Taunton Deane Civic Insignia

The Mayor’s Chain
This was presented to the Taunton Borough Council in 1884 by Alderman Thomas Penny. 68 shields with each Mayor’s name were added, year by year until 1973/74. The chain is 18 carat gold and the medallion silver-gilt, hallmarked 9 carat. The combined weight is 750 grammes.
The chain comprising 68 crowned shields set alternatively in opposing pairs, with a single between each pair. The attachment comprising crowned “T” surmounted by a “Tun” barrel, dated 1877.
The medallion is approximately 4” high x 2.5” wide x 0.875” thick. The central turquoise enamel shield having a “King Ina” style crown, surmounted by a winged cherub. The shield surrounded by an oak and laurel wreath, surmounted by a crown with the motto “Defendamus” on a red enamel ground beneath. The whole being formed hollow and engraved on the reverse, “Presented to the Corporation of Taunton by Alderman Thomas Penny, Mayor. December 1884.” The medallion is hallmarked Birmingham 1919, and the engraving on an applied plate on the reverse which acid tests as 18 carat. The medallion is attached to the chain by a swivel.
The Arms on the original medallion were the same as those on the Mace i.e. the Common Seal of the Borough of Taunton, as shown in the illustration of the stained-glass window on the staircase of the Old Municipal Buildings. These were then changed to the present style but showing a Royal (King Edward) crown. This in turn was changed to a Saxon crown around 1938 after the Armorial Bearings were assigned to the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Taunton by Garter Principal King of Arms, Clarenceau King of Arms and Norroy King of Arms (the College of Heralds) on 23rd October 1934.

Description of Arms
ARMS:     Azure, in chief a Cherub and, in base, a Saxon Crown Or.
CREST:    Issuant from a Mural Crown Or, a Peacock in his stride proper, gorged with a Saxon Crown Gold.
MOTTO:  Defendamus (We shall defend).
Note:
Azure = blue.
Cherub = ancient winged animal with human face.
Saxon Crown Or = Saxon Crown Gold.
Issuant = issuing from.
Mural Crown Or = gold crown to imitate a battlement, given among the ancient Romans to the first man to mount the wall of a besieged city.
Gorged = having a crown about the neck.

Mayoress’s Chain
This was presented by Mr. T. S. Penny in 1928, and is in 14 carat gold. The medallion shows the Royal Crown in diamonds but this has never been changed. The chain carries 37 small shields each bearing the name of a previous Mayoress. The combined weight is 190 grammes.

Mayoral Robe
There have been five Mayoral robes: the first purchased in 1877 and now in the Museum; the second in about 1920 - These two have sable fur. The third, fourth and fifth were purchased in 1959, 1980 and 1984 respectively and all have musquash fur. Artificial fur is now available as a result of public concern over the use of animals.

Mace
This was presented in 1877 by the two Members of Parliament – Sir Henry James Q.C. and Mr. A.C. Barclay, and was presented following the granting of the Town Charter in that year.
The Mace is in silver: Hallmarked London 1877. It weighs 2.7 Kg. and is 35” long overall. The head is in the form of a King Edward’s crown with acanthus leaf surround and supported by one shield depicting the Common Seal of the Borough of Taunton, and the other shield engraved “Presented to the Taunton Corporation by A.C. Barclay esq. and Sir Henry James Q.C. the members for the Borough 1877”. The stem 1.125” in diameter, divided into three sections. The top section fluted, the other two plain with acanthus and bead lower finials.
The previous maces authorised by the Charters of 1627 and 1677 disappeared around 1820 and have not been seen since!
The present Charter was granted to the Borough of Taunton Deane on 10th March 1975, following its establishment as a District Council under local government re-organisation.
In 1939 a facsimile of the present Mace was presented to the City of Taunton, Massachusetts by the then Mayor of Taunton, (Councillor C.H. Goodland) when he attended the celebrations in connection with the ter-centenary of the founding of the City.
It has been the custom within the former Borough of Taunton, and the present Borough of Taunton Deane, to drape the head of the Mace in black at times of National mourning when the robe is worn. On these occasions the red ribbons on the shoulders of the Mayor’s robe are changed for black.
In the presence of the Sovereign the Mace is reversed as, being the traditional symbol of authority, it becomes redundant.
The Mace, having originally been a weapon of war, was necessary in olden days to protect the Mayor. Over a period of time various embellishments, e.g. initials and Coats of Arms, were added to the lower end in order to identify the owner. Gradually the lower end became so ornate that it eventually became the top. It is in fact, now normally carried upside-down in any case!

Michael Cull – Serjeant-at-Mace, Taunton Deane Borough Council 1987 – 2000. (Revised 2006) ©

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