f  Fiizftephen.
J  Peter  de  Bloh,  archdeacon  of  London.     See  Fitzfttpben,  p.  28,  in  the  note.
more


MAYOR.        ALDERMEN.  i

more  appearance  of  truth,  makes  the  number  of  inhabitants  only
forty  thoufand.
DURING  the  time  of  the  Conqueror,  and  till  the  reign  of
Richard  I.  the  name  of  the  civil  governor  continued  the  fame.
That  monarch,  to  fupport  the  madnefs  of  the  crufade,  received
from  the  citizens  a  large  fum  of  money ;  and  in  return,  permitted
them  to  chufe  annually  two  officers,  under  the  name  of  bailiffs,
or  fheriffs  j  who  were  to  fuperfede  the  former.  The  names  of  the
two  firft  upon  record  are  W'olgarius,  and  Geffry  de  Magnum.
IN  the  next  reign  was  added  the  office  of  mayor,  a  title  bor-    CHANGED  TO
rowed  from  the  Norman  Maire,  as  well  as  the  office.     Henry     MAYOR.
Fitz-alwyn  was  the  firft  elected  to  that  truft.     He  had  been  be-
fore mayor,  but  only  by  the  nomination  of  his  prince.
IN  the  reign  of  Henry  III.  after  the  citizens  had  fuffcred  many
opprefiions,  he  reftored  a  form  of  government,  and  appointed
twenty-four  citizens  to  fhare  the  power.  In  his  fon's  reign,  we
find  the  city  divided  into  twenty-four  wards ;  the  fupreme  ma-
giftmte  of  which  was  named  Alderman,  an  exceeding  antient  ALDERMEN.
Saxon  title.  Adder-man,  a  man  advanced  in  years,  and  accordingly
fuppofed  to  be  of  fuperior  wifdom  and  gravity.  In  the  time  of
Edgar,  the  office  was  among  the  firft  in  the  kingdom.  Ailwyn>
anceftor  to  the  firft  mayor,  was  alderman  of  all  England •>  what  the
duties  of  his  office  were,  does  not  appear.
