The report on the Worcester News website about civic celebrations with Evensong last Sunday in the cathedral at Worcester to mark the Coronation rather concentrates on the new Sword Bearer and his striking, and historic, uniform.
Worcester is one of those historic cities which have the privilege of bearing a sword of state and cap of maintenance. Whereas the swords may be similar the caps of maintenance vary quite considerably.
I am familiar with that of York which is a traditional ermine trimmed cap of maintenance, although the Wikipedia article about such ceremonial headgear suggests that it has now evolved into a byecocket and is a back-to-front version of what was originally intended, as can be seen at Cap of maintenance
That article also argues that both the sword and cap should be carried as at the State Opening of Parliament and that the custom which had grown up of the sword bearer wearing the cap would have originally been seen as improper.
The cap as worn in Hull is of fur, and probably reflects trading links to the Baltic, and is similar to the Muscovy Hat worn in London. At Norwich there is something like a Cardinal’s hat in red with embroidered lacing added. Worcester however seems to out do all those with its triple ostrich plumed creation, which can be seen in the photographs at 'I carried the sword for the King' - sword-bearer's Coronation honour
Very splendid indeed in ‘The Loyal City’.
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