Bâton de maréchal

The ceremonial baton is a short, thick stick-like object, typically in wood or metal, that is traditionally the sign of a field marshal 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 is rested on the ground; a baton is not. Unlike a royal sceptre that is crowned on one end with an eagle or globe, a baton is typically flat-ended. The baton can most likely be traced back to the mace, with ancient kings and pharaohs often being buried with ceremonial maces. With the advent of primitive body armor, the mace went out of fashion, but made a comeback as an effective weapon against full plate armour during the Late Middle Ages. During this time, the staff of office also became a prominent symbol of power. By the time of Louis X of France, it was common for sergeants-at-arms to carry highly ornamented ceremonial maces. By the 16th century, 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. In France, the baton emerged as a sign of high command during the late Middle Ages. Marshals of France 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. Eagles were inserted for the Marshalls of Napoleon Bonaparte, which he gave away batons in ceremonies as well as medals as propaganda means, and stars during the July monarchy and Republican periods.