Oxford History: Mayors & Lord Mayors

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Proclamation of new Sovereigns at Oxford

Proclamation of King Charles III in 2022Proclamation of King Charles III in Oxford on Sunday 11 September 2022 (three days after the start of his reign)

New Sovereigns are proclaimed just a few days after the start of their reign, with the initial Proclamation taking place in London: see this list of Proclamations, which starts with that of Edward VI in 1547.

Proclamations in the City of Oxford are only recorded in the Council Acts from the accession of King Charles II in 1660. The mew monarch was originally proclaimed six times in Oxford. The Mayor came up with council members from the Town Hall and proclaimed (1) at Carfax (once the central crossroads of Oxford), and then they processed (originally on horseback) to (2) St Mary-the-Virgin Church to proclaim in in the presence of the University, then at (3) East Gate, (4) South Gate, (5) West Gate, and (6) North Gate. After the city gates had been removed, the Proclamation was still made at their former sites right up to the accession of George VI in 1936.

The Mayor of Oxford also had the honour of attending the subsequent Coronation in London as Assistant Butler (up until that of George IV in 1821) but since the time of the pared-down Coronation of William IV has only been invited as a guest. (The Mayor who read the Proclamation was not necessarily the same as the one who later attended the Coronation, because the latter ceremony involved months of planning and often fell in the subsequent Mayoralty: the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, for example, took place nearly sixteen months after her Proclamation.)

Oxford's current Great Mace dates from 1651 and it would have been carried by the mace-bearer at all the Proclamations listed below.

Carfax Conduit stood in the centre of Oxford from 1610 to 1787, and at Proclamations that took place between those dates, it was made to flow with free wine as it was “convenient for the Honour of the Solempnity”.

1660: Oxford Proclamation of accession of Charles II

Start of reign: 29 May 1660 (although the Council Acts pointedly describe 1660 as the twelfth year of his reign)
Proclamation in Oxford: 10 May 1660
Mayor of Oxford at time of Proclamation: John Lambe
Coronation: 23 April 1661
Died: 6 February 1685

On the day of the Proclamation, the Mayor announced that

in order thereunto that it wilbee convenient for the honour of that Solempnity that there bee a quantity of Wyne and Cakes spent on the doeing of it, it is att this Councell agreed and desired that a Hogshead of Clarett bee spent by its being putt into the Conduit and running in Two pipes Eastwards and Southward, that there bee 80 dozen of Cakes spent att and about the Conduit, that there be such Trumpeters provided as Mr. Mayor and his bretheren shall thinke fitt, that there bee 100 qt. bottles of Clarrett and 50 qt. bottles of Sack to bee spent in this businesse, there there bee 10 Barrells of double Beare for the entertainment of the Comons and of the Soldiers this day, that there bee 100 dozen of Bread for the poore, that the King's Armes bee sett upp in the Councell Chamber in the upper Hall and sett upp on the wall of the upper Hall on the Streete side, that the care of disposeing the Wine, Bread and Cakes be reserved to the Chamberlins, Mr. Griffin, Mr. Galloway, Mr. Cornish, Mr. New, Mr. Rawlins, Mr. Oram, Mr. Turner and Mr. Boddily, who are desired to take care that this bee done in such manner as may bee to the most generall satisfaccon of the Cittyzens and souldiers, that the Great Mace bee forthwith altered, that the State's Armes bee defaced, and the Kinge's Armes, as soon as may bee, placed in the roome thereof, the whole chardge thereof to bee payd out of the City Treasure.

For the order of this Solempnity it is agreed that it bee done on horsback, Mr. Mayor and Mr. Recorder to ride with theire foot clothes, Mr. Mayor in his Scarlett Gowne and Cloake, the Aldermen, Thirteene and Bayliffes and such as have bin Bayliffes that have scarlett gownes, to ride in their Scarlett Gownes, and such others of the house as have good horses to ride in their Gownes, to take horse att Guildhall: David Woodfield to ride formost to make way, next the Petty Constables to ride with theire long staves, next the head Constables with theire staves, then the Trumpiters, then the Bayliffes serjeants with theire maces, then the Townclerke, then the Bayliffes with theire white staves, then the Macebearer with the Great Mace, then Mr. Mayor, Mr. Recorder, with the senior Aldermen, then the rest of the Thirteene by two and two, all such as have been bayliffes and have Scarlett Gownes to ride in seniority next the Thirteene, then such of the house as have good horses to ride accordingly in their seniority.

