goodly banners and streamers, and the sides hung with emblazoned targets.
In the barge were shalms, shagbushes, and divers other instruments, which continually made goodly harmony.
Fifty barges, filled with the various companies, followed, marshalled and kept in order by three light wherries with officers. Before the Mayor's barge came another barge, full of ordnance and containing a huge dragon (emblematic of the Rouge Dragon in the Tudor arms), which vomited wild fire; and round about it stood terrible monsters and savages, also vomiting fire, discharging squibs, and making hideous noises.
By the side of the Mayor's barge was the bachelors' barge, in which were trumpeters and other musicians. The decks of the Mayor's barge, and the sail-yards, and top-castles were hung with flags and rich cloth of gold and silver. At the head and stern were two great banners, with the royal arms in beaten gold. The sides of the barge were hung with flags and banners of the Haberdashers' and Merchant Adventurers' Companies (the Lord Mayor, Sir Stephen Peacock, was a haberdasher). On the outside of the barge shone three dozen illuminated royal escutcheons. On the left hand of this barge came another boat, in which was a pageant. A white falcon, crowned, stood upon a mount, on a golden rock, environed with white and red roses (Anne Boleyn's device), and about the mount sat virgins, singing and playing sweetly.
The Mayor's company, the Haberdashers, came first, then the Mercers, then the Grocers, and so on, the barges being garnished with banners and hung with arras and rich carpets.

The Anne Boleyn files -

... the banars and penanntes of armis of their craftes, the which were beaten of fyne gould, yllastring so goodly agaynste the sonne, and allso the standardes, stremares of the conisaunsys and devisis ventylyng with the wynd, allso the trompettes blowyng, shallmes and mistrielles playng, the which war a ryght symtivis and a tryhumfantt syght to se and to heare all the way as they paste upon the water, to her the sayd marvelles swett armone of the sayd ynstermentes, the which soundes to be a thinge of a nother world.

which translated into modern words is -

... the banners and pennants of the arms of their craft, which were of beaten fine gold, reflecting so brilliantly in the sun, and also the flags, streamers of the standards and devices waving in the wind, also the trumpets blowing, shawms and minstrels playing, was a right sumptuous and a triumphant sight to see and to hear all the way as they passed upon the water, to hear the marvellous sweet harmony of those instruments, sounded to be a thing of another world.

1536: Execution of Anne Boleyn

Anne Boleyn was taken to the Tower and eventual execution, in a barge that followed the same route as her coronation pageant in 1533.

1566: Lord Mayor's procession

In 1566 the water procession was very costly, and seven hundred pounds of gunpowder were burned. This is the first show of which a detailed account exists, and it is to be found recorded in the books of the Ironmongers' Company.

1603: Funeral of Queen Elizabeth I

When Elizabeth I died on 24th March, 1603, her coffin was transported in a black-draped barge in the dead of night from Richmond to Whitehall with a torch-lit procession of draped barges in attendance.
1839: The Dictionary of Printer and Printing, with the Progress of Literature, Ancient and Moderne:
Charles Henry Timperley -

On the funeral of the maiden queen, a poet of the day described the national grief in the following stanzas:

The queen was brought by water to Whitehall,
At every stroke the oars did tears let fall;
More clung about the barge: fish under water
Wept out their eyes of pearle, and swome blind after.
I think the bargemen might, with easier thighs,
Have row'd her thither in her people's eyes;
For, howsoe'er, thus much my thoughts have scann'd,
Sh'ad come by water, had she come by land.

- 1605 -: Annual Lord Mayor's Processions

In the Elizabethan period such processions grew in size, cost and artistic complexity and began to include dramatic action and speech. In addition to the twelve great livery company barges – sixty to eighty feet in length, elaborately decorated, canopied and rowed by eighteen oarsmen, boats were fitted up as pageants or living tableaux.
As well as promoting the Mayor's own livery trade and the importance of the Thames to England's prosperity, the processions referenced history, mythology, moral allegory and topical subjects such as the union of England and Scotland under James VI in the 1605 show, 'The Triumphes of Re-united Brittania'.

1610: James I proclaims Henry as Prince of Wales

On 30 May 1610, James I proclaimed his son Henry to be the Prince of Wales

From " The progresses, processions, and magnificent festivities, of King James the First, ... collected from original MSS., scarce pamphlets, corporation records, parochials registers, &c." by John Nichols, 1828 -

LONDON'S LOVE TO THE ROYAL PRINCE HENRIE,
MEETING HIM ON THE RIVER OF THAMES, AT HIS RETURNE FROM RICHMONDE,
WITH A WORTHIE FLEET OF HER CITTIZENS, ON THURSDAY THE LAST OF MAY 1610.
To the Right Honorable Sir Thomas Cambell, Knight, Lord Major of this famous Cittie of London; and to all the Aldermen his worthie Bretheren, &c.
I holde it but right and justice, honorable Lord, and you the rest of this pollitique bodie, to give you that which you have best deserved; to wit, a true taste of that daye's sollemne Triumphe in honor of so hopeful a Prince, and wherein your great love appeared not a little. Your time for preparation was verie short; and mine, for your service, much shorter; yet, of mine own knowledge, bothe of them were verie Royally and gratefully accepted, which I am sure was all your chiefest expectation, and than which nothing could be more desired by myselfe. Accepte then your owne, and me at your continuall service.

[ London: Printed by Edw. Allde, for Nathaniell Fosbrooke, and are to be solde at the West end of Paules, neere to the Bishop of London's gate, 1610
( Only three copies of this rare Tract are known to exist. One is in the very curious Library of Francis Freeling, Esq. by whose kindness I now re-print it ...) ]
...

