THE GLORY OF THE GLORY OF THE GLORY OF Old Made Old Made Old Made NEW NEW NEW A CIVIC HISTORY OF A CIVIC HISTORY OF Carrickfergus Carrickfergus 1325~2015

THE GLORY OF THE GLORY OF THE GLORY OF Old Made Old Made Old Made NEW NEW NEW A CIVIC HISTORY OF A CIVIC HISTORY OF Carrickfergus Carrickfergus 1325~2015 THE GLORY OF OLD MADE NEW - A Civic History of Carrickfergus

No 5 Nos 6, 7, 8, 9 & 14

Nos 3 & 4 Carrickfergus Museum was officially opened in 2005. In addition to displaying a wealth of archaeological material from the town, it houses a rich civic collection that represents the historical significance of the town since Medieval times. From the oldest item, the Mayor’s seal dated to c.1240 to 20th century chains of office, the Carrickfergus civic collection has expanded over the years to take in distinctive objects that symbolize the development of the town and Borough. In recognition of its historical value the Carrickfergus civic regalia continues to be used for Nos 2 & 13 civic occasions in the new Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, representing a continuity of purpose dating back eight centuries. Objects marked with are located in the museum and marked on the floor plan.

1. THE MAYOR’S SEAL Dating to c.1240, the Mayor’s Seal is the oldest of the Carrickfergus seals. The inscription around the No 10 margin reads S(IGILLVM), FR(ATR)IS, BER(NARDI), CAM(ERARI), CIVITATIS, AG(VI)LE. ‘The seal of Brother No 11 Bernard, Chamberlain of the City of Aquila’. It is not known how the seal of an Italian chamberlain came to be used as the Mayor’s Seal. However, there was an Archdeacon of Down named Bernard in 1183, and it is thought perhaps, having no use for his Italian seal of office, gave it to the No 22 Corporation who used it for centuries. Nos 1 & 12 2. COMMON SEAL The ancient Common Seal of Carrickfergus has a representation of the castle engraved in high relief within the central area, and rippling lines below suggesting water. At each side of the castle is a tree or branch, positioned to suggest either the surrounding woods around or perhaps for purely decorative purposes. Also each side of the central tower is a bird. A variation of this seal Entrance is used for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. THE GLORY OF OLD MADE NEW - A Civic History of Carrickfergus

3. 6. SEAL OF THE PORT AND CUSTOMS The ceremonial mace was presented to the town of Carrickfergus by Colonel Robert Gardener in As shown on its face, the Port and Customs Seal of 1712. Made from silver-guilt, the mace is engraved in Latin, translated as: ‘A gift from Robert Carrickfergus dates from 1605. Inscribed below the date Gardner Esquire, in the Year of Our Lord 1712, in Honour of His City’. Traditionally a mace is is a shield which bears three harps of the Brian Boru carried by the Serjeant at Arms before the sovereign, or other high ranking officials during style. The inscription round the margin is in Latin ‘SIGILL: civic ceremonies, representing power and authority. Such is its historic significance, CVTSVAME: PORTVS: CARIGFERGI: ANO’ with the initials I.R. (King James I) placed at both sides. it was chosen as the official mace for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and In 1637 the Corporation conceded the privilege of one-third of the Customs dues, for a sum of was used in the new council’s first meeting in Ballymena on 1st April 2015. £3000, a concession which gave rise to a little town called Belfast at the head of the bay.

4. SWORD 7. KEY TO IRISH GATE (OR WEST GATE) Made out of Britannia silver, the Ceremonial Sword was created The Irish gate was one of four gates within the old town walls. Situated at the far end of West by Thomas Vicaridge in London and like the mace was presented street, important visitors would have been met here by the Mayor and Alderman as they entered to the Corporation of Carrickfergus in 1712. The Corporation from the Belfast direction. This key originally came from the Davys family who owned property employed a Sword-bearer, who carried the sword before the nearby. It was presented through the family of Councillor Walter Carruth, JP, Irish Quarter, via Mayor on formal occasions. Councillor C.A.W. Stewart.

