The Mace-Bearer Magazine - Guild of Mace-Bearers

BREAKING THE CEREMONIAL MOULD
In 2002 the University of Southampton celebrated its
Golden Jubilee and I decided to undertake some
research on the history of the signing of the Royal
Charter in 1952, the year the new Queen was
crowned. I discovered many interesting facts but I
also came across some old regulations regarding the
role of the Esquire Bedell who carries the Foundation
Mace during the graduation ceremonies at the
University. The magazine I found stated that “The
Esquire Bedell should be a man with a great love of
ceremonial born in him and young enough to be able
to hold office for 25 years. It is a graduate’s post, as
he is not a menial but an important ceremonial and
honorary officer attached to the Chancellor”.
Additionally the Esquire Bedell should “….be about
6ft”.
For several years I undertook the role of the Academic
Marshall at graduation, whose role it was to organise
academic colleagues into the graduation procession.
Carrying the Jubilee Mace, the Academic Marshall
leads the procession into the hall and ensures the
academics are seated correctly. Next in the
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procession comes the University Marshall who in turn
organises the Senior Officers of the University, the
Deans and Pro Vice-Chancellors and any dignitaries
such as the Mayor or Mayoress. Finally the Esquire
Bedell leads the Presiding Officer, either the Vice-
Chancellor or the Chancellor, into the hall. I had not
thought it possible to even consider myself for the
role of Esquire Bedell but on showing a colleague the
magazine article we began to speculate about a
woman holding the position. Of course I wasn’t 6ft,
nor had I completed my Master’s degree at the time
but I did have a great love of ceremony and
understood that graduation was both a joyful
occasion and also one full of history and tradition.
My nomination was approved by Senate in 2004 and I
had the honour of becoming the University’s first
woman Esquire Bedell. We spent some time
researching what the feminine of “Esquire Bedell”
might be – but no-one has been able to suggest an
appropriate equivalent. I dismissed “Spinster Bedell”
quite quickly.
Installation of the first female Chancellor of Southampton University. From left to right: Town
Sergeant/Mace-bearer Paul Potterton, Mayor of Southampton Cllr. Terry Matthews, Dame Helen
Alexander DBE, Professor Don Nutbeam and Jo Nesbitt.
Picture courtesy of Tempest Photography