The Maces

The Mace is the symbol of civic authority and is carried before the Mayor in civic processions. Bath's two Maces came as a result of a Royal Charter, granted to the City of Bath by Queen Elizabeth I in 1590.

The Mace is a traditional weapon of war and the basic design is like a caveman’s club. As the civic use of the Mace gradually overtook the military use, the handle was embellished with the Royal Arms and became more and more elaborate until it was larger than the head.

The Maces are now reversed and carried upside down in processions. 

Mayor's Collar and Badge of Office
 

Mayoress' Collar and Badge
 

In 1849, Queen Victoria decreed that Mayors should wear scarlet robes of office and a Collar of Office, so that they could be identified easily.

Money was raised by public subscription and a collar and badge was made. The Council decided to accept the civic emblem at a meeting held on 25^th June 1850, although not without some dissent. The gifts were styled by one member as “remnants of a barbarous age” and by another as “gee gaws” which were “incompatible with the advanced state of society in 1850”. Despite this criticism, the gift was accepted.

The Collar itself is Germanic, originating from the early 19^th Century, though the pattern is of three centuries earlier. It is silver gilt and has twenty six links, with a central pendant and two pearl drops.

It was purchased in Germany in 1922 by
Mrs Chivers, the Mayoress, and presented to the City Council by Alderman Cedric Chivers in replacement of an older chain. Below the pendant hangs a gold Badge bearing the City Coat of Arms. It was made in Birmingham and was presented in 1901 by the Town Clerk, Mr BH Watts.
 

On the upper surface is inscribed ‘Thos. Boddely Fecit 1732’. It is surmounted by a crown. The wooden staff has a painted and Japanese lacquered surface. 

The Inspector's Staff (shown above) is shorter and thinner than the City Watch Staves. It is painted in the same style, with the same design, but lacks a bulb. It is approximately 183 cm long and it is now used as the
Mayor’s Officer’s Staff.

The sword is two-handed, and two-edged, weighing 3.4 kg and measuring 163 cm.  The 119 cm blade does not have a scabbard.

It is a battle sword and would probably have been carried over the shoulder by a squire, as no arm would be long enough to draw it from a belt.

Inscription engraved on blade:  

"To the Corporation of Bath: the gift of Robert Edmund Dickinson, Mayor of the    City 1899-1900 on Coronation Day 1902. The sword is a reproduction of the Civic Sword known as the Bladud Sword. Originally belonging to the City of Bath, but now deposited in Oriel College, Oxford.
Made by Wilkinson. Pall Mall, London"