Black Rod
Encyclopedia
The Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, generally shortened to just Black Rod, is an official in the parliaments of several Commonwealth
countries. The position originates in the House of Lords
of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
. His equivalent in the House of Commons
is the Serjeant at Arms.
, though the current title dates from 1522. The position was adopted by other members of the Commonwealth when they copied the British Westminster system
. The title is derived from the staff of office, an ebony
staff topped with a golden lion, which is the main symbol of the office's authority.
, to whom he reports. Prior to 2002 the office rotated among retired senior officers from the British Army
, the Royal Navy
and the Royal Air Force
. It is now advertised openly. Black Rod is an officer of the English Order of the Garter
, and takes the rank of knight bachelor
. His deputy is the Yeoman
Usher of the Black Rod.
; as secretary to the Lord Great Chamberlain
he is responsible as the usher and doorkeeper at meetings of the Order of the Garter
(stemming from the Garter Statute 1522); and, as the Sergeant-at-Arms and Keeper of the Doors of the House he is concerned in the admission of strangers to the House of Lords
.
Black Rod further has the task of arresting any Lord guilty of breach of privilege
or other Parliamentary offence, such as contempt or disorder, or the disturbance of the House's proceedings. He is also responsible, as the representative of the Administration and Works Committee
, for more important services; the black rod is used to tap the governor's shoulder as a blessing from the Queen and security of the Palace of Westminster
. Either Black Rod or his deputy, the Yeoman Usher, is required to be present when the House of Lords, upper house of Parliament, is in session, and plays a role in the induction of all new Lords Temporal into the House (but not of bishops as new Lords Spiritual
).
In 2008 the salary for the position was £81,600.
into and out of the chamber for the Speaker of the House of Lords (formerly the Lord Chancellor
, now the Lord Speaker
), though this role is delegated to the Yeoman
Usher and Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms, or on judicial occasions, to the Lord Speaker's deputy, the Assistant Serjeant-at-Arms. The mace was created in 1876.
and the Throne speech. He summons the Commons to attend the speech and leads them to the Lords. As part of the ritual, as Black Rod approaches the doors to the chamber of the House of Commons to make his summons, they are slammed in his face. This is to symbolise the Commons' independence of the Sovereign. Black Rod then strikes the door three times with his staff, and is then admitted and issues the summons of the monarch to attend. This ritual is derived from the attempt by King Charles I
to arrest five members in 1642, in what was seen as a breach of privilege. This and prior actions of the King led to the Civil War. After that incident, the House of Commons has maintained its right to question the right of the monarch's representative to enter their chamber, though they cannot bar him from entering with lawful authority.
In recent years, Black Rod has 'suffered' a friendly jibe on this annual occasion from the outspoken Labour
MP
Dennis Skinner
.
united the English and Scottish parliaments, there was a Heritable Usher of the White Rod who had a similar role in the Scottish Parliament. This office is currently held by Rt. Rev. Brian Arthur Smith
, Lord Bishop of Edinburgh
but the role carries no duties. Before the Act of Union 1800
between the United Kingdom and Ireland, there was also a Black Rod in the Irish House of Lords
.
The Senate of Northern Ireland
also had a Black Rod throughout its existence.
Gentleman usher
s exist for all the British orders of knighthood, and are coloured as follows:
has Mr Brien Hallett as Usher of the Black Rod and Mr Nick Tate as Deputy Usher of the Black Rod. One of these is present for the induction of all Senators. Each bicameral Australian state (that is, all but Queensland) also has its own Black Rod.
was abolished in 1951, the Usher of the Black Rod continues to summon MPs to the chamber for the Throne Speech. It is not a full-time position. Colonel William (Bill) Nathan, OBE
ED
, was Usher of the Black Rod 1993 to 2005. The position is currently held by David Baguley.
is the law enforcer for the United States Senate
. The Sergeant at Arms can also request the attendance of absent Senators. With the Architect of the Capitol
and the Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives, he serves on the Capitol Police Board
, responsible for security in and around the Capitol proper and Congressional office buildings. The Sergeant at Arms of the Senate is empowered to arrest any person upon their violating Senate rules (including the President of the United States
). The incumbent is Terrance W. Gainer
.
