SEALS, ARMS, INSIGNIA, PLATE, AND OFFICERS
The first common seal of the town, of which the
brass matrix survives, is round, 2½ inches in
diameter. It dates from the granting of the town's
first charter in 1545. (fn. 1) It depicts a castle with embattled walls, a central tower charged with a shield,
and two flanking towers, on each of which is a
watchman blowing a horn. On each side of the
central tower is a spire topped with a cross. The
shield has a composite device comprising a fess
between in chief three cross-crosslets (Beauchamp)
and in base chequy a chevron (Newburgh). Legend,
lombardic: SIGILLUM COMMUNITATIS
WARWYCHIE. (fn. 2)
Damage to the matrix probably early obscured the
device on the shield, which by 1682 was thought to
be a ragged staff, bendwise. (fn. 3) The original matrix
continued in use, however, though an order of 1712
suggests that private seals were also being used for
corporation business. (fn. 4)
The second common seal was ordered in 1837,
and was to comprise the same device as the old seal,
with a new inscription. (fn. 5) It is round, 14/5 inch in
diameter, and repeats the old device, but incorporates the ragged staff instead of the earlier composite arms. The legend, gothic: BOROUGH OF
WARWICK. COMMON SEAL. (fn. 6) This seal is still
in use.
In 1964 this device was incorporated in a grant of
arms to the borough.
The insignia of the borough include two maces.
The sum of £40 said to have been spent on a new
mace in 1652 (fn. 7) seems to indicate a recasting of an
older one (fn. 8) by Thomas Maundy, probably using the
same metal. The mace was altered at the Restoration
when the letters 'CR' and a Rose and Crown were
added. The mace was 'new gilded' in 1712, when the
letters 'AR' were engraved, together with the
inscription round the rim of the base. There is a
smaller mace dated 1672, possibly made to replace
an earlier one in use since the 1613 charter. (fn. 9) Its
existence is implied in 1616 when the churchwardens of St. Nicholas paid for a new mace stand
for the great mace. (fn. 10)
By will dated 1570 Thomas Oken gave three
goblets, a salt, and 19 spoons to the corporation,
successive bailiffs having to find surety for the same
on entering office. (fn. 11) The present plate is the outcome
of a corporation order of 1707 (fn. 12) whereby Oken's
plate was exchanged for a tankard and a salver
engraved with Oken's name, and a dozen spoons
engraved with the letters 'T.O.'.
The mayoral chain was presented by Mr. Speaker
Peel on behalf of subscribers in 1885. It consists of
links of small shields and letters alternately. The
borough device is on a large pendant with a reverse
inscription recording that the chain was presented
as a token of esteem to the mayor (S. W. Stanton), to
commemorate the jubilee of the Municipal Corporations Act, and to be a record of the last year in
which the borough was represented by two members
of Parliament. (fn. 13)
A list of principal burgesses, bailiffs, and mayors
from 1545 to 1902 has been printed by Kemp. (fn. 14) A
complete list is to be found on wooden boards in the
Council Chamber. There is a list of the recorders
with biographical details from 1554–1902. (fn. 15)
WARWICK BOROUGH.
Arms: Sable a walled town with three
towers silver, issuant from each of the flanking towers a demi
figure representing a night-watchman respectant winding a
horn silver habited and capped gules; the central tower
charged with an escutcheon gules, thereon a ragged staff
bendwise; between in chief a mullet of six points and an
increscent silver. Crest: On a wreath of the colours a demi
bear supporting a ragged staff sable.
Figure 22:
WARWICK BOROUGH
Arms: Sable a walled town with three
towers silver, issuant from each of the flanking towers a demi
figure representing a night-watchman respectant winding a
horn silver habited and capped gules; the central tower
charged with an escutcheon gules, thereon a ragged staff
bendwise; between in chief a mullet of six points and an
increscent silver. Crest: On a wreath of the colours a demi
bear supporting a ragged staff sable.