It hath ever bin the nature of this honorable and famous Cittie, matchlesse for her love and loyaltie in all ages past and present, to come behinde none other of this worlde whatsoever, in dutie to her Soveraigne, and care, not only of common good, but also of vertuous and never-dying credit. And such hath alwayes bin the indulgent endevour of her worthie Magistrates, from time to time, that they would never let slip any good occasion whereby so maine and especial respect might be duely and successively preserved. ...
Whereof no better exemplarie rule can be made than the late apparant testimonie of London's Love to the Royall Prince Henrie, appointed by our dread Soveraigne his Father to be created Prince of Wales and Earle of Chester, even now in the Assembly of the High Court of Parliament; that he might be the twelfte Prince in the Royall Creation, succeeding those eleven so long since passed. ...
But now our Royall Henrie comming to be the twelfth Prince in this great dignitie, and London's Cheefe Magistrate the Lord Mayor, with his worthie Bretheren the Aldermen, having very shorte and sudden intelligence thereof; after some small consultation, understanding that the Prince was to come from Richmonde by water, they determined to meete him in such good manner as the brevitie of time would then permit them.
Wherfore, upon Thursday, being the last day of May, about eight of the clocke in the morning, all the worshipfull Companies of the Cittieg were readie in the bardges upon the water, with their streamers and ensignes gloriously displayed, drommes, trumpets, fifes, and other musikes attending on them, to awaite the Lord Maior and Aldermens' comming.
No sooner had his Honor and the rest taken bardge, but on they rowed, with such a chearefull noyse of hermonie, and so goodlie a shewe in order and equipage, as made the beholders and hearers not meanely delighted; beside a peale of ordinance that welcomde them as they entred on the water. To beautifie so sumptuous a shewe, and to grace the day with more matter of triumphe, it seemd that Neptune smyled thereon auspitiouslie, ...
Let it suffice then, that thus was this goodly Fleete of Cittizens accompanied, and ushered the way so farre as Chelseye; where hovering on the water untill the Prince came, all pleasures that the time's interim could afforde, were plentifully entercoursed, and no disorder or breache of arraye in the whole navie.
Upon the Prince's neere approche, way was made for his best and aptest entertainement, which by multitude of boates and bardges (of no use, but onely for desire of sight) was much impeached for a while, till order being taken for the contrarie, the Prince's bardge accosted the Lord Mayor's, where dutie entertayning on the one side, and Princely grace most affably accepting on the other; ...
And thus they set on towards White Hall, in so soft, milde, and gentle a pace as the very Thames appeared proude of this gallant burden, swelling her breaste to beare them with pompe and majestie; and not one wrinckle appeared in her brow, but as plaine and even as the smoothest ivorie. Nor durst any rude storme peepe foorth his head, or the least noise of an ungentle wind stirre; but all were whist and still, as forgetfull of those uncivill offices, and overcome with admiration of the daye's delight!<

Being come neere White Hall, the bardges (according to their qualitie and degree in order and dignitie) devided themselves on either side, to make a spacious passage for the Prince and his traine between them, even untill they came neere to the Courte bridge, the Lord Major's bardge being then the formoste and neerest. ...
Now the Prince being readie to land, Amphion on his dolphin saluteth him. Amrmou, a grave and judicious prophet-like personage, attyred in his apte habits, every way answerable to his state and profession, with his wreathe of seashelles on his head, and his harpe hanging in fayre twine before him ; personating the Genius of Wales, giveth the Prince this farewell: The Speech of Amphion on a Dolphin. Royall Prinoe of Wales, in this figure of musioall Amphion upon his dolphin, we personate the carracter of Wales your Principalitie. Who having with my faire sister Corinea thus farre attended you on behalf of London's Lord Maior, hisiworthie Bretheren, and this goodly Fleete of well-aflfected Cittizens; rwe are all now forced to an unwilling departure. See how our streamers hang the head as lothe to leave you ; our bardges lagge and seem lumpishe, as greeving to forgoe you; our trompets and other musicks appeare tongue-lesse, the worde of Farewell is so offensive to them. And, except you put spirit into them all, with a gracious acceptaunce of this their love and loyaltie, the bosome of fayre Thames shrinkes, and they feare swallowing. But the sunne of true-born Majestic shines in your bright eye; and your more serious affaires calling you hence, s peakes bothe your love to them, and liking of their humble dutie at their dismission.
Home agayne then, fayre Fleet, you have brought a Royall freight to landing, such a burden as hath made the river not meanely proud to beare. And since we must needs parte, in our lowdest voyce of drommes, trompets, and ordenaunce, be this our last accent: Long live our Prince of Wales, the Royall Henrie.
At which very instant off went the chambers, and such a triumphall noyse of drommes and trompets as made the very ayre to ecchoe; which done, they returned back to London agayne, wherwith we conclude this sollemne daye's triumphe.<...
In the evening of the same day [the following Monday], it was expected that the water-fight and fireworkes should have bin perfourmed, no meane multitude of people attending to see it; but whether by violent storme of rayne, or other appointment of his Majestie, I knowe not ... yet was it deferred till the Wednesday following. Upon which day, after a most Royall and sumptuous tilting, the water-fight was worthilie perfourmed, and by such reporte as was thereof made to me, thus it was ordered.
A Turkish pirate prowling on the seas, to maintaine a Turkish castle (for so their armes and streamers described them both to be) by his spoyle and rapine of merchants and other passengers, sculking abroade to finde a bootie, he descried two merchant's shippes, the one whereof bearing to winde somewhat before her fellowe, made the pirate wafte her to strike sayle and come in, which the merchant either not regarding or no way fearing, rode still boldely on. The pirate, with drawen weapons and other menaces, wafts her againe to vayle her bonnet; but, the merchant still refusing, the pirate sends a commanding shott, which the merchant answered againe, encouraged therto by her fellowe merchant, who by this time was come neere her, and spake in like language with her to the pirate.
When he perceived his hope defeated and this bold resistance returned, he sent shot upon shot very fiercely, wherto they replyed as resolvedly; so that betweene them grewe a verie fierce and dangerous fight. Wherein the merchants waxing to be somewhat distrassed (by reason that the castle likewise often played upon them) two men of warre happening then to be neere, made in to helpe and releeve their hard detriment.
And now the fighte grewe on all sides to be fierce indeed, the castle assisting the pirate very hotly, and the other withstanding bravely and couragiously; diverse men appearing on either side to be slayne and hurlled over into the sea, as in such adventures it often comes to passe, where such sharpe assaultes are used indeed.
In conclusion, the merchants and men of warre, after a long and well-fought skirmish, prooved too strong for the pirate, they spoylde bothe him and blewe up the castle, ending the whole batterie with verie rare and admirable fire-workes, as also a worthie peale of chambers.

