### Clue: Item handed over a century after the onset of battle (5)
### Answer: BATON 
 ### Explanation: Definition: Item handed over
 [A + TON(slang for a score or achievement amounting to 100;a century, eg. a speed of 100 mph) ] **placed after**(after) **the 1st letter of**(the onset of) "battle ".
Defn: …, literally in a relay race, or figuratively from predecessor to successor.