WHEN THE MACE WAS A WEAPON
Originally a weapon of offence, made of iron or stool and capable of breaking through the stoutest armour, the mace was often carried by bishops in battle in mediaeval times, instead of a sword. This, it is recorded, was to conform with the canonical rule which forbade a priest to shed blood.
The earliest ceremonial maces were intended for the protection of the King's person. They were borne by serjeant’s-at-arms, the royal bodyguard which, it is thought, was first established in England by Charles I. In the 14th centni”' tho tendency towards decorative maces arose, and it became the practice for them to be encased in precious metals. About 10f>0, however, their ceremonial carrying by ser-jeant-at-arms died out, and. it was replaced by the custom of carrying large maces before mayors.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NEM19330819.2.95
Bibliographic details
Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 19 August 1933, Page 7
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137WHEN THE MACE WAS A WEAPON Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 19 August 1933, Page 7
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