Chain Of Office Collection

The Lord Mayor of Cardiff (Alderman James Hellyer - {pictured right}) drawing his Points ration book at the City Hall, Cardiff

Sir Thomas More, 1527, (1902). Artist: Hans Holbein the Younger
Sir Thomas More, 1527, (1902). Portrait of More (1478-1535) as Henry VIIIs Lord Chancellor. More refused to subscribe to the Act of Supremacy which made Henry the head of the English Church

William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, 16th century (c1905). Cecil (1520-1598) was an English politician and the chief advisor of Queen Elizabeth I

The Right Hon. Warren Stormes Hale, the new Lord Mayor of London, 1864. Creator: Unknown
The Right Hon. Warren Stormes Hale, the new Lord Mayor of London, 1864. 'In accordance with the annual custom of this Journal at the time of the inauguration of a new civic reign

Samuel of Ugglas (1750-1812), count, governor, president of the chamber... c1780. Creator: Ulrika Fredrika Pasch
Samuel af Ugglas (1750-1812), count, governor, president of the chamber collegium, one of the lords of the realm, c1780

Peder Winstrup, 1605-1679, c17th century. Creator: Jonas Ahlgren
Peder Winstrup, 1605-1679, c17th century

The Right Hon. W. Cubitt, M.P. the new Lord Mayor, from a photograph by Mayall, 1860. Creator: Unknown
The Right Hon. W. Cubitt, M.P. the new Lord Mayor, from a photograph by Mayall, 1860. The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor was born at Buxton, near Coltishall, in Norfolk

Maximilian von Trauttmansdorff und Weinsberg, 1584-1650, c17th century. Creator: Anon
Maximilian von Trauttmansdorff und Weinsberg, 1584-1650, c17th century

Maximilian von Trautmansdorff, 1584-1650, Count, c17th century. Creator: Anon
Maximilian von Trautmansdorff, 1584-1650, Count, c17th century

Vilhelm (1516-1592), Duke of Jülich, Cleve and Berg, c1540s. Creator: Anon
Vilhelm (1516-1592), Duke of Julich, Cleve and Berg, married to Maria, Archduchess of Austria, c1540s

Christian II, 1481-1559, king of Denmark, Sweden and Norway, c16th century. Creator: Anon
Christian II, 1481-1559, king of Denmark, Sweden and Norway, c16th century

Z.C. Pearson, Esq. Mayor of Hull - from a photograph by Mayall, 1860. Creator: Unknown
Z.C. Pearson, Esq. Mayor of Hull - from a photograph by Mayall, 1860. At four years of age [Mr. Zachariah Charles Pearson] was left an orphan...When thirteen years old the lad

David Gloxin, c17th century. Creator: Anon
David Gloxin, c17th century

Claude Jérôme Chabot, c17th century. Creator: Anon
Claude Jerome Chabot, c17th century

Portrait of Reinoud III of Brederode, c.1545. Creator: Jan van Scorel
Portrait of Reinoud III of Brederode, c.1545. Other Title(s): Reinout III van Brederode (1493-1556), Lord of Vianen. Deacon in the Order of the Golden Fleece, Counselor and Chamberlain to Charles V

Ferdinand III, 1608-57, Holy Roman Emperor, c17th century. Creator: Anon
Ferdinand III, 1608-57, Holy Roman Emperor, c17th century

Portrait of Maerten Harpertsz Tromp (1597-1653), after 1640. Creator: Workshop of Michiel Jansz van Mierevelt
Portrait of Maerten Harpertsz Tromp (1597-1653), after 1640

Pierre Dupuis, Painter to the King, 1663. Creator: Antoine Masson
Pierre Dupuis, Painter to the King, 1663

Portrait of Captain Charles de Heraugières, Commander of Breda, 1590. Creator: Unknown
Portrait of Captain Charles de Heraugieres, Commander of Breda, 1590. Other Title(s): Portrait of Captain Charles de Heraugieres, Commander of Breda

The Lord Mayor Announcing the Peace, at the Mansion-House - from a photograph by the London Stereosc Creator
The Lord Mayor Announcing the Peace, at the Mansion-House - from a photograph by the London Stereoscopic Company, 1856. End of the Crimean War

