CHAP. XVIII. Of the Gentleman Ʋsher of the Black Rod.
THere are but three ways by which the House of Lords do send any Message to the Commons, of two of them I have spoken, viz. by some of the Judges, or by some of the Masters of Chancery,
The constitution of parliaments in England deduced from the time of King Edward the Second, illustrated by King Charles the Second in his Parliament summon'd the 18 of February 1660/1, and dissolved the 24 of January 1678/9 : with an appendix of its sessions / observed by Sr. John Pettus ... Knight.
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- Title
- The constitution of parliaments in England deduced from the time of King Edward the Second, illustrated by King Charles the Second in his Parliament summon'd the 18 of February 1660/1, and dissolved the 24 of January 1678/9 : with an appendix of its sessions / observed by Sr. John Pettus ... Knight.
- Author
- Pettus, John, Sir, 1613-1690.
- Publication
- London :: Printed for the author and are to be sold by Tho. Basset ...,
- 1680.
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- Subject terms
- England and Wales. -- Parliament -- History.
- Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1660-1688.
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http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A54595.0001.001
- Cite this Item
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"The constitution of parliaments in England deduced from the time of King Edward the Second, illustrated by King Charles the Second in his Parliament summon'd the 18 of February 1660/1, and dissolved the 24 of January 1678/9 : with an appendix of its sessions / observed by Sr. John Pettus ... Knight." In the digital collection Early English Books Online 2. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A54595.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 17, 2024.
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Page 386
and the King also uses two ways, viz. by his Secretaries, or some of the Privy-Council, (when they are Members of the House of Commons) both upon ordinary and extraordinary occasions, or for attend∣ing his Person upon Addresses, &c. But when he hath occasion to Command the House of Commons to attend him in the House of Lords, he only sends this Officer, the manner of which Ceremony I shall shew in order.
He is call'd the Black Rod, from the Black Staff or Rod (about three foot long tipt with Silver, and guilt with the Kings Arms at one end, and a Lyon Couchant at the other end, and a guilt Knob in the middle) which he carries in his hand; he is always a Person of Quality, and born the Kings Subject; and if not a Knight, is made one upon admission to this Office, and hath his Office by Patent; the first Grant of it beginning in Hen. the 8. time.
1. Before the Sitting of Parliament, he observes the Lord Chamberlains directions, in taking care that the House be fitted with all things for the Reception of the King, and those who are to sit there.
2. His Imployment also is to introduce Lords into that House.
3. And after that House is Sat, he hath Imployments concerning the Commitment of Delinquents, &c.
Page 387
4. He hath a Seat allowed him, but with∣out the Bar; and to ease him more in these and many other Imployments, he hath an Usher to assist him, call'd the Yeoman Usher, also Door Keeper, &c. as will be shewn.
And so I am come to the last Attendant Officer of Note in that House, viz. the Kings Serjeant at Arms.