Choosing Day Brightlingsea's Deputy, as the Mayor of Sandwich's
representative in this Liberty, is annually charged truly to obey and
execute all lawful commandments from him. The Deputy's Choosing takes
place each year on the first Monday after Saint Andrew's Day (the first
Monday in December) at All Saints Church, Brightlingsea. At 11am, as the
bells stop tolling and a procession of Cinque Port dignitaries arrive
in church, a short religious service begins. |
All Saints Church |
This is followed by a ceremony for the
election of the Deputy and the Recognition of New Inhabitants who, on
swearing an oath of loyalty to the Deputy, are declared 'Recognised Inhabitants'.
Residence in Brightlingsea for a year and a day is the New Inhabitants
only necessary qualification and those of Brightlingsea birth or those
who 'had the good sense to have married a Brightlingsea girl' are given
their Freedom without payment. 'Foreigners' are fined eleven pennies (that's
11d old money) for the privilege. Other monies paid to the Treasurer during
the ceremony are four shillings (that's 4/- old money) each from six Assistants
and the Deputy. An item of expenditure during the Deputy's reign is that
of the town's payment of ten shillings (that's 10/- old money) in lieu
of Ship Service, previously supplied by the men of Brightlingsea. This
payment has become known as ship-money and is presented to the Mayor of
Sandwich during the Deputy's visit to the Mother Port at the time of his
Confirmation of Office. |
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The Ringing Room |
Choosing Day in the Ringing Room at All Saints Church on 5 December 1927. The number of men present became so large that the proceedings were transferred to the green immediately before the Lych-gate. From around this time, subsequent Choosing Day ceremonies were held within the body of the church. |
A W Norfolk
being elected Deputy for 1927/28. Dr Edward Dicken, Keeper of the Records
is seen reading the minutes, with treasurer Harry Chamberlain on his left.
In the chair is the retiring Deputy Charles Brasted, with the senior Assistant
Rev F A Grosvenor Smyth on his right. It was on this occasion that the
Cinque Port Liberty Sports Shield was first presented for annual competition
between local schools. |
Choosing Day 1927 |
The Nave and Chancel |
Choosing Day is now held in the main body of the church. Here the nave and chancel are shown, seen from the gallery, where musicians would have accompanied services in earlier times. The ceremony takes place on the steps of the chancel, when there are several hundred Freemen present. |
Print text | |
To promote the historic significance of this day, two year 10 students, from the Colne Community School, are invited to attend the Ceremony. | |
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