British Culture - User contributions [en]

Black Rod

2010-07-09T10:43:28Z

PG8:

The Black Rod or, to be more precisely, the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod is an official in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. He performs various official and ceremonial duties; famously, he summons the members of the [[House of Commons]] to the [[Queen's Speech]] (or King's Speech) during the [[State Opening of Parliament]].
[[Image:Black Rod.jpg|thumb|Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod]]
==History==
The title “Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod” exists since the times of [[Henry VIII]]. Shortly after [[the Order of the Garter]] was founded, a King’s Letters Patent says that one of the Order’s officers should bear their symbol, a black rod with a golden lion on the top, in official processions of the Order in St. George’s Chapel and [[Windsor Castle]].
The chosen officer should be an experienced and honourable member of the troops.
Since the Constitution of [[the Order of the Garter]] in 1522 (the Garter Statue), Back Rod’s main function, apart from the ceremonial bearing of the rod, was to be the doorkeeper at meetings of the Order and the Parliament, to keep all secrets inside.
In 1726 Black Rod’s parliamentary duties were summarized. They included:
# Constant attendance on the [[House of Lords]]
# The carrying of the King’s/Queen’s commands to the Commons to attend him in the House of Lords
# Participation in the ceremony of introducing lords into the House
# Employment at the order of the House concerning the commitment of delinquents
These rules and rights were modified in 1876 when most of the duties were transferred to the Lord Great Chamberlain’s field of functions. Only two of Black Rod’s main functions remained: the roles of the doorkeeper and the messenger between the Houses.

==Ceremonial Duties Today==
The probably most well-known ceremonial functions of Black Rod today is his attendance at the [[State Opening of Parliament]]. During the ceremony he is instructed to walk from the Chamber of Lords to the Chamber of Commons to summon the MPs to follow the [[Queen’s Speech]] at the Chamber of the Lords.
[[Image:Black Rod knocking.jpg|thumb| Black Rod Knocking the Door]]

As a remnant of history the door of the Chamber of Commons is slammed to his face when he tries to walk in. This derives from an incident in 1641 when Black Rod is said to have entered the Commons without his rod and before he was officially called in. Since then the door is slammed and Black Rod has to knock three times with his rod till the door is opened and he is allowed to enter. Black Rod then respectfully asks the MPs to follow him to the [[House of Lords]].
All that is also said to symbolise the independence of the [[House of Commons]] from the[[ House of Lords]].

'''Video footage of the 2010’s ceremony: '''
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvoj1QP1HSQ

==Sources==
http://www.portcullis.parliament.uk/DServe/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=Show.tcl&dsqDb=Persons&dsqPos=0&dsqSearch=Code==%27469%27

http://www.explore-parliament.net/nssMovies/09/0941/0941_.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/guides/newsid_81000/81909.stm

http://www.parliament.uk/about/mps-and-lords/principal/black-rod/

Black Rod

2010-07-09T10:41:52Z

PG8:

The Black Rod or, to be more precisely, the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod is an official in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. He performs various official and ceremonial duties; famously, he summons the members of the [[House of Commons]] to the [[Queen's Speech]] (or King's Speech) during the [[State Opening of Parliament]].
[[Image:Black Rod.jpg|thumb|Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod]]
==History==
The title “Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod” exists since the times of [[Henry VIII]]. Shortly after [[the Order of the Garter]] was founded, a King’s Letters Patent says that one of the Order’s officers should bear their symbol, a black rod with a golden lion on the top, in official processions of the Order in St. George’s Chapel and [[Windsor Castle]].
The chosen officer should be an experienced and honourable member of the troops.
Since the Constitution of [[the Order of the Garter]] in 1522 (the Garter Statue ), Back Rod’s main function, apart from the ceremonial bearing of the rod, was to be the doorkeeper at meetings of the Order and the Parliament, to keep all secrets inside.
In 1726 Black Rod’s parliamentary duties were summarized. They included:
# Constant attendance on the [[House of Lords]]
# The carrying of the King’s/Queen’s commands to the Commons to attend him in the House of Lords
# Participation in the ceremony of introducing lords into the House
# Employment at the order of the House concerning the commitment of delinquents
These rules and rights were modified in 1876 when most of the duties were transferred to the Lord Great Chamberlain’s field of functions. Only two of Black Rod’s main functions remained: the roles of the doorkeeper and the messenger between the Houses.

