Memorial XX: The Mace and Yard

Memorials of the Guild of Merchant Taylors of the Fraternity of St. John the Baptist in the City of London. Originally published by Harrison, London, 1875.

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'Memorial XX: The Mace and Yard', in Memorials of the Guild of Merchant Taylors of the Fraternity of St. John the Baptist in the City of London, (London, 1875) pp. 114-115. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/taylors-guild-london/pp114-115 [accessed 26 April 2024]

XX. THE MACE (fn. 1) AND YARD (fn. 2) OF THE COMPANY.

The mace and yard of the Company

The Mace (the emblem of the Master's supreme authority) and the Yard (the London measure of cloth used in the search) are drawn on the opposite page, and this entry relates to them:—

"A Petition of Edward Thruxton, (fn. 3) late Beadle of the Company, stating that in the time of Mr. Kympton (1596–7), while Thruxton's wife was in the country, 'the Silver yard and Mace were at that tyme both stolen forth of my house. Since wch tyme I have made them both new agayne much fairer than they were before, att my owne prop coste and charges as may be judged by those who did knowe the other before, I am bold to send your Worshipps note what the coste and chardges did stand me in,' &c., &c., here follows the statement of the cost and reference to some articles of fixtures left in his late residence:—

"A note of the Yard and Mace.

£ s. d.
"The 20th June 1597, paid Mr. Duckett, Gouldsmith, for 7 and ½ ounces of Silver to make the Mace, at 5s. the oz. 1 17 6
"For making the Mace 0 10 0
"For gylding of it 0 4 0 £ s. d.
2 11 6
"The 10th August 1597, paid more to Mr. Duckett for 11 and ½ oz. of silver to make the yard at 5s. ye oz. 2 17 6
"For making the yarde 0 15 0
3 12 6
6 4 0

"It was fully agreed that the some of 20 nobles (6l. 13s. 4d.) is thought to be a sufficient satisfaction for the same as for all other matters, &c."—[21st October 1598.]

Footnotes

  • 1. Edward III.'s Charter to the City granted, "for the honor of the City," the right to the Sergeants "to bear maces of gold or silver" when the Civic Magistrates go out to meet the king or royal family.—Norton's London (1869), p. 365.
  • 2. See page 96. This was exhibited at the South Kensington Museum in 1862, as No. 5,467, and was described in the Catalogue (p. 452) as five-eighths of an inch in diameter, and near each end is engraved the arms (1480) of the Company, and the Lombardic letter H, which was used as the Hall Mark in 1445–1525 and 1605. The H on the silver yard most resembles that of 1445.
  • 3. The beadle (Truxton) was not, it may be supposed from another entry found relating to him, a very creditable officer of the Company:— "Whereas Edward Truxton, the Beadle of this Company, in regard of his yeares and ymperfections of his body, did lately desire the favor of the Company to grant the reversion of his office unto one John Burford, a brother of this Company, who would assist him in his office without expecting any allowance for the present, of which the Company took further tyme to consider. Sithence wch tyme the said Edward Truxton hath ben arested and ymprisoned for debt. And therefore resorted hether with his keep, and desired the favour that he might recomend the said John Burford to the present execution of his place. At the next court Edwd. Truxton now remayning in the prison of Ludgate, Doth signifie that he is no longer able to undertake his said office, upon proceeding to elect one of 5 Candidates Jno. Burford (one of the 16 men) refused to stand in competition with any other and Nicholas Hurdes was elected."—[31st May 1598.]
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