As the First Citizen of the area, the Mayor is entitled to wear certain items of civic
regalia. In addition, certain items will be used to signify the office.
The Chains
The Mayoral Chain consists of 11 crests with crown links and ten letter links spelling
out GILLINGHAM, all of which are made in sterling silver and gilded. On each crest is
engraved some of the names of previous Mayors. There is also the support chain to
assist with the weight of the Seals. The Seal Matrix of the City of Rochester Shield is
made in hallmarked 9ct gold manufactured in 1988 by Denis Green. The castle on
the front of the shield has been carved in palladium. Hand engraved on the back is a
symbol of the martyrdom of St Andrew. On the tip of the shield are three turrets made
in palladium. The City of Rochester Oyster and Floating Fishery Shield is made in
hallmarked 9ct gold manufactured in 1988 by Denis Green. The ship on the front of
the shield has been hand carved in palladium. Hand engraved on the back is a
picture of a fish with S C Roffen 1606 underneath. On the top of the shield is a crown
made in palladium and gold. The centrepiece is the Medway Coat of Arms; made in
sterling silver then gilded. The two seahorses have also been made in silver and are
enamelled in a royal blue colour. The seahorses are holding tridents which have
been made in silver and gilded. In the centre in royal blue enamel is the crest
showing Old Rochester Bridge and a lion. Above this sits a crown in royal blue
enamel. Under the shield is a scroll made in silver and white enamel containing the
words “Forward Together”·
The Robes
The Mayor will only wear the robes on ceremonial occasions and the robes signify
that the Mayor is representing several parties:
 Red represents the Queen
 Black represents Law
 The fur represents the People.
The Badge
Occasionally it is not appropriate for the Mayor to wear full regalia and on these
occasions, the Mayor will wear the ‘badge’ which is the Medway centrepiece hung
from a ribbon in blue.
The 1748 Silver Oar
The large silver oar is hallmarked London sterling silver 1748. The blade has the
raised silver gilt arms of England, Scotland, Ireland and France on one side; the
other side has royal arms and motto; three silver gilt knops on shaft and ferrule at the
end. Inscribed with 'Benjamin Graydon Esq Mayor 1748', this item is symbolic of the
Mayor of Rochester's position as honorary Admiral of the River Medway from
Sheerness to Hawkwood.
The 1996 Silver and Wood Oar
This is the ceremonial oar of carved walnut that is taken onto the River Medway as
part of the traditional Admiralty Court. It has a circular silver mount on one side with
the Chatham arms and motto. The other side has two circular silver mounts with seal
and arms of the Admiralty Court; hallmarked London sterling silver. Inscribed with
'From a generous donation from the Rochester Oyster and Floating Fishery';
'Commissioned 1996'.
Civic Silver at Guildhall
The Guildhall Museum in Rochester cares for a collection of historic silver items
given to the old borough and rural councils of Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and
Strood. Upstairs in the Main Chamber you will find on display the older traditional
civic treasures, including the famous 1661 Rochester mace, and the silver and
wooden oars of the Admiralty Court. The latter are used for the meetings of the
Admiralty Court, covering matters relating to the River Medway such as navigation,
trade and fishing rights.
There is also an impressive range of silver and gold-plated silver objects in the
museum’s collections that come from various sources.
Some items relate to the long relationship Medway has had with the Services. The
Navy and Army are well represented with gifts from the Marines and the Ghurkhas,
together with items commemorating the history of the Royal Engineers in this area.
Also well represented are local companies and institutions, many of them presented
as gifts on the quincentenary (500th anniversary) of the Rochester Mayoralty in 1961.
These include names such as Brimar Ltd, Leonards of Rochester High Street,
Walpamur Ltd, the Metal Box Co, Luxram Electronic Co, Wingets, Kent Alloys and
Swain & Sons Ltd. Here in Rochester the Bridge Wardens and the Admiralty Court
presented items along with gifts from the local banks and the Co-operative Society.
Charities such as the Red Cross and the Round Table also have items here.
There are also exchange gifts that reflect Medway’s civic links abroad. Silverware
from Abbeville and Valenciennes in France;
Massachusetts, USA and Cadiz, Spain, can
be seen.
During the 19th century the River Medway
was the setting for the annual sailing barge
races. These locally built vessels competed in
these popular events that were witnessed by
many thousands of people. The museum has
a selection of the beautiful silver trophies
awarded to the winners.
The collection also includes items that record
the visits of royalty to this area. Other objects
show how local celebrities have been involved with the opening of new schools,
roads and other facilities.
Finally there are also trophies awarded to local people for best-kept gardens and
allotments, recording a time when a great pride was taken in the traditional English
pastime of gardening.
Some key exhibits include:
The Rochester Mace
Great Mace of the City of Rochester; silver gilt, London Hallmarked 1661; large
ornate head, crowned arms of England, France, Scotland and Ireland, each flanked
by 'CR' (short for ‘CAROLUS REX’ – King Charles II) and separated by a female
classical figure; topped with crown and orb. Inscribed with 'This mace was made for
the City of Rochester in the year 1661 Mr John Mabb being then Mayor'; 'Repaired
and new gilt in the Mayoralty of John Batten Esq 1748'; 'Repaired and re-gilt 1937 I G
Winch, Mayor'.
The Mayoral Sword
This is the ceremonial dress sword for the
Mayor of Rochester. The blade has no
edge, but the top half is beautifully
engraved and damascened (blued). The
silver gilt hilt has the City of Rochester
arms and the grip has an image of
Rochester Castle and the martyrdom of St
Andrew (the patron saint of Rochester).
The guard has the Rochester Admiralty
Court arms. This sword is symbolic of the
Mayor's position as honorary Constable of
Rochester Castle. Engraved with 'GIVEN
TO THE CORPORATION OF ROCHESTER AD 1871 by Alderman John Ross Foord
MAYOR AND ADMIRAL OF THE CITY AND CONSTABLE OF THE CASTLE'.
The Chatham Mayoral Chain
Mayoral chain and badges of the old
Borough of Chatham; silver gilt
badge with red and blue enamel, St
George's cross, anchor, 'INVICTA';
gold badge with Chatham arms.
This is actually two chains combined.
The outer chain consists of 52 silvergilt 'S' links, first worn by the High
Constable of the Court Leet of
Chatham in 1875. The inner chain
consists of 28 gold links with red and
green enamel flowers, and was
originally worn by the Doges (Chief
Magistrates) of Venice (the last
Doge, Louis Manini was deposed in
1797 by Napoleon Bonaparte).
The Rochester Mayoral Chain
The Mayoral chain and badges of the City of Rochester. Made in 1875 and presented
to the City by Mayor Lewis Levy in remembrance of his father, John Lewis Levy.
The chain consists of 16 shield-shaped links with City arms, hung with four
enamelled badges: the City arms in red enamel; a polychrome enamel view of
Rochester Castle and St Andrew; a dark blue enamelled 'LL' (Lewis Levy, Mayor);
the Admiralty seal.