Instructions for the Day (1610: James I proclaims Henry as Prince of Wales) -

To the Maister and Wardens of the Companie of Stationers [and others].
By the Maior.
Whereas, by a former Precept to you directed, it was appointed that your Companie should attend mee, the Lord Maior, and my Brethren the Aldermen, at the Three Cranes by seven of the clocke in the mornings, to meete the high and mightie Prince, the Prince of Wales, on Thursdaie next at Chelsey, to waite upon his Highnes to Westminster:
Now, for the better ordringe of that service, the honor of Highnes, and the credit of this Cittie, it is thought fit that you and the rest of the Companies observe theis orders followinge, viz.
First, that the barge wherein myself and my Brethren the Aldermen doe goe, shal-bee formost in the said service, and your Companie to follow accordinge to your place, device, and degree, in order with the rest of the Companies by two and two in a rancke, reserving a distance for my said barge to passe between them at the first settinge forth, and so to goe onwards without strivinge, keepinge your rancke in a reasonable distance one from another.
Secondlie, that when myself and my Brethren shall meete the Prince at Chelsey, and there make a stand, that then your barge likewise doe the same in your place till all the chambers there bee shot; and then to turne your cowrse to Westminster in the same order backwards as you came forwards, so that the barge wherein myself and my Brethren the Aldermen are, maie bee next the Prince, and the inferiour Companies formost.
Thirdlie, that when in the said forme and order, the Companies have gone onwards towards Westminster, that then, at the coming neere Lambeth, in a convenient distance from Whitehall, the youngest Companie beinge formost, make a stand as you shal bee appointed, and to suffer the other Companies by degree to goe before them neerer Whitehall, and so in order one to stand before another in a double rancke, that the Prince's and Noblemens' barges, and the barge wherein myself and my Brethren the Aldermen bee, maie passe between them, and so to stand still untill such time as the Prince bee landed, myself have taken leave of the Prince, and the chambers over against Westminster bee shootlnge off, and then to go homewards in their order;
all which you are not to faile, as you tender so excellent a service, and the creddit of the Cittie, and as you will answere the contrary.
May 28, 1610. S R Bright

1615: Two River Pageants

In 1615, Metropolis Coronata, the Triumphs of Ancient Drapery' included two pageants on the Thames, one representing Jason and Medea, and one Neptune and Thamesis in a sea chariot shaped like a whale.

1625: King Charles I, Coronation

King Charles I chose to come to Westminster by river but the royal barge fouled the landing stage at Parliament Stairs and he had to make an undignified landing from a hastily borrowed boat.

1649: Trial of King Charles I at Westminster

It is said that Charles I was brought to his trial by boat. He was sentenced to death and executed.

1662: Pageant for King Charles II and Queen Catherine of Braganza

On 23 August 1662, King Charles II and Queen Catherine of Braganza were greeted by an extravagant pageant on their arrival at Whitehall from Hampton Court. The barges belonging to the twelve great Livery Companies were in attendance with a number of "pageants" made up of mythological characters which delivered orations to their Majesties. This event was witnessed by 17th century diarists Pepys and Evelyn -

In the royal barge were four-and-twenty rowers, clad in scarlet. The royal arms were painted on her sides and bow. She was gorgeously gilded, with an awning of gold brocade fringed within and without. Both Evelyn and Pepys have given lively descriptions of this royal aquatic progress, as it appeared to the one from the river, and to the other from the roof of the Banqueting-house at Whitehall.
"I was spectator," says Evelyn, " of the most magnificent triumph that ever floated on the Thames, considering the innumerable boats and vessels, dressed with all imaginable pomp; but, above all, the thrones, arches, pageants, and other representations, stately barges of the lord mayor and companies, with various inventions, music, and peals of ordnance, both from the vessels and the shore, going to conduct the new queen from Hampton Court to Whitehall, at the first of her coming to town.
In my opinion, it far exceeded all the Venetian Bucentoras, &c., on the occasion when they go to espouse the Adriatic. His majesty and the queen came in an antique-shaped open vessel, covered with a state or canopy of cloth of gold, made in the form of a high cupola, supported with high Corinthian pillars, wreathed with flowers, festoons, and garlands. I was in our new-built vessel, sailing among them."
Shouts and acclamations echoed the guns and music. The people were frenzied in their joy. It must have been hard for the rowers of the Queen's barge to make their way through the crowds that floated about them, but at six in the evening they reached Whitehall.


