Page:The histories of Launceston and Dunheved, in the county of Cornwall.djvu/323

MACES AND ROBES. 291 with the characteristic Crown, Globe, and Cross. Beneath the globe and cross are the Royal Arms, which form the top of the bowl. The exterior of the bowl is ornamented with four-winged female figures in bas-relief. The ex- tended wings of these figures meet over four small raised crowns, under which crowns are respectively the rose, the thistle, harp, and fleur-de-lis. From the head of each figure descends curling hair. The arms and legs are represented by acanthus leaves. The shaft of the mace is in sections, and beautifully chased with flowers and running foliage. Its entire length is 2 feet 9 inches. Having referred to these badges of office in connection with the place where they are most usually displayed, the Guildhall, we venture to remind the reader of our extract at page 151, date 1467-8. The Dunheved Commonalty at that time possesed their " Mase," and adorned its staff with silver. Mr. Lambert, F.S.A., who has made the history of maces his special study, says that in the year 1344 the Commons prayed the king that no one within cities or boroughs should bear maces of silver except the king's Serjeants. Mr. Lambert adds, that to the best of his knowledge the earliest maces known, and still in existence, are those at Tenterden, in Kent — one dated 1649, an ^ the other 1660. ROBES OR GOWNS. Mr. Carew, writing about the year 1600, says that Launceston was then governed " by a mayor and his scarlet-robed brethren." On the 4th February, 3 James I. (1605-6), at the guild- hall, the mayor and aldermen recited that, by an ancient constitution of the mayor and aldermen of the burgh, it was ordered that every person being elected an alderman should be allowed out of the common stock of the mayor and commonalty £3 6s. 8d. towards the preparing and buying a scarlet gown, to be worn and used by such aldcr- u 2