The order of Proclayming to bee done in the places and manner following, that the Proclamacon hereof bee first made att Carfax on the East side of the Conduit, to ride thence to St. Maryes and there do it again, then to East Gate and then back againe over Carfax and soe to the South Gate, staying att the Lane end and there to doe it againe, thence through Penny farthing Streete to West Gate and then proclayme it againe, and from thence over Carfax to Guild Hall againe.

It was agreed that at the request of John Paynton senior, chief serjeant of mace of the city, that his son John Paynton junior should carry the mace before the Mayor and read and publish the proclamation, and that the Town Clerk should drect David Woodfield (the second Serjeant at Mace to the Mayor) as to “what to say in order to the Commanding Silence before the Proclamacon be published”.

1685: Oxford Proclamation of accession of King James II

Start of reign: 6 February 1685
Proclamation in Oxford: 11 February 1685
Mayor of Oxford at time of Proclamation: William Walker (knighted a week later by the King)
Coronation: 23 April 1685
Overthrown by Parliament: 23 December 1688, and followed by an interregnum (all dates in old style)

This Proclamation is described in great detail in Wood's Life and Times, Vol. III, pp. 127–130.

About 12 of the clock, Mr. William Walker (the mayor), aldermen, thirteen, those of the house and common counsell, mounted their horses in the Gild hall yard and with their officers and attendance drew up to the conduit at Carfax, where meeting them the Lord leivtenant of the countie and gentlemen, proclaimed the duke of York, on the south side of the conduit, by the mouth of the macebearer (Richard Pratt), with great shouts and acclamations, the conduit running claret all the while.

They then rode along the High Street, and the Mayor (wearing scarlet, with a stole or tippet over it, and a footcloth), with his entourage on the south side and the Lord Lieutenant and his entourage on the north side, stopped at St Mary-the-Virgin Church, where they met the Bishop of Oxford and the Vice-Chancellor of the University, with the Doctors, Proctors, and Masters of Arts in their gowns. There was then a second Proclamation with trumpets and drums. The Proclamation was made again at the four city gates: first the East Gate and the South Gate, and then the parade passed along Pennyfarthing Street to the West Gate, and then to the North Gate. Back at the Guildhall they were entertained with wine and cake in the Council Chamber, and eight of the Lord Lieutenant’s retinue were made freemen.

A week later Walker was knighted. Wood wrote: “William Walker, mayor, was knighted by his majesty, Wed., Feb. 18, [1684/5] when he and some of his brethren delivered the city address to the new king James II.”

1689: Oxford Proclamation of accession of King William III and Queen Mary II

Start of reign: 13 February 1689 (after a brief interregnum)
Proclamation in Oxford: 16 February 1689
Mayor of Oxford at time of Proclamation: Robert Harrison (later knighted at the Coronation)
Coronation: 11 April 1689
Died: Queen Mary on 28 December 1694, and King William III on 8 March 1702 (all dates in old style)

The Council Acts record that Mayor informed the Council on 16 February 1689 that he intended to make the Proclamation the same day, but do not describe the ceremony, only noting that it was agreed to put claret in the conduit and provide beer for the freemen and other entertainment for the Council.

1702: Oxford Proclamation of accession of Queen Anne

Start of reign: 8 March 1702 (Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland) and
                    1 May 1707 (Kingdom of Great Britain)
Proclamation in Oxford: 13 March 1702
Mayor of Oxford at time of Proclamation: William Claxon (later knighted for serving as Butler at the Coronation)
Coronation: 23 April 1702
Died: 1 August 1714 (all dates in old style)

The Council Acts show that it was agreed that the for the honour of the “Solemnity” of the Proclamation a quantity of claret should be put in the conduit and run in two pipes eastwards and southwards, and that the City Council should pay for as many barrels of beer and entertainments as they thought fit. Again for the sake of solemnity, it was agreed that the parade should be on horseback, as follows:

  • John Moulden (the second serjeant at mace to the Mayor) to make way
  • The petty constables on foot with their staves
  • The trumpeters
  • The bailiffs' serjeants with their maces followed by the bailiffs with their white staves
  • The town clerk and the macebearer with the great mace
  • The Mayor, Recorder, and senior aldermen
  • The rest of the aldermen, two and two
  • All who had previously been bailiffs provided that they had scarlet gowns next to the thirteen assistants
  • All other members who had good horses.

