View source for Black Rod

{{short description|Parliamentary official in several Westminister-based parliaments}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2021}}
[[File:Sir Benjamin Stone's pictures; records of national life and history reproduced from the collection of photographs made by Sir Benjamin Stone, M.P (1906) (14776593214).jpg|thumb|An Usher of the Black Rod knocks on the door of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom]]
The '''usher of the Black Rod''' is an official in the parliaments of several countries of the [[Commonwealth of Nations]]. The title is often shortened to '''Black Rod''', and in some countries, formally known as '''Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod''' or '''Lady Usher of the Black Rod'''. The position originates in the [[House of Lords]] in the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]]. Equivalent positions exist in Australia, [[Usher of the Black Rod (Canada)|Canada]] and New Zealand. 

The position is similar to [[serjeant-at-arms]] in other bodies.

==Origin==
The office was created in 1350 by royal [[letters patent]], though the current title dates from 1522. The position was adopted by other members of the Commonwealth when they adopted the British [[Westminster system]]. The title is derived from the [[staff of office]], an [[ebony]] staff topped with a golden lion, which is the main symbol of the office's authority.

A ceremonial rod or staff is a common symbol indicating the authority of the office holder. Depictions of ancient authority figures in many cultures include such a rod (alternatively called a [[sceptre]]). Another early example is the [[fasces]] (a bound bundle of rods) carried by guards ("[[lictor]]s") who accompanied high-level officials in the [[Roman Republic]] and later [[Roman Empire|Empire]].

==United Kingdom==
{{Infobox official post
| post = Lady<!--Gentleman--> Usher of the Black Rod
| body = <!-- Optional. -->
| insignia = House of Lords logo 2020.svg
| insigniasize = 240px
| insigniacaption = <!-- Short description of the insignia displayed above.-->
| image = Sarah Clarke 2019 (crop).jpg
| incumbent = [[Sarah Clarke (Black Rod)|Sarah Clarke]]
| incumbentsince = 12 February 2018<ref name=clarkestarts/>
| department = [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]]
| style = <!-- The recognized manner of address afforded this post. -->
| reports_to = [[Clerk of the Parliaments]]
| appointer = [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|The Crown]] ''(de jure)''
| appointer_qualified = Clerk of the Parliaments ''(de facto)''
| termlength = <!-- Optional. -->
| termlength_qualified = <!-- Space for a qualifying statement. -->
| formation = 1350
| first = Walter Whitehorse (known)
| deputy = Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod
| website = [https://www.parliament.uk/about/mps-and-lords/principal/black-rod/ Parliamentary information page]
}}

===Appointment===
Black Rod is formally appointed by the Crown based on a recruitment search performed by the [[Clerk of the Parliaments]], who is the employer of all House of Lords officials. Prior to 2018 the office was held by retired senior military officers. Black Rod is an officer of the English [[Order of the Garter]], and is usually appointed [[Knight Bachelor]] if not already knighted. Their deputy is the [[Yeoman]] Usher of the Black Rod.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/site-information/glossary/yeoman-usher/|title=Yeoman Usher|publisher=Parliament of the United Kingdom|access-date=16 August 2016}}</ref> Since early 2018, the post has been held by [[Sarah Clarke (Black Rod)|Sarah Clarke]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Sarah Clarke appointed to the role of Black Rod|url=http://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2017/november/sarah-clarke-appointed-to-the-role-of-black-rod/|website=parliament.uk|access-date=17 November 2017|date=17 November 2017}}</ref> She is the first non-veteran in almost 200 years to hold the post.

===Official duties===
Black Rod is principally responsible for controlling access to and maintaining order within the House of Lords and its precincts,<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.uk/about/mps-and-lords/principal/black-rod/|title=Black Rod|website=UK Parliament|language=en|access-date=2019-04-07}}</ref> as well as for ceremonial events within those precincts. Previous responsibilities for security, and the buildings and services of the [[Palace of Westminster]], have been passed, respectively, to the Parliamentary Security Director (as of the post's creation in January 2016) and Lords Director of Facilities (as of that post's creation and the retirement of the then-Black Rod in May 2009).<ref>{{cite web |last=Torrance |first=Michael |date=12 December 2017 |title=Governance and Administration of the House of Lords |url=https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/LLN-2021-0034/LLN-2021-0034.pdf |access-date=2023-03-15 |website=House of Lords Library}}</ref>

