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The Mace
The mace was
originally a weapon used during combat in the age of
knights. The head would have sharp deadly blades
attached so when the possessor of the weapon swung it
would come down with deadly force and crush and cut the
victims exposed body part. As Parliament evolved and the
ceremony of the entrance of the King or Queen developed,
a guard of the monarch would carry a mace for protection
while none other was suppose to carry a weapon.
In Canada today, the mace is a
representation of the authority of the Monarch and their
power in the House of Commons and the Senate. Upon the
opening of a session of the House or Senate, the speaker
enters the chamber, followed by the sergeant at arms who
is carrying the mace and places it on the table in from
of the speakers chair. The mace will remain there as
long as the chamber is in session and at the end of the
session, the mace is removed.
When the Governor General visits the
House to give the speech from the throne, the mace is
draped with a velvet cloth to hid it from view. If it is
a newly elected Parliament the mace is removed from the
table until a speaker is elected. The mace is hen placed
on the table to signify that the House is now complete.
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