The Wards, or Aldermanries in the Square Mile

The City of London was divided into twenty six (25 since 1978) different sections called Wards, or Aldermanries. Each of these areas has its own Warden, or Alderman to take care of the administration and running of each Ward. The Wards were named as follows:

Tower Street Ward
Lime Street Ward
Portsoken Ward (outside the walls)
Basinghall Ward
Aldgate Ward
Langbourne Ward
Broad Street Ward
Cornhill Ward
Bridge Ward (within)
Candlewick Street Ward
Billingsgate Ward
Vintry Ward
Walbrooke Ward

Dowgate Ward
Coleman Street Ward
Cheape Ward
Cordwainer Street Ward
Aldersgate Ward (within and without)
Bishopsgate Ward (within and without)
Cripplegate ward (within and without)
Bread Street Ward
Queenhithe Ward
Castle Baynard Ward
Farringdon Ward (without)
Bridge Ward (without)
Bridge Gate Ward

Twenty five of the City Aldermen are elected for a term, which used to be their lifetime, but is now up until the retiring age of a Magistrate. The twenty sixth Alderman (Bridge Gate Ward) must be a former Lord Mayor, and must also have been a Sheriff of the City. This has come to be, due to the change of City jurisdiction of the ward. Southwark, which formed Bridge Ward Without, was in ancient times, a part of the City. This is no longer the case, but the old tradition carried on until 1978 when it was discontinued.
The Aldermen also have the final vote on who is to be Lord Mayor of London for the next year. The Livery men of the City elect two final candidates from the list of nominees, and the Aldermen choose from these.

The Lord Mayor is the most powerful man in the City of London. Only the reigning sovereign takes precedence over him. He resides at the Mansion House and his Household includes the Sword bearer, the Common Crier, and the Sergeant-at-Arms, the City Marshall.
The first Mayor of London was Henry FitzAilwyn in 1192 or thereabouts. He held the post until his death in 1212 but in 1215 King John granted the charter allowing the annual election of a Mayor. The term Lord Mayor was first recorded in 1414. The Corporation of the City is the oldest governing body still in existence today, and the rights and privileges of the citizens were recognised by William the Conqueror in his 1067 charter.

The Court of Common Council meets in the Guildhall every other Thursday. It dates back to the 13th century and is presided over by the Lord Mayor. In his absence an Alderman who has previously served as Mayor presides. The opening words for each meeting are: “Domine dirige nos, Amen”. Which means Lord direct us. This is also the Corporation motto on the coat of arms.
From the 25 Aldermen of the City, and 130 Common Councilors, at least 2 Aldermen and 40 Councilors must be in attendance at the meetings. The Lord Mayor is accompanied by members of his Household Escort. There is also an assembly of Livery men who meet to elect the Sheriffs and Mayoral candidates.

When exotic drinks like chocolate and coffee became fashionable with the rich, the idea soon caught on and the first coffee shop in the City of London opened in Saint Michael’s Alley in 1652. This was on the site of what is now the Jamaica Wine House.
There was a custom of placing a wooden box on the counter with a slot for coins, and the words “To Increase Promptitude”. Hence the word TIP was born! The coffee house fashion continued for years after and at one time there were around 3,000 in the City.
Many now famous companies were founded in these shops.  Lloyds Register, Lloyds of London and even the London Stock Exchange were all founded in one.