Mayor of Exeter

In modern times, the role of the Lord Mayor is to "represent, support, and promote the businesses and people of Exeter" and the incumbent officer is expected to be non-political during their period of service.

[2] At formation, the powers of the Mayor were extensive, with control over regulating trades including baking and brewing, as well as the markets and security of the city walls.

Roger Beynim was mayor eight times between 1302 and 1317, but during one of his terms, a dispute with Hugh de Courtenay, Earl of Devon, the feudal baron of Okehampton started after being drawn into a dispute over the fish available in the market, which resulted in Beynim discarding his livery with the Earl's crest and declaring that the Mayor of Exeter would only be answerable to the King.

Through the 1860s, a number of bills were debated in parliament, resulting in the passing of the Reform Act 1867 further lowered the entry requirements to be represented.

The Precentor of the cathedral, Walter Lechlade had been murdered in November 1283, and the culprit fled through the south gate at a time when it should have been locked.

[9] More recently, Rowland Glave Saunders served six terms in office, due to the outbreak of World War II.