Just who was the Norwich Whiffler?

Four Whifflers led the mayor, aldermen and freemen in procession on civic occasions and guild days. Their job was to clear the way by brandishing their short, two-handed swords.

The illustration above is taken from an 18th century lithograph (artist unknown) in the Castle Museum. It is also used as the back cover of Buxom to the Mayor: A History of the Norwich Freemen by Elizabeth Griffiths and Hassell Smith.