1898 AD., Scotland, Great Britain, The Royal Burgh of Lanark, Lanimer Penny, Bronze Medal.

Scotland, Great Britain, The Royal Burgh of Lanark, Lanimer penny, 1898 AD.,
Bronze Medal (31 mm / 7,36 g), holed,
Obv.: SIGILLUM CIVITATIS / LANARCÆ , around coat of arms.
Rev.: ROYAL BURG[H] OF LANARK / LANIMER DAY 1898 // Dr. Mc. L. BANKS / LORD CORNET / TOMINA RENNIE / QUEEN , in circular and four lines central legend.
.

Lanark is one of the oldest Royal Burghs in Scotland, its Charter being granted by King David I (1124-1153). One of the conditions attached was that the Burgesses of the town were required to examine their March or boundary stones every year and report back that all was well or ill according to what they had found. Lanark is probably unique among the Royal Burghs in that it has carried out this duty every year since it was first imposed. This duty of the Land Marches soon became an annual celebration - "The Lanimers". The first Lanimer Queen was chosen in 1893, and nowadays is elected by the children of one of six rotating local schools. On the Thursday, she is literally, "queen for a day", and is crowned following the procession. She also attends receptions where the children taking part in the procession perform, and a Lanimer Ball with the Lord Cornet on the Tuesday night. Finally, a Lord Cornet is chosen from among local businessmen to bear the town Standard, escort the Queen, and inspect the March stones.

Lanark (Scottish Gaelic: Lannraig, Scots: Lanrik) is a small town in the central belt of Scotland. Its population of 8,253 makes it the 100th largest settlement in Scotland. The origin of the name is British (Cumbric: Lanerc, Welsh: Llanerch) meaning "clear space, glade". Lanark has served as an important market town since medieval times, and King David I made it a Royal Burgh in 1140, giving it certain mercantile privileges relating to government and taxation. King David I realised that greater prosperity could result from encouraging trade. He decided to create a chain of new towns across Scotland. These would be centres of Norman civilisation in a largely Celtic country, and would be established in such a way as to encourage the development of trade within their area. These new towns were to be known as Burghs. Bastides were established in France for much the same reason.

A royal burgh (free town) was a type of Scottish burgh which had been founded by, or subsequently granted, a royal charter. Although abolished in 1975, the term is still used in many of the former burghs.

Every June the town of Lanark in Scotland holds its Lanimer celebrations. The festivities reach a high point on the Thursday of Lanimer week, when the town's schoolchildren parade in fancy dress with decorated vehicles, pipe bands, and a Lanimer Queen and her Court, who have been elected from local children.
The Lanimer celebrations are based on King David I (r. 1124 - 1153) granting Lanark the status of Royal Burgh during his reign. A condition of the charter stated that the merchants of the town must inspect their March or boundary stones each year. Lanark claims to have carried out this duty every year since then, and the Land Marches became transformed over time into the annual Lanimer celebrations.
Events in Lanimer Week

Lanimer week begins on Sunday when the Lord Cornet-Elect is led from the town's Memorial Hall to Saint Nicholas' Parish Church for the 'Kirkin' of the Cornet. On the Monday evening, crowds turn out for the Perambulation of the Marches, when officials and members of the public walk the boundaries. A Scottish country dance display takes place at Lanark Cross, followed by the Sashing of the Cornet and the Shifting of the Standard. The evening ends with the Lord Cornet's Reception. Tuesday sees the Lanimer Ball at a local hotel, (Lanark Market in 2009) when the Lord Cornet escorts the Lanimer Queen-Elect. An official ride-out around the March stones takes place on Wednesday night, followed by the presentation of the New Lanark Loving Cup to the Queen-Elect at New Lanark.

This is not to be confused with Landemer which is a similar festivity held in the nearby town of Rutherglen, also in South Lanarkshire. Landemer is normally held the first Saturday in June, but often has to change in recent years due to commitments in the nearby Hampden Park in Glasgow.
Lanimer Day
In 1898 Tomasina Rennie from Burgh School was Lanimer Queen ( http://www.lanarklanimers.co.uk/lanimer_queen_full_list.asp ) and Robert McLachlan Banks was the Lord Cornet ( http://www.lanarklanimers.co.uk/lord_cornet_full_list.asp ).

Lanimer Day is usually held on the Thursday between the 6th and 12th of June, barring a June election. Schoolchildren and others parade through the town in costumes accompanied decorated floats. This is known as The Lanimer Procession. They each receive a Lanimer penny for participating. With the children march brass and pipe bands, ex-cornets, and visiting dignitaries. The court ride in cars after the parade, and the Queen has an open-top coach.

Once the procession has gone once around the town centre, the children mount a stand in front of St Nicholas Church (and a statue of William Wallace on the steeple). The court also climb the stand and the Queen is crowned by a local lady, to acclaim from the assembled crowds. "Flower of Scotland" and "Scots Wha Hae" are played, and a Lanimer Proclamation read out, followed by "God Save the Queen", the British national anthem.

Later in the afternoon, the Lord Cornet has two processions on foot and horseback. Various entertainments for children and adults are laid on at Castlebank Park, and musical entertainment takes place at the cross in the evening.