Serjeant-at-Arms of the British House of Commons
Encyclopedia
The Serjeant at Arms of the British House of Commons is an official responsible for the security of the House of Commons. The offices dates to 1415.
The House of Lords
also had a Serjeant-at-Arms (the title was often distinguished by the use of hyphens). The duties of the post were merged with those of Black Rod
in 1971.
In October 2011, the current Serjeant at Arms, Jill Pay, announced that she would retire in January 2012.
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....
also had a Serjeant-at-Arms (the title was often distinguished by the use of hyphens). The duties of the post were merged with those of Black Rod
Black Rod
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...
in 1971.
In October 2011, the current Serjeant at Arms, Jill Pay, announced that she would retire in January 2012.
Duties
The duties of the Serjeant at Arms are partly ceremonial. The Serjeant at Arms carries the mace during the opening of Parliament. The Serjeant at Arms is also responsible for security during debates in the House of Commons and must escort Members out of the Chamber if ordered to by the Speaker.Dress
The Serjeant at Arms wears traditional dress and carries a sword, and is traditionally the only person allowed inside the House armed.List of Serjeants at Arms
- 1982 to 1989: Sir Victor Le Fanu KCVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
- 1989 to 1995: Sir Alan UrwickAlan UrwickSir Alan Bedford Urwick, KCVO, CMG is a retired British diplomat.He was educated at Dragon School and Rugby School. He served as the United Kingdom's ambassador to Jordan , Egypt , as well as High Commissioner to Canada . In 1989 he left the diplomatic service, which he had joined in 1952...
KCVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
, CMGOrder 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.... - 1995 to 1999: Sir Peter Jennings CVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
- 2000 to 2005: Sir Michael Cummins
- 2005 to 2007: Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Peter Grant PeterkinPeter Grant PeterkinMajor-General Anthony Peter Grant Peterkin CB OBE was the British House of Commons' Serjeant at Arms between 2004 and 2007.-Military career:...
CBOrder 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...
, OBEOrder 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... - 2008 to 2012: Jill PayJill PayJill Pay is the current Serjeant at Arms in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom. Pay is the first woman to have held the position Her appointment was unusual in that the position is one normally reserved for those with a military background. Pay is responsible for security in the House of...