Corporation of London

The Aldermen were responsible for the administration of Wards, and were elected by their Ward. The position of Alderman was held for life. In the 12th and 13th centuries the Wards in the City of London are still mainly identified by the name of their Alderman although the first full list of Wards under permanent names such as Dowgate or Cornhill is dated 1285. The roots of municipal government in the City of London are thus found in the activities of the Aldermen in their Wards which in the medieval period provided such public services as existed. Working individually, or in co-operation, the power of the Aldermen grew as the corporate unity of the City of London developed and they exercised both administrative and judicial functions in what became the Court of Aldermen.

The Parliamentary Committee of the Court of Aldermen was formed to oppose the 'Bill for the better regulation of the Corporation', which was brought before Parliament by Sir George Grey, Home Secretary, in April 1856. The Bill was based on the report of the 1853 Commission to examine the existing state of the Corporation of London in light of the Municipal Corporations Act and the Municipal Reform Act. It called for the reform of the Corporation constitution and administration, the abolition of customs which were injurious to trade and industry, and the removal of some anomalous powers still held by the Corporation.