The procession started at the Guild Hall, and the Proclamation was made at six venues, in the following order, with the dignitaries on horseback:

  • At Carfax, on the east side of the Conduit [which virtually means the High Street].
  • At the Church of St Mary-the-Virgin in the High Street
  • At the East Gate of the city
  • After returning to Carfax, at the South Gate of the city (near Christ Church)
  • After passing through Pennyfarthing Street, at the West Gate of the city
  • After returning to Carfax via Butcher Row (Queen Street) at the North Gate of the city

They then rode back over Carfax to the Guild Hall.

1714: Oxford Proclamation of accession of King George I

Start of reign: 1 August 1714
Proclamation in Oxford: 4 August 1714
Mayor of Oxford at time of Proclamation: Richard Broadwater
Coronation: 20 October 1714
Died: 11 June 1727 (all dates in old style)

The arrangements for the forthcoming parade and Proclamations are described in detail in the Council Acts:

For the Order and Solemnity it is agreed that it be on Horseback Mr. Mayor and Mr. Recorder with Foot Cloathes Mr Mayor and his Bretheren in their scarlett gownes and Cloakes the Aldermen Thirteen and Bayliffes and such as have been Bayliffes that have scarlett gownes to ride in them and such other of the house that have horses to ride in their gownes.

To take horse at the Guildhall Mr. Oliver Scandrett [second Serjeant at Mace to the Mayor] to ride first to make way then the petty Constables with their long staves then the head Constables with their staves then the Trumpeters then the Bayliffes serjants with their Maces then the Bayliffes with their white staves Then the Townclerke and the Macebearer with the great Mace then Mr. Mayor Mr. Recorder with the Senior Aldermen then the rest of the Thirteens by two and two [and then the other members of the house in their seniority].

The order of proclaiming to be done in the places and manner following (viz) the proclamacon hereof to be made at Carfax on the Eastside of the conduit thence to ride to St. Maries and their doe it againe thence to Eastgate and then back againe over Carfax and so to the Southgate staying at the Lanes end there doe it againe thence proceed through Pennyfarthing Street to Westgate and thence up New Inn Hall Lane [which then turned east to include the present St Michael's Street] to Northgate and doe it againe and soe over Carfax in decent Manner to the Guildhall to drink proper Congratulatory Healths upon his Majesties happy accession to the Throne of these Kingdoms and with harty and chearfull acclamacons to Cry aloude.
God save King George
This was performed accordingly.

It was agreed that for this Proclamation, “such a Quantity of Clarett be spent by putting it into the Conduit and running in two pipes Eastwards and Southwards and that soe many Barrells of Beer be spent amongst the Freemen and that such other Entertainment for the Councell Chamber be provided as the Mayor and his Brethren shall think fit”.

1727: Oxford Proclamation of accession of King George II

Start of reign: 11 June 1727
Proclamation in Oxford: 17 June 1727
Mayor of Oxford at time of Proclamation: Robert Brocks
Coronation: 11 October 1727 (first three dates in old style)
Died: 25 October 1760

This took place between 1 and 2pm. Once again the Mayor stated that to make it “convenient for the Honour of the Solempnity” wine and beer should be provided, with claret put in the conduit to run through two pipes eastwards and southwards and five barrels of beer provided for the freeman of the city.

The details of the procession, this time led by the Serjeant Henry Kirby clearing the way, were almost identical to those at the Proclamation of King George I, but with the addition of the threat that anyone who had been warned to attend the “solempnity” of His Majesty's procession and being able wilfully failed would be fined ten shillings.

