Lord Mayor

Lord Mayor's Insignia

Westminster's Coat of Arms

Westminster’s arms bear images from the City’s long history and were united in the present coat of arms in 1964 when the old city of Westminster merged with the boroughs of Paddington and St Marylebone – the latter provided the figure of St Mary in the centre of the Shield.

At the top centre of the shield is a cross surrounded by martlets (mythical birds which never touch the earth, and have no feet) which is the device of King Edward the Confessor, the first English King to live in Westminster, and is the Insignia of Westminster Abbey.

The red and white roses on either side of the cross represent the union of the English royal houses of Lancaster and York and the wolf’s heads on either side of the figure of St. Mary formed part of the coat of arms of the former Borough of Paddington.

The crest, a portcullis, above the shield is the attribute of a city, as are the battlement mural crowns worn by the lions flanking the shield. The motto – "Custodi Civitatem Domine" – means ‘Guard the City, O Lord’.

Insignia 

Chain of Office

The Lord Mayor is entitled to wear any of the chains of office of the mayors of the merged boroughs of Marylebone, Paddington or old Westminster. They often choose to wear the chain relevant to the part of the new City they are visiting. The chain shown was previously worn by the Mayor of St. Marylebone

The Badge of Office

Attached to the chain shown is a new badge of Office. This badge was presented by the Dean and Chapter of Westminster Abbey in 1965.

Westminster Mace

The Great Mace is of silver-gilt, and is 4 feet long. It is of the usual type of a crowned mace head on a staff, but in some of its features differs from the ordinary style of mace. It was originally given to the Court of Burgesses by its High Steward, Charles Butler, Earl of Arran about 1726. The mace head is divided into four panels by four winged creatures with boys' heads, terminating in scrollwork.

This mace is popularly supposed to be the ‘bauble’ ordered to be removed by Oliver Cromwell from the House of Commons.

History of the Mace – Symbol of Authority

The ceremonial Maces are derived from weapons of war. Today’s ceremonial Maces are a highly ornamental successor to the prehistoric club or bludgeon.

The Mace was adopted as a special weapon of the Serjeants-at-Arms appointed first by Philip II of France (1180-1223) to guard him from suspected assassins when he returned to France. A similar bodyguard was instituted by Richard I of England. Curiously the Mace was also the particular weapon of a Bishop or Churchman when he took the field in war. Apparently the argument was that whilst it was not considered appropriate for a man of God to shed another person’s blood with a sword or battle axe, to crack his skull was permitted.

Over time, the officers allowed to attend on Sheriffs, Bailiffs and Mayors gradually became less of an armed personal bodyguard, and more a Messenger to convey the Royal orders to local authorities; so the Mace with Royal Arms inscribed on it which he carried became the obvious and visible token of Royal authority.

In the course of time, the hitting end of the Mace fell out of use and the handle end increased in importance. This end became highly decorated and the Maces became no longer an offensive weapon but a symbol of authority. Today’s ceremonial Maces are therefore now carried, so to speak, upside down.