History of the Mayoress's Chain

 

The Mayoress’s Chain was presented by the late Mr H I Butterfield and was made from a special design carried out with the idea of introducing local emblems.  The badge is treated in a light and graceful style, having the arms of the town in enamel within a quatrefoil border which is set with diamonds. This quatrefoil will suggest the larger badge which is worn by the Mayor while the mace and fasces which appear in saltire behind also continue the resemblance.  At the sides of the quatrefoil are leaves of laurel set with emeralds while in the upper part of the badge is shown the crest of the town.  Diamonds and rubies appear at intervals around the frame work of the decoration and an enamelled ribbon at the bottom gives the date “1902.”

 

Coming to the chain itself the centre link is formed by a representation of the full Royal Arms, supporters and motto, given in correct heraldic colours, while on either side of this is an enamelled English rose surmounted by the Imperial Crown, one having on the front the initial “E” set in diamonds, with “VII” in blue enamel and the other one has the Queen’s initial “A” set in diamonds.  On the front of the chain are a series of festoons and these connect three important badges.  The first one is placed between the badge and the centre link of the chain, and forms a connecting link.  It is a fine wrought and carved link, having in the centre the arms, crest, helmet, mantling and motto of Mr Butterfield, the donor.  The other two badges are suspended from the opal set cabochon, and are made up of rich scroll work, the centre of one having the arms of Mr H C Longsdon, the Mayor at the time of presentation, while the other one has the arms of Mr B S Brigg, the then Deputy Mayor and the first Mayor of the borough.  These arms are all given in proper colours in enamel.  The chain bears the following inscription:-

 

“Presented by H I Butterfield of Cliffe Castle Esquire, to the Corporation of Keighley on the Coronation of Edward VII, 9 August 1902 to be worn by the Mayoress and her successors Annie Longsdon, Mayoress, George Burr, Town Clerk, Vivat Rex.”