Portrait of Joos van Trappen, called Banckert, Vice-Admiral of Zeeland, c.1640. Creator: Unknown
Portrait of Joos van Trappen, called Banckert, Vice-Admiral of Zeeland, c.1640

Christian II, 1861. Creator: Poul Hagelstein
Christian II, 1861

Portrait of the Electress Sibyl of Saxony (1510-1569), 1533. Creator: Lucas Cranach the Elder
Portrait of the Electress Sibyl of Saxony (1510-1569), 1533

'Sir Richard Chiverton, Lord Mayor of London 1657, 1814. Creator: Robert Dunkarton
Sir Richard Chiverton, Lord Mayor of London 1657, 1814. From From "Portraits of characters illustrious in British History from the beginning of the reign of Henry the Eighth to the end of

Our Colonial Empire - Three Australian Mayors, 1886. Creator: Unknown
Our Colonial Empire - Three Australian Mayors, 1886. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper Volume 33. January to June, 1886"

His Royal Highness the late Duke of Cambridge, K.G. G.C.B. &c. - from an original drawing, 1850. Creator: Unknown
His Royal Highness the late Duke of Cambridge, K.G. G.C.B. &c. - from an original drawing, 1850. The following bulletin, signed by the medical attendants

Badge and Chain of the Borough of Tynemouth, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Badge and Chain of the Borough of Tynemouth, 1850. The Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the borough of Tynemouth [Tyne & Wear], which was incorporated last year

Mayoralty Chain for the Corporation of Carlisle, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Mayoralty Chain for the Corporation of Carlisle, [in Cumbria], 1850. The Gas-works of the Carlisle Gas-light and Coke Company have just been transferred to the Corporation of that city;

Deputation from the Court of Lieutenancy of the City of London, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Deputation from the Court of Lieutenancy of the City of London, [at Windsor Castle], 1850. The City of London, the University of Oxford

The New Lord Mayor - the Right Hon. John Musgrove, 1850. Creator: Unknown
The New Lord Mayor - the Right Hon. John Musgrove, 1850. Portrait of John Musgrove, British businessman and Lord Mayor of London

Prince Eugene of Savoy as governor of Milan, 1706. Creator: Philipp Heinrich Müller
Prince Eugene of Savoy as governor of Milan, 1706

Old Believer Priest from Krasnoyarsk, 1904. Creator: Boris Vasilievich Smirnov
Old Believer Priest from Krasnoyarsk, 1904. Boris Vasilievich Smirnov (1881-1954) was a Russian artist who in 1904 traveled by prisoner transport from western Russia across Siberia

The Right Hon. W. A. Rose, the new Lord Mayor, 1862. Creator: Unknown
The Right Hon. W. A. Rose, the new Lord Mayor, 1862. Engraving from a photograph by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company. Mr

Fowey Deputy Mayor, Fowey, Cornwall. December 1993
Fowey Mayor Rhona Foster has presented a new chain to Deputy Mayor Roger Blount. Councillor Blount commissioned the new chain after the original one was stolen during a break-in at his home

Football Team Reunion, Fowey, Cornwall. October 1992
The Mayor and Mayoress of Fowey were present at a reunion of players from the football club of 1952. Although many of them still live locally in Cornwall

Mayor Making, Fowey, Cornwall. May 1993
The Mayor of Fowey, Rhona Foster, with her deputy, Roger Blount, after their induction in the town hall. They are photographed on the Town Quay with the harbour in the background

Rotary Club Presidency Handover, Lostwithiel, Cornwall. July 1990
Martin Austen (left), the outgoing President of the Rotary Club of Lostwithiel, hands over the chain of office to Chris Jewels

The Mayor of Neath starting the paper shredding machine at Neath Book and Salvage Drive and Exhibition. A notice near the machine gives the invitation

Councillor Doris Starkey, the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, sitting at a table. 22nd November 1978

Mayor Making, Fowey, Cornwall. May 1995
The new Mayor of Fowey, Ron Bennett, with his Deputy, Michael Culver, after the mayor making ceremony held in the town hall. They are pictured on the Town Quay. Photographer: Jonathan Barker

