The Mace

The Mace is thirty-six and seven-eighths inches in length, and is topped with a cone, bearing the Borough Crest and surmounting a sphere fluted above and below.  This is enclosed by two scrolled C's (the initial letter of the Borough) and round the circumference runs the motto 'Sanitate Crescamus'.  The idea of Health and Growth is symbolised by the foliage decoration climbing up the Mace.  The Head is variously fluted and decorated with leafage founded on that of the Shirley Poppy, which derives its name from a hamlet contained within the Borough. 

On the vase-shaped Centre are affixed three pieces of the metal wrought into cartouches, from the centres of which are beaten three shields - the first bearing the Borough arms.  The second Shield, owing to the close connection which many Archbishops of Canterbury have had with the town, is made to bear the arms of Edward White Benson, the Primate current at the time; and the third, those of one of Croydon's greatest benefactors, John Whitgift, whose Schools and Almhouses are in the Borough.  To his friendship with Queen Elizabeth, and to her visits to the neighbourhood, the Tudor Rose makes reference.  Branches of this are made to grow from a point under each Shield, and, passing through the cartouches, ornament the spaces between, where the decoration is raised from the body of the vase itself.  The Shield pieces are thus, as it were, bound together on the vase.  Round the rim is the inscription, 'Municipibus Suis Croydoniensibus Fredericus Thomas Edridge Praefectus MDCCXC-I-V. D.D.D. A.S. MDCCCXCVI' - a magnificent gift from the Mayor, Mr. Alderman Frederick T. Edridge to the Corporation.

The Handle has eight hollow flutes bound by a ribbon of leafage of the same character as on the Head, and the end is decorated in the same style.  The line of the Handle is broken in the middle by an oval, divided by eight wave-like flutes into panels, in each of which are alternated a swimming Trout and river weeds and flowers, referring to the river Wandle, which takes its rise within the Borough. 

The Mace was designed by Gilbert Marks, of Croydon, and carried out and wrought by hand in Repoussé Silver-gilt by him and his assistants.

Source: The Croydon Local Studies Library

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Thursday, 28 August, 2008

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