or SERJEANT at Law, or of the Coif, is the highest degree taken at the common law, as that of Doctor is of the civil law; and as these are supposed to be the most learned and experienced in the practice of the courts, there is one court appointed for them to plead in by themselves, which is the common pleas, where the common law of England is most strictly observed: but they are not restricted from pleading in any other court, where the judges, who cannot have that honour till they have taken the degree of serjeant at law, call them brothers.

SERGEANT at Arms, or Mace, an officer appointed to attend the person of the king; to arrest traitors, and such persons of quality as offend; and to attend the lord high steward, when sitting in judgment on a traitor.

Of these, by statute 13 Richard II. cap. 6. there are not to be above 30 in the realm. There are now nine at court at 100l. per annum salary each; they are called the king's serjeants at arms, to distinguish them from others: they are created with great ceremony; the person kneeling before the king, his majesty lays the mace on his right shoulder, and says, Rise up, sergeant at arms, and esquire for ever. They have, besides, a patent for the office, which they hold for life.

They have their attendance in the presence-chamber, where the band of gentlemen-pensioners wait; and, receiving the king at the door, they carry the maces before him to the chapel door, whilst the band of pensioners stand foremost, and make a lane for the king, as they also do when the king goes to the house of lords.

There are four other serjeants at arms, created in the same manner; one, who attends the lord chancellor; a second, the lord treasurer; a third, the speaker of the house of commons; and a fourth, the lord mayor of London on solemn occasions.

They have a considerable share of the fees of honour, and travelling charges allowed them when in waiting, viz. five shillings per day when the court is within ten miles of London, and ten shillings when twenty miles from London. The places are in the lord chamberlain's gift.

There are also serjeants of the mace of an inferior kind, who attend the mayor or other head officer of a corporation.

Common SERGEANT, an officer in the city of London, who attends the lord mayor and court of aldermen on court days, and is in council with them on all occasions, within and without the precincts or liberties of the city. He is to take care of orphans estates, either by taking account of them, or to sign their indentures, before their passing the lord mayor and court of aldermen: and he was likewise to let and manage the orphan estates, according to his judgment to their best advantage. See RECORDER.

in War, is an uncommissioned officer in a company of foot or troop of dragoons, armed with an halbert, and appointed to see discipline observed, to teach the soldiers the exercise of their arms, to order, frrain, and form their ranks, files, &c. He receives the orders from the adjutant, which he communicates to his officers. Each company generally has two serjeants.