Sword of State (Isle of Man)

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The Sword of State is popularly attributed to Olaf the Black, although modern research dates it to a much later period. Sword of State (Isle of Man) 1.jpg
The Sword of State is popularly attributed to Olaf the Black, although modern research dates it to a much later period.

The Manx Sword of State is a ceremonial sword that represents the Tynwald on the Isle of Man. It represents the duties of the Sovereign of the Isle of Man, and is used every month in Tynwald, and annually during the Tynwald Day ceremony. There have been three swords used for such functions over the years. One is used for the ceremonies; one is housed in a museum; the other was lost in the 18th century. The Sword of State is popularly said to date to the mid-13th century; however, it is not unlike 15th-century ceremonial swords used in England, and recent analysis dates it to the 15th century as well.

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Description

The sword has a two-edged blade of steel 29 inches (74 cm) long, [2] slightly more than 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) wide where it intersects the guard. [3] The guard is a thin steel band 11 inches (28 cm) inches long. [3] The sword's hilt is made of hardwood, [3] and measures 9 inches (23 cm) inches to the pommel. The pommel is made of steel, flattened on both sides, and measures about 2 inches (5.1 cm) in diameter. [3] Both sides of the pommel are surmounted with shields bearing the spurred Three Legs of Man. [2] [3]

Function

The sword is the symbol of the Tynwald, which is said to be the oldest continuous parliament in the world. The sword signifies the duty of the Sovereign of the Isle of Man, who through the Tynwald, is bound to protect and defend the Manx people from their foes. Without the sword, the Tynwald cannot be deemed to be properly constituted. The sword is used at the Tynwald Day sitting at St Johns, and is carried in front of the Lieutenant Governor in a procession. It is also used whenever the Tynwald sits in the Legislative Chambers, in Douglas. When the Tynwald is not sitting, a replica sword is on display. [2]

There have been three such swords over the years – one is used in parliamentary functions every month in Tynwald, and annually on Tynwald Day; another is housed in the Manx Museum; the third was lost in the mid-18th century. [4] [5]

History

The Sword of State is popularly attributed to Olaf the Black, King of Mann and the Isles, who reigned from 1229-1237. [6] [7] Similar examples of ceremonial swords are those used in the English cities of Chester, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne; both of which date to the mid-15th century. Recent analysis of the Manx sword has determined that it is also a 15th-century design, and probably made in London. The blade itself is thought to have been fitted in the late 16th century, or 17th century. It is possible that the sword was made for the 1422 Tynwald meeting that was attended by Sir John Stanley. [1] [8]

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The Isle of Man, also known as Mann, is a self-governing British Crown Dependency in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland. As head of state, Charles III holds the title Lord of Mann and is represented by a Lieutenant Governor. The government of the United Kingdom is responsible for the isle's military defence and represents it abroad.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manx language</span> Goidelic Celtic language of the Isle of Man

Manx, also known as Manx Gaelic, is a Gaelic language of the insular Celtic branch of the Celtic language family, itself a branch of the Indo-European language family. Manx is the historical language of the Manx people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tynwald</span> Legislature of the Isle of Man

Tynwald, or more formally, the High Court of Tynwald or Tynwald Court, is the legislature of the Isle of Man. It consists of two chambers, known as the branches of Tynwald: the directly elected House of Keys and the indirectly chosen Legislative Council. When the two chambers sit together, they become "Tynwald Court".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Douglas, Isle of Man</span> Capital city of the Isle of Man

Douglas is the capital and largest town of the Isle of Man, with a population of 26,677 (2021). It is located at the mouth of the River Douglas, and on a sweeping bay of two miles. The River Douglas forms part of the town's harbour and main commercial port.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tynwald Day</span> National day of the Isle of Man

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Keppel Gate, Isle of Man is part of a former UK HM Commissioners of Woods and Forest estate, including a series of former highway mountain gates. It is now Common land in public ownership and is one of three purpose built former Crown Road sections of the A18 Snaefell Mountain Road used for the Isle of Man TT races. The area of Keppel Gate including a nearby private residence of Kate's Cottage at the adjacent 34th TT Milestone road-side marker is located between the 4th Milestone and 5th Milestone road-side markers on the primary A18 Snaefell Mountain Road in the parish district of Kirk Onchan in the Isle of Man.

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Cronk Urleigh is a stretch of road situated at the 15th Milestone on the primary A3 Castletown to Ramsey in the parish of Kirk Michael in the Isle of Man.

John Joseph Kneen was a Manx linguist and scholar renowned for his seminal works on Manx grammar and on the place names and personal names of the Isle of Man. He is also a significant Manx dialect playwright and translator of Manx poetry. He is commonly best known for his translation of the Manx National Anthem into Manx.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Navy cutlasses</span> Swords in British military service 1804–1936

Ratings of the Royal Navy have used cutlasses, short, wide bladed swords, since the early 18th century. These were originally of non-uniform design but the 1804 Pattern, the first Navy-issue standard cutlass, was introduced at the start of the 19th century. This was a bluntish weapon that was perhaps intended for cutting away canvas and ropes rather than as a thrusting combat weapon. The 1845 Pattern cutlass introduced a bowl-style hand guard which provided greater protection, with a longer and more curved blade. Its sharper point made it more useful for thrusting attacks, which were now emphasised in the drill manual. The 1845 Pattern was modified several times including shortening and straightening the blades, which weakened them. The 1889 Pattern had a straight, spear-pointed blade with a hilt that curved outwards to catch and redirect an opponent's sword point. The 1900 Pattern, the last navy-issue cutlass, was similar to its predecessor with the introduction of a fuller and a hilt insert that cushioned the user's little finger. The cutlass was withdrawn from service in 1936 but remains in use for ceremonial purposes. It is thought that it was last used in combat in 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion.

Gas for lighting and heating has been supplied to users on the Isle of Man starting in 1836; first as town gas, then as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and since 2003 natural gas has been available. The future use of hydrogen as a supplementary or substitute fuel is being studied.

References

  1. 1 2 The Three Legs of Man, (www.isle-of-man.com), retrieved 1 August 2010 This webpage cited Wagner, A.R. (1959–60), "The Origin of the Arms of Man", Manx Museum, 6 This webpage also cited Megaw, B.R.S. (1959–60), "The Ship Seals of the Kings of Man", Manx Museum, 6
  2. 1 2 3 Tynwald of Today, (www.tynwald.org.im), archived from the original on 3 December 2008, retrieved 14 October 2010
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 The Sword of State: Its origin, (www.isle-of-man.com) This webpage is transcription of the following monograph: Sargeaunt, B. E., "Tynwald of Today", Proceedings of the Isle of Man Natural History Natural History and Antiquarian Society, 1: 395
  4. ↑ Macewan, Fergus (28 January 2010), How Manx history changed the world, Isle of Man Today (www.iomtoday.co.im), retrieved 14 October 2010
  5. ↑ The Isle of Man's Sword of State, BBC News (www.news.bbc.co.uk), 11 February 2010, retrieved 14 October 2010
  6. ↑ Broderick, George, Under the 'Three-Legged-Swastika': Celtic Studies and Celtic Revival in the Isle of Man in the context of the 'National Socialist Idea' (doc), www.george-broderick.de, retrieved 14 October 2010 This document is a revised version of a monograph published in 1999, see footnotes in document for details.
  7. ↑ Kinvig 1975: pp. 91-92.
  8. ↑ Sword of State, (www.isle-of-man.com), retrieved 31 July 2010 This webpage cited Blair, Claude (2003), "The Manx Sword of State", Proceedings of the Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society, 11 (2)
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