Knollys Rose Ceremony

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The Master of The Company of Watermen and Lightermen, Mr Robert E Lupton, cuts the rose in Seething Lane Gardens, in front of a goodly crowd.  (June 2004)

The Knollys Rose Ceremony commemorates an ancient City custom dating from 1381. Sir Robert Knollys owned a house on the West Side of Seething Lane. During one of his absences abroad his wife is reputed to have purchased a property on the east side of Seething Lane and built a footbridge over the lane to the other side, without the equivalent of planning permission and resulted in the City Corporation of the day imposing a rent of one red rose, payable each year on the Feast of St John the Baptist.

The Master of The Company of Watermen and Lightermen, Mr Robert E Lupton, formally presents the rose to the Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor, at the Mansion House, flanked by a guard of honour, the doggets in their Tudor uniforms. (June 2004)

The rose payment was no more than a peppercorn rent, a symbolic fine upon Sir Robert, a leading citizen and a successful and respected soldier. For this payment permission was given "to make an haut pas of the height of 14 feet" across the lane. The footbridge has long disappeared, but the legal requirement for the payment of this quit-rent has now been re-established as one of the City's traditions.  The Ceremony is organised by the Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames, and the Company, the Knollys family and the Vicar of All Hallows invite guests to this annual ceremony which takes place at the Mansion House. On that day one red rose is plucked from the garden in Seething Lane and presented to the Lord Mayor on the altar cushion of All Hallows by the Tower. This year the ceremony will take place on Monday 16 June at 10.45am.