buttons

Summary

Collection card of 1 brass, silver plated, moulded, circular button worn by Kent Javelin Men. Loop shank Kent Javelin Men These formed a bodyguard for the Assize Judges. The last of these were four men who escourted the Judges from theis lodging in Stone Street, Maidstone, to All Saints Church for the services held at the beginning of each assize. Two men were trumpeters and the other two stood beside the door as the Judge came out. the men carried long, black wands with silver tops, probably representing the pikes or javelins with which their forbears were armed. They wore black, cocked hats with gold lace and long, buttoned coats of hodden cloth ( a grey wool which was formerly produced in Kent). Kent Constabulary, who now officiate, call this duty the Javelin Patrol.