Also reminding people that the sergeant of arms (traditionally the monarch's bodyguards) carries a big, fuck-off mace that will neatly slay someone through light armor in a single hit.

Today it is ceremonial and made of silver. It used to be a very, very functional four foot tall mace.

The unsaid part of "Toe the line!" is: "Toe the line or my sergeant at arms will come over there and stave in your head with his mace."

Also reminding people that the sergeant of arms (traditionally the monarch's bodyguards) carries a big, fuck-off mace that will neatly slay someone through light armor in a single hit.

Today it is ceremonial and made of silver. It used to be a very, very functional four foot tall mace.