5. KANE ATLAS Born into an influential Carrickfergus family, Richard Kane was one of the town sheriffs in 1686. He later rose to become Lieutenant Governor of the Island of Minorca. On route there, his party was received by Louis XVI at 8. FREEMEN SCROLLS the Palace of Versailles. Kane was presented with this superb Atlas of the “Terrestrial and Today, being awarded the ‘Freedom of the Borough’ is an Aquatic Globe”, by Louis XIV’s royal cartographer award of distinction, and confers no legal rights. Nicholas Sanson, as a gift. However historically, a ‘Freeman’ was a person both free and owning the freehold of land, The Kane Atlas was purchased by Carrickfergus but not a member of the landed gentry or Borough Council with grant assistance from the the nobility. Only Freemen could establish Heritage Lottery Fund in 2001. businesses and although this wasn’t enforced in later years, Freeman rolls were carefully kept because only Freemen had the right to vote in Mayoral and parliamentary elections.

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The Corporation had the privilege of making Freemen at will. A set of seven copper weights are likewise engraved ‘Carrickfergus 1835’ and inscribed by The Mayor could open a court giving 14 days public notice, for weight: avoir 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 28, and 56. The weights, like the measures, were originally made for the admission of those eligible. Carrickfergus Museum holds the market in North Street. Freeman records dating from 1787 to 1883, which can be Town Charters a valuable resource for researchers. A town charter is a written grant by the sovereign or legislative power of a country, by which a 9. SEAL STAMPERS body such as a Borough is created or its rights and privileges defined. Several charters have A seal stamper is used to imprint an official mark on a document demonstrating its been granted to the town of Carrickfergus. Traditionally the incorporation of the town as a authorisation. Seals usually contain decorative features which represent the authorising body. county itself is thought to have been during the reign of King John (1167-1216), however the first town charter granted in 1325 established the Town and Corporation of Carrickfergus. The museum’s collection of corporate seal stampers were made by The Ulster Works, Marcus The next town charter was obtained from Elizabeth I in 1569 by Sir Henry Sidney, the Lord Ward & Company, Belfast in the late 19th century. (a) common seal of Carrickfergus design, Deputy of . (b) Carrickfergus Harbour Commissioners stamper, (c) Urban District Council of Carrickfergus, (d) Whitehead Urban District Council stamper. 12. ELIZABETHAN CHARTER 1602

10. FIREMAN’S HELMET A second charter was granted by Queen Elizabeth I dated 8th May 1602. It is hand written on vellum* with The Carrickfergus Fire Brigade Fireman’s helmet was purchased the seal of the Queen attached, signed and framed. in 1903 by Col. James Craig. It is made of brass with a decorated The Elizabethan Charter acknowledges the loyalty and embossed plaque on the front and a raised metal ridge on and behaviour of the inhabitants of the town. It also the back and chin straps with leather interior fitments. acknowledges repairs made to St. Nicholas Church and As well as supplying the uniforms and helmets, defines the boundaries of the ancient lands belonging Col Craig also gave a manual ‘hand pumper’ fire to the Corporation of Carrickfergus. engine to the town of Carrickfergus and a steam * Fine parchment made originally from the skin of a calf fire engine in 1908. 13. JACOBEAN CHARTER 1610 11. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Several charters were issued during the reign of James I. The earliest and most elaborate The Town Measures consist of a set of eight was granted on 7th July 1610. This charter, illuminated in Jacobean rococo style, confirms the copper measuring cups all inscribed by size: grants of lands and buildings within the Borough. It also declares the construction of the port, imperial bushel, half bushel, peck, gallon, half gallon, dock and walls of the town. Further charters with additions were issued on 11th July 1610, quart, pint, half pint. They are all inscribed ‘Carrickfergus 14th December 1613 and a final charter was granted in 1623 which includes the establishment 1835’ and were originally made for the market in North Street of a merchants’ . located where the fire station now stands.