Aqua Triumphalis, 1662
The triumphal entertainment of ye King and Queenes Maties.
by ye Right honble. ye Lord Mayor and Cittizens of London.
at their Coming from Hampton Court to Whitehall (on ye River of Thames)
Aug ye 32 1662
( Dedication to John Frederick the Lord Mayor of the City of London )
This plate is humbly dedicated by his most obedient and humble servant Rod. Stoop

Samuel pepys,his diary -

... all the show consisted chiefly in the number of boats and barges; and two pageants, one of a King, and another of a Queen, with her Maydes of Honour sitting at her feet very prettily; and they tell me the Queen is Sir Richard Ford's daughter. Anon come the King and Queen in a barge under a canopy with 10,000 barges and boats, I think, for we could see no water for them, nor discern the King nor Queen. And so they landed at White Hall Bridge, and the great guns on the other side went off. But that which pleased me best was, that my Lady Castlemaine stood over against us upon a piece of White Hall, where I glutted myself with looking on her ...

1717 King George I - Handel's Water Music

On 17 July 1717, Handel's Water Music was performed on the Thames, for King George I and a party of nobles. The event, which summons images of the Thames as a place of leisure, luxury and refinement, was described by The Daily Courant -

On Wednesday Evening: the King took Water at Whitehall in an open Barge and went up River towards Chelsea. Many other Barges with Persons of Quality attended, and so great a Number of Boats, that the whole River in a manner was cover'd; a City Company's Barge was employ'd for the Musick, wherein were 50 instruments of all sorts, who play'd all the Way from Lambeth - the finest Symphonies compos'd express for this Occasion by Mr. Hendel; which his Majesty liked so well that he caus'd it to be plaid over three times in the going and returning.


George Frideric Handel and King George I
listening to the Water Music
17th July, 1717
Painting by Edouard Jean Conrad Hamman (1819-88)

1746: Westminster Bridge, Lord's Mayor's Day, Canaletto


Westminster Bridge, Lord's Mayor's Day, Canaletto (detail)

1747: Canaletto painted St Paul's Cathedral from the river on Lord Mayor's Day. The Millenium Bridge site would have been central, and on the far right is the old [1819-1920] Southwark Bridge -

The Thames and the City, Canaletto
The Thames and the City, Canaletto, 1847 in the National Gallery, Prague.

Which is very lovely and "old masterly", only that picture desperately needs cleaning, because there is another version - and here is the detail from that!

The Thames and the City, Canaletto
The Thames and the City, Canaletto, 1847

1749: Music for the Royal Fireworks

In 1749, to celebrate the end of the War of the Austrian Succession and the signing of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle the previous year, Handel was again commissioned to write a celebratory piece of music for public performance. The Music for the Royal Fireworks, as it was subsequently named, was accompanied by a significant fireworks display from barges on the Thames on 15 May.
The illustration below appears to be a design sheet for the fireworks?


A View of the Fireworks and Illuminations
at His Grace the Duke of Richmond's at Whitehall and on the River Thames,
on Monday, 15 May 1749
Performed by the direction of Charles Friderick Esq.

1806: Funeral of Admiral Lord Nelson

In 1806, the body of Admiral Lord Nelson was rowed from Greenwich to Whitehall, accompanied by over sixty boats including a variety of Admiralty and City livery barges. The body was carried in the royal barge built for Charles II, covered with black velvet and adorned with plumes of black feathers. It was escorted by three other barges, draped with black cloth, bearing drums and trumpeters. The procession was followed by gun boats and row boats and minute guns were fired as it passed the Tower of London.
There is a fictional account of the River Procession in C S Forester's "Hornblower and the Atropos". After coming down the Thames in a horsedrawn barge (at 10mph!) our hero, Captain Hornblower, is placed in charge of the practical river arrangements for the funeral (and narrowly averts disaster as the boat with the body springs a leak and nearly sinks. Some insight into the difficulties he might have faced can be gained from the picture below. The boats were hard to handle and the conditions difficult.)

Nelson's Funeral 1806
A panoramic view of Nelson's funeral procession in 1806.
Nelson's funeral barge can be seen in the foreground
as his coffin was rowed up to the Admirality from Greenwich
on Charles II's royal barge, accompanied by over 60 boats,
including a variety of Admiralty and City livery barges.
In the central foreground, a barge flying the red ensign fires a salute.
Boats of the 'Sea Fencibles', a corps of naval reserves, line the route.
Greenwich Hospital is clearly visible in the background
with the Royal Observatory in the distance.

1817: Opening of Waterloo Bridge

See Waterloo Bridge on this site
The first bridge at Waterloo, known as the Strand Bridge, was opened by the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Wellington with a grand military cavalcade on 18 June 1817, the second anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.
From The Times -

This noble structure was opened yesterday for the public accommodation, with as much splendour and dignity as it is possible to give to a ceremony of this description.
The bridge, as our readers know, was originally named "The Strand Bridge;" but the natural and patriotic desire of commemorating, in the most noble public manner, the ever-memorable victory of Waterloo, afforded a fine opportunity for changing its appellation from that of the street merely into which it opens. No mode of perpetuating great deeds by works of art is more consistent with good taste than where such works combine, in a high degree, what is ornamental with what is useful. Monuments of this kind have stronger claims on public respect than the costly construction of pillars, obelisks, and towers. There are many instances of public works having received their names from events honourable to the country in which they were erected. In late times, Buonaparte, who, with all his vices, had a very shrewd insight into human nature, and the external means by which it is worked upon, took advantage of this principle, not simply by his triumphal columns or arches to the honour of Dessaix, of himself, and of his army; but also in giving to two new bridges the names of Jena and Austerlitz, where he had gained two decisive victories. But those bridges, however elegant and convenient, are but trifles in civil architecture and engineering when compared with that which was opened yesterday; and the general appearance of which in its progress attracted particularly the admiration of the Emperor of Russia on his visit to this country.

