s Sheriff's Mace by Edward Mangie, Hull, c.1660 - Hull Museums Collections

Sheriff's Mace by Edward Mangie, Hull, c.1660

This mace was ordered from Edward Mangie, a local silversmith around 1660. It is likely it was always a Sheriff’s mace, a symbolic badge of the Sheriff’s duties. Hull doesn’t have a Sheriff any more. This was abolished in 1974 and we now share one with the East Riding of Yorkshire. Edward Mangie was a silversmith who moved from York to Hull. His workshop was in Church Lane, off Market Place in a building used by many silversmiths before him. This mace was a symbolic badge of rank for the Sheriff. Maces were also used in this way by Sergeants-at-Mace. Some were even used as weapons. On 10th May 1440, a charter by King Henry VI created Hull as a county of itself. By this charter the Burgesses were empowered annually to elect a Sheriff, an officer with special duties in a county. The role of Sheriff of Hull was abolished in 1974 when the County of Humberside was created. The role of High Sheriff of Humberside was created but this was abolished itself in 1996. For ceremonial purposes Hull is considered part of the county of East Yorkshire and now shares the same Sheriff. Edward Mangie was lucky with his timing when he moved to Hull in 1660. With the Restoration of Charles II the same year, many people started ordering new silver and spending money again. The years before this had been difficult times for silversmiths and craftsmen.