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17. BOG OAK CHAIR Originally made around 1800, this finely carved bog oak chair was purchased by the Carrickfergus Urban District Council in the early 1900’s. With its finely carved, twisting detail, and red figured velvet George VI Charter, 1949 Seal of the Victorian Warrant 1899 Jacobean Charter, 7th July 1610 upholstery, it served as the Chairman’s chair. Once one of a series, it is now the only one known to still exist. Today it enjoys a prime location outside the Mayor’s Parlour in Carrickfergus Town Hall. 14. VICTORIAN WARRANT 1899 The Victorian Warrant was issued on 7 June 1899 during the 62nd year of Queen Victoria’s 18. CIVIC ROBES reign. Granted to the Corporation by royal command, it confirms the appointment of When the Urban District Council purchased a set of scarlet robes Justices of the County of the Town of Carrickfergus. They are commanded to hold Assizes in 1935, the year the new Town Hall opened, they were following and administer justice. a tradition that dates back to the seventeenth century. In 1677 Solomon Faith, a Cromwellian Officer 15. GEORGE VI CHARTER, 27 MAY 1949 who settled in the town, was the In March 1949 Carrickfergus Urban District Council petitioned the Government for a grant first Mayor to wear a robe, which of a Charter of Incorporation to create the Urban District Council into a Municipal Borough. had been gifted by William Hill. In addition to the Mayor and The Petition was approved by His Excellency, the Governor of Northern Ireland, at a meeting of Councillors’ robes, the ‘sword- the Privy Council of Northern Ireland, held at Government House, Hillsborough, County Down, on bearer’ and ‘serjeant at mace’ also the 16th day of May 1949. The grant reinstated the office of Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses. have distinctive robes for carrying The newly re-established Borough was granted a Coat of the sword and mace, as does the Arms and adopted a new motto - Gloria Prisca Novatur - Town Clerk. translated as ‘The Glory of Old Made New’, signifying the development of the town. The Carrickfergus robes were made by Ede & Ravenscroft, robe makers for 16. ELIZABETH II CHARTER, 12 MARCH 1953 the . Although they have seen some repairs over the years, they The Illuminated Warrant issued by the present are in excellent condition, allowing Queen on 12th March, grants a new updated version of the them to be used at civic occasions for Borough coat of arms and sets out the correct heraldic terms. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. Attached are two seals of the heralds who designed it. (Pictured on front cover)

6 16. Elizabeth II Charter, 1953 7 19. MAYOR’S CHAIN 21. MAYORESS’S CHAIN The Mayoral gold chain was presented to Carrickfergus by Imperial Chemicals Industries Ltd. The Mayoress’s chain was a gift to Carrickfergus Borough Council sponsored by the (Salt Division) to mark the town’s reinstated Borough status in 1949. Mr Alexander Carrickfergus Business and Professional Womens Club, presented on 6th April 1962. Miscampbell, Managing Director of the company, had made it known that his firm wished It was first worn by Mrs. T.J. Patterson, wife of Carrickfergus’s longest serving Mayor. to present a Mayoral chain, in the event of the Charter of Incorporation being created. The central pendant of the Mayor’s chain is based on the Carrickfergus Town Seal with the smaller medallions depicting other town seals all depicted in beautiful enamel.

22. WHITEHEAD CHAIRMAN’S CHAIN 20. DEPUTY MAYOR’S CHAIN Following the reorganisation of local government in 1973, Whitehead Urban District Council The Deputy Mayor’s chain was presented by Colin J. Brook and Company Ltd at a ceremony in ceased to exist, and so the Chairman’s chain was brought into the Mayor’s parlour and later the Town Hall in 1969. The tool making company received help from the Council when starting the museum for safe-keeping. The chain’s central plaque has a finely drawn enamel of Castle up and so the Deputy Mayor’s Badge of Office was given in their fifth year of operation to show Chester (Chichester) formally built by Sir Moses Hill and the gilded plates are engraved with their appreciation. names of past chairmen.

8 9 Carrickfergus Visitor Information Centre Carrickfergus Museum & Civic Centre, 11 Antrim Street, Carrickfergus, BT38 7DG. T: + 44 (0)28 9335 8049 F: +44 (0)28 9335 0350 E: [email protected]