Waterloo Bridge Opening © MOTCO
Opening of Waterloo Bridge on the 18th of June 1817
as seen from the Corner of Cecil Street in the Strand.
Drawn by R.R. Reinagle, A.R.A. Engraved by George Cooke. Augst 1, 1822.

1827: Lord Mayor's procession at the unfinished New London Bridge

See London Bridge 1825-1967 on this site
1827: Metropoolitan Improvements -

NEW LONDON BRIDGE, WITH THE LORD MARCH'S PROCESSION PASSING UNDER THE UNFINISHED ARCHES, NOVEMBER 9, 1827.
The upper surfaces of the arches were decorated with flags of the principal nations of both hemispheres, and crowded with spectators, who cheered and loudly greeted the splendid and novel procession as it passed under and between the timbers of the centres which supported the huge masonry of the arches.
The workmen cheered, and the watermen and other persons connected with the river service added their voices and their hearts to the united shouts, as the stately barges glided nobly through the narrow aperture of the centre arch.
This ceremony was repeated on the following Lord Mayor's Day, with equal splendour, and less difficulty, as more of the centres were removed from beneath the arches.

London Bridge 1827
London Bridge, 1827
with the Lord Mayor's Procession passing under the unfinished Arches.

1831: Opening of New London Bridge

New London Bridge was opened on 1 August 1831 after a seven-year building programme. Crowds gathered on the north bank and in vessels on the water to watch King William IV and Queen Adelaide embark at Somerset House for a procession, accompanied by livery company barges, culminating in a banquet in a pavilion erected on the bridge. With the exception of an avenue, preserved by "naval officers rowing about in all directions every part of the river's bold and extensive sweep was crowded with vessels laden as heavily as possible with spectators."
Every vessel, even to the smallest and most insignificant boat, was decorated with colours; and among all the gorgeous spectacles which old Father Thames has witnessed this, perhaps, was the most splendid.


The grand opening of London Bridge by William IV and Queen Adelaide
on 1st August 1831
flags and a marquee on the bridge, state and livery barges on the river,
cheering crowds,
the old London Bridge, a little downstream,
seen through the arches of the new.
Engraved by Thomas Abiel Prior (1809-1866) for the "Art Journal"
from the original painting by Clarkson Stanfield.
Source

1856: Last Lord Mayor's journey to Westminster by River

The last Lord Mayor to journey by water to Westminster was Thomas Finnis in 1856, when jurisdiction for the crowded river was moved from the City of London to the Thames Conservancy. Many of the livery companies also struggled to keep up with the expense of maintaining such opulent vessels, none of which survive today.
[ The new London Bridge very much increased the currents above bridge - so the magnificent but clumsy livery boats became much harder to manage - and the river was becoming crowded with steamers. The "Great Stink" was at its height -
so altogether the decision was made for the Lord Mayor's procession to quit the river.
]

1863: Albert, Prince of Wales marries Princess Alexandra of Denmark

In 1863 the Prince of Wales, Albert Edward married Princes Alexandra of Denmark.

On 5th March, Princess Alexandra boarded the British royal yacht Victoria and Albert for the voyage to Gravesend. The yacht was accompanied by a squadron of Royal Navy warships decked overall in bunting and flags and firing a twenty one gun salute.
On the morning of the 7th March the royal party reached the Kent coast. Guns were fired in welcome and local dignitaries from Margate sent by boat to greet the Princess. The Victoria and Albert proceeded into the Thames Estuary accompanied by a large flotilla of pleasure boats packed with well wishers.
The banks of the Thames were lined with spectators eager to catch a glimpse of the Princess. At 1120 in the morning on the 7th March the Victoria and Albert came safely alongside at the Terrace Pier, Gravesend to tumultuous applause from the gathered crowds.

Punch was unimpressed by the spectacle, which was probably less than it might have been since Queen Victoria, Albert's mother, was in deep mourning. However patriotism triumphed in the end ...

A TALK WITH THAMES, OF LONDON
"0 Thames, that hold'st thy silent course from spring to sea adown,
By Windsors elm-girt meadows, through the heart of London town,
Could'st thou but tell the sights of strife, the pageants thou hast seen,
From the days of Celt and Roman to those of our good Queen.

Had but this day, with kindly ray, made summer time of spring,
As if the sunshine's blessing on this fair young bride to bring!
Of all the sights and sounds bare thrilled thy tide from shore to shore,
Say, knew'st thou ever sight and sound than this that stirred thee more?

This boom of cannon-salvos, these cheers that shake the air,
This joy of bells that clasheth from City steeples fair;
This bannered bridge, these arches, these myriads taking stand,
Where'er is space for eye-shot and hold for foot or hand.

For object of this welcome, for centre of this joy,
A fair-haired Danish maiden, and a courteous English boy
Our King and Queen that shall be, when She who rules us now
Is taken from the loyalty and love that round her bow."

The ancient river answered : "Much in my time I've seen;
We rivers note rare changes, as we roll our banks between:
From a hamlet's to a kingdom's bulk I have seen London grow,
Bridged betwixt miles of peopled shore, where the sedges used to blow.

I have glassed the gleam of pageants; blood has mingled with my tide;
Celt and Roman, Sax and Norseman have fought along my side:
The bridge was new, and narrow, too, that spanned my marshy bed,
When against the Dane, King Olaf ranged keels with Ethelred.

What blows were struck, what death was dealt, from ships, from either shore!
How hard the war-Danes held the bridge, how down on't Olaf bore.
How darts and stones, and pitch and lead, from the causeway poured that day,
Till Olaf grappled ship to pile, and tore the bridge away!

'Twas built again, ere o'er the main King Cnut the ravens bore,
But he was wary of my bridge, that the Dane so rued before.
From Redriff fields to Southwark creek my banks he channelled through,
Till o'er sallow-beds and alder-holts, inland, the raven flew.