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
countries. The position originates in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
. His equivalent in the House of Commons
House of Commons
The House of Commons is the name of the elected lower house of the bicameral parliaments of the United Kingdom and Canada and historically was the name of the lower houses of Ireland and North Carolina...
is the Serjeant at Arms.
Origin
The office was created in 1350 by royal letters patentLetters patent
Letters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch or president, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation...
, though the current title dates from 1522. The position was adopted by other members of the Commonwealth when they copied the British Westminster system
Westminster System
The Westminster system is a democratic parliamentary system of government modelled after the politics of the United Kingdom. This term comes from the Palace of Westminster, the seat of the Parliament of the United Kingdom....
. The title is derived from the staff of office, an ebony
Ebony
Ebony is a dense black wood, most commonly yielded by several species in the genus Diospyros, but ebony may also refer to other heavy, black woods from unrelated species. Ebony is dense enough to sink in water. Its fine texture, and very smooth finish when polished, make it valuable as an...
staff topped with a golden lion, which is the main symbol of the office's authority.
Appointment
Black Rod is formally appointed by the Crown based on a recruitment search performed by the Clerk of the ParliamentsClerk of the Parliaments
The Clerk of the Parliaments is the chief clerk of the House of Lords in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The position has existed since at least 1315, and duties include preparing the minutes of Lords proceedings, advising on proper parliamentary procedure and pronouncing the Royal Assent...
, to whom he reports. Prior to 2002 the office rotated among retired senior officers from the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
. It is now advertised openly. Black Rod is an officer of the English Order of the Garter
Order of the Garter
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
, and takes the rank of knight bachelor
Knight Bachelor
The rank of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It is the most basic rank of a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organised Orders of Chivalry...
. His deputy is the Yeoman
Yeoman
Yeoman refers chiefly to a free man owning his own farm, especially from the Elizabethan era to the 17th century. Work requiring a great deal of effort or labor, such as would be done by a yeoman farmer, came to be described as "yeoman's work"...
Usher of the Black Rod.
Official duties
Black Rod has several official duties: he is the personal attendant of the Sovereign in the LordsHouse of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
; as secretary to the Lord Great Chamberlain
Lord Great Chamberlain
The Lord Great Chamberlain of England is the sixth of the Great Officers of State, ranking beneath the Lord Privy Seal and above the Lord High Constable...
he is responsible as the usher and doorkeeper at meetings of the Order of the Garter
Order of the Garter
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
(stemming from the Garter Statute 1522); and, as the Sergeant-at-Arms and Keeper of the Doors of the House he is concerned in the admission of strangers to the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
.
Black Rod further has the task of arresting any Lord guilty of breach of privilege
Parliamentary privilege
Parliamentary privilege is a legal immunity enjoyed by members of certain legislatures, in which legislators are granted protection against civil or criminal liability for actions done or statements made related to one's duties as a legislator. It is common in countries whose constitutions are...
or other Parliamentary offence, such as contempt or disorder, or the disturbance of the House's proceedings. He is also responsible, as the representative of the Administration and Works Committee
Administration and Works Committee
The Administration and Works Committee is a select committee of the House of Lords with a remit to consider administrative services, accommodation, and works within the financial and strategic framework set by the House Committee.-Membership:...
, for more important services; the black rod is used to tap the governor's shoulder as a blessing from the Queen and security of the Palace of Westminster
Palace of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament or Westminster Palace, is the meeting place of the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom—the House of Lords and the House of Commons...
. Either Black Rod or his deputy, the Yeoman Usher, is required to be present when the House of Lords, upper house of Parliament, is in session, and plays a role in the induction of all new Lords Temporal into the House (but not of bishops as new Lords Spiritual
Lords Spiritual
The Lords Spiritual of the United Kingdom, also called Spiritual Peers, are the 26 bishops of the established Church of England who serve in the House of Lords along with the Lords Temporal. The Church of Scotland, which is Presbyterian, is not represented by spiritual peers...
).
In 2008 the salary for the position was £81,600.
