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To prevent such murders, the following
plan was devised. When one of the
company stood up to drink, he required
the companion who sat next to him or
someone of the party, to be his pledge.
The consenting companion would also
stand and raise his drawn sword to
defend the exposed bearer of the cup
as he drank from it.
Nowadays, the cup passes
around the table at an
appropriate time towards the
end of a banquet or dinner,
normally to the left and each
person in turn pledges their
neighbour. Only three people
should be standing at a time,
the bearer (the person holding
the cup); the neighbour on their
immediate right who drank last
and handed them the cup, who
remains standing with their back to the
bearer to protect them; and the person
pledging, on the bearer's immediate
left, who stands facing the bearer and
removes and holds the cover whilst he
or she drinks from the cup. Thus when
a person receives the Loving Cup from
The Loving Cup
The Loving Cup. Usually a silver
chalice with two handles and a
cover.
The ceremony of the Loving Cup is a
tradition at banquets and dinners in
all Livery Companies which dates
back to before the Norman Conquest
of 1066
The tradition derives
from the assassination
of King Edward, who
was killed whilst he
was drinking, by
Elfida's command. It
was the custom of our
Anglo-Saxon
forefathers to pass
round a large drinking
cup, from which each
person drank in turn to some of the
company. As the person drinking
stood up and lifted the cup with both
hands he was completely exposed
and defenceless, giving an enemy
the opportunity to strike and murder
him.
the person on their immediate right,
who has just drunk from the cup, he or
she turns to face their neighbour on
their immediate left and they bow to
each other. The latter removes the
Cup's cover and holds it whilst the
bearer of the cup drinks and then
wipes the rim with the napkin provided.
The cover is then replaced, the two
bow to each other again and the cup
changes hands. Each person who has
drunk from the cup and passes it to the
neighbour on their left, remains
standing with their back to the bearer
now drinking from the cup until the cup
is passed on, when they resume their
seats. The same procedure continues
round the table until everyone has
drunk from the cup.
If anyone does not wish to drink from
the Loving Cup, they may simply bow to
their neighbour and pass the cup along
in the usual way. In practice it is often
usual to have more than one Loving
Cup passing among guests in the
prescribed manner for the sake of
expediency.
O U T A N D A B O U T
T H E A R M C H A I R
F I R E F I G H T E R S M E M O R I A L T R U S T
The Master, Wardens, Clerk, many Liverymen and Freemen of the Worshipful Company, accompanied by their
partners, attended a Service of Remembrance and Dedication of the United Kingdom Firefighters National Memorial at
St Paul's Cathedral on Tuesday 16 September 2003, in the presence of Her
Royal Highness The Princess Royal. The Princess Royal is patron of The
Firefighters Memorial Charitable Trust and our Founding Master, Gerry
Clarkson is Chairman of its Trustees. The Master read a Lesson and later laid
a wreath at the Memorial on behalf of the Worshipful Company.
Following the Service, Members of the Worshipful Company, Trustees of
The Firefighters Memorial Charitable Trust
and guests enjoyed a 'Pudding & Pie
Luncheon' at The Living Room restaurant in
West Smithfield.
It is hoped this inaugural luncheon may
become a permanent event in the calendar
of both The Worshipful Company and The
Firefighters Memorial Charitable Trust, to honour the firefighters who gave their lives
during war and peace and the anniversary of “The Great Fire of London".
Page 2
I S S U E 2
Closing date for items for
the next issue of
The Salamander
is:
Friday,
25 March 2004
Email your comment to: me!!
Peter Hopkins at:
THE CLERK’S DESK
8th November is The Lord
Mayor’s Show
If you can’t attend, watch it
on TV, but do it early as the
Company is in the first sec-
tion of the Parade.
The West Midlands Band will
be leading The Modern
Companies, where the Mas-
ter Colin Livett and Under
Warden Martin Coffey and
two of the Company will be
walking with members from
9 other Companies, formed
since 1930.
At the rear is the horse
drawn Fire Steamer.
5pm Fireworks on the
Thames, best viewing spots,
Southwark Bridge and along
the Embankment
11th December The Fire-
fighters’ Carol Service at
5pm at St: Lawrence Jewry
Unless otherwise suggested
please contact
The Clerk:
Margeret Holland Prior
Tel: 020 7600 1666
Email:
Christmas Carols!
During early evening on
Thursday 11th Decem-
ber 2003, St Lawrence
Jewry Next Guidhall
welcomed Liverymen
and Freemen of the Wor-
shipful Company, their
families, friends and
especially children, to a
festival of carols con-
ducted by our Honorary
Chaplain, The Reverend David Rhodes.
The Master, Colin Livett and his wife Patricia, hosted the festi-
val and made especially welcome a group of children from the
Barbican Play Group invited to share with us the joy of Christ-
mas. Following the Service the children tucked into a veritable
feast of drinks and good things to eat, then gave a rousing
greeting to Father Christmas who stopped by to meet them
during his busy schedule and give presents. Fortunately, the
children left some tasty treats for the grown-ups to enjoy to-
gether with wine
set aside for
them by Past
Master and
purveyor of fine
wines, David
Cartwright.
Despite over-
cast skies and dampness in the air everyone
enjoyed the relaxed and happy atmosphere of
the festival which instilled the Spirit of Christ-
mas in their hearts. A special thanks go to The
Master and his Lady whom, with a band of
willing helpers, provided the catering and en-
sured everyone enjoyed themselves.
OPEN FORUM
In the next issue of
SALAMANDER
◊ A small competition
putting a humorous
phrase to an odd
picture...With a prize
for the winner.
◊ Role of the Beadle!
◊ What is a Freeman?
And much, much more!!!