Little I ever looked to see a daughter of the Dane,
With blessing hailed by England, spite of old feud and bane,
To see the Danish raven fly by the Saxon horse of Kent,
O'er London, loud in loyalty, and drunken with content."

But braver pageant hast thou seen, old Father Thames than this?"
Thereat the river wrinkled all his face in scorn, I wis,
"Have I seen braver pageant than this scant and shabby rout?
I that have seen all brain could plan, and liberal hand set out.

That saw in the second Richard's time, a joust of arms played through,
Within the barriers on my bridge, in Court and City's view,
When Scottish Lindsay - better knight ne'er swung to saddle-tree,
With the Lord Wells for England, brake spears in courses three.

Have I seen braver pageant? I, that saw King Richard ride,
From Windsor, all by Richmond, with good Queen Anne beside,
When at Southwark Gate the citizens, to earn the King's good grace.
Gave two white steeds, that, trapped in gold, to silver bells kept pace.

I that saw Richard ride again, with Isabel of France,
Mid pomp of Lords, and press of Guilds, and masque and morris-dance.
Through towers with white-winged angels crowned, past trades' devices rare,
Conduits that ran red wine and white, and arras-hangings fair.

I that hailed England's HARRY back from France and battle-stour,
With green boughs on the helmets rough with dints of Azincour;
I that seven years later swell'd with London's tears, as o'er me rolled
On a car, with four great horses, England's HARRY stark and cold!

And over him an image set, the semblance of the King,
With crown on brow, and robe on breast, and sceptre, ball, and ring,
With the calm face turned to Heaven and the hands clasped as in prayer,
When not an ey that saw was dry; and no head but was bare.

I that heard the Giant, sword-in-hand, as he bade well betide
The young Sixth HENRY, new from France, with MARGARET his bride,
And GLOUCESTER'S Duke, with Sheriffs, Guildsmen, Aldermen and Mayor,
In 'broidered sleeves, and hoods and chains, and gowns of gris and vair.

I, that saw the LADY KATHERINE of Arragorn brought in,
PRINCE ARTHUR'S bride, with Lords of pride, and Ladies of her kin,
Past the Pageant of Saint Katherine, and six great pageants mo',
Cunningly planned from Chepe to Strand, the way she had to go.

I, that saw WOLSEY forth to France his stately progress hold,
His gentlemen ranked three by three, in black with chains of gold,
His yeomen in their tawny coats, with his cipher 'broidered o'er,
And the silver cross and pillars and the |Great Seal borne before.

I, that 'neath CROMWELL'S Ironsides heard the bridge-causeway ring,
I, that saw CHARLES ride back from Ghent, with loud "God Save the King!"
I, that have watched all welcomes that London could bestow,
When life was dight with colours bright as summer flowers a-blow.

And you ask me if I have seen a pageant like to this?
For PAGEANT, never meaner on have I beheld, I wis
But grander SIGHT or gladder yet saw I never none
If measured not by show and state, but by heart and head alone.

The sorrier is the spectacle, the statelier is the sight
Of this vast city poured abroad in all its myriad might;
With one great voice to utter its loyal loving cry,
With one great heart to breathe a prayer for these as they go by.

Again, and yet again the shout, that thrills - a voice of power -
From the Keep of Norman WILLIAM to VICTORIA'S Palace-tower;
Sights I have seen, strifes that have been, were all that this might be, -
This people glorying in their Queen, self-governed, loyal, free.

Look, PRINCE, look, PRINCESS; well that flush your youthful cheeks may wear:
Such a sight is seldom given to those that rule and empire bear:
She who inspires the faith that fires these hearts so stern and cold,
Sits a sad widow, scarce to be, even by your joy consoled.

God comfort HER, God prosper YOU, and grant you children sweet,
To grace your youth, and glad your age, and make your lives complete;
And when your son is wed may he be blest with bride as fair;
And may as loud acclaim be his, as now makes glad the air.

1894: Opening of Tower Bridge

On 30 June 1894, Tower Bridge, the thirteenth bridge to span the Thames, was built east of London Bridge. It was opened by The Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VII) and his wife in a lavish ceremony which included a procession of ships including the Trinity House yacht Irene, the gunboat HMS Landrail, the Bismarck and the Clacton Bell.

The day was glorious, the sun hot enough to raise a tremulous golden haze over river and land, the breeze brisk enough to keep colour sparkling and the landscape clear.
Mr Wyllie found here all that his heart could desire the close-packed flotilla of shipping, the race of the mighty river tide, the avenue of unpaintably brilliant and varied flaunting bunting, which led up to the mighty bridge standing white midstream in the westering sunlight, and the great fleet of craft of all sizes and rigs, headed by the Admiralty yacht Irene, passing under its vast uplifted arms.
Here was a subject for an historical painter, and in that sense he has conceived and executed it.


Tower Bridge opening, 1894. Wylie

1919: Thames Peace Pageant

In 1919, the Thames Peace Pageant celebrated the efforts of English mariners and merchant seamen in WWI. The five-mile procession from London Bridge to Chelsea, combining royal and civic pageantry, attracted enormous crowds to the river banks, bridges and the Thames itself. The Royal Barge, called the Queen's Shallop, made her final voyage as part of this pageant. She was the last of the old state barges. The Queen's Shallop took centre stage, closely followed by the Lords of the Admiralty in a ten-oared cutter, each accompanied by a steamboat. A green steam barge carried the Lord Mayor, following which were a dozen twelve-oared Navy cutters, four Navy picket boats with guns, an armed motor launch and a barge displaying guns used in the Great War. The main body of the procession featured flagged and decorated craft from maritime institutions and the British Merchant Service. Décor consisted of bunting and 50 streamers, decking the bridges, ships, wharves, cranes and scaffolding. Choirs sang sea songs on the Embankment and bands played along the bank and at the piers where King George V entered and disembarked the royal barge. At Cadogan Pier the King disembarked to survey the pageant and receive the salute. Above the saluting point the procession turned and returned eastward.


