The ceremonial baton is a short, thick stick-like object, typically in wood or metal, that is traditionally the sign of a
field marshal
Field marshal (or field-marshal, abbreviated as FM) is the most senior military rank, senior to the general officer ranks. Usually, it is the highest rank in an army (in countries without the rank of Generalissimo), and as such, few persons a ...
or a similar high-ranking military officer, and carried as a piece of their uniform. The baton is distinguished from the
swagger stick in being thicker and effectively without any practical function. A
staff of office
A staff of office is a staff, the carrying of which often denotes an official's position, a social rank or a degree of social prestige.
Apart from the #Eccleasiastical use, ecclesiastical and #Ceremonial, ceremonial usages mentioned below, ther ...
is rested on the ground; a baton is not. Unlike a royal
sceptre
A sceptre (or scepter in American English) is a Staff of office, staff or wand held in the hand by a ruling monarch as an item of regalia, royal or imperial insignia, signifying Sovereignty, sovereign authority.
Antiquity
Ancient Egypt and M ...
that is crowned on one end with an eagle or globe, a baton is typically flat-ended.
Origins

The baton can most likely be traced back to the
mace, with ancient kings and
pharaoh
Pharaoh (, ; Egyptian language, Egyptian: ''wikt:pr ꜥꜣ, pr ꜥꜣ''; Meroitic language, Meroitic: 𐦲𐦤𐦧, ; Biblical Hebrew: ''Parʿō'') was the title of the monarch of ancient Egypt from the First Dynasty of Egypt, First Dynasty ( ...
s often being buried with
ceremonial mace
A ceremonial mace is a highly ornamented staff of metal or wood, carried before a Head of state, sovereign or other high officials in civic ceremonies by a mace-bearer, intended to represent the official's authority. The mace, as used today, der ...
s. With the advent of primitive
body armor
Body armour, personal armour (also spelled ''armor''), armoured suit (''armored'') or coat of armour, among others, is armour for human body, a person's body: protective clothing or close-fitting hands-free shields designed to absorb or deflect ...
, the mace went out of fashion, but made a comeback as an effective weapon against full
plate armour
Plate armour is a historical type of personal body armour made from bronze, iron, or steel plates, culminating in the iconic suit of armour entirely encasing the wearer. Full plate steel armour developed in Europe during the Late Middle Ages, es ...
during the
Late Middle Ages
The late Middle Ages or late medieval period was the Periodization, period of History of Europe, European history lasting from 1300 to 1500 AD. The late Middle Ages followed the High Middle Ages and preceded the onset of the early modern period ( ...
. During this time, the
staff of office
A staff of office is a staff, the carrying of which often denotes an official's position, a social rank or a degree of social prestige.
Apart from the #Eccleasiastical use, ecclesiastical and #Ceremonial, ceremonial usages mentioned below, ther ...
also became a prominent symbol of power.
By the time of
Louis X of France
Louis X (4 October 1289 – 5 June 1316), known as the Quarrelsome (), was King of France from 1314 and King of Navarre (as Louis I) from 1305 until his death. He emancipated serfs who could buy their freedom and readmitted Jews into the king ...
, it was common for
sergeants-at-arms to carry highly ornamented ceremonial maces. By the
16th century
The 16th century began with the Julian calendar, Julian year 1501 (represented by the Roman numerals MDI) and ended with either the Julian or the Gregorian calendar, Gregorian year 1600 (MDC), depending on the reckoning used (the Gregorian calend ...
, the war mace had once again been phased out, solely replaced by an ornamented ceremonial version, used as a sign of wealth and power. As such, only army commanders would carry these devices, transforming the maces into symbols of power on the battlefield.
Use
France
In France, the baton emerged as a sign of high command during the late Middle Ages.
Marshals of France
Marshal of France (, plural ') is a French military distinction, rather than a military rank, that is awarded to generals for exceptional achievements. The title has been awarded since 1185, though briefly abolished (1793–1804) and for a period ...
were among the most prominent holders of batons, but until the 18th century they were not the only ones. The model of the baton was not regulated until 1758, when a design based upon the traditional heraldic emblem of the marshals was introduced by
Marshal de Belle-Île.
