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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Black Rod
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(short for Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod) Official of the Order of the Garter and of the House of Lords, whose symbol of authority is an ebony rod, surmounted by a golden lion, which he carries in his right hand, resting on his right shoulder. First appointed on the founding of the *Garter by Edward III, Black Rod still walks in front of the sovereign at the annual Garter ceremony at Windsor.
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His role in the House of Lords dates from the reign of Henry VIII, and is now seen most prominently at the *state opening of parliament. On this occasion he walks to summon the Commons into the monarch's presence in the Lords, has the door slammed in his face, and has to bang on it three times with the black rod to gain admittance. The ceremony reflects the long struggle of the Commons to assert their independence of the crown. MPs are now summoned in this way only on the opening and closing days of a parliamentary session, but until 1967 they were expected to attend every granting of the *royal assent in the House of Lords.
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