Sword of State

From Manx Soc vol 19

The Manx Sword of State has long been thought to be one of the earliest objects to show the three-legs. Many theories have been proposed about the origin of the ceremonial sword that is carried point upright in front of the Lord of Man (or their representative - the Lieut. Governor) at the annual Tynwald Ceremony.

Blair points out that bearing-swords, designed to be borne point upright in ceremonial occasions rather than for combat, are known from the late Middle Ages, such swords would naturally have a rounded point for safety's sake. Similar swords to the Manx sword can be found as the Mayoral Swords of Chester and Newcastle-upon-Tyne which are thought to date from c.1440, a date that also agrees with the design of the spurs shown on the three-legs. Blair suggests that the Manx Sword is essentially a fifteenth century design, probably made in London, but fitted with a new blade in the late sixteenth or seventeenth century. It may have been made for the 1422 Tynwald meeting attended by Sir John Stanley.

References:

C. Blair The Manx Sword of State Proc IoMNH&ASoc XI #2 pp259/274 2003