Town Clerk of London
Encyclopedia
The Town Clerk of London is an important position that has existed since the 13th century within the City of London
, England. Originally the position was to take the minutes of London council meetings, but over the years the holder has gathered responsibility which requires staff and executive powers.
of London
and its committees since 1274. But historically, the Town Clerk of London's elected position was also one of a legal advisor and recorder of city law. The Town Clerk has worked out of the Guildhall, London
building since 1411. Today the Guildhall is still used for official functions.
The elected City of London Council assumed legislative functions and adopted financial powers as confirmed by Charters of 1377 and 1383 and as written by the Town Clerk of London. The Council, with the Town Clerk, has amended the civic constitution, regulated the election of Lord Mayor and other officials, and amended the functions of the City of London
courts via writs.
This was successful, leading to the similar expansion of the City of London courts who had jurisdiction outside of London as a type of County Court
. This gradually took over from the now obsolete circuit criminal court called the Assize Court. The format strongly influenced the development of the High Court of Chancery
and Lord Chancellor
's jurisdiction based in Westminster
.
During the early 17th century, before and after the 1666 Great Fire of London
the Town Clerk's function began to evolve into more complex and multiple positions as need and growth dictated. The more modern era of the Town Clerk as an executive had begun requiring more assistants and employees.
Today the Lord Mayor of the City of London is assisted in the daily operation of the city by three leading personnel whose titles are the Town Clerk and Chief Executive, the Chamberlain
and the Remembrancer
.
of the city council.
In 2009, The Town Clerk and Chief Executive of the City of London is Chris Duffield
. The Town Clerk's Department manages hundreds of officers and city employees.
Sample duties include:
for boys.
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
, England. Originally the position was to take the minutes of London council meetings, but over the years the holder has gathered responsibility which requires staff and executive powers.
Responsibilities
The Town Clerk of London has held responsibility for recording the minutes of the Council of the CityCorporation of London
The City of London Corporation is the municipal governing body of the City of London. It exercises control only over the City , and not over Greater London...
of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
and its committees since 1274. But historically, the Town Clerk of London's elected position was also one of a legal advisor and recorder of city law. The Town Clerk has worked out of the Guildhall, London
Guildhall, London
The Guildhall is a building in the City of London, off Gresham and Basinghall streets, in the wards of Bassishaw and Cheap. It has been used as a town hall for several hundred years, and is still the ceremonial and administrative centre of the City of London and its Corporation...
building since 1411. Today the Guildhall is still used for official functions.
The elected City of London Council assumed legislative functions and adopted financial powers as confirmed by Charters of 1377 and 1383 and as written by the Town Clerk of London. The Council, with the Town Clerk, has amended the civic constitution, regulated the election of Lord Mayor and other officials, and amended the functions of the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
courts via writs.
This was successful, leading to the similar expansion of the City of London courts who had jurisdiction outside of London as a type of County Court
County Court
A county court is a court based in or with a jurisdiction covering one or more counties, which are administrative divisions within a country, not to be confused with the medieval system of county courts held by the High Sheriff of each county.-England and Wales:County Court matters can be lodged...
. This gradually took over from the now obsolete circuit criminal court called the Assize Court. The format strongly influenced the development of the High Court of Chancery
Court of Chancery
The Court of Chancery was a court of equity in England and Wales that followed a set of loose rules to avoid the slow pace of change and possible harshness of the common law. The Chancery had jurisdiction over all matters of equity, including trusts, land law, the administration of the estates of...
and Lord Chancellor
Lord Chancellor
The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign...
's jurisdiction based in Westminster
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
.
Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was a major conflagration that swept through the central parts of the English city of London, from Sunday, 2 September to Wednesday, 5 September 1666. The fire gutted the medieval City of London inside the old Roman City Wall...
the Town Clerk's function began to evolve into more complex and multiple positions as need and growth dictated. The more modern era of the Town Clerk as an executive had begun requiring more assistants and employees.
Today the Lord Mayor of the City of London is assisted in the daily operation of the city by three leading personnel whose titles are the Town Clerk and Chief Executive, the Chamberlain
Chamberlain (office)
A chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing a household. In many countries there are ceremonial posts associated with the household of the sovereign....
and the Remembrancer
Remembrancer
The Remembrancer was originally one of certain subordinate officers of the English Exchequer. The office itself is of great antiquity, the holder having been termed remembrancer, memorator, rememorator, registrar, keeper of the register, despatcher of business...
.
Town Clerk and Chief Executive
By 2009 the actual title of Town Clerk has resolved into its combined Town Clerk and Chief Executive type position which is much more than a recorder of minutesMinutes
Minutes, also known as protocols, are the instant written record of a meeting or hearing. They typically describe the events of the meeting, starting with a list of attendees, a statement of the issues considered by the participants, and related responses or decisions for the issues.Minutes may be...
of the city council.