Black Rod's official duties also include responsibility as the usher and doorkeeper at meetings of the [[Most Noble Order of the Garter]]; the personal attendant of the Sovereign in the Lords; as secretary to the [[Lord Great Chamberlain]] and as the Serjeant-at-Arms and Keeper of the Doors of the House, in charge of the admission of strangers to the House of Lords. Either Black Rod or their deputy, the Yeoman Usher, is required to be present when the House of Lords, the upper house of Parliament, is in session, and plays a role in the [[Introduction (House of Lords)|introduction]] of all new [[Lords Temporal]] in the House (but not of bishops as new [[Lords Spiritual]]). Black Rod also arrests any Lord guilty of breach of [[Parliamentary privilege|privilege]] or other Parliamentary offence, such as contempt or disorder, or the disturbance of the House's proceedings. Their equivalent in the [[House of Commons]] is the [[Serjeant at Arms of the British House of Commons|Serjeant at Arms]].

Former Black Rod [[David Leakey]] said that 30% of his work as Black Rod was within or for the House of Commons.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-51383884 |title='Scandal' if Bercow got peerage - ex-Parliament official |date=5 February 2020 |access-date=6 June 2020 |work=BBC News }}</ref>

Black Rod, along with their deputy, is responsible for organising ceremonial events within the Palace of Westminster, providing leadership in guiding the significant logistics of running such events.

===Ceremonial duties===

====Mace====
Black Rod is in theory responsible for carrying the [[Ceremonial_maces_in_the_United_Kingdom#Houses_of_Parliament|Mace]] into and out of the chamber for the Speaker of the House of Lords (formerly the [[Lord Chancellor]], now the [[Lord Speaker]]), though this role is delegated to the [[Yeoman]] Usher and Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms, or on judicial occasions, to the Lord Speaker's deputy, the Assistant Serjeant-at-Arms. The mace was introduced in 1876.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

====State Opening of Parliament====
Black Rod is best known for their part in the ceremonies surrounding the [[State Opening of Parliament]] and the [[Speech from the throne]]. Black Rod summons the Commons to attend the speech and lead them to the Lords. As part of the ritual, the doors to the chamber of the House of Commons are slammed in the approaching Black Rod's face. This is to symbolise the Commons' independence of the Sovereign. Black Rod then strikes the door three times with their staff, and is then admitted and issues the summons of the monarch to attend.<ref>{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Black Rod|volume=4}}</ref>

This ritual also happens whenever the Lords have a commission to be read and Black Rod summons MPs to hear it. For example, on Tuesday 17 December 2019 this ritual happened twice.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2019-12-17 | title=House of Commons – Hansard}}</ref>

This ritual is derived from the attempt by [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] to arrest [[Five Members]] in 1642, in what was seen as a breach of the constitution. This and prior actions of the King led to the [[English Civil War|Civil War]]. After that incident, the House of Commons has maintained its right to question the right of the monarch's representatives to enter their chamber, although they cannot bar them from entering with lawful authority.

