THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL THE MAYOR OF DURHAM

Welcome to the Internet Site for the Mayor of the City of Durham, England

In the Municipal Year 2006/2007 - we will have the 404th Mayor of the City of Durham

HOMEPAGE
BIOGRAPHY FOR THE MAYOR
THE ROLE OF THE MAYOR
MAYOR'S APPEAL
WEEKLY DIARY
LIST OF FORMER MAYORS
CIVIC INSIGNIA
TOWN HALL (in brief)
CIVIC OCCASIONS (ADVANCE NOTIFICATION)
THE MAYOR'S BODYGUARD
PROTOCOL
STAFF
OTHER CIVIC OFFICES HELD WITHIN THE CITY OF DURHAM

THE MAYOR'S BODYGUARD

The Mayor of Durham (whose full title is "The Right Worshipful, The Mayor of Durham") has historically, the oldest Mayoral Bodyguard outside the City of London, and is ranked equal fifth in precedence in the country, behind York, Belfast, and Cardiff. Locally, the Mayor ranks after the Sovereign and his/her Lord Lieutenant for the County.

The full strength of the Bodyguard is fifteen. They pride themselves on having never failed to respond the Mayor's call to duty. The Bodyguard is one of the oldest institutions in the City of Durham, and dates back as far as the thirteenth century. In those days, they were called upon to protect the Warden of the City, who was appointed by the Trade Guilds, who governed, and carried out the work in the City. The Warden in his turn, appointed the Bodyguard, because there was no constabulary at that time. The wealthy Prince Bishops called upon the Warden and his Bodyguard to protect the City from marauders. The Wardens were also called upon to collect taxes, and the Bodyguard's duty was to protect the Warden from attack.

The first Mayor of Durham was appointed in 1602, and the real tradition of the Mayoral Bodyguard began at that time. The function of the Bodyguard in the seventeenth century was to collect taxes from the toll gates of the City. The proceeds went into civic coffers, but when the Mayor left office, so did this money. In Victorian times, the Bodyguard lost its "tough" image, and took on a smart appearance frock coats and top hats and carried long thin canes.

The style of dress today, consists of long black cloaks and Tudor style hats, each member of the Bodyguard carries a halbard (a long pole with a spike, combined with an axe head at its end). Some used today are original, dating back to the sixteenth century, and some are replicas. Originally, the halbards were used, together with the pikes, and held at an angle of 45 degrees, as a first line of defence in battle. Two of the Bodyguard carry staffs, which were the original implements used by the constables, appointed by the Wardens, in the days prior to the police force. The Captain of the Bodyguard carries a silver topped cane, with which he taps the timing of the march. The Bodyguard walk very slowly, taking very short paces, in time with the Captain. The Civic Sword and Mace are carried by special bearers, who do not belong to the Bodyguard. The Mace is always reversed in the presence of the Sovereign, because, as a symbol of the Mayor's authority, it becomes redundant in the presence of the Monarch.

The Bodyguard hold an Annual Meeting on Mayor Making day (the day of the Annual meeting of the City Council) when the Captain is elected, and the Secretary to the Bodyguard deals with any vacancy, on which all members have a vote. New members of the Bodyguard are sworn in by the Mayor, in front of a meeting of the full Council of the City.

Each year, the Mayor chooses the colours of the rosettes, which are worn on the right side of the Bodyguard's headgear.

Members of the Mayor's Bodyguard, Sword and Mace Bearers with former Mayor, Cllr John Lightley.