This design, a cylindric object made in wood and covered in blue velvet with gold ornaments, was retained in later regimes. The ornaments, however, changed: fleurs-de-lys during the
Bourbon monarchy
The House of Bourbon (, also ; ) is a dynasty that originated in the Kingdom of France as a branch of the Capetian dynasty, the royal House of France. Bourbon kings first ruled France and Kingdom of Navarre, Navarre in the 16th century. A br ...
. Eagles were inserted for the Marshals of
Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte (born Napoleone di Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French general and statesman who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led Military career ...
, which he gave away batons in ceremonies as well as medals as propaganda means, and stars during the
July Monarchy
The July Monarchy (), officially the ''Kingdom of France'' (), was a liberalism, liberal constitutional monarchy in France under , starting on 9 August 1830, after the revolutionary victory of the July Revolution of 1830, and ending 26 Februar ...
and Republican periods.
Germany
Imperial Generals (''Reichsgeneräle''), but especially Imperial Field Marshals (''Reichsgeneralfeldmarschälle'') of the
Army
An army, ground force or land force is an armed force that fights primarily on land. In the broadest sense, it is the land-based military branch, service branch or armed service of a nation or country. It may also include aviation assets by ...
of the
Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation
The Holy Roman Empire, also known as the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation after 1512, was a polity in Central and Western Europe, usually headed by the Holy Roman Emperor. It developed in the Early Middle Ages, and lasted for a millennium ...
carried commando batons (Kommandostäbe) and later Marshal batons (''Marschallstäbe''). Also the supreme commander of the
Imperial Army Generalissimus
Albrecht von Wallenstein
Albrecht Wenzel Eusebius von Wallenstein, Duke of Friedland (; 24 September 1583 – 25 February 1634), also von Waldstein (), was a Bohemian military leader and statesman who fought on the Catholic side during the Thirty Years' War (1618–16 ...
, but also
Prince Eugene of Savoy
Prince Eugene Francis of Savoy-Carignano (18 October 1663 – 21 April 1736), better known as Prince Eugene, was a distinguished Generalfeldmarschall, field marshal in the Army of the Holy Roman Empire and of the Austrian Habsburg dynasty durin ...
carried such batons as symbols of their authority. The Field Marshals of other German states also received a ''Marschallstab'', famous for this tradition was the
German Kingdom of Prussia. As
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Field marshal (United Kingdom), Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (; 1 May 1769 – 14 September 1852) was a British Army officer and statesman who was one of the leading military and political figures in Britain during t ...
, also a
Generalfeldmarschall
''Generalfeldmarschall'' (; from Old High German ''marahscalc'', "marshal, stable master, groom"; ; often abbreviated to ''Feldmarschall'') was a rank in the armies of several German states and the Holy Roman Empire, (''Reichsgeneralfeldmarsch ...
of the
Prussian Army, died 1852, the
Prussian king sent him a special baton (30 cm long) which was put in his coffin alongside his English Marshal baton. The batons of the
Imperial German Army
The Imperial German Army (1871–1919), officially referred to as the German Army (), was the unified ground and air force of the German Empire. It was established in 1871 with the political unification of Germany under the leadership of Kingdom o ...
between 1871 and 1918 are particularly well-known.
1935–1945

In
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany, officially known as the German Reich and later the Greater German Reich, was the German Reich, German state between 1933 and 1945, when Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party controlled the country, transforming it into a Totalit ...
, ''Generalfeldmarschall''s and ''
Großadmiral''s carried ceremonial batons, specially manufactured by German jewellers. Seven styles of batons were awarded to 25 individuals.
Hermann Göring
Hermann Wilhelm Göring (or Goering; ; 12 January 1893 – 15 October 1946) was a German Nazism, Nazi politician, aviator, military leader, and convicted war criminal. He was one of the most powerful figures in the Nazi Party, which gov ...
earned two different-style batons for his ''Generalfeldmarschall'' and promotions.
