Long before the River Thames was tamed with weirs and locks, the tide ran all the way up to Staines and, historically, control of the river was vested in the Corporation of the City of London to this point. That control was exercised by the City’s Water Bailiffs to ‘search for all persons who infringe the laws made for the preservation of the river and its fish’.
Fast forward to 2024 and the river has changed beyond all recognition, now being managed by the Port of London Authority and the Environment Agency, and with the flow and tides well regulated.
Building over time between 1197 and 1857, various charters outlined the City’s responsibility for the River which extended from the River Colne near Staines to Yantlet Creek and included parts of the Rivers Medway and Lea and all streams and creeks of tidal waters within those bounds.
A series of stone markers demarcated these limits of the City of London’s rights over the river. The Crow Stone stands at Chalkwell, Southend, approximately 42 miles downriver from Tower Bridge. The London Stone is found on the opposite bank at Yantlet, on the Isle of Grain. It is also approximately 42 miles from Tower Bridge. A further London Stone is located at Lower Upnor, at the mouth of the Medway, around 56 miles from Tower Bridge. And upriver, the final London Stone (now a replica) (pictured) is at Staines. This is approximately 36 miles upriver from Tower Bridge.
In times past, The Lord Mayor, accompanied by the Sheriffs, the Recorder, and other City dignitaries, would visit all the boundary stones on the Thames and Medway in the course of official surveys of the river. The legal claim to the City’s rights was made at each survey by the placing of the City Sword at the foot of the stone while The Lord Mayor and Sheriffs drank wine to the toast of ‘God preserve the City of London.’ Subsequently the name of The Lord Mayor together with the date of the visit was engraved upon the stone.
The Lord Mayor, Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli (a Freeman of the Company of Watermen & Lightermen), who still retains the title of Admiral of the Port of London, wanted to draw attention to the importance of the River Thames to the success of the City. As part of this, he reinstated the 14th Century posts of Water Bailiff and Under Water Bailiff and charged them to ensure the safety of all those who travel on the waters of the River Thames previously controlled by the City of London.
On Sunday 30 June, to coincide with the Staines Festival, The Lord Mayor ‘visited’ the London Stone at Staines to recreate this ancient ceremony as part the fundraising efforts for his chosen charity, the RNLI 200th Anniversary. And so, between 28th and 30th June, Water Bailiff Chris Livett (also HM The King’s Barge Master) and Under Water Bailiff Frank Moxon (Chair of the RNLI City of London Committee) travelled by powered craft from Tower Lifeboat Station to Staines-Upon-Thames to fulfil their obligations.
On Sunday 30 June, they were joined afloat by The Lord Mayor and other City of London officers including four Masters and their consorts: of The Watermen & Lightermen, the Water Conservators, the Fuellers, and the Distillers. The Masters we carried from Penton Hook lock upstream in the resplendent Jubilant, the traditional rowing barge built as a Golden Jubilee gift for HM The Queen.
Accompanied by a flotilla of both powered and rowing craft, including several members of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, The Lord Mayor’s River Progress made its way along the river with flags and banners flying.
In Staines, our four Masters (along with the Mayoral party) were welcomed ashore by the Mayor of Spelthorne and the Deputy Lieutenant for Surrey The ceremony took place at the Stone, flanked by Sea Cadets, on the riverside before the official party walked across the road the Spethorne Museum to see the original stone, now housed in its own display. After witnessing the sail past by the flotilla in salute, the Master joined the official party returning to Penton Hook.
Why is this a Distillers’ story? Unbeknown to The Lord Mayor, the Master Distiller arranged for a specially labelled bottle of gin to be commissioned for the toasts. Generously donated by Hayman’s Distillery London courtesy of our very own Past Master Christopher Hayman, the Master presented The Lord Mayor and the Mayor of Spelthorne with a bottle each as they bid their farewells to each other. The Distillers playing their part in creating ‘liquid history’ (in more ways than one).
‘GOD PRESERVE THE CITY OF LONDON’