===List of Black Rods in England, Great Britain and the UK from 1361===

This list is derived from one published by the [[Parliamentary Archives]] in 2011, with alterations from later research.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portcullis.parliament.uk/DServe/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=Show.tcl&dsqDb=Persons&dsqPos=0&dsqSearch=Code=='469'|title=Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod|access-date=23 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916154510/http://www.portcullis.parliament.uk/DServe/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=Show.tcl&dsqDb=Persons&dsqPos=0&dsqSearch=Code=='469'|archive-date=16 September 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{col div}}
* c.1361–1387: Walter Whitehorse
* 1387–1399: John Cray
* 1399–1410: Thomas Sy
* 1410–1413: John Sheffield
* 1413–1415: John Athelbrigg
* 1415–1418: William Hargroave
* 1418–1423: John Clifford
* 1423–1428: John Carsons
* 1428–1459: William Pope
* 1438–1459: Robert Manfield (joint)
* 1459–1461: John Penycok
* 1461–1471: ''Vacant ?''
* 1471–1485: William Evington
* 1483–1485: Edward Hardgill (joint)
* 1485–1489: Robert Marleton
* 1489–1513: Ralph Assheton
* 1495–30 December 1511: Hugh Denys (jointly with Assheton until Denys's death)<ref name="Sainty14">{{cite journal |last1=Sainty |first1=J.C. |title=Black Rod and the Office of Usher of the Parliament Chamber |journal=Parliamentary History |date=October 2014 |volume=33 |issue=3 |pages=511–515 |doi=10.1111/1750-0206.12109}}</ref>
* 1513–1526: Sir [[William Compton (courtier)|William Compton]]
* 1526–1536: [[Henry Norris (courtier)|Henry Norreys]]
* 1536–1543: [[Anthony Knyvett (Black Rod)|Anthony Knyvett]]
* 1543–1554: Sir [[Philip Hoby]]
* 1554–1565: John Norreys
* 1554–1591: Sir William Norreys (joint)
* 1591–1593: [[Anthony Wingfield (d. 1593)]]
* 1593–1598: Simon Bowyer
* 1598–1620: Richard Coningsby
* 1605–1620: George Pollard (joint)
* 1620–1642: [[James Maxwell, 1st Earl of Dirletoun|James Maxwell]]<ref name="Sainty18">{{cite journal |last1=Sainty |first1=J.C. |title=A Biographical Note on James Maxwell, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod |journal=Parliamentary History |date=June 2018 |volume=37 |issue=2 |pages=293–298 |doi=10.1111/1750-0206.12366|s2cid=149684886 }}</ref>
* 1642–1649: Alexander Thayne (as recognised by Parliament); jointly with James Maxwell until c. 1646. The Lords was abolished in 1649 and Thayne made a claim to the title at the Restoration in 1661, but was denied.<ref name="Sainty18"/>
* 2 March 1645 – 1661: Peter Newton (as recognised by the Royalists; Edward Ellis discharged the duties in 1642 and Newton in 1644, but neither seems to have been formally appointed at the time.<ref name="Sainty18"/>)
* 1671–1675: Sir John Ayton<ref name="ph-notes">{{cite journal |title=Appendix: Biographical Notes |journal=Parliamentary History |date=October 2015 |volume=34 |pages=75–76 |doi=10.1111/1750-0206.12158|s2cid=246254547 }}</ref>
* 1671–1683: Sir Edward Carteret<ref name="ph-notes"/>
* 1683–25 April 1694: Sir Thomas Duppa<ref name="ph-notes"/>
* 1694–25 August 1698: Sir [[Fleetwood Sheppard]]
* 5 December 1698 – 1 June 1710: [[Admiral (Royal Navy)|Admiral]] Sir [[David Mitchell (Royal Navy officer)|David Mitchell]]
* 1710–1718: Sir William Oldes
* 1718–1727: Sir William Sanderson, 1st Baronet
* 1727–1747: Sir Charles Dalton
* 1747–1760: Sir Henry Bellenden
* 1760 – 6 September 1765: Sir [[Septimus Robinson]]
* 1765 – 1812: [[Sir Francis Molyneux, 7th Baronet]]
* 1812 – 25 July 1832: Sir [[Thomas Tyrwhitt (MP)|Thomas Tyrwhitt]]
* 25 July 1832 – 8 February 1877: Admiral Sir [[Augustus Clifford]]
* 3 May 1877 – 23 June 1883: [[General (United Kingdom)|General]] Sir [[William Knollys (British Army officer)|William Knollys]]
* 24 July 1883 – 7 October 1895: Admiral Sir [[James Robert Drummond|James Drummond]]
* 16 December 1895<ref>{{cite web|last1=Biddulph|first1=Michael|title=London Gazette Issue: 26697Page:81|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/26697/page/81|website=The Gazette|publisher=The Parliamentary Press, London}}</ref> – 23 July 1901:<ref>{{cite web|last1=Biddulph|first1=Michael|title=The London Gazette: Issue: 27363 Page:6569|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/27363/page/6569|website=The Gazette|publisher=The Parliamentary Press, London}}</ref> [[General (United Kingdom)|General]] [[Michael Biddulph (British Army officer)|Sir Michael Biddulph]]
* August 1904 – 16 December 1919: Admiral Sir [[Henry Frederick Stephenson|Henry Stephenson]]
* January 1920 – 14 May 1941: [[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant-General]] Sir [[William Pulteney (British Army officer)|William Pulteney]]
* October 1941 – 15 August 1944: [[Air Chief Marshal]] Sir [[William Mitchell (RAF officer)|William Mitchell]]
* January 1945 – 18 January 1949: Sir [[Vice-Admiral (Royal Navy)|Vice-Admiral]] [[Geoffrey Blake (Royal Navy officer)|Geoffrey Blake]]
* 18 January 1949 – 18 June 1963: Lieutenant-General Sir [[Brian Horrocks]]
* 18 June 1963 – October 1970: Air Chief Marshal Sir [[George Mills (RAF officer)|George Mills]]
* October 1970 – 18 January 1978: Admiral Sir [[Frank Twiss]]
* 10 January 1978 – January 1985: Lieutenant-General Sir [[David House]]<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=47433|page=321|date=10 January 1978}}</ref>
* January 1985 – January 1992: Air Chief Marshal Sir [[John Gingell]]
* January 1992 – 8 May 1995: Admiral Sir [[Richard Thomas (Royal Navy officer)|Richard Thomas]]
* 9 May 1995 – 8 May 2001: [[General (United Kingdom)|General]] Sir [[Edward Jones (British Army officer, born 1936)|Edward Jones]]
* 9 May 2001 – 30 April 2009: Lieutenant-General Sir [[Michael Willcocks]]
* 30 April 2009 – 28 October 2010: Lieutenant-General Sir [[Freddie Viggers|Frederick Viggers]]
* 21 December 2010 – 21 December 2017: Lieutenant-General [[David Leakey]]<ref>{{cite news|title=New appointment as Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod |url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/LatestNewsandDiary/Pressreleases/2010/NewappointmentasGentlemanUsheroftheBlackRod.aspx |newspaper=royal.gov.uk |access-date=3 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509025223/http://www.royal.gov.uk/LatestNewsandDiary/Pressreleases/2010/NewappointmentasGentlemanUsheroftheBlackRod.aspx |archive-date=9 May 2013 }}</ref>
* 12 February 2018 – present: [[Sarah Clarke (Black Rod)|Sarah Clarke]]<ref name=clarkestarts>{{cite web|url=https://old.parliament.uk/business/news/2018/february/black-rod-starts-chamber-duties/|title=New Black Rod starts chamber duties|website=UK Parliament|date=20 February 2018|access-date=18 February 2021}}</ref>
* July 2025 onwards: Lieutenant-General [[Ed Davis (Royal Marines officer)|Ed Davis]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Ed Davis confirmed as next Black Rod|url=https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2025/april/ed-davis-confirmed-as-next-black-rod/|access-date=29 April 2025|publisher=UK Parliament|date=29 April 2025}}</ref>
{{col div end}}

