The Chariot of the Virgin Queen, Lord Mayor's Pageant

The Lord Mayor's Procession through the City of London is an annual tradition which dates back to the 13th century. In 1215 King John issued a Charter which stipulated that the newly elected Mayor of London must be presented to the Sovereign for approval and pledge his allegiance to the Crown.

This fan design shows the chariot with the Virgin Queen of the Mercers' Company and has been identified as a detail of the Lord Mayor's Pageant, 1686, the Lord Mayor of that year SirJohn Peake, being a member of the Mercer's Company.

A contemporary published account of the 1686 pageant survives. Written by Mathew Taubman, it includes a description of the chariot of the Virgin Queen which fits the scene represented in the drawing. He describes, ' an Imperial Triumphant Chariot of Roman Form', ' On a lofty Ascent of which, exalted upon an Imperial Throne , sits a magestick Person in great state representing a Virgin which is the arms of the right Worshipful The Company of Mercers'.
' In the one hand she holdeth a Scepter; in th eother a Shield, with the Arms of the Right Honourable the Company of Mercers Above on a golden Canopy sits FAME, blowing the trumpet'.

The Procession is here seen at the end of its route from Westmonster before turning north to the Grocer's Hall. In the background is the dome of St. Stephen's Walbrook, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, and an equestrian statue of King Charles II vanquishing Cromwell . The site represented is the Old Stocks Market and corresponds to the site of the present Mansion House.