On the 8th February 2022, after a three year break, the Butchers' annual tradition of The Boars Head Ceremony returned to the streets of the City of London. Liveryman Richard Booth shares his experience of a fantastic day when a we marched our way to pay our dues to the Lord Mayor of the City of London.
In around 1343 the Butchers of the City of London had an issue. Getting rid of their waste products was creating a bit of a “stink” in the City of London. Londoners complained and quite rightly so!
The Lord Major of London decreed that a piece of land was made available for the said waste to be disposed of into the river Fleet. In return, the Livery company would be levied an annual rent which was payable in the form of a Boar's Head. This evolved into the Livery tradition that we all know and love today, when the Boar’s Head is processed ceremoniously each year from the Butchers' Hall to Mansion House. However, it has to be said that we no longer use the land and the Lord Mayor is no longer our landlord, but a deal is a deal and we continue to pay our dues!
The Boar's Head that we walk through the City today isn’t a real one, as it once was, for health and safety reasons. However the one waiting for us and ready to eat at Mansion House is real and expertly prepared by the Food Defence School Food Services Training wing. Times have changed and we now need to have security marshalls to stop the traffic and guide us through the City streets safely. We are extremely thankful to Liveryman Peter Sturge MBE and The Smithfield Markets Tenants Association who each donated the funds needed to make this day possible.
It was a real privilege to be a part of this ceremony again, alongside fellow Liverymen.
The day started with a fine sausage and mash supplied by The British Premium Sausage Company. We were entertained by The Epping Forest Pipe Band playing pipes and drums. After a delicious meal, we marched to Mansion House led by the Master, the Clerk and members of the Court dressed in their gowns and bonnets, all to the sound of the band in front of us. We were welcomed by the Lord Major, who had the honour of being gifted a Butcher's Company apron by the Master, and carving the cooked Boar’s Head. We were all able to enjoy a slice of the Boar, which was quite delicious and presented brilliantly.
It was a real privilege to be a part of this ceremony again, alongside fellow Liverymen. For me, and many of our newer Liverymen , this was our first chance to process from our beautifully refurbished hall which we should all be so proud of.
Processing through the City, as so many others have done before us, and being a part of that tradition and history shows just how resilient the City of London is.
It is history and tradition that will help us to bounce back even better after the previous two years. We are such an important part that story.
If you have not been able to attend this special ceremony yet, I cannot recommend it enough. Make sure you come along next year, if for nothing more than to see the smiling faces of the City workers and tourists who come to see us marching down the street with the band in front of us, wondering why is a Boar's head being paraded so proudly through the City?
LIVERYMAN RICHARD BOOTH