All the batons, except
Erich Raeder's, were designed in a similar way: a shaft decorated with
Iron Cross
The Iron Cross (, , abbreviated EK) was a military decoration in the Kingdom of Prussia, the German Empire (1871–1918), and Nazi Germany (1933–1945). The design, a black cross pattée with a white or silver outline, was derived from the in ...
es and
''Wehrmacht'' eagles. ''
Luftwaffe
The Luftwaffe () was the aerial warfare, aerial-warfare branch of the before and during World War II. German Empire, Germany's military air arms during World War I, the of the Imperial German Army, Imperial Army and the of the Imperial Ge ...
'' (air force) shafts showed the ''
Balkenkreuz
The ''Balkenkreuz'' ()
is a straight-armed cross that was first introduced in 1916–1918 and later became the emblem of the ''Wehrmacht'' (German Armed Forces) and its branches from 1935 until the end of World War II. It was used by the '' Wehr ...
'' ("beam cross"), whereas ''
Kriegsmarine
The (, ) was the navy of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It superseded the Imperial German Navy of the German Empire (1871–1918) and the inter-war (1919–1935) of the Weimar Republic. The was one of three official military branch, branche ...
'' (navy) shafts had fouled anchors. The ends of the batons were decorated with ornate caps.
;The seven styles of Nazi-era batons:
#The first baton awarded was to Field Marshal
Werner von Blomberg
Werner Eduard Fritz von Blomberg (2 September 1878 – 13 March 1946) was a German general and politician who served as the first Minister of War in Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1938. Blomberg had served as Chief of the ''Truppenamt'', equivalent ...
. This baton's shaft had a light blue velvet covering material. It is now in the
National Museum of American History
The National Museum of American History: Kenneth E. Behring Center is a historical museum in Washington, D.C. It collects, preserves, and displays the heritage of the United States in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific, and m ...
in Washington, DC.
#The first air force baton awarded was to Hermann Göring after his promotion to field marshal. Though it was designed similarly to the Blomberg baton with a light blue velvet shaft covering, it incorporated the air force ''Balkenkreuz'' symbols. Additionally, the end caps were inlaid with many small diamonds. It is now kept in the
National Infantry Museum at Fort Moore, Georgia.
#The next baton awarded was to Grand Admiral Erich Raeder. This baton's shaft had a dark blue velvet covering. This baton differed from other batons by having a chain link pattern sewn over the crosses, eagles and anchors. At the end of the war, the baton was reportedly disassembled and sold in pieces.
#Nine army batons were awarded in the summer of 1940 to newly promoted field marshals. The batons' shafts had red velvet coverings and differed only in identifying inscriptions on the end caps. Eight more batons of this style were later awarded to other field marshals upon their promotions. The first group was manufactured for 6,000 RM (about US$30,000 in 2012) each. Most of the batons are now in museums or private collections.
#Three air force batons were awarded in the summer of 1940. They had blue velvet covering and the ''Balkenkreuz'' design, differing only in individual end cap inscriptions. One more baton of this style was awarded in 1943. The 1940 air force batons were slightly more expensive to manufacture than the 1940 army batons.
#The only other navy baton was awarded to Grand Admiral
Karl Dönitz
Karl Dönitz (; 16 September 1891 – 24 December 1980) was a German grand admiral and convicted war criminal who, following Adolf Hitler's Death of Adolf Hitler, suicide, succeeded him as head of state of Nazi Germany during the Second World ...
. It had a blue velvet shaft covering and incorporated a U-boat symbol on one of the end caps. It is now in the
Shropshire Regimental Museum, Shrewsbury, UK, and was donated by Major General J. B. Churcher, who captured Dönitz at war's end and took the baton.
#The only ''Reichsmarschall'' baton was presented to Hermann Göring in 1940. While similar looking to the other 1940 batons, it incorporated exceptional materials. The shaft was white elephant ivory, not velvet-covered metal. The end caps incorporated platinum in the inscription banding and over 600 small diamonds. The baton was manufactured for 22,750 RM (about US$130,000 in 2012). It is now in the U.S. Army's
West Point Museum, Highland Falls, New York.
;German field service batons:
German field marshals often carried an ''Interimsstab'' while on active service, a lighter and thinner baton resembling a
swagger stick.
