Mayor and Corporation of Stroud Green - 26th July 1773

This is the Stroud Green Badge (1773), now in the Victoria and Albert Museum.   The badge is a pendant meant to be worn around the neck, and marks the day on 26th July 1773 when an election took place for a "Mayor of the Ancient Corporation of Stroud Green", which most probably took place at the Stapleton Hall Tavern.

The "Ancient Corporation of Stroud Green" was a late eighteenth century gentlemen's drinking club which met in the taverns of Islington, Canonbury and the country parish of Stroud Green from around 1750 to 1780.  Its headquarters was the Stapleton Hall Tavern (then called the Green Man) at the bottom of Crouch Hill, which was a country pub.  There was even a special Stroud Green Song.

The badge is made of enamel and coloured glass with an inscription engraved on a brass on the back, and is about 10cm across.   The front has an image of St George and the Dragon with the words JUSTICE, TRUTH AND FRIENDSHIP.  

The inscription on the back reads: "The Right Worshipful Sir Thomas Legg, Knight of the Oak, Elected Mayor of the Corporation of Stroud Green on Monday July 26th 1773”.

And here are the words of the Stroud Green Song**:

Song for the Ancient Corporation of Stroud Green

Set to Music by the Author

Ye Sons of Jollity and Mirth

Of each denomination,

Attend, while I declare the worth,

Of Stroud Green Corporation:

Tho' weak my Verse, 'tis strictly true,

And Free from adulation,

The praises then let me pursue

Of Stroud Green Corporation.

To fair *ASTREA's name we pay

Respect and veneration,

Of her we tune the vocal Lay

At Stroud Green Corporation

Long may She here with us reside,

And know none alteration

+May She still flourish far, and wide,

Like Stroud Green Corporation.

When met to take a cheerful Glass

In mutual recreation,

How sweetly do the minutes pass

With Stroud Green Corporation:

Each Alderman his quota pays

And that's in moderation,

No longer than he like, he stays

With Stroud Green Corporation.

For Albion, happy would it be,

Were those in higher station,

From Brib'ry, and Corruption, free

At Stroud Green Corporation;

But such high Crimes we're taught to shun

At out Initiation,

Which, brighter than meridian Sun

Makes Stroud Green Corporation.

The mirthful Scenes we here enjoy

Exceed all expectation,

And Pleasure, which do never cloy,

Attend out Corporation;

For to improper Company

We ne'er give invitation,

Lest they disturb the Harmony

Of Stroud Green Corporation.

What *ORDER can with this compare,

And boast such regulation?

Or such immunities does share

As Stroud Green Corporation?

In Brimmers since there's no deceit,

Take each a fit Potation,

'Twill make our happiness complete

At Stroud Green Corporation.

* Justice

+ from the motto of the Corporation

Justitia floreat, ut noi ab origine

** Located in City of London archives by historian Andrew Pink