Who is Black Rod and why do they knock on the door of the House of Commons?

DURING the State Opening of Parliament, the door of the Commons is rudely slammed in Black Rod’s face.

And, in a ritual dating back centuries, Black Rod then bangs three times on the door with an old ebony rod. Here’s more on this very British tradition.

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Black Rod, Sarah Clarke in her historic role, proceeding to the House of CommonsCredit: AFP Who is Black Rod?

The state opening of parliament involves the House of Lords, the House of Commons, and the monarch.

It includes a House of Lords official known as “Black Rod” — which for the first time, is a role filled by a woman, Sarah Clarke, 55.

Black Rod is rebuffed when she tries to enter the House of Commons to summon members to hear the Queen.

The door is slammed in Black Rod’s face to symbolise the House of Commons’ independence from the monarch.

It’s then opened after Black Rod knocks three times on the door with an ebony rod.

Sarah Clarke was appointed as the new Black Rod on in November 2017. She formally took on the duties as Lady Usher of the Black Rod in February 2018.

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Lady Usher of the Black Rod Sarah Clarke (centre) was appointed in 2017Credit: PA:Press Association What is the role of Black Rod?

Black Rod’s parliamentary duties fall into two categories: administrative and ceremonial.

Black Rod is a senior officer in the House of Lords, responsible for controlling access to and maintaining order within the House and its precincts.

They report to the Clerk of the Parliaments, who is in overall charge of the administration of the House.

Administrative duties

Black Rod’s post consists of the following functions:

Lady or Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod

Secretary to the Lord Great Chamberlain

Black Rod is also responsible for the Queen’s residual estate in the Palace (eg the Robing Room and the Royal Gallery).

Ceremonial duties: State Opening

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The State Opening of Parliament, May 2021Credit: PA What are the origins of Black Rod?

Black Rod – or, to give the full title, the Lady or Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod – is a senior official in the House of Lords.

She or he is simultaneously Lady or Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod; Serjeant-at-Arms in the House of Lords; and Secretary to the Lord Great Chamberlain, explains the Parliament.

The office originated as Usher of the Order of the Garter in the 14th century.

Letters of Patent were issued in 1361 by King Edward II to create the Usher as a Court position involved in meeting with Parliament.

However by the sixteenth century, the role had evolved to become a position entirely associated with Parliament, rather than the Royal Court.

Thus Black Rod became the Monarch’s representative in the House of Lords.

In the mid-nineteenth century, Black Rod’s Office was reformed.

There was a reduction in staff and a long-standing additional fees system supplementing Black Rod’s salary was abolished.

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Black Rod is responsible for organising access to and maintaining order within the Lords ChamberCredit: PA Uniform and rod

Black Rod’s uniform consists of black shoes with black buckles, silk stockings, black breeches, and black coat.

The rod is made of ebony.

The present rod dates from 1883 and is emblazoned with the heraldic motto ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’, translated as ‘Shame be to him, who evil thinks’.

It is three-and-a-half-feet long, decorated with a gold lion and garter and has a gold orb as a chivalric centrepiece.

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The Queen at the State Opening of Parliament, 2021Credit: pixel8000 Why do they knock on the door of the House of Commons?

During the State Opening of Parliament, after the Queen has taken her seat on the throne, she dispatches Black Rod to the Commons Chamber to summon MPs to hear her speech.

The door of the Commons is slammed in Black Rod’s face. Black Rod then bangs three times on the door with the rod.

This custom dates back to 1641, when, as noted in the House of Commons Journal: “Mr Maxwell, coming to the House, with a message, without his Black Rod; and coming in, before he was called in: exception was taken to both.”

The tradition has been continued as a way to symbolise the Commons’ independence from the Sovereign and the Lords.

After knocking, Black Rod is admitted to the Commons chamber and requests Members’ attendance.

MPs pair up, led by the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, and follow – in a boisterous way, again to signal their independence – including Black Rod to the bar of the House of Lords to hear the Queen’s Speech.

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