Russia

The Soviet Union and the Russian Federation use a "
Marshal's star
The Marshal's Star () is an additional badge of rank worn by marshals of the armed forces of the Soviet Union, and subsequently the Russian Federation.
Overview
The armed forces of the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation have two such insigni ...
" (a diamond-encrusted star worn around the neck) to denote marshal rank.
United Kingdom
On appointment, British field marshals are awarded a baton covered in crimson velvet, and decorated with gold lions passant regardant. The gold top bears a representation of
Saint George and the Dragon
In a legend, Saint Georgea soldier venerated in Christianity—defeats a dragon. The story goes that the dragon originally extorted tribute from villagers. When they ran out of livestock and trinkets for the dragon, they started giving up a huma ...
.
The
Duke of Wellington
Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and above sovereign princes. As royalty or nobility, they ar ...
possessed multiple batons, since he held the rank of field marshal or equivalent in eight European armies each of which presented him with a baton. In addition to his English baton he was presented with two British batons. Nine of the batons (along with some staffs of office) are displayed at his former home,
Apsley House
Apsley House is the London townhouse of the Dukes of Wellington. It stands alone at Hyde Park Corner, on the south-east corner of Hyde Park, facing towards the large traffic roundabout in the centre of which stands the Wellington Arch. It ...
(the Russian baton was stolen on 9 December 1965 and has not been recovered).
In heraldry and culture
A baton appears occasionally in
heraldry
Heraldry is a discipline relating to the design, display and study of armorial bearings (known as armory), as well as related disciplines, such as vexillology, together with the study of ceremony, Imperial, royal and noble ranks, rank and genealo ...
as an armorial achievement by
field marshal
Field marshal (or field-marshal, abbreviated as FM) is the most senior military rank, senior to the general officer ranks. Usually, it is the highest rank in an army (in countries without the rank of Generalissimo), and as such, few persons a ...
s upon achieving substantive or honorary
rank
A rank is a position in a hierarchy. It can be formally recognized—for example, cardinal, chief executive officer, general, professor—or unofficial.
People Formal ranks
* Academic rank
* Corporate title
* Diplomatic rank
* Hierarchy ...
. In
England and Wales
England and Wales () is one of the Law of the United Kingdom#Legal jurisdictions, three legal jurisdictions of the United Kingdom. It covers the constituent countries England and Wales and was formed by the Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542. Th ...
, batons are usually represented as behind the
coat of arms
A coat of arms is a heraldry, heraldic communication design, visual design on an escutcheon (heraldry), escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard (the last two being outer garments), originating in Europe. The coat of arms on an escutcheon f ...
crossed in saltire although the sole holder of this achievement in practice is the
Duke of Norfolk
Duke of Norfolk is a title in the peerage of England. The premier non-royal peer, the Duke of Norfolk is additionally the premier duke and earl in the English peerage. The seat of the Duke of Norfolk is Arundel Castle in Sussex, although the t ...
in his capacity as
Earl Marshal
Earl Marshal (alternatively marschal or marischal) is a hereditary royal officeholder and chivalric title under the Monarchy of the United Kingdom, sovereign of the United Kingdom used in England (then, following the Act of Union 1800, in the U ...
.
See also
*
Bulawa
*
Ceremonial weapon
A ceremonial weapon is an object used for ceremony, ceremonial purposes to display power or authority. They may be used in parades and as part of military dress uniforms, or presented as gifts on formal occasions.
Although they are descended fr ...
*
Gunbai
*
Marshal's star
The Marshal's Star () is an additional badge of rank worn by marshals of the armed forces of the Soviet Union, and subsequently the Russian Federation.
Overview
The armed forces of the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation have two such insigni ...
*
Saihai
*
Swagger stick
*
Vine staff
__NOTOC__
The vine staff, vine-staff, or centurion's staff () was a vinewood rod of about in length used in the ancient Roman army and navy. It was the mark and tool of the centurion: both as an implement in the direction of drill and maneuvers; ...
References
;Citations
;Bibliography
*
*
*
{{Authority control
Ceremonial weapons
Formal insignia
Maces (bludgeons)