Sir Edward Coke, English lawyer, writer and politician, c1666 (1894). Artist: David Loggan
Sir Edward Coke (1552-1634), English lawyer, writer and politician, c1666 (1894). From A Collection of Engraved Portraits (Further Selection) Exhibited by the Late James Anderson Rose

Badge and Chain of the Mayor of Hull, 1857. Creator: Unknown
Badge and Chain of the Mayor of Hull, 1857....Mr. Anthony Bannister, on his serving the office a second time as Mayor of Hull in 1856

The new Lord Mayor and Sheriffs; Mr. A. J. Newton, Sheriff of London and Middlesex, 1888. Creator: Unknown
The new Lord Mayor and Sheriffs; Mr. A.J. Newton, Sheriff of London and Middlesex, 1888. From, The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper Volume 38. July to December, 1888

The new Lord Mayor and Sheriffs; Mr Alderman Whitehead, Lord Mayor, 1888. Creator: Unknown
The new Lord Mayor and Sheriffs; Mr Alderman Whitehead, Lord Mayor, 1888. From, The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper Volume 38. July to December, 1888

The new Lord Mayor and Sheriffs; Mr Alderman E. J. Gray Sheriff of London and Middlesex, 1888. Creator: Unknown
The new Lord Mayor and Sheriffs; Mr Alderman E.J. Gray Sheriff of London and Middlesex, 1888. From, The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper Volume 38. July to December, 1888

Louis XII (1462-1515) c. 1520 (oil on panel)
SOA235457 Louis XII (1462-1515) c.1520 (oil on panel) by French School, (16th century); 32x20.7 cm; Society of Antiquaries of London, UK

E is for Earl, illustration from An Alphabet, published by William Heinemann, 1898 (hand-coloured woodcut)
ELB109839 E is for Earl, illustration from An Alphabet, published by William Heinemann, 1898 (hand-coloured woodcut) by Nicholson, William (1872-1949); Private Collection; © Desmond Banks

Percy John Delf Smith (1882-1948) artist and Master of the Art Workers Guild in 1941 (oil on canvas)
AWG101260 Percy John Delf Smith (1882-1948) artist and Master of the Art Workers Guild in 1941 (oil on canvas) by Clause, William Lionel (1887-1946); The Art Workers Guild Trustees Limited, London

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"The Chain of Office: A Symbol of Power and Prestige" The concept of the chain of office dates back centuries, representing authority and honor. In 1527, Sir Thomas More donned a magnificent chain as Lord Chancellor, showcasing his esteemed position in society. This intricate piece was captured by Hans Holbein the Younger in a stunning portrait that still captivates viewers today. Fast forward to 1902, when Alderman James Hellyer proudly wore the chain as Lord Mayor of Cardiff. His image immortalized this significant moment, highlighting the importance bestowed upon him by his community. In December 1993, Fowey Deputy Mayor proudly displayed their own unique chain during a memorable event in Cornwall. The charm and elegance exuded from this accessory added an air of distinction to the occasion. Chains were not limited to political figures alone; even football teams embraced their significance. A reunion held in October 1992 for a football team in Fowey saw players adorned with their cherished chains, symbolizing unity and shared achievements on the field. Mayoral ceremonies became synonymous with these prestigious chains. In May 1993, Fowey witnessed its mayor making ceremony where yet another deserving individual assumed leadership while wearing this emblematic adornment. Beyond politics and sports, organizations like Rotary Clubs also recognized outstanding individuals through the passing on of chains. Lostwithiel's Rotary Club Presidency Handover in July 1990 marked a transition filled with pride and responsibility. Looking further into history reveals notable figures who wore these remarkable accessories long ago. Sir Edward Coke's depiction from c1666 showcases his influence as an English lawyer and politician—a testament to how far back these traditions extend. Even mundane tasks took on grandeur when performed by those entrusted with power—such as Neath Book's Mayor starting a paper shredding machine while wearing their distinguished chain—an act that elevated ordinary actions into something extraordinary.