===List of Serjeants-at-Arms of the House of Lords===
Technically the serjeant at arms attending the [[Lord Chancellor]] (the former presiding officer of the House of Lords) was regarded as an officer of the House of Lords. He was appointed for life until 1713 and during good behaviour thereafter, originally receiving a daily remuneration and from 1806 an annual salary. The post was merged with that of Black Rod in 1971.

The following is a list of Serjeants-at-Arms of the House of Lords since 1660:
{{col div}}
* 1660: Humphrey Leigh
* 1668: Edward Wood (in Extraordinary; did not succeed to the reversion)
* 1671: Sir George Charnock (in Extraordinary)
* 1673: Sir George Charnock (in Ordinary) jointly with Roger Charnock<ref name=BHF>Chris Cook and John Stevenson, ''British Historical Facts 1688–1760'' (1988) p. 97.</ref>
* 1697: Peter Persehouse<ref name=BHF/>
* 1713: Sarles Goatley<ref name=BHF/>
* 1713: Charles Stone<ref name=BHF/>
* 1716: Francis Jephson
* 1745: Richard Jephson<ref name=BHF/><ref name=BHF2>Chris Cook and John Stevenson, ''British Historical Facts 1760–1830'' (1980) p. 50.</ref>
* 1789: [[William Watson (died 1818)|William Watson]]<ref name=BHF/><ref name=BHF2/>
* 1818: [[George Francis Seymour]]<ref name=BHF2/><ref name=BHF3>Chris Cook and Brendan Keith, ''British Historical Facts 1830–1900'' (1975) p. 104.</ref>
* 1841: [[Alexander Perceval]]<ref name=BHF2/><ref name=BHF3/>
* 1858: Colonel Sir [[Wellington Patrick Manvers Chetwynd Talbot]]<ref name=BHF3/>
* 1899: Major-General Sir [[Arthur Edward Augustus Ellis]]<ref name=BHF3/>
* 1901: Lieutenant-Colonel Sir [[Fleetwood Isham Edwards]]<ref name=BHF3/>
* 1910: Major-General Sir [[Stanley de Astel Clarke]]
* 5 November 1910: Captain Sir [[Seymour John Fortescue]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=28437|page=8163|date=15 November 1910}}</ref>
* 1 February 1936: Major-General Sir [[Charles Edward Corkran]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=34252|page=729|date=4 February 1936}}</ref>
* 17 March 1939: Admiral Sir [[Herbert Meade-Fetherstonhaugh]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=34608|page=1844|date=17 March 1939}}</ref>
* 2 December 1946: Air Vice-Marshal Sir [[Paul Copeland Maltby]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=37806|page=5913|date=3 December 1946}}</ref>
* 17 March 1962: Captain [[Kenneth Lachlan Mackintosh]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=42627|page=2327|date=20 March 1962}}</ref>
* 1 January 1971: Admiral Sir [[Frank Twiss]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=45274|page=137|date=5 January 1971}}</ref>
''Since 1971 the office of Serjeant at Arms has been held by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod.''
{{col div end}}

==Black Rods outside the UK==
As in the United Kingdom, Black Rods in other parliaments are responsible for arresting any senator or intruder who disrupts the proceedings.