The Peace Pageant, 1919

1937: Coronation of King George VI

Cruise ships lined the Thames from Gravesend to London Bridge carrying overseas visitors to the coronation, and the new King, who had served in the war, was honoured with a naval fleet sailing upriver.

1953: Royal River Pageant for Queen Elizabeth II

Pathe film.

On 22 July 1953, six weeks after her coronation, a Royal River Pageant was held for The Queen on the Thames. It was held under the auspices of The Lord Mayor of London and was managed by an Executive Committee chaired by Sir Douglas Ritchie. The organisational team also included Pageant Master Jack Swinburne, a Musical Adviser and Master of Craft. The pageant comprised 149 vessels and floats, divided into seven thematic sections: The Lord Mayor's Procession, Her Majesty's Services, Historical Tableaux, Marine Services, Industry and Commerce, River Services and Private motor yachts. The six-mile route began in Greenwich and ended with the Queen's salute at Westminster.

1954: Queen Elizabeth II returns from Commonwealth Tour

Continuing the tradition of Royal Receptions on the Thames, Queen Elizabeth II was met by the Queen Mother with the Princess Royal and Winston Churchill on her return from a tour of the Commonwealth in 1954. The Royal Yacht Britannia was escorted to the Thames by warships and sailed into the Pool of London to be greeted by an official launch.

1965: Funeral of Sir Winston Churchill

On 30 January 1965, after a service at Westminster, Sir Winston Churchill's body was transported upriver from Tower Pier to Festival Hall Pier aboard the Havengore. His coffin was then carried to Waterloo Station for its final journey to Bladon in Oxfordshire.


Havengore carrying the coffin of Sir Winston Churchill, 1965

1973: Queen Elizabeth II opens the new London Bridge

1977: Queen Elizabeth II's
Silver Jubilee River Progress and Pageant

To celebrate The Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977, a River Progress and Pageant on the Thames was organised by the Port of London Authority under the aegis of HM Lord Lieutenant of Greater London, Lord Elworthy. Thursday 9th June began with Her Majesty's River Progress from Greenwich to Lambeth. The Queen travelled aboard the PLA's launch Nore, which was dressed as the royal barge, and landed several times to meet the mayors of the riparian London Boroughs and various community groups. At the Tower of London a 62-gun salute was fired and as the Progress entered the City of London the Lord Mayor, aboard an RNLI lifeboat, welcomed her Majesty and joined the escort. The Queen gave a luncheon party aboard HMS Britannia, moored by the Tower of London, opened the Jubilee Walkway on the South Bank and took tea with the Archbishop of Canterbury before returning to Buckingham Palace by car. The boats for the River Pageant marshalled in six groups between Greenwich and Blackwall Reach, ready to set off at 6.20pm. With over 140 vessels taking part, and maintaining an average speed of 6 knots, the pageant took 30 minutes to pass any given point. The lead vessel passed Tower Bridge at 7pm and turned at Vauxhall Bridge at 7.30pm, at which point all vessels switched on their lights for an illuminated return. The Queen reviewed the Pageant from County Hall at 8.40pm and vessels began to disperse between Cherry Garden Pier and Greenwich, completing more than 16 miles in total. The Pageant was ordered along lines of service, each section containing a mix of different vessels, the greatest number of which was barges pulled by motor tugs but also included lifeboats, passenger vessels, steam launches and training ships. The sections included: Lord Mayor's and Armed Services, Thames-side Industry, River Services, Great British Enterprises, Youth Afloat and Dunkirk Little Ships. Many floats, exhibiting tableaux and accompanied by music, were also featured in the pageant.

1984: Queen Elizabeth II inaugurates Thames Barrier

In 1984, The Queen presided over the inauguration of the Thames Barrier, in an event organised and paid for by the GLC.
The royal barge sailed beneath bridges decorated with bunting. An armada of smaller craft jammed with cheering pensioners, schoolchildren and the families of Barrier workers, accompanied Vessels along the shore sounded their klaxons and sent up water jets as the convoy passed.

1988: Re-enactment of Lord Mayor's Procession of 1613

In 1988, the City of London Corporation organised a re-enactment of the 1613 Lord Mayor's procession entitled The Triumphs of Truth, to raise money for an ITV Telethon. The re-enactment included five ordinary barges transformed by set designer Alasdair Flint to represent a dragon, a whale, Truth's Chariot, Time's Chariot and the City Skyline. Each barge was fitted with a platform for singers, musicians and actors. The pageant, which consisted of a circular route between Tower Pier and Festival Pier, was accompanied by several PLA launches and the Lord Mayor in the state barge.

1991: Queen Elizabeth II opens Queen Elizabeth II bridge at Dartford

2002: Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee

A new royal barge, based on an 18th century oared shallop, was built by the Thames Traditional Rowing Association in honour of the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002. Its inaugural voyage, from Isleworth to Greenwich, was made on 14th September as part of a pageant entitled ‘The Celebration of Time' in which actors playing King George III and his queen delivered an atomic clock to the Royal Observatory. The Jubilant was accompanied by a dozen Dunkirk Little Ships and was joined, in the Pool of London, by the Lady Daphne sailing barge and the Portwey steam tug among others. A riverside commentary was given as part of the Thames Festival, with which it coincided.

