Carlisle was a borough by prescription, and received its first royal charter from Henry II.

In 1352 Edward III granted the city a new charter which confirmed the rights previously enjoyed, and created a close corporation consisting of a mayor and bailiffs.

Among the privileges granted to the corporation were the holding of a sixteen-day market beginning on the Feast of the Assumption and the right to the King's fishery in the River Eden.

There were twelve aldermen, one of whom was elected mayor, two coroners and twenty-four capital citizens.

[3] The right of election to the body was vested in the free burgesses, who consisted of members of eight fraternities or trade guilds of the city, namely the Merchants, Tanners, Skinners, Butchers, Smiths, Weavers, Tailors and Shoemakers.

The Act introduced a uniform constitution for each borough, which was governed by a town or city council consisting of a mayor, aldermen and councillors.

[5] The reformed corporation adopted a completely different coat of arms in 1835, blazoned as Vert on a base barry wavy of six argent and azure, a castle between two roses Or, on a chief gules a lion passant guardant Or.

This featured the ancient arms, topped by a castle in place of a crest, and supported by two red wyverns, with gold roses on their wings.

[9]The Local Government Act 1972 reorganised administration throughout England and Wales from 1 April 1974.