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Topic: Marshall's Baton

T. Devon Sharkey
New Member
Member # 521

posted 11-18-2003 03:49 PM

I see in some early 16th century german woodcuts a rod or baton denoting a higher ranking officer. The rod looks rather plain, but that could also be the level of detail available in the woodcut. Any information on what such a rod was made from, and how it was embellished, if at all?

Thanks

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chef de chambre
Admin & Advocatus Diaboli
Member # 4

posted 11-29-2003 10:14 PM

Hi T.Devon,

I suspect that early batons were no more than literaly batons of wood, although Baroque and Napoleonic marshals batonswere much more elaborate. A straight grained wood of density and esteemed as beautiful or rare, like an ebony might be a likely candidate.

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Bob R.

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T. Devon Sharkey
New Member
Member # 521

posted 12-11-2003 06:50 PM

Do you think that they were always some variety of wood? A sturdy, relatively plain rod of, say, bronze, has a strong appeal to me.

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Ron M
Member
Member # 39

posted 12-11-2003 09:14 PM

There's a painting of Thomas Howard by Hans Hoblein circa 1539 that has Thomas holding an Earl Marshall's Baton as well as a Treasurer's Staff.Both appear to be made of rather plain wood.I've always thought that the military baton came from the Roman Centurians habit of carrying a staff that was used to "keep order in the ranks.Just a theory though.

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Ron Moen

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Arik
Member
Member # 281

posted 12-16-2003 09:27 AM

Quite similar in purpose to the "Swagger Stick" still carried by British and some American military personel. A symbol of rank and authority.

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Arik

Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged

Fire Stryker
Admin & Advocatus Diaboli
Member # 2

posted 12-16-2003 12:20 PM

http://faculty.smu.edu/bwheeler/Ency/hawkwood2.html

Image of Sir John Hawkwood. You will note the baton that he is carrying. From what I've seen in most images, it would seem that the batons were smooth rather than overly ornate. I suppose the material and artistry would all depend on who gave it to you.

For those who travel to a lot of museums, have any of you seen an example of a medieval one?

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ad finem fidelis

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Ron M
Member
Member # 39

posted 12-16-2003 11:41 PM

After some web searching,I located a late 14th Century Baton that was owned by a Guillaume De Roquemont.Seems he was the Choirmaster of Saint-Denis,and used the Baton on formal occasions.It's now located in the Louvre in Paris.While not military, it's still a beautiful piece.

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Ron Moen

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Fire Stryker
Admin & Advocatus Diaboli
Member # 2

posted 12-17-2003 09:37 AM

We seem to be having an access problem with this particular site.

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ad finem fidelis

Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

Ron M
Member
Member # 39

posted 12-17-2003 10:07 PM

I noticed that the link didn't work(it's a mystery to me),try going to Yahoo and typing in the phrase "baton of guillaume",it should be the only listing.If I was more computer savy I'd try to post the photo.

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Ron Moen

Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged

Fire Stryker
Admin & Advocatus Diaboli
Member # 2

posted 12-18-2003 08:39 AM

Wow. This one definitely falls into the "ornate" catagory.

http://vrcoll.fa.pitt.edu/medart/menufrance/sdenis/treasure/FelePl1/PlateI-k.html

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ad finem fidelis

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