Dover Town Council

Civic Regalia

Civic and Ceremonial

A red robe is worn by the Mayor on all appropriate civic and ceremonial occasions and whilst wearing them the Mayor will normally be accompanied by the Mace-Bearer with Mace.

The Mayor's robe is a modern type of robe in a red lightweight cloth, trimmed with full length facings of fake fur. The sleeves are trimmed with magenta velvet. The Councillor's robes are generally black, but it has been the custom in Dover entitling former Town Mayors to wear their red robes at civic and ceremonial events. The robes of the Mayor and Councillors play a much more important part than is generally supposed. The discipline, orderliness and freedom of the British nation has for centuries been held in the highest regard, and the robes are the outward symbol of these qualities in local government.

Mace 

The Dover Corporation Mace is carried by the Town Sergeant on ceremonial and certain civic occasions and precedes the Mayor in procession.

The Mace is a hallmarked Silver gilt Mace, with a crowned head. Dated London 1676, apparently made by Master Thomas Backhouse, Ironmonger, being Maior of Stafford. The piece is 3 feet 10½ inches in length, weighing 108 ozs. It was made in memory of the landing of Charles II at Dover on the 25^th May 1660, on his return from exile. On a flat plate at the top under a crown are, in relief, the Royal arms of the Stuart Sovereigns. The head is crested with a circlet of crosses and fleur-de-lis. From the crosses, rise the arches of the crown, surmounted by the orb and cross. On the encircling band is the inscription in raised letters: ''Carolus-Hic-Posvit-Vestigia-Prima-Secundus-May: 25: 1660'' Round the head, which is divided into panels by winged demi-figures terminating in scrolls of the foliage, are the arms of the Cinque Ports and the four Royal Badges; Rose, Thistle, Fleur-de-lis and Harp, each crowned. The shaft having two large bosses are flat chased in spiral wreaths of rose and thistle, with scanthus leaves. On the bottom of the mace (which is a flat circular plate 4½ inches in diameter) are the Borough Arms. Viz.: - Saint Martin, the patron saint of Dover, dividing his cloak with a beggar and above are the words ''Dover 1676'' Round the base of the foot-knob on the fillet, are the words: ''Will Stokes Esq, Maior: 1676''

Mayoral Chain and Badge of Office 

The Badge of Office is a tradition dating back to an age when literacy was at a low level. Officers of State were more readily identifiable by their “Badges” of rank and office. Today the Badge of Office is symbolic and is supported by a chain. 

The Town Mayor of Dover's Chain and Badge of Office are made of gold, weighing 600 gms. The Chain is made in three strands of Anchor design, with the badge suspended. The badge being of trefoil form, it bears in the upper cusp of the trefoil an enamelled shield of the Coat of Arms of the Cinque Ports and in the lower cusps, devices copied from the obverse and reverse of the Borough Seal. Beneath, on a ribbon, are the words: 'Ville-et-Portus-Dovor' On the back of the badge is the inscription ''The Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Dover. The gift of Sir William Henry Bodkin, Steward to the Corporation and Recorder of the Borough from 1834 to 1874. To be worn by the Mayor for the time being in office'' On either of the badge are the coats of arms of the Mayors, Sir Richard Dickeson and Edward Knocker. The chain dates from 1867.


The Dover Jewel

The Jewelled Pendant of the Mayor of Dover is made of high carat gold and cast with the Arms of the Borough of Dover, bordered with the figures of Neptune and Amphitrite, Dolphins and a shell, enamelled with coats of arms. It is set with a cabochon blue sapphire at the bottom of the piece, with an oval cabochon ruby. It has two cabochon rubies for the eyes of the dolphins with two cabochon rubies to the bottom of the piece. There are five faceted Burma rubies, thread and grain set surrounding the centre motif. The tails of the figures also being encrusted with pave set emeralds, with a Marquise diamond to the centre of the tails. The tails of the dolphins, with the shell and the centre of the motif also being encrusted with pave set diamonds.

It is inscribed on the reverse: - ‘Presented to the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Dover by Sir Harry Bodkin Poland, QC Recorder AD 1898. Sir William Crundall, Mayor’

Deputy Mayor's Chain and Badge of Office 

The present chain was made in 2007 of silver gilt and enamel.

Mayoress's Pendant

Made in 1933 of silver gilt by Omar Ramsden. The Pendant being chased and set with cabochon moonstones, St. Martin being in the centre, with red enamelled background and fleur-de-lis suspended, one side being set with cabochon sapphire, with the Cinque Port crest, engraved Consocia Maioratus Dovoriae, the whole being suspended on a 19” silver gilt chain of Celtic alternating design