ning the whole body rose from their
seats and waited upon the new mayor home, where all were again
entertained with sugar rolls and sack; and then concluded the day by
seeing the old mayor to his home, where they remained and drank as long
as it was proper.

The great guns were discharged many times during the day.

The whole street, sometimes the whole parish, in which the mayor resided
was decorated in the handsomest manner; the streets were all strewn with
rushes and planted with trees, variety of "garlands, ship, antients, and
streamers in abundance." The outside of the houses were hung with
tapestry and pictures.

"The dragon (carried by a man in the body) gave great diversion to
the common people; they always seemed to fear it much when it was
near them, but looked upon it with pleasure when at a little
distance; it was so contrived as to spread its wings and move its
head. As there was always a multitude of people to see the
procession, it was necessary to have several persons to keep them
from coming too near, or breaking the ranks; for this purpose there
were six men called Whifflers, somewhat like the Roman gladiators,
who were neatly dressed, and who had the art of brandishing their
very sharp swords in the greatest crowds with such dexterity as to
harm no one, and of a sudden, to toss them high in the air and catch
them again by the hilts: to this purpose also a man or two in painted
canvas coats and vermilion red and yellow cloth caps, adorned with
cats' tails and small bells, went up and down to clear the way; their
weapons were only small wands. These were called or known by the
name of Dick Fools; even they had their admirers, but it was among
the children and mobility."

The above curious and quaint description of the St. George's Company and
the procession, is an extract from Mackerell's "History of Norwich,"
published by the Archaeological Society. From the same source the
further particulars added are collected.

It would appear that the company, enjoying so many powers and privileges,
grew insolent and overbearing, and were wont to insult with impunity, and
tyrannize unmercifully over the pockets, purses, and freedom of their
fellow-citizens, until at length an individual named Clarke, an alderman,
to whom they had shown much discourtesy and injustice, by considerable
effort succeeded in bringing their career as a body to a