In 2009, The Town Clerk and Chief Executive of the City of London is Chris Duffield
Chris Duffield
Chris Duffield is the current Town Clerk of London and Chief Executive of the Corporation of the City of London.-Education:He was privately educated at St Albans School, Hertfordshire and Newcastle University.-Local government work:...
. The Town Clerk's Department manages hundreds of officers and city employees.
Sample duties include:
- Efficient management and execution of City functions.
- Primary advisor on policy and resources.
- Servicing meetings of the Court of Common Council and designated committees.
- Servicing meetings of the Court of Alderman and designated committees.
- Investigating complaints against the City.
- Electoral Registration Officer.
- Overseer of public relations.
- Overseer of economic development.
- Overseer of human resources.
The noted Town Clerk of London
John Carpenter was one of the most famous of London's town clerks, and was the author of the first book of English Common Law called "Liber Albus" (the White Book). The statue of John Carpenter, now residing within the City of London School for Boys, shows him holding this book. John Carpenter (1372–1442) also in 1442 bequeathed land to the Corporation of London intended to fund the maintenance and education of four boys born within the City, who would be called 'Carpenter's children'. This later became the City of London SchoolCity of London School
The City of London School is a boys' independent day school on the banks of the River Thames in the City of London, England. It is the brother school of the City of London School for Girls and the co-educational City of London Freemen's School...
for boys.
Town Clerks of London
List of the known Town Clerks of London from 1274 to 2009, covering 735 years.- Years served Name, notes
- ..... 1274-1306 ..... Ralph CrepynRalph CrepynRalph Crepyn also known as Radulphus de Alegate who was the first documented Town Clerk of London in 1274 and a lawyer in that city. His birth was probably circa 1245 and he was well educated for his day...
, alias 'Ralph de Alegate', served as "clericus" or "common clerk" of the city with an absence due to serious injury and Royal inquest from 1285 to 1286 due to the murder of his assailant. - ..... 1284-1286 ..... John de Bauquell, aka Batequell, Banquell & Bankwell. He served from 21 Nov 1284 to 1286 in absence of Ralph Crepyn.
- ..... 1307-???? ..... William [last name unreadable], aka "clerk de la Gyalle."
- ..... 1311-1335 ..... Hugh de Waltham, first known elected Clerk on 20 November 1311.
- ..... 1335-1335 ..... Roger de Depham, elected on 25 Jan 1335 until about August 1335. Second shortest term in office.
- ..... 1335-1354 ..... John de Bourne, elected 29 August 1335.
- ..... 1364?-??? ..... John Lucas
- ..... 1368-1375 ..... Henry de Padingstone, elected 7 September 1368.
- ..... 1375-1399? ..... Henry Perot, elected 10 August 1375.
- ..... 1399?-1417 ..... John Marchaunt, first known to be granted a dwelling and pension - 10 pounds per annum - upon retirement.
- ..... 1417-1438 ..... John Carpenter, elected 20 April 1417, Member of Parliament (MP) 1425,1437-1439.
- ..... 1438-1446? ..... Richard Barnett, elected 4 October 1438.
- ..... 1446-1461 ..... Roger Spicer, alias Tonge, elected 18 November 1446. First known to be dismissed from his office for offences and rebellions against King Edward IV on 5 August 1461.
- ..... 1461-1490 ..... William Dunthorn, elected 2 October 1461.
- ..... 1490-1510 ..... Nicholas Pakenham, elected 9 March 1490.
- ..... 1510-1514 ..... Walter Stubbe, elected 16 July 1510.
- ..... 1514-1533 ..... William Paver, elected 20 June 1514. First known to have committed suicide while in office.
- ..... 1533-1540 ..... Thomas Ryshton, aka Rysshton, admitted 13 May 1533, granted annual pension and livery.
- ..... 1540-1570 ..... William Blackwell, admitted 10 July 1540.
- ..... 1570-1574 ..... Anthony Stapleton, admitted 24 July 1570.
- ..... 1574-1613 ..... William Sebright, admitted 25 May 1574. First known to have a deputy (Richard Langley) admitted to assist in office.
- ..... 1613-1642 ..... John WeldJohn WeldJohn Weld was a newspaper reporter and writer....
, admitted 27 April 1613. His deputy was Robert Michell. He was later Knighted for service to the Crown. - ..... 1642-1649 ..... Robert Michell, succeeded to office 15 September 1642 and confirmed 27 October 1642. First Deputy to assume office when required.
- ..... 1649-1660 ..... John Sadler, elected 3 July 1649, first known to be suspended from office on 4 September 1660, then first to have suspension lifted on 6 September 1660. He is the first known to be declared incapable of continued service on 18 September 1660 and retired for cause.
- ..... 1660-1666 ..... Sir John WeldJohn WeldJohn Weld was a newspaper reporter and writer....
