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Lord Mayor's Chain and Badge
The Chain and Badge is the outward sign of the office of the Lord Mayor.
The Chain is worn within the city when performing official civic functions, important ceremonial occasions and also as appropriate at other times, such as opening conferences, fetes and new businesses. It is also worn, at the Lord Mayor's discretion, when paying visits to such places as schools, churches and the emergency services.
At other times the Badge is only worn outside the city on official engagements. The Badge is de rigueur (necessary according to etiquette or protocol) and permission should be asked of the Mayor or Chairman of the Borough to be visited.
Details of the Chain and Badge
The Chain consists of a clasp in the shape of the ancient Domus Dei from which plain rectangular links, on which are inscribed the names of successive Mayors and Lord Mayors, pass on either side to shields engraved with the obverse and reverse of the corporate seal. The links then change their shape to a handsome bold curb; part plain and part engraved. On the next shields the maritime anchors stand in full relief and the centre shield bears the crest of Henry Ford, Mayor in 1859, when the Chain was acquired.
From the Chain hangs the badge, a massive pendant in rich scrollwork supporting a shield with the star and crescent crossed at the back by the mace and sword of state. Engraved on the back of the badge is the legend:
Purchased by subscription amongst the burgesses and presented to the Worshipful the Mayor of Corporation of the Borough during the Mayoralty of Henry Ford Esq., under a committee composed of G Cressweller Esq. (Chairman), Mr Alderman Orange, Mr LA Vandenburgh, Mr WO Marshall, Mr E M Frost, Mr H D Davey, Mr E M Wells, Mr Dudley, Mr G Rake, Mr W Treadgold, Mr G Long, Mr William D King (Hon Sec) Portsmouth, September 1859The diamond-studded crown over the enamelled scroll, bearing the words "Jubilee V 1887 R Year" which now surmounts the Mayor's crest in the centre of the Chain bears the following inscription:
Presented by A S Blake Esq., Mayor, 1885-86
Lady Mayoress's / Consort's Chain
This is a small replica of the Lord Mayor's Chain and it is of a more slender design. The Badge bears the following inscription:
In commemoration of the 60th year of the reign of Queen Victoria, this Chain and Badge was purchased by members of the Council and presented to Mrs Couzens for the use of herself and her successors in the office of Mayoress/Consort, 1897
This Chain was worn for the first time on the occasion of the election of Mayor by Mrs H Kimber, Mayoress, 1897-98.
