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Dr Johnson Birthday Celebrations
Held on Market Square on the Saturday following the
18th September.
 At noon the Mayor, Sheriff and civic party, accompanied
by the President and members of the Johnson Society and staff and pupils
from King Edward VI School (Dr Johnson's old school), walk in procession
from Guildhall to the Johnson statue on the Market Square. The Mayor places
a laurel wreath on the statue and the choir sings a setting of Johnson's
Last Prayer, followed by appropriate hymns. The Mayor and dignitaries then
return to the Guildhall to toast "the immortal memory of Dr Johnson".
The Birthplace
Museum is decorated with flowers and bunting on this day. Admission to the Birthplace is free of charge throughout the year.
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The Sheriff's Ride
 Commences from Guildhall at 10.30 am on the Saturday
nearest to 8th September.
The Ride dates from Queen Mary's Charter of 1553 in which Lichfield was separated from Staffordshire and made a separate County with a right to appoint its own Sheriff. The Charter commanded the Sheriff to "perambulate the new County and City annually on the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 8th September".
Today, holding true to custom, the Sheriff commences the Ride at Guildhall at 103.am, and followed by a retinue of about 50 50 riders commence the 20 mile perambulation of the city boundary. The northern and eastern boundaries are covered in the morning, arriving in the grounds of Freeford Manor for lunch.
The Ride then resumes to complete the circuit of the boundary, stopping for tea at Pipe Hall. Returning into the City, the Sheriff and riders are met by the Sword and Mace Bearers at approximately 6.15 pm to be escorted down Beacon Street to the Close where they are greeted by the Dean, before returning to the Guildhall at about 6.30 pm.
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Shrovetide Fair and Pancake Toss
Held on Shrove Tuesday at noon on the Market Square
and in Bore Street.
The Shrovetide 'Old Fair' was probably in existence long
before it was confirmed by Royal Charter of James 1 in 1623, and is still
opened with the ancient ceremony. The civic procession arrives at the Market
Square for noon, here the Town Crier makes the proclamation to open the
fair. The "pan on bell" then sounds from St Mary's steeple and,
led by the Mayor and city officials, children rush to claim their traditional
free ride.
In former times a court of "Pie Powdre" was
then held in Guildhall for "the redressing of all grievances or complaints
that shall happen to arise during the time of the fair", but although
this is still included in the Crier's proclamation, the Civic party now
process to the front of Guildhall to view the more recent custom of the
pancake races. The Mayoral party then retires to Guildhall for refreshments
and a slice of Simnel cake.
One explanation of the origin of Simnel cake is that a
man called Simon and his wife Nell could not agree as to whether the 'plum
pudding' should be boiled or baked so the cake was first boiled and then
baked producing the Simnel.
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St George's Court
Held at noon on St George's Day, 23rd April, in Guildhall
(admission free, but space limited).
 The Court Baron and View of Frankpledge, commonly known
as St George's Court, is an ancient manorial court. The manorial rights
of the Barony of Lichfield were transferred by Charter of Edward VI in
1548 to the Bailiffs, Burgesses and Commonalty of the City, which in today's
terms are the Mayor, councillors and citizens. The Court is now held in
a lighthearted manner but still appoints the ancient officers of the Manor:
2 High Constables, 7 Dozeners (or petty constables), 2 Pinners and 2 Ale
Tasters. The High Constables report on their work over the past year, and
a jury is empanelled which imposes fines on those who have rejected the
summons to attend, after first hearing their amusing excuses.
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Court of Arraye
Held at 10.30am on Spring Bank Holiday Monday in
the Guildhall (admission free, but space limited).
The origin of the Court of Arraye or View of Men at Arms
is unknown, but the custom of holding the annual assembly to review local
defence forces existed in the 12th century and was confirmed by the Statue
of Winchester in 1285 which commanded that "every man between 15 years
of age and 60 years shall be assessed and sworn to armour" according
to their wealth and means.
The statues of Arraye were repealed in the reign of James
I but the Court has continued to be held, albeit in a lighthearted manner,
being described even in 1806 as "an idle and useless ceremony adapted
for the amusement of children".
An assembly of men in medieval amour is inspected by the
Mayor, Sheriff and City Officials who then bear the reports of the Dozeners
as to the state and preparedness of the defences of their area of the City.
The Mayor, Sheriff and High Constables then join the Bower Procession through
the City.
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Greenhill Bower
 The Lichfield Bower takes place on Spring Bank Holiday Monday, immediately after the Court of Arraye. A procession of marching bands and carnival floats makes its way through the city, where the Bower Queen is crowned outside the Guildhall at noon. There is also a fun fair in the city centre, and a fair and jamboree in Beacon Park.
The Bower dates back to the middle ages, when the townsfolk, after fulfilling their duty of attendance at the Court of Arraye, were given the rest of the day as holiday.
For more information please visit the Lichfield Bower website.
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Click here to view the Civic Events for this year
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Lichfield City Council
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