General’s baton as a symbol of power

On the right side of the painting, armed soldiers are kicking and forcing their way into a tavern. The tavern has a sign with its name, “The Star”, plus an illustration. On the original at Hampton Court this has been painted over and the last 3 letters have been obscured. But the name is a clear reference to Mary and Joseph’s fruitless search for shelter prior to the birth of Jesus. The soldiers are following the orders of a general with a baton.

In the 16th century batons are reserved for high officers; the field marshal is the usual commander of the cavalry and representative of the commander-in-chief with judicial authority. The Spanish cavalry officer is ordering his men to enter the tavern with a baton in the Hapsburg colours: black and yellow.