London’s ancient cart marking ceremony

Over 40 historic and interesting road vehicles will take part in the Cart Marking ceremony at Guildhall Yard next month. The 500-year-old tradition sees the Sheriffs and ritually robed Carmen brand each ‘cart’ with a red-hot iron, which was the origin of vehicle licensing. Though hot iron branding is no longer a legal requirement, the ceremony still takes place once a year. The range of vehicles can be anything from a Smithfield meat cart to old wagons, steam engines, and buses to the very latest in electric cars and lorries. Hosted by the Worshipful Company of Carmen, the free event takes place on Saturday 22 July 2022 and lasts 2.5 hours.

https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/londons-ancient-cart-marking-ceremony-takes-place-next-month-60602/

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