1753
Start of the publication of Jackson's Oxford Journal,
so henceforth there were newspaper reports about Oxford's Proclamations

1760: Oxford Proclamation of accession of King George III

Start of reign: 25 October 1760
Proclamation in Oxford: 31 October 1760
Mayor of Oxford at time of Proclamation: Thomas Munday
Coronation: 22 September 1761
Died: 29 January 1820

As before the participants met in the Town Hall yard and processed on horseback, led the Serjeant Edward Wells. The first Proclamation was made at Carfax, and then the procession, led by moved to St Mary-the-Virgin Church to join in a second Proclamation by the University, and this was followed by another proclamation at the site of each of the city gates. Once again Carfax Conduit flowed with claret and five barrels of ale were allowed for the Freemen.

The ceremony is described as follows in Jackson's Oxford Journal:

At Twelve o'Clock, the Cavalcade, consisting of the Mayor, Aldermen, Assistants, and Bailiffs, in their scarlet Robes, and the rest of the Chamber in their proper Gowns on Horseback, preceded by the several Companies on Foot, with their Flags displayed, and the Constables, Serjeants at Mace, Drums, Kettle-Drums, French-horns, &c. &c. began to move from the Town-Hall to Carfax, where the Proclamation was read for the first Time amid a prodigious Number of all Ranks: From thence they proceeded to St. Mary's Church, where the Vice-Chancellor, Heads of Houses and Doctors in their Scarlet, with the young Nobility in their proper Habits, were conveniently placed on a Scaffold erected between the Wall and the Church, in whose Presence the Proclamation was read a second Time. Here mutual Compliments being paid between the University and City, the Procession was continued in the same Order to the four City Gates, at each of which the Proclamation was again respectively read.

During the whole Solemnity which was conducted with the highest Decorum. The Bells of the several Parishes and Colleges were incessantly rung, the Conduit was made to flow with Wine, and every Countenance expressed the strongest Marks of sincere Affection and Loyalty.

In the Evening the Corporation met at the Council-Chamber, where an elegant Entertainment was provided; Liquor in great Plenty was given to the Populace, Bonfires were made, and other Demonstrations of Joy exhibited in the Streets; whilst the Corporation expressed their Zeal for his Majesty's Prosperity, by the following Healths amongst many others, viz.

A long and happy Reign to his Majesty George III.
Success to his Majesty's Arms by Sea and Land.
Success to the Grand Expedition.
Mr. Pitt; and that his Majesty may never want an able, and an honest Minister.

Parson Woodforde recorded in his diary on 31 October 1760: “Went & saw King George the third proclaimed King of England in High Street.”

1787
Carfax Conduit was moved to Nuneham Courtenay,
so henceforth no wine flowed from that source at the ceremony

1820: Oxford Proclamation of accession of King George IV

Start of reign: 29 January 1820
Proclamation in Oxford: 2 February 1820
Mayor of Oxford at time of Proclamation: James Adams
Coronation: 19 July 1821
Died: 26 June 1830

There were the usual six Proclamations in Oxford, but although the Mayor was present they were read by the Town Clerk.

Despite the loss of the Carfax Conduit, the occasion was still quite jolly:

A handsome collation was afterwards served up in the Council Chamber to all the Gentlemen of the City who formed the procession, under the hospitable superintendance of the Mayor; and the contents of several barrels of beer were distributed at Carfax to all those who chose to be partakers of them. — Under the same liberal auspices, a plentiful dinner was given to the prisoners in the city gaol (upwards of 30 in number), who expressed, in grateful terms, their sense of the kindness which had been manifested towards them on this memorable occasion.

1830: Oxford Proclamation of accession of King William IV

Start of reign: 26 June 1830
Proclamation in Oxford: 30 June 1830
Mayor of Oxford at time of Proclamation: Sir Joseph Lock
Coronation: 8 September 1831
Died: 20 June 1837

Jackson's Oxford Journal described on 3 July 1830 how the Vice-Chancellor of the University read the proclamation at Convocation House before proceeding with all the leading figures in of the University present in Oxford to the University Church, to hear the Mayor of Oxford read the proclamation there:

