The commune may have been the origins of the development of another element of local governance. The citizens' right to elect a Mayor annually was granted by King John in a charter of 1215. In 1191, the commune was officially recognised by Prince John, while his brother Richard the Lionheart was away at the Crusades, and in 1199 John, now King, granted the citizens of London the right to elect their own Sheriffs - a particularly significant right as the Sheriff was the King's representative through whom the City was governed. At the same time the office of Mayor was created with Henry FitzAilwyn taking office in 1189 (whether by appointment or election is unclear). But in the 12th century, as a move towards civic independence, an association of citizens under oath - the commune - was established. London, like other cities, was subject to the authority of the Crown through its Sheriff - the Shirereeve or Portreeve. These were created from the early trade practices dating back to the 12th century and maintained standards in their industries, regulated their crafts and had a major say in the way the City was run. The City’s links to its original trading roots are still alive today in its connection with the livery companies. As London grew, the City specialised in trade. In early times London was two cities – the trading and residential City of London and the royal, administrative and religious West-minster. From medieval to Stuart times the City was the major source of financial loans to monarchs, who sought funds to support their policies at home and abroad. London's importance as a centre of trade, population and wealth secured it rights and liberties earlier than other towns and cities. The right of the City to run its own affairs was gradually won as concessions were gained from the Crown. It is likely that the Court of Aldermen developed from the administrative side of the work of the Court of Husting. There is reliable evidence of its existence in 1032, although it was probably much older, and by the mid-12th century it was held weekly. In Saxon London and in the medieval period, municipal authority rested principally with Aldermen ('elder' men or elderfolk), who met in the City's ancient Court of Husting - the supreme court of the medieval City, with administrative and judicial functions. That London enjoyed certain freedoms and had a form of civic administration before the Norman conquest, can be seen in the Charter granted by William the Conqueror in 1067, in which he promised to recognise the rights, privileges and laws that the City had enjoyed since the time of Edward the Confessor (1042-62). Its constitution is rooted in the ancient rights and privileges enjoyed by citizens before the Norman Conquest in 1066. The City of London developed a unique form of government which led to the system of parliamentary government at local and national level. The oldest continuous municipal democracy
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