The Dumb Borsholder of Chart

Chart was an English village, now gone. The Dumb Borsholder of Chart resides in Wateringbury. It is a wooden staff of office with an iron spike for breaking down doors of suspected criminals, carried by representatives of the village from Saxon times until the mid 18th century. Largely a ceremonial formality by the end, hence it became a "dumb" office, the householders of the village paid a penny to the elected holder of the Borsholder, and the holder attended court meetings.