The Early Civic Chiefs

I. THE EARLY CIVIC CHIEFS. 

The Roll of the Chief Magistrates of Dover from the Saxon times until the present day would have been an unique record if it had been preserved in its entirety; and, even as it stands, with some gaps in its earlier period, it is unsurpassed in Municipal armals. Owing to changes in the fashions of the times, the titles of the Chief Magistrates of Dover have varied; but the whole list is usually referred to as "The Roll of the Mayors " — a Roll on which any man may feel proud to have his name inscribed. 

In the Saxon times the Civic Chief was called " The Reeve." There must have been a considerable number of Reeves, but, unfortunately, none of their names have been preserved. In the Norman time the Chief Officer of the Corporation was called "The Prepositus " ; and in Early English times the title was changed to "Mayor." The Prepositi ruled for 191 years, yet the names of only seven of them have been preserved ; and of the Mayors, whose line commenced in 1298, the list is incomplete until the year 1353, from which date it is perfect. Of the Prepositi the seven names will be given, and, like the names of all the Mayors on the Roll, will be accompanied by notes relating special incidents of their times. 

The long period over which the Roll extends is divided into epochs, forming natural divisions of Dover's Municipal histor}.-. The names of the Mayors are inserted opposite each year in which they held office, but the note on each Mayor is appended to his first Mayoralty.