The Marischal Mace is carried by a representative of the Graduate Council at all official William & Mary convocations.
A gift from the University of Aberdeen in honor of the College of William & Mary's 300th anniversary, the mace was presented by the University's Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor John Maxwell Irvine. The University of Aberdeen is comprised of Kings' College (founded in 1495) and Marischal College (founded in 1593), where William & Mary's founder and first president, the Rev. James Blair, was educated.
The Marischal Mace, a silver replica of one of the two maces carried by Sacrists at traditional university ceremonies in Scotland, was first carried in academic procession at the Charter Day ceremony in February 1993. The Marishal Mace is a two foot long, bright silver rod embellished with acorn and fleur-de-lis symbols. The mace is topped by an open crown, through which the University of Aberdeen seal is visible.
When not in use, the Marischal Mace is on display in the Special Collections Research Center, Earl Gregg Swem Library along with other college regalia including the College Mace and badges of the Rector and Chancellor under the care of the University Archivist.
References
- "Scottish University Gives Silver Mace to William & Mary," Press Release, 11 February 1993, Office of University Relations, College of William & Mary.
External Links
- Photo of the College Regalia on display in the Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) in Swem Library via the SCRC's Flickr page.
- More photos of the maces via the SCRC's Flickr page.