The Royal Mace in the House of Commons: 18 (House of Commons Library Document) - Softcover

The Mace is the gleaming silver-gilt emblem of the royal authority delegated to the House of Commons. Borne before the Speaker on ceremonial occasions, and given pride of place on the table of the House during ordinary sittings, this symbol of the House is in fact derived from a medieval battle weapon. In this scholarly study, Sir Peter Thorne traces the history of the mace back to biblical times and shows how the fearsome weapon of the ancient world became the embodiment of British democracy.