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The Manuscripts of Lincoln, Bury St. Edmunds Etc. Fourteenth Report, Appendix; Part VIII. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1895.
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CIVIC INSIGNIA.
These ensigns of office are unusually fine and numerous. Of their making and their cost, and of their occasional repair, notices are to be found at various times in the extracts above from the Registers. They were exhibited in the year 1868 at the Art Exhibition in Leeds, and from the Catalogue by Mr. W. Chaffers the description of the first six articles in the subjoined list is mainly taken. The whole will be fully described in a forthcoming work by Mr. W. St. John Hope on the Corporation Plate and Insignia of England and Wales.
1. Sword, with pear-shaped pommel and cross guard, originally inlaid and damascened with gold, of the fifteenth century. Length, 3 feet 9 inches.
2. Sword with flattened circular silver pommel, engraved on both sides with the royal arms of the time of Richard II. Silver cross guard, inscribed, "jehsus est amor meus. a deo et rege." Red velvet scabbard, mounted in silver at a later period, inscribed "tho. kent, mayor, 1685," embroidered with crown and fleur-de-lis, portcullis and thistle. Length of sword 3 feet 8½ inches. 14th cent.
3. State Sword, with silver-gilt pommel and cross guard, presented by John Kent, Mayor, 1734, bearing the hall-mark of that year, with the same mottoes as the preceding. Red velvet embroidered sheath, silver mounted. Length 4 feet 7 inches.
4. Short silver mace with cup-shaped end, with three shields of harp, fleur-de-lis, and cross; on the top the royal arms of Q. Anne, pierced border. Length 19 inches.
5. Large silver[-gilt] mace, repoussé, with the rose, fleur-de-lis, harp and thistle, and C. R. II., surmounted by a Crown; the stem chased with flowers. Length 4 feet 2 inches.
6. Silver badge and chain, worn by one of the waits, in proclaiming the fair [etc.], with the royal arms on one side and those of the city on the other. 1710. [This has more links, by a large number, than appear to have belonged to the waits' badges, which at most had 28 links.]
7. A red velvet cap of maintenance of the 16th century, with broad brim and crown, embroidered in silver, with the Tudor rose. But see under date of July 21, 1685, and Oct. 1, 1688.
8. A sword-bearer's hat, with tassels. 16th cent.
9. A mahogany staff. See under the year 1587.
10. A modern grand gold collar and chain of office for the mayor.
William Dunn Macray.