The Borough Mace and Chains of Office

The Borough Mace and original chains of office are on display in the mayoral corridor cabinets and the chains are now only worn on special ceremonial occasions. Replica chains are now worn for most events and these will be worn by the Mayor for tours of the Town Hall. The mace was presented to Scarborough Corporation in 1636 by Sir Thomas Posthumous Hoby of Hackness Hall.The mace is the symbol of the authority of the Borough Council and must always be on display during a meeting of the Council. It is also carried in front of the Mayor on civic ceremonial occasions. The mace of the City of London is a replica of Scarborough’s mace, the original London mace having been destroyed in the Great Fire of London. The Mayor’s chain was presented to the Corporation in 1852 by John Woodall, who has been referred to earlier as the owner of St. Nicholas House. The Mayoress’ chain was presented to the Corporation in 1897 when a public subscription was held to purchase it to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria that year. The date 1897 is included in the links of the chain. The Deputy Mayor’s chain was purchased by the Corporation in 1925.