University of Toronto

Tradition and History

Convocation Hall

Built in 1906 by Darling and Pearson and modelled after the Great Amphitheatre of the Sorbonne in Paris, the building is used as a lecture hall, graduation venue, and as a venue for special events.

The University of Toronto Mace

The Mace was made in London, England by Hicklenton and Phillips, and hall-marked by the assay office of the ancient City of London Guild, the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. It was designed in the traditional "forme or patterne" of the famous Thomas Maundy maces, and has the arch or crown surmounted by the orb and cross. On the cushion below the crown are the arms of George IV who granted the University its original charter in 1827. The bowl is divided into four panels by chased straps, each strap decorated with the maple leaf and the trillium. The panels bear the following designs: the cypher always used by George IV; the arms of the University; the arms of the Province of Ontario; and the arms of Canada.

The head is surmounted by the traditional circlet of crosses and fleur-de-lys, from which spring the arches of the crown. On the two bosses and foot knop of the shaft the finely chased maple leaf and trillium decoration is repeated. The brackets connecting the bowl to the shaft incorporate small chased models of a beaver, together with the trillium motif. The shaft, which is plain, carries the following inscription. "This Mace with the Esquire Beadles' Staves was presented to the University of Toronto by William Eric Phillips, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C., B.A.Sc., LL.D., Chairman of the Board of Governors, May 1951."

There is no metal or wooden inner shaft as in many of the early maces; the Mace is constructed entirely of silver and mercurial gilt, and weighs 120 ounces Troy; the decoration is enhanced with dull and bright burnishing.

Coat of Arms

In 1917 the Board of Governors of the University, on account of the many incorrect forms in common use, applied to the College of Arms for a correct emblazoning of the Arms of the University of Toronto. An interpretation of the heraldic description is here given: On a blue field, two open books with a beaver below; on the chief, or upper part the Royal and Imperial Crown on a white field, all in their proper Colours; and for a crest, on a wreath of the colours (i.e. blue and white) an Oak tree, with branches and golden acorns. The motto of the University "Velut arbor aevo" - may it grow as a tree through the ages - is an adaptation of Horace's lines "crescit occulto velut arbor aevo fama Marcelli" (Odes I.12, line 45).