County Constabulary Lord Mayor's Mace Escort

[Spasm]

Having put this photo of a plod/truncheon (collective noun) of policemen in the lounge under Remembrance Day, Mervyn asked me to do a bit of research on the silver maces they carry.

Edited November 14, 2013 by Spasm

[Spasm]

They are called the Lord Mayor's Mace Escort - seein as they all carry a large silver mace - ye olde tradition that goes back hundreds of years.

The Escort was formed as protection to the Mayor of Bristol (I think other cities and towns in England have similar traditions). Originally it was a civil post with the 8 escorts carrying wooden staves. 4 escorts for the mayor and 4 for his deputy. The escorts surrounded the mayor and deputy to keep anyone at least an arm's length and tip of the staff away.

The escort duties were handed over to constables on the formation of the City's police force - Avon and Somerset Police - don't know when but probably more than 10 years ago. The escort is under the command of a Sergeant at the Mace who also oversaw the annual "Court of Pie Poudre". An ancient court that dealt with common thieves and debtors. It was abolished in Queen Victoria's reign as the hanging drawing and quartering of someone who hadn't paid his rent was seen as a tad severe.

The wooden staves were replaced by the 8 silver maces in 1722 and are said to be irreplaceable and worth around the 40 grand mark (don't know if that's each or for the whole lot) - Mervyn is having two.

The deputies' 4 maces are an inch shorter than the mayor's - around 30 inches long. Obviously you can get a bit closer to the deputy before you get a very thick ear.

Here's a couple of the escort on the early 1970s

The escort wear Victorian style uniforms, white gloves, wide leather belts with a fitting for an oil lantern and spit and polished boots. British service pattern helmets with silver trim worn in the high slung position - rather than under the chin.

Unfortunately I haven't any pictures of the maces themselves as they are locked away when not in use. They do come out to hang on the wall of the chamber when the council is in session to represent the crown. You'll have to wait until next Remembrance Day when I'll ask the escort if I can get within arms reach to take some photos. They are solid silver, about 30" long topped by a deep ornate circular crown and engraved with Bristol City's coat of arms.

The maces are never used outside the city's boundary (the escort revert to the long wooden truncheons when attending ceremonies in the sticks - such as Bath and those run down shanty towns).

So, expect photos of maces, a plod of old bill, a dented head and a hospital bill next year.

Edited November 14, 2013 by Spasm

[Spasm]

Oooops bullsed that up. Here's the second picture of the escort outside Bristol Assizes in 1971.

The County Courts replaced these in 1972 so the old Assizes is now a posh hotel for Shermans.

[Robin Lumsden]

Great information !!

Cops and maces have always gone together ....................

[Mervyn Mitton]

Well done Steve - fascinating British history - and it clearly shows that they hated politicians as much as we do now.................

Every major council has a silver mace to represent that they act in the King's name and under his authority. Even the House

of Commons has the Royal Mace on display in front of the Speaker when the house is sitting.

These are clearly an adaptation of the silver mace originally in use - and as you have been told, the original weapon for the

escort was a long stave. Bristol is a rich city - really known for two things - it's production of Blue glass, used for linings in silver

items. The second thing is that it is a seaport city - and was the centre of the British slave trade. This was suppressed in the

early 19th Century. However, the fact remained - the City was wealthy and the maces have to be seen as a way of showing this.

I wonder how many other towns and cities have items like this locked away. Since they are civil regalia I never really covered

them in my book. I have just been asked by the Lord Mayor of London to write a history of the City Guilds regalia for the

different Guilds - they go back many hundreds of years and the Guilds still have their Beadles and Constables. Unfortunately, I am

not really well enough to take on such a big work, so have had to decline.

We shall look forward to seeing some further pictures - and also the hallmarks on the maces. Why don't you write to their HQ - I bet

they would ask you around very quickly if they knew you were going to post this on GMIC . Mervyn

[Nightbreak]

With Remembrance Day coming up, it's time for your reminder to get out there and get us a good close-up of those staves!

[Spasm]

Too late, I was too late, sorry. I saw them at a distance as they marched towards the Cenotaph. My fault, I was painting and lost track of the time. Got there at 10.45, put my old beret on and listened to the last post.

Sorry Gents. There's always next year.

[Mervyn Mitton]

Never mind - I enjoyed re-reading last year's detailed post - you did us proud with that one.

One point I overlooked - the mention of being at arms length to keep the tip of a tipstave from

touching the Mayor. With conflicting politics in those early days, the Opposition could lay

charges and in so doing, prevent the Mayor and Council from doing their appointed duties. One

touch from the tipstaff and the person being arrested got 7 years transportation if he resisted.

[Stuka f]

Intresting post!

|<ris

[mace1620]

Sorry you missed them. Here's a close up of one if you are interested.

[Mervyn Mitton]

Mace - welcome to GMIC and thankyou for sending the close-up of the Mace Head. It is certainly Georgian in origin - I

would think George 3rd. (1760-1820). * The naming is a little hard to read - even with the enlargement. It could be

Inn. SHENCES (The Inn. standing for Innocent ?) The 'S' is the old style that looks like an 'f' - or it could be a K ?

*May even date back to George 2nd ?

The question - of course is this his name - or, the area of his responsibility ? The lower line is probably his rank -

Bearer ; Beadle ; Constable, and his official number - in this case 'No. 1'

With your 'name' of Mace - do you have anything to do with the care or, handling of these rare items ? It would be great

to have some clarification on the wording. Best wishes Mervyn

[mace1620]

Hello Mervyn and thank you for the welcome.

Within the city of Bristol there are 8 Mace. 4 for the Lord Mayor and 4 for the Sheriff.

They are the original Mace as commissioned in the first instance by the Mayor of Bristol at the time. (The year of which escapes me at the moment however they are Georgian at around 1760 and made of silver, the original Mace Escort commenced in 1701).

The Sheriff then asked the Lord Mayor if he too could have the same Mace made for his escort party, but he was told no. He couldn't have the same ones and would have to have his own made, but they must not be more elaborate than those of the Lord Mayor.

The Sheriff commissioned his own, which look identical, however, they Sheriffs are all an inch shorter than the Lord Mayors.

Each is inscribed with a number, 1-4 and a rank. I will endeavour to get further details when I am next with them, as I am one of the city Mace Bearers.

I will write again when I have the information

Kind regards

Edited December 18, 2014 by mace1620

[Mervyn Mitton]

Mace1620 - Fascinating information and clearly shows how Bristol had become a rich Town at that point of it's history.

Any further info and pictures will be be very well received - as will be you in your official uniform bearing the Mace. Thankyou.

Mervyn