Wednesday, exactly at half-past eleven, the Vice-Chancellor, Heads of Houses, Doctors and Proctors, together with all the Members of Convocation, now in Oxford, assembled at the Convocation House, where, the warrant of the Privy Council being first read by the Senior Proctor, the Vice-Chancellor read the Proclamation announcing the death of his late Majesty and the accession of King William IV. Being now joined by the Noblemen in their dress gowns, the procession, preceded by the Virger and the Bedels, the Esquire Bedels wearing their gold chains, moved on in regular order to St. Mary's Church, and, having taking their respective stations on a platform, raised for the purpose in the church-yard, witnessed the ceremony of proclaiming his Majesty by the Mayor of Oxford, and the civil authorities of the city. Having joined in the acclamations of his Majesty's subjects on the happy succession of King William to the Throne of his ancestors, the Members of the University separated, the organ playing God save the King, and the University bells ringing a merry peal of congratulation.

The Proclamation was also read by the Mayor at the site of the four city gates and at Carfax, but the refreshments appear to have been less lavish than at previous ceremonies. Jackson's Oxford Journal records

When the ceremony had finally terminated, some refreshment was served up in the Council Chamber to the gentlemen who formed the procession, and several barrels of beer were distributed amongst the populace in various part of the town.

1837: Oxford Proclamation of accession of Queen Victoria

Start of reign: 20 June 1837
Proclamation in Oxford: June 1837
Mayor of Oxford at time of Proclamation: Charles James Sadler
Coronation: Thursday 28 June 1838
Died: 22 January 1901

This followed the usual pattern, with Proclamations at the six city venues. The Oxford Times reported that the first Proclamation at Carfax was held at noon, and that “for some time before that hour, the centre of Oxford and the thoroughfares converging thereupon were almost impassable trough the dense throng which had assembled to witness the unique and historic spectacle”.

Jackson's Oxford Journal of 24 June 1837 also reported in detail on the arrangements that the University had made for the day:

At a meeting of the Vice-Chancellor, Heads of Houses, and Proctors, in the Delegates's Room, June 21, 1837, it was ordered, that the Noblemen, Heads of Houses, Doctors, Proctors, and Members of Convocation, be requested to meet the Vice-Chancellor in the House of Convocation, on Friday, June 23, at a quarter past eleven o'clock, to assist at the Proclamation of the Accession of Her Majesty Queen Victoria; and afterwards to proceed to St. Mary's Church, for the purpose of witnessing the performance of the same ceremony by the City authorities. In pursuance of the above order, the meeting took place yesterday morning, when the warrant of the Privy Council and the Proclamation were read. The Convocation afterwards, accompanied by the University officers, proceeded in regular order to St. Mary's Church, and having taken their respective stations on the platform, raised for the occasion, the the church-yard facing the High-street, witnessed the ceremony of proclaiming the Queen Victoria by the Mayor of Oxford and the Civic authorities. The Members of the University joined heartily in the acclamations of her Majesty’s subjects on this happy occasion.

1901: Oxford Proclamation of accession of King Edward VII

Start of reign: 22 January 1901
Proclamation in Oxford: 25 January 1901
Mayor of Oxford at time of Proclamation: George Claridge Druce
Coronation: 9 August 1902
Died: 6 May 1910

Proclamation of 1901
The second Oxford Proclamation of 1901, outside St Mary-the-Virgin Church, with the police force lining the pavement
Reproduced with permission of the National Portrait Gallery (NPG P1700(51))

More photographs:

1910: Oxford Proclamation of accession of King George V

Start of reign: 6 May 1910
Proclamation in Oxford: 10 May 1910
Mayor of Oxford at time of Proclamation: James Edward Salter
Coronation: 22 June 1911
Died: 20 January 1936

Proclamation of 1910 at Carfax
1936: Oxford Proclamation of accession of King Edward VIII

Start of reign: 20 January 1936
Proclamation in Oxford: 23 January 1936
Mayor of Oxford at time of Proclamation: Mary Georgiana Townsend
This King was never crowned
Abdicated: 11 December 1936

The Oxford Mail reported: “Shortly after 11am, a large crowd began to assemble around the platform and by midday, several thousands were standing shoulder to shoulder”. The civic procession, led by the City Marshal and the Mayor’s Sergeant, bearing the city council’s mace shrouded in crepe, started at the Town Hall shortly before noon, and included representatives of the Oxford Volunteer Fire Brigade, the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, St John Ambulance Brigade, and the British Legion.

