A NEW member has been sworn in to a mayor’s ceremonial bodyguard.
Thomas Sydney Dixon was welcomed into the Mayor of Durham’s bodyguard in a ceremony at Durham Town Hall tonight (Wednesday, January 8).
The bodyguard is the oldest of its kind outside London, dating from the 13th Century.
Its members originally defended the Durham wardens, who acted as the city’s governors, while the Prince Bishops also called on the bodyguard to defend Durham against marauders.
Following the appointment of Durham’s first mayor in 1602, the bodyguard’s role became collecting taxes at the city gates.
Led by a captain, they wear ceremonial robes, carry long ornamental pikes and accompany the mayor on numerous visits and engagements throughout the year.
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