Chain Of Office Collection (page 6)

The House of Lords in the Time of Charles I, 17th century, (c1902-1905). The King sits on the throne with the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in their robes

William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, (c1850). Cecil (1520-1598) was an English politician and the chief advisor of Queen Elizabeth I. Taken from the book Old Englands Worthies, London, c1850

Saint Sir Thomas More, English politician, scholar and martyr, (c1850). More (1478-1535) was Henry VIIIs Lord Chancellor from 1529-1532

Sir Thomas Lovell, costume design for Shakespeares play, Henry VIII, 19th century. A 19th-century costume design for William Shakespeares (1564-1616) play, Henry VIII

Buckingham, costume design for Shakespeares play, Henry VIII, 19th century. A 19th-century costume design for the character of Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham

Thomas Cromwell, costume design for Shakespeares play, Henry VIII, 19th century. A 19th-century costume design for William Shakespeares (1564-1616) play, Henry VIII

King Henry VIII of England, costume design for Shakespeares play, Henry VIII, 19th century. A 19th-century costume design for William Shakespeares (1564-1616) play, Henry VIII

Earl of Surrey, costume design for Shakespeares play, Henry VIII, 19th century. A 19th-century costume design for William Shakespeares (1564-1616) play, Henry VIII

Duke of Suffolk, costume design for Shakespeares play, Henry VIII, 19th century. A 19th-century costume design for William Shakespeares (1564-1616) play, Henry VIII

Lord treasurer, costume design for Shakespeares play, Henry VIII, 19th century. A 19th-century costume design for William Shakespeares (1564-1616) play, Henry VIII

Sir Henry Guildford, costume design for Shakespeares play, Henry VIII, 19th century. A 19th-century costume design for William Shakespeares (1564-1616) play, Henry VIII

Lord Mayor of London, costume design for Shakespeares play, Henry VIII, 19th century. A 19th-century costume design for William Shakespeares (1564-1616) play, Henry VIII

Henry Howard, 1st Earl of Northampton, (1825). Artist: R Cooper
Henry Howard, 1st Earl of Northampton, (1825). The discovery of Howards (1540-1614) brothers plot to marry Mary, Queen of Scots, and of his own correspondence with her

Edward Clinton, 1st Earl of Lincoln, English admiral, (1824). Artist: J Jenkins
Edward Clinton, 1st Earl of Lincoln, English admiral, (1824). Clinton (1512-1585) fought against the Scots and the French during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI and Elizabeth I

James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran, Scottish nobleman, (1826). Artist: W Holl
James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran, Scottish nobleman, (1826). Hamilton (c1516-1575) was Regent for the infant Mary Queen of Scots, but surrendered the Regency In 1554 to her mother, Mary of Guise

John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford, English royal minister, (1825). Artist: W Holl
John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford, English royal minister, (1825). Russell (c1485-c1555) held the offices of Lord High Admiral and Lord Privy Seal at the court of King Henry VIII

Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, favourite of Queen Elizabeth I of England, (1823). Artist: R Cooper
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, favourite of Queen Elizabeth I of England, (1823). A courtier of Elizabeth I, Dudley (1532-1588) was regarded as her most likely choice for a husband

Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk, (1824). Artist: E Scriven
Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk, (1824). Brandon (c1484-1545) held various offices in Henry VIIIs royal household

Thomas Radclyffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, (1823). Artist: R Cooper
Thomas Radclyffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, (1823). Radclyffe (c1525-1583) was a leading courtier during the reign of Elizabeth I

Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, English politician, (1823). Artist: C Picart
Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, English politician, (1823). Howard (1473-1554) was a prominent Tudor politician

Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, Lord Protector of England, (1823). Artist: R Cooper
Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, Lord Protector of England, (1823). Seymour (c1506-1552) was the eldest brother of Jane Seymour, King Henry VIIIs third wife

John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, British Prime Minister, (1831). Artist: WT Mote
John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, British Prime Minister, (1831). Stuart (1713-1792) was Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1762-1763

Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, British Whig statesman, (1831). Artist: W Holl
Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, British Whig statesman, (1831). Pelham-Holles (1693-1768) held power with his brother, Henry Pelham, who was Prime Minister of Great Britain

John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford, British statesman, (1832). Artist: H Robinson
John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford, British statesman, (1832). Lord John Russell (1710-1771) was the son of Wriothesley Russell, 2nd Duke of Bedford

Robert Harley, 1st Earl of Oxford, politician, (1832). Artist: WT Mote
Robert Harley, 1st Earl of Oxford, politician, (1832). Robert Harley, 1st Earl of Oxford and Mortimer (1661-1724), was an English statesman of the Stuart and early Georgian periods

Edward Montagu, 2nd Earl of Manchester, English soldier, (1828). Artist: TA Dean
Edward Montagu, 2nd Earl of Manchester, English soldier, (1828). In the English Civil War, Montagu (1602-1671) fought on the side of Parliament against the Royalists

Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk and 1st Earl of Southampton, (1829). Artist: W Holl
Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk and 1st Earl of Southampton, (1829). Howard (1536-1572) was the son of the poet Henry Howard, 3rd Earl of Surrey

Sir Thomas More, Catholic English lawyer, writer, and politician, (1748). Portrait of More (1478-1535) as Henry VIIIs Lord Chancellor

King William III, 19th century. Artist: W Holl
King William III, 19th century. Portrait of William of Orange (1650-1702)

The Earl of Leicester, 16th century, (1896). Portrait of Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, favourite of Queen Elizabeth I of England, (1823)

King Charles II, The Merry Monarch, (c1850). Portrait of Charles II (1630-1685), and below, a vignette showing the Restoration of the monarchy

Henry VIII, (19th century). Artist: Edwards
Henry VIII, (19th century). Portrait of Henry VIII (1491-1547), King of England and Lord of Ireland

King George II, (1824). Artist: Rogers
King George II, (1824). Portrait of George Augustus (1683-1760), King of Great Britain

King George III of Great Britain, 19th century. Artist: W Holl
King George III of Great Britain, 19th century. Portrait of George William Frederick (1738-1820), King of Great Britain

Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor, 1815. Artist: Henri Meyer
Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor, 1815. Francis I of Austria (1768-1835) became Holy Roman Emperor in 1792

Leopold of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 1831. Artist: J Thomson
Leopold of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 1831. Leopold (1790-1865) was the first king of Belgium

Robert Earl of Oxford, 1775. Artist: J Collyer
Robert Earl of Oxford, 1775. Robert Harley, 1st Earl of Oxford and Mortimer (1661-1724), was an English statesman of the Stuart and early Georgian periods

Sir Thomas More, 1774. Artist: T Cook
Sir Thomas More, 1774. Portrait of More (1478-1535) English statesman, scholar and saint and Henry VIIIs Lord Chancellor. More refused to subscribe to the Act of Supremacy which made Henry the head

Two Heralds, ballet costume design, 1911. Artist: Leon Bakst
Two Heralds, ballet costume design, 1911. Design for the performance of Debussys Le Martyre de St Sebastien (The Torment of St Sebastian) at Pariss Chatelet Theatre

Matthew Wood, 1820. Wood (1768-1843), English political and municipal reformer, was Lord Mayor of London 1815-1816 and 1816-1817

Thomas More, English statesman, scholar and saint, c1527. Artist: Hans Holbein the Younger
Thomas More, English statesman, scholar and saint, c1527. Portrait of More (1478-1535) as Henry VIIIs Lord Chancellor. More refused to subscribe to the Act of Supremacy which made Henry the head of

Letter K. Creator: Hans Holbein the Younger
Letter K

Mr Archie Handford ( President ) pointing out exhibits to Lord Ebbisham at the Professional Photographers Exhibition of modern portraiture at the Royal Institute Galleries

The Duchess of Kent and the Mayor of Dartford. 1938

John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll, 1st Duke of Greenwich (1678-1743) (engraving)
XJF996638 John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll, 1st Duke of Greenwich (1678-1743) (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

Thomas Howard (1473-1554) 3rd Duke of Norfolk (engraving)
XJF956995 Thomas Howard (1473-1554) 3rd Duke of Norfolk (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk (1536-72) (engraving)
XJF909380 Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk (1536-72) (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde (1610-88) (engraving)
XJF909377 James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde (1610-88) (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

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"The Chain of Office: A Symbol of Power and Prestige" The concept of the chain of office dates back centuries, representing authority and honor. In 1527, Sir Thomas More donned a magnificent chain as Lord Chancellor, showcasing his esteemed position in society. This intricate piece was captured by Hans Holbein the Younger in a stunning portrait that still captivates viewers today. Fast forward to 1902, when Alderman James Hellyer proudly wore the chain as Lord Mayor of Cardiff. His image immortalized this significant moment, highlighting the importance bestowed upon him by his community. In December 1993, Fowey Deputy Mayor proudly displayed their own unique chain during a memorable event in Cornwall. The charm and elegance exuded from this accessory added an air of distinction to the occasion. Chains were not limited to political figures alone; even football teams embraced their significance. A reunion held in October 1992 for a football team in Fowey saw players adorned with their cherished chains, symbolizing unity and shared achievements on the field. Mayoral ceremonies became synonymous with these prestigious chains. In May 1993, Fowey witnessed its mayor making ceremony where yet another deserving individual assumed leadership while wearing this emblematic adornment. Beyond politics and sports, organizations like Rotary Clubs also recognized outstanding individuals through the passing on of chains. Lostwithiel's Rotary Club Presidency Handover in July 1990 marked a transition filled with pride and responsibility. Looking further into history reveals notable figures who wore these remarkable accessories long ago. Sir Edward Coke's depiction from c1666 showcases his influence as an English lawyer and politician—a testament to how far back these traditions extend. Even mundane tasks took on grandeur when performed by those entrusted with power—such as Neath Book's Mayor starting a paper shredding machine while wearing their distinguished chain—an act that elevated ordinary actions into something extraordinary.