42 Notes on the Corporation Plate and Insignia of Wiltshire. 



Biffin, and on one side of the bowl the prince's feathers, with " The 

 Brittox Club " over them. 



The ladle has a silver handle lOin. in length, with an oblong- 

 shapod bowl, about 4in. x 2in.] 



MALMESBUEY. 



Until 1886 Malmesbury was governed under a charter of Will. III. 

 which recites charters of iEthelstan, Hen. IV., and Charles I. The 

 old corporation comprised an alderman, twelve capital burgesses, 

 and twenty-four assistant-burgesses, with two sergeants-at-mace. 



Under the new charter of 1886 the present corporation consists 

 of a mayor, four aldermen, and twelve councillors. 1 



The Maces. The older pair bear no hall-marks or date, but 



probably are of the time of the charter of Charles I., 1645. They 

 are of silver parcel gilt (the crown, cresting, badges on the bowl, 

 arms on the cap, bosses of handle, and foot knop being gilt), and 

 measure 2ft. 4in. in length. 



The head is semi-globular, slightly more elongated than those of 

 the earlier examples, divided into four compartments by a plain 

 beading, in which are the royal badges crowned. (These are in 

 higher relief in one of the maces than in the other.) There is a 

 cresting of fleur-de-lys and crosses, surrounded by a single open- 

 arched crown, with orb and cross. On the flat caps are the royal 

 arms with supporters, as borne by the Stuarts, in relief. 



The stems are quite plain, with small plain bosses. The foot has 

 a flat seal-shaped butt, on which is engraved the device of the town 

 arms — a castle with three embattled towers. On each side of the 

 castle three ears of wheat on one stalk (?) . 8 In chief a blazing star, 

 a crescent, and three pellets. The base, water. 



Both these maces are a good deal worn and knocked about, and 

 the cross on the head of one has been renewed in thin brass. 



1 The niaces here are kept in an oak chest with three locks, the keys of which 

 are held by three members of the old corporation — who have declined to hand 

 them over to the custody of the new corporation. 



2 See next page. 