Photographs:

Less than eleven months later, following Edward VIII's abdication, the ceremony was repeated for his brother George VI.

1936: Oxford Proclamation of accession of King George VI

Start of reign: 11 December 1936
Proclamation in Oxford: 14 December 1936
Mayor of Oxford at time of Proclamation: Leonard Henry Alden
Coronation: 12 May 1937
Died: 6 February 1952

Photographs:

1952: Oxford Proclamation of accession of Queen Elizabeth II

Start of reign: 6 February 1952
Proclamation in Oxford: 9 February 1952
Mayor of Oxford at time of Proclamation: William Osborn King
Coronation: 2 June 1953
Died: 8 September 2022

At noon the buglers sounded a fanfare, the troops presented arms, and the Mayor read the Proclamation. Then the bugles rang out again, the band played God Save The Queen, the Legion standards dipped in salute, and the flags of the city which had been at half mast for the previous three days slowly rose to the top of their poles (to be lowered again six hours later). The Mayor then called for three cheers for Queen Elizabeth, and the bells of Carfax Tower rang out.

Photograph:

Bruce Macdonald, who was a Kinsmen Scholar at Magdalen College School in the year 1951/2, described the Proclamation in a letter to his parents (reproduced in The Bridge magazine for Old Waynfletes for 2023):

February 8 – They chose the tallest of us ... to be on the guard at the Proclamation of the Queen's accession. Great polishing of brass and boots this evening.

February 9 – School let out after the 1st 2 periods this morning for those of us in the guard. We marched down the High to St Mary's Church ... and formed a rectangle to keep people back. They have a procession and read the Proc. at about four different places in each city. The procession included the Mayor of Oxford, various dignitaries and lords, University dons, etc. and the band of the Royal Oxf. and Bucks. Lt. Infty. It was a very colorful procession, with all the University profs. in their robes. The Mayor read the Proc., the band played “God save the Queen”, and we all had three cheers for the Queen. Then, despite our linked arms, the crowd broke through, although the procession did get away intact.

2022: Oxford Proclamation at Oxford of accession of King Charles III

Start of reign: 8 September 2022
Proclamation in Oxford: 11 September 2022
Lord Mayor of Oxford at time of Proclamation: James Fry
Coronation: Arranged for 6 May 202

Religious leaders

The formal Proclamation of King Charles III took place before the Accession Council at St James's Palace in London on Saturday 10 September 2022, and it was then repeated throughout the kingdom on the following day, Sunday 11 September. The proclamation was at 12 noon in Cardiff, Belfast, and Edinburgh, and at 1pm throughout the rest of the kingdom, including the City of Oxford.

Prior to the Oxford Proclamation there were three parades to Carfax from east, south, and west:

  • Representative of the University paraded via Radcliffe Square and the High Street
  • Representatives of the City Council and Christ Church paraded from the Town Hall
  • Representatives of the County Council together with members of the armed forces and a Salvation Army band paraded from Bonn Square

The ceremony was introduced by the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire (Marjorie Glasgow), but unusually the Lord Mayor of Oxford did not perform the City Proclamation, which was instead read by the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire (Mark Beard). There were then speeches from:

  • The Lord Mayor of Oxford (James Fry)
  • The Chair of Oxfordshire County Council (his wife Susanna Pressel)

followed by prayers from:

  • The City Rector (the Revd Anthony Buckley)
  • The Bishop of Oxford (Steven Croft)
  • The Oxford Inter-Faith leader and Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire (Imam Monawar Hussain).

Then after a Blessing by the Bishop of Oxford, everyone sang the National Anthem. The dignitaries then processed together down St Aldate's while the Oxford Society of Change Ringers rang the six bells in the tower of St Martin's at Carfax (the former City Church).

Flags everywhere were raised back to full mast for the Proclamation weekend, but lowered again afterwards, and remained at half-mast until the day after the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday 19 September.

On the death of his mother, King Charles III automatically became the official Visitor of three Oxford colleges (Christ Church, Oriel, and University College).

©Stephanie Jenkins

Last updated: 17 April, 2026

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