Black Rod

The Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, generally shortened to just Black Rod, is an official of the House of Lords of the British Parliament, representing 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. The present Black Rod is Lieutenant-General Sir Michael Willcocks. His deputy is the Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod. His equivalent in the House of Commons is the Serjeant-at-Arms.

The office was created in 1350 by royal letters patent, though the current title dates from 1522. Black Rod is formally appointed by the Crown based on a recruitment search performed by 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 responsible for maintaining order in the chamber, including 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 rôle 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, and 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 is in session, and takes part in the induction of all new Lords Temporal into the House (that is, he does not take part in the introduction of bishops as new Lords Spiritual.

Currently, Black Rod is most prominent for his part in the ceremonies surrounding the State Opening of Parliament and the monarch's speech in the Lords. He summons the Commons to attend the speech and leads them to the Lords. 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 closed in his face. Black Rod then strikes 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, a breach of privilege; the doors were closed on him, and the House of Commons has continued to maintain its right to bar the monarch's representative.

The office also exists in other Commonwealth countries. The present Black Rod for Canada is Lieutenant-Commander Terrance Christopher.