The Chain of Office and Mace

The Mayoral Chain and Badge were presented to the Council by Sir Edwin Durning-Lawrence in November 1900 when the new Metropolitan Borough of Lambeth was created.

The present badge is a replica. The original was stolen in 1927. The originals were made for Sir Edwin's father, Alderman William Lawrence in 1849 when he was Sheriff of the City of London. The chain was later worn by Sir William Lawrence (Sir Edwin's brother) when Lord Mayor of London in 1864.

The chain and badge are made of 18-carat gold with the borough's coat of arms set in enamel. The motto on the badge is 'Spectemur agendo' - 'Let us be regarded according to our conduct'.

Nowadays the mace is purely a ceremonial staff of office but back in the Middle Ages it was a weapon, a type of club usually with a spike metal head.

Lambeth's mace is made of silver-gilt and was presented to the council by Sir Edwin Durning-Lawrence on the 29 January 1914 and is a magnificent example of the silversmith's art.

It consists of the usual shaft and head surmounted by a boldly arched Imperial Crown with Maltese Cross and Fleur-de-Lys surrounding the head. The latter is richly worked with a relief design and divided into panels by winged figures. The centre front displays a facsimile of the official badge of the Mayor of Lambeth.