Upon Midsummer-day for the Election of the Sheriffs of London.
My Lord Mayor and the Aldermen, with the Sheriffs, méet at the Guild-Hall at eight of the Clock in the Morning, apparelled in their Violet Gowns lined, and their Cloaks of Scarlet lined, without their Horses.
And when they have been together in the Council-Chamber a certain time, concer∣ning the nomination of certain persons to be Elected, my Lord and the Aldermen come out, and put on their Cloaks in the Orphans Court, and then go down in or∣der to the Hustings Court, and there being set, Master Recorder standeth up, and maketh his Obeysance, first to my Lord, and then unto the Commons, and decla∣reth unto them wherefore they are assembled together, shewing unto them that it is for the Election of one of the Sheriffs of London, and the Sheriff of Middlesex for the Year next ensuing, and the CONFIRMATION of the other Sheriff nominated by my Lord Mayor, according to his PREROGATIVE; and also for Master Chamberlain and other Officers.
But my Lord and the Aldermen go up to my Lord's Court, and there remain until the Sheriff be named and chosen, the door shut to them.
Then Master Sheriffs, Master Chamberlain, Master Common Serjeant, Master Town-Clerk, and the Counsellors of the City, and other Officers, remain still in the Hustings Court, to take and receive the Name of him that shall seem by their judgments, fréely and with one consent to be nominated and elected, and justly tried out, not onely by voice, but also by hands, to be Sheriff for the Year following. P. 1. 2. 3.