==Ceremonial Duties Today==
The probably most well-known ceremonial functions of Black Rod today is his attendance at the [[State Opening of Parliament]]. During the ceremony he is instructed to walk from the Chamber of Lords to the Chamber of Commons to summon the MPs to follow the [[Queen’s Speech]] at the Chamber of the Lords.
[[Image:Black Rod knocking.jpg|thumb| Black Rod Knocking the Door]]

As a remnant of history the door of the Chamber of Commons is slammed to his face when he tries to walk in. This derives from an incident in 1641 when Black Rod is said to have entered the Commons without his rod and before he was officially called in. Since then the door is slammed and Black Rod has to knock three times with his rod till the door is opened and he is allowed to enter. Black Rod then respectfully asks the MPs to follow him to the [[House of Lords]].
All that is also said to symbolise the independence of the [[House of Commons]] from the[[ House of Lords]].

'''Video footage of the 2010’s ceremony: '''
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvoj1QP1HSQ

==Sources==
http://www.portcullis.parliament.uk/DServe/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=Show.tcl&dsqDb=Persons&dsqPos=0&dsqSearch=Code==%27469%27

http://www.explore-parliament.net/nssMovies/09/0941/0941_.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/guides/newsid_81000/81909.stm

http://www.parliament.uk/about/mps-and-lords/principal/black-rod/

File:Black Rod knocking.jpg

2010-07-09T10:39:09Z

PG8:

File:Black Rod.jpg

2010-07-09T10:38:41Z

PG8:

Yeomen of the Guard

2010-06-01T12:56:38Z

PG8:

The Yeomen of the Guard are the oldest of the Royal bodyguards and also the oldest military corps which is still in service.

[[Image:Yeomen_of_theGuard_badge.jpg‎|thumb|Badge of the Yeomen of the Guard]]

==History==
According to legend, the history of the Yeomen of the Guard began in the year 1485 and the [[Battle of Bosworth Field]]. King [[Richard III]] was killed in the battle and it is said, that one of his private guards found his crown in a hawthorn bush. The guard saved and returned the Crown, so it could be placed on the head of the next monarch. Richard’s successor on the throne was Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond: [[Henry VII]].
Historians proved that it was Henry’s decision to form a new official group of “private bodyguards”, which were from then on called the Yeomen of the Guard.

Until today you still see the historical connection to the [[Battle of Bosworth Field]] and Richard III’s death in the badge of the Yeomen of the Guard. It shows the design of the Crown on the hawthorn bush under the Tudor rose, with the initials HR (or ER) on the sides. Beyond that, till today the Yeomen of the Guard wear typical Tudor uniforms in the colours red, white and yellow.

==Functions==
In the early years of their existence the Yeomen of the Guard had to protect their Sovereign and to follow him on the battlefield.

Nowadays their function is solely ceremonial. The Guards take part in many of the annual Royal ceremonies like the [[Royal Maundy Service]], the [[State Opening of Parliament]] or the installation of Knights of the Garter ([[The Order of the Garter]]) at [[Buckingham Palace]].

Today the Yeomen of the Guard consist of 73 guards. All of them are retired officers from the [[ British Army]],[[ Royal Marines]] or [[ Royal Air Force]] who have completed no less than 22 years in duty and fit into the strictly required body measurements. They have to retire, when they reached the age of seventy.

==Sources==
http://www.yeomenoftheguard.com/

http://www.royal.gov.uk/RoyalEventsandCeremonies/Ceremonialbodies/YeomenoftheGuard.aspx

Yeomen of the Guard

2010-06-01T12:51:12Z

PG8:

The Yeomen of the Guard are the oldest of the Royal bodyguards and also the oldest military corps which is still in service.

