The first known reference to a Mayor of Bedford is in 1264, when the Mayor and Bailiffs are mentioned in the Close Roll.

Before the Municipal Corporations Act, 1835, the Mayor of Bedford came into office annually on 29 September.

The first Mayor of the reformed Corporation came into office on 1 January 1836, and subsequent Mayors on 9 November every year.

In consequence of the Local Government Act, 1948, and the Local Government Act, 1972, the Mayors from 1949 onwards came into office during May.