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The primary duties take place at the Palace of Westminster where he
is Serjeant at Arms in attendance upon the Lord Chancellor. He is
accountable for discipline and security in the House of Lords.
Black Rod also executes ceremonial and other duties.
In 1971, the offices of Black Rod and Serjeant at Arms were
merged.
The office of Usher can be traced back to around 1348. The first
holder of record was William Whitehorse, who is cited in Letters
Patent of 1361. Duties at that time were to bear his rod before the
King and the Companions of the Order of the Garter during feast day
processions as well as guard the doors during meetings.
He is still an officer of the Order of the Garter today and takes
part in investitures and installations of new companions at the
annual ceremony held in Windsor.
If one has watched a State opening of Parliament, then one is
familiar with Black Rod dressed in in his black cutaway tunic, knee
breeches, silk stockings, buckled shoes and white lace jabot (fancy
ruffle) with his sword at his side.
He is a key figure in the State Opening of Parliament at the
beginning of new sessions. He carries the ebony rod in his right
hand, for which his title originated. At the top of the rod is a
gold lion with its shield bearing Edward VII’s royal cypher and
topped with a crown.
On the opening day of Parliament, Black Rod is sent off by Her
Majesty to order the attendance of the Commons in the House of
Lords. Upon his arrival at the Commons, the door is abruptly shut
in his face representing the significant independence of the
Commons from the Crown.
He will then knock three times with his rod and is let in. On
entering the Chamber, he proceeds to the middle of the House to the
Speaker’s chair. He makes three obeisance’s and then states: “Mr
Speaker, The Queen commands this Honourable House to attend Her
Majesty immediately in the House of Peers.”
The Speaker and the Commons will then be escorted by Black Rod to
the House of Lords to listen to Her Majesty’s speech, which
officially opens Parliament.
Black Rod is also Secretary to the Lord Great Chamberlain. He is,
therefore, accountable for specific ceremonial duties and
preparations for State occasions. He also takes part in presenting
new peers and is in charge of admittance of strangers. He employs
the doorkeepers and, if, by chance, a case for contempt arises he
executes the Orders of the House.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cub19x2VX_I]
Lieutenant-General Arundell David Leakey CMG CBE is the current
Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod. He is a former British military
commander. In 2010, he was appointed Gentleman Usher of the Black
Rod.
Photo Credit: UK Parliament via photopin cc]]>
