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Black Rod

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The Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, generally shortened to just Black Rod, is an official in the parliaments of a number of Commonwealth countries. The position originates in the House of Lords of the British Parliament where they represented the Sovereign and as Serjeant-at-Arms, and also of the Lord Chamberlain's Department. The title is derived from his staff of office, an ebony staff topped with a golden lion, which is the main symbol of the office's authority. His equivalent in the House of Commons is the Serjeant-at-Arms.

Prior to 2002 the office of Black Rod in the United Kingdom was held by a retired senior officer of either the British Army, the Royal Navy or the Royal Air Force and was rotated between each service. It is now advertised openly. The present Black Rod is Lieutenant-General Sir Michael Willcocks. His deputy is the Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod.

The office was created in 1350 by royal letters patent, though the current title dates from 1522. The position was adopted by other members of the Commonwealth when they copied the British Westminster system. Black Rod is formally appointed by the Crown based on a recruitment search performed by the Clerk of the Parliaments, to whom he reports. He is required to be a natural born English subject, as he is an officer of the English Order of the Garter. He is also a knight bachelor. In the United Kingdom Black Rod has a number of official duties: he is the personal attendant of the Sovereign in the Lords; as secretary to the Lord Great Chamberlain is responsible as the usher and doorkeeper at meetings of the Order of the Garter (stemming from the Garter Statute 1522); and, as the Serjeant-at-Arms and Keeper of the Doors of the House he is concerned in the admission of strangers to the House, and for carrying the Mace into and out of the chamber for the Lord Chancellor as Speaker of the House of Lords, though this last role is delegated to the Yeoman Usher and Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms. The Lord Chancellor's deputy, the Assistant Serjeant-at-Arms, carries the Mace on judicial occasions, however.

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. In the United Kingdom he is also responsible, as the representative of the Administration and Works Committee, for maintaining the buildings, services, 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 or Senate is in session. In the United Kingdom they play a role in the induction of all new Lords Temporal into the House (that is, they do not take part in the introduction of bishops as new Lords Spiritual). In Canada and Australia they are present for the induction of all Senators.

Currently, Black Rod is most prominent for his part in the ceremonies surrounding the State Opening of Parliament and the Throne speech. He summons the Commons to attend the speech and leads them to the Lords or Senate. 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 in reply to the challenge "Who is there?" answers "Black Rod". He is then admitted and issues the summons of the monarch to attend. This ritual is derived from the attempt by Charles I of England to arrest five members in 1642, in what was seen as a breach of privilege, though strictly the King was entitled to enter the chamber. 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 can not bar him from entering with lawful authority.

Before the Acts of Union 1707 united the English and Scottish parliaments, there was a Gentleman Usher of the White Rod who had a similar role in the Scottish Parliament. [link] This office no longer exists.

Black Rod in Commonwealth countries

As in the United Kingdom, Black Rod is responsible for arresting any senator or intruder who disrupts the proceedings.

The present Black Rod for Canada is Lieutenant-Commander Terrance Christopher. Each Canadian province's parliament has its own Black Rod, despite all now being unicameral. The Black Rod is thus used only on visits from the Lieutenant Governors. In Canada, the Usher leads the Speaker's Parade at the beginning of each sitting of the Senate carrying the ebony rod, and is immediately followed by a Mace Bearer who carries the Mace.

The Australian Senate has Ms Andrea Griffiths as Usher of the Black Rod and Mr Nick Tate as Deputy Usher of the Black Rod. Each bicameral Australian state, (that is all but Queensland), also has its own Black Rod.

In New Zealand, where the Legislative Council was abolished in 1951, the Usher of the Black Rod continues to summon MPs to the chamber for the Throne Speech, and is not a full-time position. Colonel William (Bill) Nathan, OBE ED, was Usher of the Black Rod 1993 to 2005, and a successor will be appointed shortly.

Black Rods (UK) from 1526

External links

 

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