On the Virge of something interesting

I've found what I believe to be a cool Heathen cultural relic that survived the conversion. In the church, it was known as the virge, wielded by a Virger/Verger. During services, the Virger would direct the congregation like an usher, but held a sturdy stick mounted with a metal ball, for pointing, directing, and sometimes whacking (unruly people or animals). What's distinctive about the virge (and it's descendent, the ceremonial mace), is that it is a durable stick or rod, and the metal ball on the top is the same diameter as the stick. It is either otherwise unadorned, or else topped with a small symbol such as a cross (in a church) or some other symbol of state. The symbols on top have changed to suit each place where it is used, but otherwise the basic instrument has been unchanged for many centuries. The office of Virger has been combined with Sexton (tending and maintenance of church grounds) and Usher

What's also interesting is that, as a ceremonial mace, it has been a symbol of kingship, such that early civilian uses of it were frowned upon by lords, and that in parliamentary use, it is carried by the sergeant at arms, and placed in a certain location to open the legislative session, as well as removed to signal the close of the session. This is different from a scepter (which tended to be a long thin staff) or a Drum Major mace (which is also long and thin). It's a symbolic phallus that's meant for occasional use as a weapon.

When Frey's importance is considered as a primary deity in many parts of Britain and Scandinavia, such an instrument makes sense. It makes one wonder if the parliamentary use is descended from a similar use at a Thing (Germanic governing assembly), where the god is symbolically brought in to oversee the session, and the god keeps order if necessary through the lawspeaker (or a sergeant at arms).

Here are some pics.


A church virge and the Mace of the United States House of Representatives.