The Mace
Black Rod is in theory responsible for carrying the MaceCeremonial mace
The ceremonial mace is a highly ornamented staff of metal or wood, carried before a sovereign or other high official in civic ceremonies by a mace-bearer, intended to represent the official's authority. The mace, as used today, derives from the original mace used as a weapon...
into and out of the chamber for the Speaker of the House of Lords (formerly the Lord Chancellor
Lord Chancellor
The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign...
, now the Lord Speaker
Lord Speaker
The Lord Speaker is the speaker of the House of Lords in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The office is analogous to the Speaker of the House of Commons: the Lord Speaker is elected by the members of the House of Lords and is expected to be politically impartial.Until July 2006, the role of...
), though this role is delegated to the Yeoman
Yeoman
Yeoman refers chiefly to a free man owning his own farm, especially from the Elizabethan era to the 17th century. Work requiring a great deal of effort or labor, such as would be done by a yeoman farmer, came to be described as "yeoman's work"...
Usher and Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms, or on judicial occasions, to the Lord Speaker's deputy, the Assistant Serjeant-at-Arms. The mace was created in 1876.
State Opening of Parliament
Black Rod is best known for his part in the ceremonies surrounding the State Opening of ParliamentState Opening of Parliament
In the United Kingdom, the State Opening of Parliament is an annual event that marks the commencement of a session of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is held in the House of Lords Chamber, usually in November or December or, in a general election year, when the new Parliament first assembles...
and the Throne speech. He summons the Commons to attend the speech and leads them to the Lords. As part of the ritual, as Black Rod approaches the doors to the chamber of the House of Commons to make his summons, they are slammed in his face. This is to symbolise the Commons' independence of the Sovereign. Black Rod then strikes the door three times with his staff, and is then admitted and issues the summons of the monarch to attend. This ritual is derived from the attempt by King Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
to arrest five members in 1642, in what was seen as a breach of privilege. This and prior actions of the King led to the Civil War. After that incident, the House of Commons has maintained its right to question the right of the monarch's representative to enter their chamber, though they cannot bar him from entering with lawful authority.
In recent years, Black Rod has 'suffered' a friendly jibe on this annual occasion from the outspoken Labour
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
Dennis Skinner
Dennis Skinner
Dennis Edward Skinner is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Bolsover since 1970, the Chairman of the Labour Party from 1988 to 1989, and has sat on the National Executive Committee numerous times since 1978.Born in Clay Cross, Derbyshire, Skinner is the...
.
List of Black Rods from 1361
- c.1361–1387: Walter Whitehorse
- 1387–1399: John Cray
- 1399–1410: Thomas Sy
- 1410–1413: John Sheffield
- 1413–1415: John Athelbrigg
- 1415–1418: William Hargroave
- 1418–1423: John Clifford
- 1423–1428: John Carsons
- 1428–1459: William Pope
- 1438–1459: Robert Manfield (joint)
- 1459–1461: John Penycok
- 1461–1471: vacant?
- 1471–1485: William Evington
- 1483–1485: Edward Hardgill (joint)
- 1485–1489: Robert Marleton
- 1489–1513: Ralph Assheton
- 1495–1513: Hugh Dennys (joint)
- 1513–1526: Sir William ComptonWilliam Compton (courtier)Sir William Compton was one of the most prominent courtiers during the reign of Henry VIII of England. Born around 1482, Compton was about nine years older than his king, but the two became close friends. Compton was the eldest son of Edmund Compton of Warwickshire and became an attendant on young...
- 1526–1536: Sir Henry Norreys
- 1536–1543: Anthony Knyvett
- 1543–1554: Sir Philip HobyPhilip HobySir Philip Hoby was a 16th century English Ambassador to the Holy Roman Empire and Flanders....
- 1554–1565: John Norreys
- 1554–1591: Sir William Norreys (joint)
- 1591–1593: Anthony WingfieldAnthony WingfieldSir Anthony Wingfield MP KG PC of Letheringham, Suffolk, was an English soldier, politician, courtier and member of parliament...
