" There were a number of fine old paintings in the
Hall, but the one which attracted the most attention was that of the
Princess Henrietta by Sir Peter Lely. In the turret above was hung the
old chapel bell, which served as an alarm in case of fire, and bore an
inscription in Latin, "Celi Regina me protege queso ruina," or "O Queen
of Heaven, protect me, I beseech thee, from harm." The insignia case in
the Guildhall contained four maces, two swords of state, a cap of
maintenance, a mayor's chain and badge, four chains for the
sergeants-at-mace, a loving cup, and a salver. The mayor's chain dated
from 1697. The older sword of the two was given to the city by Edward IV
on the occasion of his visit in 1470, "to be carried before the mayor on
all public occasions." The sheath is wrapped in crape, the sword having
been put in mourning at the Restoration; it was annually carried in the
procession to the cathedral on the anniversary of the death of Charles I
until the year 1859, when the service in commemoration of his death was
removed from the Prayer-Book. The other sword was given to the city by
Henry VII on his visit in 1497, after his victory over Perkin Warbeck,
when "he heartily thanked his citizens for their faithful and valuable
service done against the rebels"--promised them the fullness of his
favour and gave them a sword taken from his own side, and also a cap of
maintenance, commanding that "for the future in all public places within
the said city the same should be borne before the mayor, as for a like
purpose his noble predecessor King Edward the Fourth had done.
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