===Australia===
The [[Australian Senate]] and the upper houses in five [[Australian states and territories]] have their own Usher of the Black Rod. (Queensland abolished its upper house, and the assemblies of the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory have always been unicameral.)

The current Usher of the Black Rod for the [[Australian Senate]] is John Begley.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Powers_practice_n_procedures/Senate_Briefs/Brief16|title=No. 16 – Usher of the Black Rod|publisher=Parliament of Australia |website=www.aph.gov.au |access-date=27 February 2023}}</ref> In the Australian Senate, the Usher of the Black Rod assists with the administration and security of the Senate and has the power to take anyone into custody who causes a disturbance in or near the Senate chamber.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Odgers|first=James Rowland|title=Odgers' Australian Senate practice / As revised by Harry Evans / edited by Rosemary Laing|year=2016|isbn=978-1-76010-503-7|edition=14th|page=104|publisher=Department of the Senate }}</ref>

===Canada===
{{Main|Usher of the Black Rod (Canada)}}
[[File:Kevin MacLeod in Canadian Senate Chamber 2009.jpg|thumb|[[Kevin S. MacLeod|Kevin MacLeod]], the former [[Usher of the Black Rod (Canada)|Canadian Usher of the Black Rod]], stands in front of the [[thrones of Canada|1878 Senate thrones]]]]
The Usher of the Black Rod for the [[Senate of Canada]] is the equivalent to the Black Rod office for the House of Lords. The position was also known as the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod until 1997, when the appointment of the first female Black Rod prompted the word ''gentleman'' to be dropped from the title.

The provincial legislatures of [[Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan|Saskatchewan]], [[Legislative Assembly of British Columbia|British Columbia]], [[Legislative Assembly of Alberta|Alberta]], [[Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick|New Brunswick]], and [[Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island|Prince Edward Island]] have also incorporated the position of the Black Rods into their respective parliamentary systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/Sen/Chamber/412/Debates/019db_2013-11-27-e.htm#6|title=2nd Session, 41st Parliament, Volume 149, Issue 19 (Senate of Canada)|date=27 November 2013|website=Parliament of Canada|publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204014649/http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/Sen/Chamber/412/Debates/019db_2013-11-27-e.htm#6 }}</ref>

===Cook Islands===
In the [[Cook Islands]] the Usher of the Black Rod is the messenger of the [[King's Representative]] at the ceremonial opening of [[Parliament of the Cook Islands|parliament]].

In 2023, the Cook Islands adopted a black rod ({{langx|rar|Te Mato Mana}}) carved from {{lang|rar|[[Homalium acuminatum|mato]]}} wood salvaged from the gallery of the [[Aaron Buzacott|Ziona Tapu Church]] in [[Avarua]]. The black rod was designed by Tangata Vainerere, the [[Clerk (legislature)|clerk]] of the Cook Islands parliament, and carved by Wireless Tomokino. The piece of wood it was carved from is thought to be over 160 years old.<ref>{{cite AV media | date = 17 March 2023 | title = Parliament Pieces: Staff Piece | type = YouTube | language = English | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtJGzynDMYY | access-date = 15 June 2023 | publisher = Island Craft Ltd}} </ref> It was first used at the ceremonial opening of the 18th parliament on 22 March 2023.<ref>{{cite journal |title=THE BLACK ROD – TE MATO MANA |journal=The Cook Islands Gazette |date=22 March 2023 |issue=27/23 |pages=51–52 |url=https://parliamentci.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Gazette-No.-27-Black-Rod.pdf |access-date=9 January 2024}}</ref>

===New Zealand===
[[File:Black-rod-2023.jpg|thumb|Usher of  the Black Rod Sandra McKie at the State Opening of the New Zealand Parliament in 2023]]
In [[New Zealand]], where the [[New Zealand Legislative Council|Legislative Council]] was abolished in 1951, the Usher of the Black Rod continues to summon MPs to the chamber for the Throne Speech.<ref>{{cite web |title=Parliament Brief: Officers of the House - New Zealand Parliament |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/how-parliament-works/fact-sheets/pbrief2/#5 |website=www.parliament.nz |publisher=[[New Zealand Parliament]] |access-date=20 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref> It is not a full-time position.