- 1593–1598: Simon Bowyer
- 1598–1620: Richard Coningsby
- 1605–1620: George Pollard (joint)
- 1620–1642: James Maxwell
- 1642–1661: James Maxwell and Alexander Thayne (Parliamentary)
- 1645–1661: Peter Newton (Royalist)
- 1661–1671: Sir John Ayton
- 1671–1683: Sir Edward Carteret
- 1683–1694: Sir Thomas Duppa
- 1694–25 August 1698: Sir Fleetwood SheppardFleetwood SheppardFleetwood Sheppard was a British courtier and literary wit who was instrumental in the courts of Charles II of England and William of Orange...
- 5 December 1698–1 June 1710: AdmiralAdmiralAdmiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
Sir David Mitchell - 1710–1718: Sir William Oldes
- 1718–1727: Sir William Saunderson, 1st Baronet
- 1727–1747: Sir Charles Dalton
- 1747–1760: Sir Henry Bellenden
- 1760 – 6 September 1765: Sir Septimus RobinsonSeptimus RobinsonLieutenant-Colonel Sir Septimus Robinson was a British Army officer who became Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod.-Career:...
- 1765 – 1812: Sir Francis Molyneux, 7th BaronetSir Francis Molyneux, 7th BaronetSir Francis Molyneux, 7th Baronet was a courtier who became Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod.-Career:Born the son of Sir William Molyneux, 6th Baronet and educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield, Francis Molyneux was appointed gentleman usher daily waiter to the Queen in 1761 and...
- 1812 – 25 July 1832: Sir Thomas TyrwhittThomas Tyrwhitt (MP)Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt was Member of Parliament for Okehampton.-Career:Educated at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford and after serving as private secretary to the Prince of Wales, Tyrwhitt was elected Member of Parliament for Okehampton in 1796...
- 25 July 1832 – 8 February 1877: Admiral Sir Augustus Clifford
- 3 May 1877 – 23 June 1883: General Sir William KnollysWilliam Thomas KnollysGeneral Sir William Thomas Knollys KCB was a British Army General who reached high office in the 1860s.-Military career:...
- 24 July 1883 – 7 October 1895: Admiral Sir James DrummondJames Robert DrummondAdmiral Sir James Robert Drummond GCB was a British naval officer who commanded several ships in the Black Sea Fleet during the Crimean War and who commanded the Mediterranean Fleet from 1874 to 1877 before going on to be Fourth Naval Lord.-Naval career:Born the second of the eight children of...
- 11 February 1896 to 23 July 1904 - Lieutenant-General Sir Michael BiddulphMichael Biddulph (British Army officer)Lieutenant-General Sir Michael Anthony Shrapnel Biddulph KCB was a British Army officer who became Black Rod.-Military career:...
- August 1904 – 16 December 1919: Admiral Sir Henry StephensonHenry Frederick StephensonAdmiral Sir Henry Frederick Stephenson GCVO, KCB was a Royal Navy officer, courtier, and Arctic explorer.-Early life and career:...
- January 1920 – 14 May 1941: Lieutenant-General Sir William Pulteney
- October 1941 – 15 August 1944: Air Chief Marshal Sir William MitchellWilliam Mitchell (RAF officer)Air Chief Marshal Sir William Gore Sutherland Mitchell, KCB, CBE, DSO, MC, AFC was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force and the first RAF officer to hold the post of Black Rod.-RAF career:...
- January 1945 – 18 January 1949: Vice Admiral Sir Geoffrey BlakeGeoffrey Blake (Royal Navy officer)Vice Admiral Sir Geoffrey Blake, KCB, DSO was an officer in the Royal Navy who went on to be Fourth Sea Lord.-Naval career:...
- 18 January 1949 – 18 June 1963: Lieutenant-General Sir Brian HorrocksBrian HorrocksLieutenant-General Sir Brian Gwynne Horrocks, KCB, KBE, DSO, MC was a British Army officer. He is chiefly remembered as the commander of XXX Corps in Operation Market Garden and other operations during the Second World War...
- 18 June 1963 – October 1970: Air Chief Marshal Sir George MillsGeorge Mills (RAF officer)Air Chief Marshal Sir George Holroyd Mills, GCB, DFC, RAF was a senior Royal Air Force commander. After his retirement from the RAF, Mills served as Black Rod in the Houses of Parliament until 1970...