2005: Re-enactment of Admiral Lord Nelson's Funeral

A re-enactment of Admiral Lord Nelson's funeral took place as part of SeaBritain 2005: a year of events to commemorate the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar and Nelson's death. It was organised by Peter Warwick and Roger Mutton. Over 40 traditional oared craft, including the Royal Thames and Lady Mayoress (barges from the city livery companies), accompanied the Jubilant from Greenwich to Westminster. They were followed by spectator and media boats and thousands lined the four-mile route. The flotilla received a 15-gun salute from HMS Belfast.

2009: Tudor Pageant

In 2009 the Thames Traditional Rowing Association organised a Tudor Pageant as part of the GLA's Story of London Festival, building on their 2008 Tudor Pull event. Actors playing Henry VIII and Anne of Cleaves boarded the Jubilant at the Tower of London and were rowed upriver accompanied by shallops and cutters, whose crews wore Tudor costume. Further craft joined the flotilla at Richmond and, at Teddington Lock, were greeted by over 30 skiffs, gondola and rowing boats. The pageant ended with festivities at Hampton Court.

2011: Thames Pageant for
Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II

The Gloriana -


The Gloriana

The Gloriana also has an engine. She needs to be moved from place to place without having to get 18 oarsmen together, for a start, and even with a full crew there are moments when you want a bit of extra oomph - when you are trying to get onto a jetty in a high wind and lots of current on live TV, for example. And the hidden propulsion is actually rather innovative and interesting. Two electric motors drive feathering, adjustable-pitch propellers on saildrive legs, providing lots of torque and silent running. The motors are Lynch pancakes, designed and built in Britain by Lees Motors, and the props are Bruntons Autoprops, again designed and made in Britain.

Other Annual Events

Head of The River Race

Up to 420 crews from British and international boat clubs participate in the Head of the River Race every March. Founded in 1926 by rowing-coach Steve Fairbairn, the race follows the Championship Course a 4¼ mile stretch between Mortlake and Putney downstream on the ebb tide.


Thames, Head of the River Race

The Boat Race, Oxford University v Cambridge University

Two rowing eights from Oxford and Cambridge University Rowing Clubs compete in The Boat Race, which has taken place almost every March/ April since 1829. The Championship Course is generally rowed upstream on the flood tide from Putney to Mortlake. It is broadcast around the world and hundreds of thousands line the river to watch the race.
The Women's Boat Race is now on the same course and is rowed on the same day. The 4 second eights also race ('Isis', Oxford and 'Goldie', Cambridge)
This year's boat race.
1829: The first boat race at Henley.
1836- The first boat races in London.

Doggett's Coat and Badge Race

Doggett's Coat and Badge Race, which has taken place every July since 1715, is the longest-running competition on the Thames. Initially organised to commemorate the first anniversary of the accession of King George I to the British throne, it sees up to six newly qualified Thames Watermen and Lightermen, in single sculling boats, race from London Bridge to Chelsea.
Doggett's Coat & Badge Races

The Great River Race

The race attracts a wide variety of vessels and participants which, with the longer route (21 miles from Greenwich to Richmond), attracts comparison with the London Marathon.
The Great River Race

ALL PARTY PARLIAMENTARY ROWING GROUP BOAT RACES

For charity - sponsored by Siemens - a variety of invited crews plus Commons v Lords -


Parliamentary Boat Race - House of Lords v House of Commons
The Lords in Red, the Commons in Green

LAMBETH REACH - WEDNESDAY 4TH JULY 2012
Four rowing races, each with two boats racing side by side, will take place between a position off Millbank Pier and Westminster Bridge on Wednesday 4th July 2012. Races will take place between 1530 and 1645.
Competitors will be launched and marshalled in the Vauxhall Bridge/Lambeth Bridge area prior to the start and on completion between 1500 and 1730. Competitors will pass under the centre span/arch 3 of Lambeth Bridge then proceed to the Westminster shore into the Exclusion Zone with a finish line upstream of Westminster Bridge. The competitors will turn in the vicinity of arches 2 and 3 and then return upstream.
Temporary moorings will have been laid between the upper end of the House of Commons exclusion zone and Lambeth Bridge. During this event navigation will be subject to Local Traffic Control by a Harbour Service Launch, Call Sign prefix "Thames Patrol", which will be stationed in Lambeth Reach to direct control of through traffic. All vessels navigating between Westminster Bridge and Vauxhall Bridge should do so with caution, with due regard to their wash and should maintain a watch on Channel 14 VHF for any instructions from the attendant Harbour Service Launch. London VTS will broadcast further updates on VHF Channel 14.
25 June 2012 - Port of London Authority

The Thames Festival

The Thames Festival, a two-day celebration of London and the River Thames held every September, attracts over 800,000 people and is now London's largest free festival. Launched with a high-wire walk across the river in 1997, the festival commissions new river-themed work from artists and works with schools and community groups to transform the landscape of the Thames. All in all, the festival weekend is a vibrant mix of music, dancing, feasting, river races, massed choirs and street arts. The Festival was renamed The Mayor's Thames Festival on gaining mayoral support following the establishment of the Greater London Authority in 2000. The festival spans more than two miles of the riverside, from the London Eye at Waterloo to St Katharine Docks, east of Tower Bridge. Events take place on the riverside walkways, roads, bridges, docks and of course on the river itself. The finale is a magical illuminated carnival that winds along the south and north banks of the Thames, followed by a fireworks display fired from the centre of the river. The festival team also delivers an ambitious international project called Rivers of the World which twins the Thames with rivers overseas. Pupils at secondary school level undertake a shared study and appreciation of their waterfront and, with the help of professional artists, create huge riverthemed artworks for public display along the river banks of all the participating cities. By 2012, seventeen countries will be involved in Rivers of the World
The Thames Festival