In
front are borne the four maces, Henry VII's sword and the cap of
maintenance, escorted by the city police. The Judges on their arrival at
the great west door of the cathedral are met by the Bishop and other
dignitaries of the Church in their robes and conducted to their official
places in the choir, whilst the beautiful organ peals out the National
Anthem.
On the third Tuesday in July a curious custom was observed, as on that
day a large white stuffed glove decorated with flowers was hung in front
of the Guildhall, the townspeople having been duly warned, to the sound
of the drum and fife, that the great Lammas Fair, which lasted for
three days, had begun; the glove was then hoisted for the term of the
fair. Lammas Day falls on the first day of August, and was in Saxon
times the Feast of First-fruits; sometimes a loaf of bread was given to
the priest in lieu of first-fruit. It seems to have been a similar fair
to that described at Honiton, but did not appear to carry with it
freedom from arrest during the term of the fair, as was the case in that
town.
The records or archives possessed by the city of Exeter are almost
continuous from the time of Edward I, and have been written and compiled
in the most careful manner.
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