, admitted 21 September 1660, first to serve to serve two separate terms of office. His deputy (William Avery) was to succeed him on his death per contract. - ..... 1666-1672 ..... William Avery, admitted 12 November 1666.
- ..... 1672-1690 ..... William WagstaffeWilliam WagstaffeWilliam Wagstaffe was a British physician.Wagstaffe was born in Cublington, Buckinghamshire, UK, The only son of the town's rector, and related to the Wagstaffe family of Knightcote, Warwickshire. He was educated at a school in Northampton, entered Lincoln College, Oxford in 1701, graduated B.A. ...
, elected 9 February 1672. - ..... 1690-1700 ..... John Goodfellow, elected 17 February 1690/1691.
- ..... 1700-1705 ..... Henry Ashurst, elected 2 July 1700.
- ..... 1705-1717 ..... James Gibson, elected 16 November 1705.
- ..... 1717-1724 ..... Randolph Stracey, elected 9 May 1717.
- ..... 1724-1737 ..... Thomas Jackson, elected 19 March 1723/1724.
- ..... 1737-1757 ..... Miles Man, first noted "Clerk" to the Town Clerk to succeed Town Clerk upon death, he was then elected 13 July 1337.
- ..... 1757-1774 ..... James Hodges, elected 10 May 1757. Knighted c. 1760.
- ..... 1774-1801 ..... William Rix, first known Clerk to the Town Clerk to officiate during vacancy of illness of Town Clerk. He was then elected 25 November 1774.
- ..... 1801-1801 ..... Edward Boxley, former "principal clerk" appointed to fill in during vacancy on 2 September 1801 to 15 December 1801. Shortest term in office.
- ..... 1801-1825 ..... Henry Woodthorpe, Sr., elected 15 December 1801. First to have his son (Henry Woodthorpe, Jr.) to be his "principal assistant" upon election then to be his appointed deputy on 27 February 1818.
- ..... 1825-1842 ..... Henry Woodthorpe, Jr., elected 6 October 1825, the first son to succeed his father in office. "The Remembrancer" appointed to officiate during vacancy of Town Clerk.
- ..... 1842-1859 ..... Henry Alworth Merewether, elected 23 June 1842.
- ..... 1859-1873 ..... Frederick Woodthorpe, elected 10 February 1859. Related to Henry Woodthorpe, Sr. & Jr., but details not given.
- ..... 1873-1902 ..... Sir John Braddick MoncktonJohn Monckton (town clerk)Sir John Braddick Monckton FSA was a British lawyer and civil servant, then Town Clerk of London for 30 years until his death. He was elected Town Clerk of London after the death of Frederick Woodthorpe on 17 July 1873 and served until 3 February 1902, his death date...
, elected 17 July 1873. Knighted 1880. The "Remembrancer" appointed to officiate during vacancy of Town Clerk. - ..... 1902-1935 ..... Sir James BellJames Bell (town clerk)Sir James Bell CVO was an English solicitor who served as Town Clerk of London for 33 years.Bell was born in Preston, the son of a doctor, and was educated at Preston Grammar School and University College School in London. He was admitted a solicitor in 1888...
, elected 1 May 1902 with effect from 1 June 1902. Knighted 1911. - ..... 1935-1946 ..... Alfred Thomas Roach, elected 13 June 1935. The "Comptroller and City Solicitor" (Anthony Frederick Ingham Pickford) appointed to officiate during vacancy of Town Clerk from November 1946.
- ..... 1946-1953 ..... Anthony Frederick Ingham Pickford, elected 27 February 1947 with effect from 28 November 1946. Knighted 1949.
- ..... 1954-1974 ..... Edward Henry Nichols, elected 22 October 1953 with effect from 1 January 1954. Knighted June 1982.
- ..... 1974-1982 ..... Stanley James Clayton, elected with effect 1 April 1974.
- ..... 1982-1991 ..... Geoffrey William Rowley, elected with effect 2 September 1982.
- ..... 1991-1995 ..... Samuel Jones elected with effect 23 May 1991.
- ..... 1996-1999 ..... Bernard Peter Harly, no election date given.
- ..... 1999-2003 ..... Tom Christopher Simmons, no election date given. Former Deputy Town Clerk.
- ..... 2003-???? ..... Chris DuffieldChris DuffieldChris Duffield is the current Town Clerk of London and Chief Executive of the Corporation of the City of London.-Education:He was privately educated at St Albans School, Hertfordshire and Newcastle University.-Local government work:...
, no election date given.
- ..... 1274-1306 ..... Ralph Crepyn
External links
- City of London website
- City of London School web site
- City of London Corporation - Town Clerk & Chief Executive picture at: http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Council_and_democracy/Council_departments/
- Guildhall - http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Leisure_and_culture/Local_history_and_heritage/Buildings_within_the_City/guildhall.htm City of London Corporation homepage on the Guildhall.