Arthur Bothamley was the first person to hold the role;<ref name="Bryan retirement">{{cite news |title=Personal items |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19570606.2.103 |access-date=22 September 2022 |work=[[The Press]] |volume=XCV |issue=28296 |date=6 June 1957 |page=12}}</ref> he was usher of the black rod for 45 years from 1892 until August 1937. In September 1937, he was succeeded by Captain Douglas Bryan, who retired in June 1957.<ref name="Bryan retirement" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Notable figure |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MS19381219.2.157 |access-date=22 September 2022 |work=[[Manawatū Standard]] |volume=LIX |issue=19 |date=19 December 1938 |page=10}}</ref> John Everitt Seal took over from Bryan in June 1957<ref>{{cite news |title=The New Zealand Gazette |url=http://www.nzlii.org/nz/other/nz_gazette/1957/45.pdf |access-date=22 September 2022 |date=13 June 1957 |page=1149}}</ref> and held the role until his death on 1 November 1964.<ref>{{cite news |title=Obituary |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19641103.2.129 |access-date=22 September 2022 |work=[[The Press]] |volume=CIII |issue=30588 |date=3 November 1964 |page=11}}</ref> Alexander John Mackay Manson was appointed in May 1965 to succeed Seal in time for the opening of the second term of the [[34th New Zealand Parliament]] later that month.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sergeant-at-arms appointed |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19650505.2.7 |access-date=22 September 2022 |work=[[The Press]] |volume=CIV |issue=30742 |date=5 May 1965 |page=1}}</ref> Manson retired in June 1971.<ref>{{cite news |title=Personal items |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19710607.2.88.3 |access-date=22 September 2022 |work=[[The Press]] |volume=CXI |issue=32626 |date=7 June 1971 |page=10}}</ref> In May 1972, Melville Harvey Scott Innes-Jones was appointed to succeed Manson.<ref>{{cite news |title=Parliamentary post |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19720516.2.35 |access-date=22 September 2022 |work=[[The Press]] |volume=CXII |issue=32917 |date=16 May 1972 |page=3}}</ref> Innes-Jones retired in 1991.<ref>{{cite news |title=Obituary – Wing Commander Innes-Jones |url=https://www.vdig.net/hansard/content.jsp?id=56284 |access-date=22 September 2022 |work=[[Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)|Parliamentary Debates]] |date=1 May 1997}}</ref>

William Nathan, appointed in 1993,<ref>{{cite web |title=Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod Her Excellency the Governor-General... - 1993-vr10688 - New Zealand Gazette |url=https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/1993-vr10688 |website=gazette.govt.nz |publisher=[[New Zealand Gazette]] |access-date=21 September 2022}}</ref> was the first [[Māori people|Māori]] Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod.<ref>{{cite web |title=PRIMETIME - BLACK ROD |url=https://ngataonga.org.nz/collections/catalogue/catalogue-item?record_id=455394 |website=ngataonga.org.nz |access-date=9 December 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Colonel Nathan retired in 2005,<ref>{{cite news |title=GG thanks retiring Usher of the Black Rod {{!}} Scoop News |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00079.htm |access-date=21 September 2022 |work=www.scoop.co.nz}}</ref> and was followed by David Baguley.<ref>{{cite web |title=Appointment of Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod - 2005-vr7362 - New Zealand Gazette |url=https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2005-vr7362 |website=gazette.govt.nz |publisher=[[New Zealand Gazette]] |access-date=21 September 2022}}</ref> David Williams was appointed as the [[Acting (law)|acting]] Usher of the Black Rod in 2017 for the [[State Opening of Parliament|opening]] of the [[52nd New Zealand Parliament]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Appointment of Acting Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod - 2017-vr5783 - New Zealand Gazette |url=https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2017-vr5783 |website=gazette.govt.nz |publisher=[[New Zealand Gazette]] |access-date=21 September 2022}}</ref> Sandra McKie was appointed to act in the role in 2020 for the opening of the [[53rd New Zealand Parliament|53rd Parliament]], the first woman to hold the position.<ref>{{cite web |title=NZDF staff member makes history at Parliament Opening |url=https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/nzdf/news/nzdf-staff-member-makes-history-at-parliament-opening/ |publisher=New Zealand Defence Force |access-date=27 November 2020 |language=en-NZ |archive-date=26 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126025502/https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/nzdf/news/nzdf-staff-member-makes-history-at-parliament-opening/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Appointment of Acting Usher of the Black Rod |url=https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2020-vr4997 |website=gazette.govt.nz |publisher=[[New Zealand Gazette]] |access-date=20 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hartigan |first1=Brian |title=First ever female Usher of the Black Rod in New Zealand |url= https://www.contactairlandandsea.com/2020/11/26/first-ever-female-usher-of-the-black-rod-in-new-zealand/ |website=www.contactairlandandsea.com |publisher=CONTACT magazine |access-date=20 September 2022 |date=26 November 2020}}</ref> McKie was permanently appointed to the role effective from 17 October 2022, following the formal retirement of Baguley.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2022-vr4373 |title=Appointment of Usher of the Black Rod |date=13 October 2022 |work=[[New Zealand Gazette]] |access-date=20 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://gg.govt.nz/governor-general/blog/2022/10/appointment-permanent-usher-black-rod |title=Appointment of permanent Usher of the Black Rod |date=17 October 2022 |publisher=Government House |access-date=20 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=McKie appointed to permanent Black Rod role |url=https://insidegovernment.co.nz/mckie-appointed-to-permanent-black-rod-role/ |website=insidegovernment.co.nz |publisher=Inside Government NZ |access-date=27 November 2022 |language=en-AU |date=17 October 2022}}</ref>

