Hull's Great Mace, made in London, 1776
The Great Mace is a symbol of the Lord Mayorâs power. It is carried in front of Hull's Lord Mayor on important occasions. The Mace is also placed across the front of the Lord Mayor during council meetings.
The Great Mace is silver gilt which means it is gold-plated silver. The civic mace in England was originally a war mace. Smaller examples were once used as weapons and to show who was in charge.
The mace is carried as a symbol of deputed royal authority. This is why many carry the Royal Arms. The Royal Arms on this mace are those of the House of Hanover, 1714-1801. These Royal Arms were often placed at the handle of the mace. Through time, as maces have grown in size and decoration, these Royal Arms have become more elaborate. Because of this the mace can often look like it is being carried upside down.
This is not the first mace that Hull has had and many existed at much earlier dates. For example, the Chamberlianâs Roll for 1427-28 mentions four sergeants-at-mace.
This Great Mace of Hull originates from an order of the Bench of 10th September, 1776. This stated that a âlarge new maceâ be bought under the direction of âMr Mayorâ. The bill shows that it was bought through silversmith Stephen Bramston of Kingston upon Hull, at a cost of £76 14s.0d. Payment was received by Bramston on 9th April 1777.
Stephen Bramston (1720-1783) was both Chamberlain (1758) and Sheriff (1770). He was made free in 1753 by patrimony to silversmith Hawse Bramston.