- October 1970 – 18 January 1978: Admiral Sir Frank TwissFrank TwissAdmiral Sir Frank Roddam Twiss, KCB, KCVO, DSC was a Royal Navy admiral who became Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel...
- 18 January 1978 – January 1985: Lieutenant-General Sir David HouseDavid HouseLieutenant General Sir David George House GCB, KCVO, CBE, MC was a British Army officer who was General Officer Commanding in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, and later held the office of Black Rod.-Regimental career:...
- January 1985 – January 1992: Air Chief Marshal Sir John Gingell
- January 1992 – 8 May 1995: Admiral Sir Richard Thomas
- 9 May 1995 – 8 May 2001: General Sir Edward Jones
- 9 May 2001 – 30 April 2009: Lieutenant-General Sir Michael WillcocksMichael WillcocksLieutenant General Sir Michael Alan Willcocks, KCB, CVO was until 30 April 2009 the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod for the Parliament of the United Kingdom's House of Lords. This title is generally shortened to Black Rod....
- 30 April 2009 – 28 October 2010: Lieutenant-General Sir Freddie ViggersFreddie ViggersLieutenant-General Sir Frederick Richard "Freddie" Viggers, KCB, CMG, MBE, DL is a former senior British Army officer, who served as Adjutant-General to the Forces immediately prior to his retirement 2008. He served as Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod from 30 April 2009 to 28 October 2010...
- 1 February 2011 - Present: Lieutenant-General David LeakeyDavid LeakeyLieutenant-General Arundell David Leakey CMG, CBE is a former British military commander. He was Director General of the European Union Military Staff in the Council of the European Union, Brussels...
Other parliaments, other ushers
Before the Acts of Union 1707Acts of Union 1707
The Acts of Union were two Parliamentary Acts - the Union with Scotland Act passed in 1706 by the Parliament of England, and the Union with England Act passed in 1707 by the Parliament of Scotland - which put into effect the terms of the Treaty of Union that had been agreed on 22 July 1706,...
united the English and Scottish parliaments, there was a Heritable Usher of the White Rod who had a similar role in the Scottish Parliament. This office is currently held by Rt. Rev. Brian Arthur Smith
Brian Arthur Smith
Brian Arthur Smith was the most recent Bishop of Edinburgh in the Scottish Episcopal Church.Smith was born in Edinburgh on 15 August 1943 and educated at George Heriot's School, Edinburgh and the University of Edinburgh, Ordained in 1973, he began his ordained ministry with a Curacy at Ripon...
, Lord Bishop of Edinburgh
Bishop of Edinburgh
The Bishop of Edinburgh is the Ordinary of the Scottish Episcopal Diocese of Edinburgh.The see was founded in 1633 by King Charles I. William Forbes was consecrated in St. Giles' Cathedral as its first bishop on 23 January 1634 though he died later that year...
but the role carries no duties. Before the Act of Union 1800
Act of Union 1800
The Acts of Union 1800 describe two complementary Acts, namely:* the Union with Ireland Act 1800 , an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain, and...
between the United Kingdom and Ireland, there was also a Black Rod in the Irish House of Lords
Irish House of Lords
The Irish House of Lords was the upper house of the Parliament of Ireland that existed from mediaeval times until 1800. It was abolished along with the Irish House of Commons by the Act of Union.-Function:...
.
The Senate of Northern Ireland
Senate of Northern Ireland
The Senate of Northern Ireland was the upper house of the Parliament of Northern Ireland created by the Government of Ireland Act 1920. It was abolished with the passing of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973.-Powers:...
also had a Black Rod throughout its existence.
Gentleman usher
Gentleman Usher
Gentleman Usher is a title for some officers of the Royal Household of the United Kingdom. See List of Gentlemen Ushers for a list of office-holders.-Historical:...
s exist for all the British orders of knighthood, and are coloured as follows:
- The Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod -- Order of the GarterOrder of the GarterThe Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
- The Gentleman Usher of the Green RodGentleman Usher of the Green RodThe Gentleman Usher of the Green Rod is the Gentleman Usher to the Order of the Thistle, established in 1687.- Office Holders from 1714 :*1714–1761 Sir Thomas Brand*1762–1787 Robert Quarme*1787–1800 Matthew Robert Arnott*1800–1842 Robert Quarme the younger...