The ceremonial black rod was presented to Parliament by [[Governor-General of New Zealand|Governor-General]] [[Charles Bathurst, 1st Viscount Bledisloe]] in January, 1931. Made of polished black ebony, it is topped by a golden lion rampant holding a shield bearing the [[royal cypher]] of King [[George V]] and has a [[Sovereign (British coin)|1931 gold sovereign]] set in its base. Due to the fragility of the original 1931 black rod, alternative black rods are now used during the official openings of Parliament.<ref>{{cite web |title=Openings of Parliament - Online Exhibition |url=https://www.parliament.nz/mi/get-involved/features/openings-of-parliament-online-exhibition/ |website=www.parliament.nz |publisher=[[New Zealand Parliament]] |access-date=14 June 2023 |language=en |date=20 June 2023}}</ref>
<gallery class="center">
File:NZ-Black-rod-3.jpg| The ceremonial black rod of New Zealand in a case
File:NZ-black-rod-2.jpg| Detail of the top of the ceremonial black rod
File:NZ-black-rod-1.jpg| Inscription on the base of the ceremonial black rod
</gallery>

===South Africa===
The [[Senate of South Africa]] had a Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod from its inception in 1910 to abolition in 1980. When the Senate was restored in 1994 the renamed position of Usher of the Black Rod returned with it, continuing in the new [[National Council of Provinces]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.gov.za/black-rod-national-council-provinces |title=The Black Rod for the National Council Of Provinces - Parliament of South Africa |publisher=Parliament.gov.za |date= |accessdate=2022-03-21}}</ref>

