Black Rod

Black Rod
1. (in England) an official of the Order of the Garter and chief ceremonial usher of the House of Lords: so called from the rod carried as the symbol of office.
2. a similar official in British colonial and Commonwealth legislatures.
[1625-35]

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▪ English official

      an office of the British House of Lords (Lords, House of) (the upper house in Parliament), instituted in 1350. Its holder is appointed by royal letters patent, and his title is derived from his staff of office, an ebony stick surmounted with a gold lion. He is a personal attendant of the sovereign in the upper house and there functions as a sergeant at arms; his most prominent duty is the summoning of the members of the House of Commons (Commons, House of) (the lower house) to the upper house to hear a speech from the throne or the royal assent given to bills. On such occasions the House of Commons closes its doors at the Black Rod's approach, whereupon he must knock three times before being admitted. The origin of this curious ceremony dates from the indignation of the lower house at the famous attempt of Charles I to arrest John Hampden, John Pym, and three other members of the House of Commons in 1642. Black Rod is ex officio an officer of the Order of the Garter (Garter, The Most Noble Order of the).

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Black Rod — (a) the usher to the Chapter of the Garter, so called from the black rod which he carries. He is of the king s chamber, and also usher to the House of Lords. [Eng.] (b) An usher in the legislature of British colonies. Cowell. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Black rod — Rod Rod, n. [The same word as rood. See {Rood}.] 1. A straight and slender stick; a wand; hence, any slender bar, as of wood or metal (applied to various purposes). Specifically: (a) An instrument of punishment or correction; figuratively,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Black Rod — n. 1. in England, the chief usher to the Order of the Garter and the House of Lords: so called from his symbol of office, an ebony rod: in full, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod 2. a similar official in other Commonwealth parliaments …   English World dictionary

  • Black Rod — (in full Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod) ► NOUN ▪ (in the UK) the chief usher of the Lord Chamberlain s department of the royal household, who is also usher to the House of Lords …   English terms dictionary

  • Black Rod — the title of one of the officials who takes part in the ceremony for opening the British Parliament each year. His job is to go to the House of Commons and tell its members to come to the House of Lords so that they can hear the Queen s speech …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Black Rod — Black′ Rod′ n. gov (in England) an official of the Order of the Garter and chief ceremonial usher of the House of Lords • Etymology: 1625–35 …   From formal English to slang

  • Black Rod — 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. His equivalent in the… …   Wikipedia

  • Black Rod — Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, allgemein einfach als Black Rod bezeichnet, ist der Titel eines ranghohen Beamten in einer Anzahl von Parlamenten in Großbritannien und weiteren Commonwealth Staaten. Auf Deutsch kann der Titel in etwa mit… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Black Rod — /blæk ˈrɒd/ (say blak rod) noun 1. the officer of the Australian Senate staff whose role is to carry out the president s directions concerning the conduct of the Senate and the supervision of the part of Parliament House occupied by the Senate. 2 …  

  • Black Rod — Huissier du bâton noir L huissier du bâton noir (Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, couramment appelé « Black Rod »), est une personnalité officielle du monde parlementaire dans plusieurs pays du Commonwealth, dont le Canada. La fonction …   Wikipédia en Français

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