Sword Rests

Sword rests or stands were originally installed in City churches to hold the Lord Mayor’s sword of state when he visited a church on Sunday. They were usually attached to a pew at the front of the church.St Mary-at-Hill possesses six sword rests. Two of them originate from the church of St George Botolph Lane (demolished in the early twentieth century), the other four are original to St Mary-at-Hill. Following the 1988 fire, it has not been possible to have the sword rests on display and some are still in need of restoration. However, one which bears the arms of Thomas Sidney, Lord Mayor in 1853-4, and a member of the Girdlers’ Company, has been fully restored and is on display at the Girdlers’ Hall.

Sword Rests

Sword rests or stands were originally installed in City churches to hold the Lord Mayor’s sword of state when he visited a church on Sunday. They were usually attached to a pew at the front of the church.St Mary-at-Hill possesses six sword rests. Two of them originate from the church of St George Botolph Lane (demolished in the early twentieth century), the other four are original to St Mary-at-Hill. Following the 1988 fire, it has not been possible to have the sword rests on display and some are still in need of restoration. However, one which bears the arms of Thomas Sidney, Lord Mayor in 1853-4, and a member of the Girdlers’ Company, has been fully restored and is on display at the Girdlers’ Hall.

Sword rests or stands were originally installed in City churches to hold the Lord Mayor’s sword of state when he visited a church on Sunday. They were usually attached to a pew at the front of the church.St Mary-at-Hill possesses six sword rests. Two of them originate from the church of St George Botolph Lane (demolished in the early twentieth century), the other four are original to St Mary-at-Hill. Following the 1988 fire, it has not been possible to have the sword rests on display and some are still in need of restoration. However, one which bears the arms of Thomas Sidney, Lord Mayor in 1853-4, and a member of the Girdlers’ Company, has been fully restored and is on display at the Girdlers’ Hall.