There are many stories that we might read in our local newspapers that tell us that somebody has built an extension or a wall without the correct council planning permission. In the worst circumstances the householder might be asked to take down the unplanned structure. There have even been cases where a whole house has had to be demolished because it did not have planning permission. But in the majority of cases, there is usually a fine involved for the rule breaker.
You might think that this is a fairly new state of affairs, but the story I am about to tell you concerns a structure without planning permission which occurred hundreds of years ago. And it did not concern a wall or even an extension to an existing house. This concerned the building of a footbridge over a road, so that the home owner would not have to cross the road at ground level. And apparently, it only for the use of the owner and her family.
So, who is this person. It was a lady by the name of Lady Constance Knollys and the year in question is 1381. Her house was on Seething Lane in the City of London and it was this lane that she had the bridge built across. What was her reason for this? It was because she had also bought the house opposite and wanted to connect the two. It soon transpired that the council of the City of London found out about the bridge and launched an investigation.
Now, it should be pointed out that Lady Constance was married to Sir Robert Knollys who was not only well known but he wielded a lot of personal power. So, what was the result of the construction? Instead of telling them to take the bridge down, or to have to pay a heavy fine, they decided to ask that a peppercorn rent be paid to them each year. Fair enough, you might say; this was a fine under a different guise. But, it wasn’t.
The rent consisted of presenting a single red rose to the Lord Mayor of the City of London once a year on the feast of St John the Baptist. This is all very strange but it is about to get a little more-weird. London is known for having many archaic customs which survive to this day. And you’ve guessed it; this rent is still paid today.
The bridge of course vanished ages ago but on the second Monday in June, the Company od Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames cuts a single red rose from the Seething lane Gardens and is then carried on a velvet cushion by the Verger at the church of All-Hallows-by-the-Tower to the Mansion House which is the official residence of the Lord Mayor. He receives it at a private ceremony inside mansion House. So, if you should ever fall out with your local planning office, then perhaps begin by delivering a single red rose to them. But don’t tell them I suggested it!
John Pullen 