-- Order of the ThistleOrder of the ThistleThe Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle is an order of chivalry associated with Scotland. The current version of the Order was founded in 1687 by King James VII of Scotland who asserted that he was reviving an earlier Order... - The Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet RodGentleman Usher of the Scarlet RodThe Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod is the Gentleman Usher to the Order of the Bath, established in 1725.-Office Holders from 1725:*1725 – ?: Edmund Sawyer*bef. 1763 – aft. 1789: Henry Hill*bef. 1806 – 2 July 1814: Sir Isaac Heard...
-- Order of the BathOrder of the BathThe Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath... - The Gentleman Usher of the Blue RodGentleman Usher of the Blue RodThe Gentleman Usher of the Blue Rod is the Gentleman Usher to the Order of St Michael and St George, established in 1818.The office was simply designated as that of "Officer of Arms" to the Order from the first appointment in 1882 until 1911, when it received the present name.-Officers of Arms of...
-- Order of St Michael and St GeorgeOrder of St Michael and St GeorgeThe Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III.... - The Gentleman Usher of the Purple RodGentleman Usher of the Purple RodThe Gentleman Usher of the Purple Rod is the Usher to the Order of the British Empire, established in 1917 and effective since 1918.-Office Holders from 1918:*1918 – 23 August 1952: Sir Frederic Kenyon*30 September 1952 – 2 December 1960: Sir Ernest Gowers...
-- Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
Black Rod in other Commonwealth countries
As in the United Kingdom, Black Rod is responsible for arresting any senator or intruder who disrupts the proceedings.Australia
The Australian SenateAustralian Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Australia, the lower house being the House of Representatives. Senators are popularly elected under a system of proportional representation. Senators are elected for a term that is usually six years; after a double dissolution, however,...
has Mr Brien Hallett as Usher of the Black Rod and Mr Nick Tate as Deputy Usher of the Black Rod. One of these is present for the induction of all Senators. Each bicameral Australian state (that is, all but Queensland) also has its own Black Rod.
New Zealand
In New Zealand, where the Legislative CouncilNew Zealand Legislative Council
The Legislative Council of New Zealand was the upper house of the New Zealand Parliament from 1853 until 1951. Unlike the lower house, the New Zealand House of Representatives, the Legislative Council was appointed.-Role:...
was abolished in 1951, the Usher of the Black Rod continues to summon MPs to the chamber for the Throne Speech. It is not a full-time position. Colonel William (Bill) Nathan, OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
ED
Efficiency Decoration
The Efficiency Decoration is a defunct medal of Britain and the Commonwealth awarded for long service in the Territorial Army of the UK, the Indian Volunteer Forces and Colonial Auxiliary Forces....
, was Usher of the Black Rod 1993 to 2005. The position is currently held by David Baguley.
United States
In the United States of America, the Sergeant at Arms of the United States SenateSergeant at Arms of the United States Senate
The Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate is the law enforcer for the United States Senate. One of the chief roles of the Sergeant is to hold the gavel used at every session...
is the law enforcer for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. The Sergeant at Arms can also request the attendance of absent Senators. With the Architect of the Capitol
Architect of the Capitol
The Architect of the Capitol is the federal agency responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States Capitol Complex, and also the head of that agency. The Architect of the Capitol is in the legislative branch and is responsible to the United States...
and the Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives, he serves on the Capitol Police Board
Capitol Police Board
The Capitol Police Board is a group of three members who maintain jurisdiction over the United States Capitol Police. The three members of this board are the Architect of the Capitol, the Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate, and the Sergeant at Arms of the United States House of...
, responsible for security in and around the Capitol proper and Congressional office buildings. The Sergeant at Arms of the Senate is empowered to arrest any person upon their violating Senate rules (including the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
). The incumbent is Terrance W. Gainer
Terrance W. Gainer
Terrance William Gainer the 38th and current Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate and has served in this appointment since January 4, 2007. Before Gainer continued his law enforcement career in Washington, D.C., he was the Republican candidate for Cook County State's Attorney in 1988,...
.