Mayor of Fordwich It Is Easy Enough to Trace the Position of Mayor from 1292 When John Maynard Was Acclaimed Mayor – It Was He Who Founded the Maynard Hospital
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Mayor of Fordwich It is easy enough to trace the position of mayor from 1292 when John Maynard was acclaimed Mayor – it was he who founded the Maynard Hospital. He was obviously a man of wealth and position, providing not only the establishment of the hospital, but also land from which to take fir wood, and to graze animals. But the history of Fordwich goes back well beyond the late 13th century, and the running of a place of relative significance from the 7th century onwards must have seen leadership and authority, even if it was just to stand up for the rights of the townsfolk against the might of the monasteries! In the 9th century Fordwich was a ‘burgh’ and would have burgesses and a portreeve. What we do know does come from that later period. It is recorded that on the Monday after St Andrew’s Day- the first Monday in December, at 1.00pm the church bell would be tolled (predating the 16th and 17th century bells now in the church). The whole town was summoned to appear in the church where a procession of the outgoing mayor and his combarons or jurats – those who sat as a jury alongside the mayor in his role as judge – would arrive. Ceremonially the keys to the chest in which the finances and records and the valuable pieces of regalia were stored – would be gathered from the two jurats who held them, and place them alongside his own in a hanaper(a small woven basket). He would then address the commonalty Up until the 18th century the commonalty ( those residents of the town or liberty without other status – were largely freemen – or free women, and as such had the right to accaim). “ Men and brethren ye know that I have been in your common service for a year, according to your election, and if I have faithfully exercised my office I am well pleased, but if I have not I am very sorry. And if I have wronged any one by word or deed let him now say so, I am ready to make satisfaction. And your duty is now to choose another who in the present year may by the help of God know and be able and willing to faithfully exercise his office.” The mayor and four combarons then leave the building. The audience would then be asked to state which of the four would they like to serve as mayor for the forthcoming year. At once there would be a cacophony of noise as the four names were called out. Two jurats would then go and summon the one whose name had been predominantly proclaimed. Were that person reluctant to take the office, the crowd had the right to go to his house and pull down the roof. If he were willing, he would take the oath and be presented with a blackthorn staff, or wand. Jurats were elected in like manner. Together they held almost unlimited jurisdiction in criminal and civil cases. The mayor’s first responsibility was to appoint keepers of the keys, keepers of orphans and arbitrators of trespass. Later other appointments were made that indicate a detailed and yet almost voluntary gathering of town officials. The town has two maces. One, ancient 10 inch gold one dating from 1631 and a larger, silver one made from doubloons captured after the naval battle of Vigo in 1702 by Admiral John Graydon, from the Spanish, who was mayor in 1698-1700 and again in 1721 to 23. Along with the responsibilities of office, there was the privilege of having the first pick of the famous Fordwich trout when taken in the nets – unless, of course, it was required for royalty! The list of those who have served as mayor is incomplete, but does indicate how several families have dominated the position from generation to generation. All came to a sad end under Queen Victoria when Charles James Cox was mayor in 1886, and he finally hung up his wand of office in September 1888. Sense returned in 1976 and Edwin Coleman was appointed mayor. Historical value was restored despite the relative insignificance of the town. His powers were very different, being that of the chairman of a parish council. But his place in history, as part of the Cinque ports, and the relationship with Canterbury could be held high once again. Today the role falls into three distinct categories; the symbolic, the mundane and the practical. Every July the elected mayor is required to go to Sandwich and pay 40 old pennies Ship Money and to swear an oath to the Mayor of Sandwich. With another limb of Sandwich, Brigthlingsea, there are regular events, as well as Civic functions in neighbouring towns. Every month the Council meet and the mayor is in the chair. This is a position of typical middle management, caught between the grumblers – about traffic, parking, dog mess, litter, rubbish collection etc – and the Canterbury city council and Kent County Council, neither of whom have any money to push in the direction of an insignificant corner of their patch. And then the fun side of the job,; clearing gulleys of barrow loads of soil after heavy rain, putting up the Christmas tree, fixing the flag pole, litter picking and listening. .