Serjeant-at-Mace

Serjeant-at-Mace

Nowadays the Serjeant-at-Mace’s role is largely ceremonial, being primarily to attend and accompany the Council. They also assist the Council in its civic functions which occur throughout the year and, most importantly, take personal responsibility for the safe-keeping of the Council’s maces at such events. They lend gravitas to the varied functions that the Mayor and Councillors attend, and ensure that the traditions associated with the mayoral role are maintained.

Maces were originally used as weapons. They were a type of club with a heavy head (sometimes spiked) at the end of a handle; a Macebearer’s job was to literally protect the Council with their maces.

The ceremonial maces which are used nowadays in civic, parliamentary and academic ceremonies derived from these. They are ornamental staffs which represent the authority of a high official (such as the sovereign) or institution.