Queen's Bargemaster
Encyclopedia
The King's/Queen's Bargemaster is a subordinate officer of the Royal Household
of the Sovereign
of the United Kingdom
. Until the mid-19th century, the Royal family frequently used the River Thames for, but the role is now largely ceremonial. The tradition of the Bargemaster dates back to 1215, with the signing of the Magna Carta at Runnymede
The Bargemaster is responsible for the Royal Watermen, chosen from the ranks of the Thames Watermen, who operate tugs and launches on the river. There are 24 Royal Watermen , each of whom receives an annual salary of £3.50.
The ceremonial duties include state occasions involving the Thames, and onshore duties, acting as footmen on royal carriages during State visits, royal weddings and jubilees. At the coronation the Royal Watermen walk in the procession behind The Queen’s Bargemaster. At the State Opening of Parliament The Queen’s Bargemaster and four Royal Watermen travel as boxmen on coaches, guarding the regalia when it is conveyed from Buckingham Palace to Westminster and back.
Royal Household
A Royal Household in ancient and medieval monarchies formed the basis for the general government of the country as well as providing for the needs of the sovereign and his relations....
of the Sovereign
Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Until the mid-19th century, the Royal family frequently used the River Thames for, but the role is now largely ceremonial. The tradition of the Bargemaster dates back to 1215, with the signing of the Magna Carta at Runnymede
The Bargemaster is responsible for the Royal Watermen, chosen from the ranks of the Thames Watermen, who operate tugs and launches on the river. There are 24 Royal Watermen , each of whom receives an annual salary of £3.50.
The ceremonial duties include state occasions involving the Thames, and onshore duties, acting as footmen on royal carriages during State visits, royal weddings and jubilees. At the coronation the Royal Watermen walk in the procession behind The Queen’s Bargemaster. At the State Opening of Parliament The Queen’s Bargemaster and four Royal Watermen travel as boxmen on coaches, guarding the regalia when it is conveyed from Buckingham Palace to Westminster and back.
List of incumbents
- Paul Ludwig (2004 to present time)
- Kenny DwanKenny DwanKenneth Victor Dwan is a former British rower who competed in the Olympic Games in 1968 and 1972 and won the Wingfield Sculls six times....
2003-2004 - Robert CrouchRobert CrouchRobert Fisher Crouch was a British farmer and politician. In Parliament as the Conservative Party Member of Parliament for North Dorset he specialised in agricultural issues and he was known as an independent-minded politician...
, MVO c.1991-2003 - Edwin HuntEdwin HuntEdwin Francis Hunt was an American draughts, or checkers, player who spent most of his life in Nashville....
1977- c.1991 - Albert Barry, MVO -1977
- Ernest BarryErnest BarryErnest James Barry was a British rower and Thames Waterman, five times Sculling World Champion during the early part of the 20th century and winner of the Doggett's Coat and Badge Race in 1903.-Sculling career:...
1950-1951 - J T Phelps c.1938