58 Notes on the Corporation Plate and Insignia of WiltsJdre. 



I. within the garter — the initials c. R. at the sides without sup- 

 porters. 



The shaft is slender and plain, with small plainly moulded bosses. 

 Eovmd the bottom are sis projecting griffins rejiresenting the flanges 

 of the war mace. 



Round the shaft above them runs the inscription : — 

 " G. S. Mai 1639." 



and below them : — 



" Ri : Grafton fecitr 



On the button in Avhich the foot terminates is engraved a rebus — 

 the letters WIL above a tun, aU within an olive wreath. 



No. 3 is a very small Sergeant's Mace, now disused. It is of 



silver, 8^in. long, with j^lain semi-globular head without cresting or 



ornament, bearing on the cap -within an olive wreath the initials of 



Queen Anne : — 



A • R 

 1709, 



There are no haU-marks. The foot ends in an acorn. 



The Mayor's Chain. This is silver-gilt and consists of fourteen 

 large lockets, thirteen of which bear enamelled shields of the arms 

 of England (and Wilton), Gules three lions passant guardanl or, 

 ensigned by civic coronets — whilst the central locket has the mono- 

 gram V. W. in red and white enamel. These are coupled by plain 

 links. The badge is is of good design and workmanship, having 

 in the upper part the monogram j E- N., ' and in the base the date 

 1879. In the centre a circular enamelled medallion with the device 

 as on the mayor's seal, and the legend round it : — 

 aSurg a« amiltan, tnStg : tibttatW." 



The chain bears the Birmingham haU-mark (anchor) and date 

 letter for 1878, the badge the date letter for 1879. It was made 

 by Mr. J. W. Singer, of Frome, and cost £57 15*. 



* James Edward Nightingale, F.S.A., author of Church Plate in Wilts, and 

 Church Plate in Dorset, &c. Mayor of Wilton, 1872. Had much to do with 

 the designing and purchasing of the chain in 1879. 