===Former ===
====Ireland====
Before the [[Act of Union 1800]], which united the [[Kingdom of Ireland]] with the [[Kingdom of Great Britain]] to form the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland]], there was also a Black Rod in the [[Irish House of Lords]]. From 1783 the Irish Black Rod was also Usher of the [[Order of St Patrick]], so the office continued after the Union. No one was appointed to the office after the creation of the [[Irish Free State]] in December 1922.
{{col div}}
*1707: [[Andrew Fountaine (architect)|Andrew Fountaine]]
*c.1708–1709: Thomas Ellys<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1690-1715/member/ellys-thomas-1685-1709 |title=ELLYS, Thomas (1685–1709), of Mitre Court, Inner Temple |publisher=History of Parliament online |access-date=23 October 2014}}</ref>
*1711–17??: Brinsley Butler, 1st [[Viscount Lanesborough]]<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h_U8AQAAIAAJ&q=brinsley+butler+1st+viscount+lanesborough+black+rod&pg=PA611 |title=Peerage and Baronetage of Great Britain and Ireland |access-date=23 October 2014|year=1839 }}</ref> (died 1735)
*1745–17??: Robert Langrishe{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
*1745–1747: [[Solomon Dayrolles]]
*1747–17??: William FitzWilliam<ref>{{cite book |title=The Peerage of Ireland: Or,A Genealogical History of the Present ..., Volume 4 |first=John |last=Lodge}}</ref>
*1757: [[James Gisborne]]
*1761–1763: [[George Montagu (died 1780)|George Montagu]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1715-1754/member/montagu-george-1713-80 |title=MONTAGU, George (c. 1713–1780), of Windsor, Berks. |publisher=History of Parliament online |access-date=23 October 2014}}</ref>
*1763–1765: [[Sir Archibald Edmonstone, 1st Baronet|Sir Archibald Edmonstone]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1754-1790/member/edmonstone-archibald-1717-1807 |title=EDMONSTONE, Archibald (1717–1807), of Duntreath, Stirling |publisher=History of Parliament online |access-date=23 October 2014}}</ref>
*1772?: Robert Weston
*1780–1781: [[Sir John Lees, 1st Baronet|Sir John Lees]]
*1783: Sir John Freemantle<ref name="ReferenceA">The Most Illustrious Order by Peter Galloway; {{ISBN|0-906290-23-6}}</ref>
*1783–1784: Sir Willoughby Ashton<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{cite book |title=The Annual Register 1783 |last=Dodsley }}</ref> <!-- Sir Willoughby Aston, 6th Baronet? -->
*1784–1790: Colonel Andrew Barnard<ref>{{cite book |last=Galloway |first=Peter |date=1 January 1983 |title=The Most Illustrious Order of St. Patrick |publisher= Phillimore & Co Ltd |isbn=978-0850335088}}</ref>
*1787–1789: [[Scrope Bernard-Morland|Scrope Morland]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1790-1820/member/bernard-scrope-1758-1830 |title=BERNARD (afterwards BERNARD MORLAND), Scrope (1758-1830), of Nether Winchendon, Bucks |publisher=History of Parliament online |access-date=23 October 2014}}</ref>
*1790–1796: [[Henry Fane (1739–1802)|Henry Fane]]<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
*1796–1799: Nicholas Price<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
*1799–1806: Thomas Linsay<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
*1806–1835: Sir Charles Hawley Vernon<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
*1835–1838: Major Sir Francis Charles Stanhope<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
*1838–1841: Sir William Edward Leeson<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
*1841–1858: Lieutenant Colonel Sir George Morris<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
*1858–1878: Sir George Burdett L'Estrange<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
*1879–1913: Colonel [[James Caulfeild, 7th Viscount Charlemont]]<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
*1915–1917: Sir [[John Olphert]]<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
*1918–1933: Sir Samuel Murray Power<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
{{col div end}}
The [[Senate of Northern Ireland]] had a Black Rod throughout its existence,<ref name="Morton1980">{{cite book|last=Morton|first=Grenfell|title=Home rule and the Irish question|url=https://archive.org/details/homeruleirishq00gren|url-access=registration|access-date=27 March 2011|date=January 1980|publisher=Longman|isbn=978-0-582-35215-5|page=[https://archive.org/details/homeruleirishq00gren/page/69 69]}}</ref> until the disbandment of the [[Parliament of Northern Ireland]] in 1972.

==Related ushers==
Before the [[Acts of Union 1707]] united the [[Parliament of England|English]] and [[Parliament of Scotland|Scottish]] parliaments, there was a [[Heritable Usher of the White Rod]] who had a similar role in the Estates of Parliament in [[Kingdom of Scotland|Scotland]].<ref>[http://www.electricscotland.com/familytree/magazine/augsep2003/edinburgh.htm Facts about Edinburgh]. The Ellen Payne Odom Genealogy Library Family Tree</ref> This office is currently held by [[John Armes]], [[Bishop of Edinburgh]], but the role carries no duties.

[[Gentleman usher]]s exist for all the British orders of chivalry, and are coloured as follows:
* The Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod – Most Noble [[Order of the Garter]]
* The [[Gentleman Usher of the Green Rod]] – Most Ancient and Most Noble [[Order of the Thistle]]
* The [[Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod]] – Most Honourable [[Order of the Bath]]
* The [[Gentleman Usher of the Blue Rod]] – Most Distinguished [[Order of Saint Michael and Saint George]]
* The [[Gentleman Usher of the Purple Rod]] – Most Excellent [[Order of the British Empire]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://archives.parliament.uk/collections/getrecord/GB61_HL_BR The records of Black Rod's Department are held by the UK Parliamentary Archives]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110916154510/http://www.portcullis.parliament.uk/DServe/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=Show.tcl&dsqDb=Persons&dsqPos=0&dsqSearch=Code=='469' The British Parliament's information about the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130620230921/http://sen.parl.gc.ca/portal/usher-e.htm The Canadian Parliament's information about Black Rod]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080322020823/http://www.peo.gov.au/students/fss/fss04.html The Australian Parliamentary Education Office's information about the Usher of the Black Rod]

{{Officers of the Lords and Commons}}

[[Category:Ushers of the Black Rod]]
[[Category:Westminster system]]
[[Category:Positions within the British Royal Household]]
[[Category:Officers of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Ceremonial officers in the United Kingdom]]