[[Image:Yeomen_of_theGuard_badge.jpg‎|thumb|Badge of the Yeomen of the Guard]]

== History ==

According to legend, the history of the Yeomen of the Guard began in the year 1485 and the [[Battle of Bosworth Field]]. King [[Richard III]] was killed in the battle and it is said, that one of his private guards found his crown in a hawthorn bush. The guard saved and returned the Crown, so it could be placed on the head of the next monarch. Richard’s successor on the throne was Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond: [[Henry VII]].
Historians proved that it was Henry’s decision to form a new official group of “private bodyguards”, which were from then on called the Yeomen of the Guard.

Until today you still see the historical connection to the [[Battle of Bosworth Field]] and Richard III’s death in the badge of the Yeomen of the Guard. It shows the design of the Crown on the hawthorn bush under the Tudor rose, with the initials HR (or ER) on the sides. Beyond that, till today the Yeomen of the Guard wear typical Tudor uniforms in the colours red, white and yellow.

== Functions ==

In the early years of their existence the Yeomen of the Guard had to protect their Sovereign and to follow him on the battlefield.

Nowadays their function is solely ceremonial. The Guards take part in many of the annual Royal ceremonies like the [[Royal Maundy Service]], the [[State Opening of Parliament]] or the installation of Knights of the Garter ([[The Order of the Garter]]) at [[Buckingham Palace]].

Today the Yeomen of the Guard consist of 73 guards. All of them are retired officers from the [[ British Army]],[[ Royal Marines]] or [[ Royal Air Force]] who have completed no less than 22 years in duty and fit into the strictly required body measurements. They have to retire, when they reached the age of seventy.

== Sources ==

http://www.yeomenoftheguard.com/

http://www.royal.gov.uk/RoyalEventsandCeremonies/Ceremonialbodies/YeomenoftheGuard.aspx

Yeomen of the Guard

2010-06-01T11:59:46Z

PG8:

The Yeomen of the Guard are the oldest of the Royal bodyguards and also the oldest military corps which is still in service.

[[Image:Yeomen_of_theGuard_badge.jpg‎|thumb|Badge of the Yeomen of the Guard]]

== History ==
According to legend, the history of the Yeomen of the Guard began in the year 1485 and the [[Battle of Bosworth Field]]. King [[Richard III]] was killed in the battle and it is said, that one of his private guards found his crown in a hawthorn bush. The guard saved and returned the Crown, so it could be placed on the head of the next monarch. Richard’s successor on the throne was Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond: [[Henry VII]].
Historians proved that it was Henry’s decision to form a new official group of “private bodyguards”, which were from then on called the Yeomen of the Guard.

Until today you still see the historical connection to the [[Battle of Bosworth Field]] and Richard III’s death in the badge of the Yeomen of the Guard. It shows the design of the Crown on the hawthorn bush under the Tudor rose, with the initials HR (or ER) on the sides. Beyond that, till today the Yeomen of the Guard wear typical Tudor uniforms in the colours red, white and yellow.

== Functions ==

In the early years of their existence the Yeomen of the Guard had to protect their Sovereign and to follow him on the battlefield.

Nowadays their function is solely ceremonial. The Guards take part in many of the annual Royal ceremonies like the [[Royal Maundy Service]], the [[State Opening of Parliament]] or the installation of Knights of the Garter ([[The Order of the Garter]]) at [[Buckingham Palace]].

Today the Yeomen of the Guard consist of 73 guards. All of them are retired officers from the [[ British Army]],[[ Royal Marines]] or [[ Royal Air Force]] who have completed no less than 22 years in duty and fit into the strictly required body measurements. They have to retire, when they reached the age of seventy.

== Sources ==

http://www.yeomenoftheguard.com/

http://www.royal.gov.uk/RoyalEventsandCeremonies/Ceremonialbodies/YeomenoftheGuard.aspx

File:Yeomen of theGuard badge.jpg

2010-06-01T11:55:28Z

PG8: Badge of the Yeomen of the Guard

Badge of the Yeomen of the Guard

Pound Sterling and the Sovereign

2010-05-03T14:15:26Z

PG8:

While the history of the [[Pound Sterling]] itself already begun during the 8th century, it lasted another 150 years until the first effigy of a monarch was shown on the coins. [[Image:NEWDESIGNS_DESIGNSREVEALED.JPG|thumb|Royal Coat of Arms]]

== Brief History of the Monetary Development in Britain ==
The first type of a, to some extent, standardised currency emerged about 2000 years ago, when the strong Greek influence caused, that their coins were simply copied by the people on the British Isles. Later, after the Roman invasion, also the coinage system changed due to the Roman influence.
But compared to the modern Pound Sterling one has to consider the introduction of the silver penny as the most remarkable form of a precursor for the recent currency. Historians assume that it was not until the year 775AD, that the silver penny or then already called “sterling” was the most prevalent and authorised currency.

