The Ride dates from Queen Mary's Charter of 1553 in which Lichfield was separated from Staffordshire and made a separate County with a right to appoint its own Sheriff. The Charter commanded the Sheriff to "perambulate the new County and City annually on the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 8th September".
Today, holding true to custom, the Sheriff commences the Ride at Guildhall at 10.30.am, on the Saturday closest to the 8th September and followed by a retinue of about 50 riders commence the 20 mile perambulation of the city boundary. The northern and eastern boundaries are covered in the morning, arriving in the grounds of Freeford Manor for lunch.
The Ride then resumes, to complete the circuit of the boundary, stopping for tea at Pipe Hall. Returning into the City, the Sheriff and riders are met by the Sword and Mace Bearers at approximately 6.15 pm to be escorted down Beacon Street to the Close where they are greeted by the Dean, before returning to the Guildhall at about 6.30 pm.
For more information on this years ride click here.
Photos from the archives with thanks to Lichfield Live and Lichfield Heritage Centre.
