The Mace-Bearer Magazine - Guild of Mace-Bearers

PATRONS
As Patron of the Guild of Mace-Bearers I am delighted to contribute to this edition of The Mace-Bearer, especially
given how vital our mace is to the House of Commons, and indeed to Parliament. As Speaker of the House of
Commons my main role is to chair parliamentary debates and proceedings in the Chamber. However, it is important
to note that without the ceremonial mace in place on the Table of the House, the House of Commons would not be
constituted and business could not take place.
The Mace originally represented the emblem of the Royal Serjeant at Arms who, on request of the Commons by the
sovereign in the 15 th century, enabled the House to go about its business both within the Commons and outside it on
occasions when the Serjeant carried out orders such as arrests on behalf of the House. In recent times, the mace has
become the symbol of the authority delegated to the Commons by the Sovereign, and to this day it is returned to the
St James’ Palace when the House is prorogued or during dissolution.
The Speaker’s procession which takes place each day before the Commons’ sits is led by the Serjeant at Arms
carrying the mace across his right shoulder. The procession is another marked indication of the importance of the
mace and the traditions and values that it and its bearers symbolise. For visitors of Parliament, the Speaker’s
Procession is one of the most highly anticipated events of the Parliamentary day. There are always schoolchildren,
tourists, and often international delegations that take the opportunity to watch the procession before visiting the
Public Gallery to watch proceedings.
The importance with which the Mace is regarded can be seen throughout history. For example, in an attempt to
suspend Parliamentary proceedings, King Charles I, famed for his conflicts with Parliament, called for the Mace to be
returned to him. In defiance, the Commons refused. In more recent times, Members of Parliament have on occasion
attempted to remove the Mace in protest, an act which has been deemed as an act of grossly disorderly conduct in
parliamentary procedure and can result in suspension from the House.
Each day when groups of schoolchildren arrive to watch Speaker’s procession, I am reminded by the importance of
this tradition and am pleased that the mace will continue to be an iconic symbol for future generations.
Rt Hon John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons
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