== Monarchs and Coins ==
It was [[King Athelstan of England]] who had the idea that his image should be pressed on the coins. The idea implied that the more the coins were spread around the kingdom, the more famous he as the King could become. So from around 930AD his image was shown on the coins. From that time on it became a tradition for most of the regents to have their head (wearing a Crown) depicted on the coins.

== Modern Times ==
With the beginning of [[Elizabeth II]] reign new coins were introduced. Since then there has been three further changes of the circulating coinage. Her Majesty’s portrait was renewed in 1968, 1985 and most recently in 1998.
In 2008 a completely revised version of all coins was published. It shows the Queen’s effigy on the one side and on the other side every coin from 1p to 1£ shows another part of the [[ Royal Coat of Arms]]. If you put the different coins together you get the whole image of the Royal Coat.
== Sources ==
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1399693/A-history-of-sterling.html

http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/Symbols/Coinageandbanknotes.aspx

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7326491.stm

http://www.royalmint.com/

http://www.royalmint.com/web/MultimediaFiles/NEWDESIGNS_DESIGNSREVEALED.JPG

Pound Sterling and the Sovereign

2010-05-03T14:10:16Z

PG8: Created page with 'While the history of the Pound Sterling itself already begun during the 8th century, it lasted another 150 years until the first effigy of a monarch was shown on the coins. …'

While the history of the [[Pound Sterling]] itself already begun during the 8th century, it lasted another 150 years until the first effigy of a monarch was shown on the coins.

== Brief History of the Monetary Development in Britain ==
The first type of a, to some extent, standardised currency emerged about 2000 years ago, when the strong Greek influence caused, that their coins were simply copied by the people on the British Isles. Later, after the Roman invasion, also the coinage system changed due to the Roman influence.
But compared to the modern Pound Sterling one has to consider the introduction of the silver penny as the most remarkable form of a precursor for the recent currency. Historians assume that it was not until the year 775AD, that the silver penny or then already called “sterling” was the most prevalent and authorised currency.

== Monarchs and Coins ==
It was [[King Athelstan of England]] who had the idea that his image should be pressed on the coins. The idea implied that the more the coins were spread around the kingdom, the more famous he as the King could become. So from around 930AD his image was shown on the coins. From that time on it became a tradition for most of the regents to have their head (wearing a Crown) depicted on the coins.

== Modern Times ==
With the beginning of [[Elizabeth II]] reign new coins were introduced. Since then there has been three further changes of the circulating coinage. Her Majesty’s portrait was renewed in 1968, 1985 and most recently in 1998.
In 2008 a completely revised version of all coins was published. It shows the Queen’s effigy on the one side and on the other side every coin from 1p to 1£ shows another part of the[[ Royal Coat of Arms]]. If you put the different coins together you get the whole image of the Royal Coat.
== Sources ==
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1399693/A-history-of-sterling.html

http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/Symbols/Coinageandbanknotes.aspx

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7326491.stm

http://www.royalmint.com/

http://www.royalmint.com/web/MultimediaFiles/NEWDESIGNS_DESIGNSREVEALED.JPG

File:NEWDESIGNS DESIGNSREVEALED.JPG

2010-05-03T14:06:17Z

PG8: Royal Coat of Arms (http://www.royalmint.com/web/MultimediaFiles/NEWDESIGNS_DESIGNSREVEALED.JPG)

Royal Coat of Arms (http://www.royalmint.com/web/MultimediaFiles/NEWDESIGNS_DESIGNSREVEALED.JPG)