• Origins of the Show The Lord Mayor's Show has its roots in an early mediæval power play, as bad King John attempts to get London on his side and his Barons use the City as a base from which to mount their rebellion.
• Calamities and obstructions Despite the many challenges of running a mediaeval procession through modern London, the Lord Mayor’s Show hasn’t been cancelled since 1852, when it made way for the Duke of Wellington’s funeral.
• Art and literature The Lord Mayor’s Show has inspired many writers over its eight centuries, from Pepys (who was annoyed) and Shakespeare to Hitchcock and Fleming, and appears in some of the world’s great paintings.

And also Art and literature The wartime shows Dates and routes Dick Whittington Gog and Magog

• Roads closed Almost the whole of the City of London is closed on Show day, with no traffic allowed in or out. Please don't schedule works or weddings that day! Click through for details of the area and timetable.
• Buses affected Every bus route that would usually travel through the City of London will either turn back or go around the closed area. TfL publish the full details in the week before the Show but you can get the idea here.
• Parking suspended Many parking bays in the City area will be closed from the Friday afternoon, either to make space or to protect you from being shut in. Residents parking at the Barbican is not affected.