Hi there!
Coming at you late in the day with this week’s History Edit!
Things should be opening up here a bit more from the 19th May, so I’m looking forward to bringing you along on some explorations of my local area, which is crammed with history. 🤩
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Ancient Ceremony, Display & Royal Power
I’m so cool that when I was a teenager I pretended I was sick so my mum would let me stay at home. So far, normal teenager behaviour...
However, I only bunked off so I could watch the State Opening of Parliament on TV. Probably not normal teenager behaviour! 😂
The State Opening of Parliament earlier this week denoted the start of the parliamentary year. The Queen, dressed in a less formal outfit than is usual for this occasion, delivered her speech that outlines the government’s aims for the year.
This event has been occurring for over 500 years and is described by the government as a symbolic ceremony representing parliament’s three parts: the Sovereign, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons.
There are many interesting examples of display and power that occur during this ceremony, and we are going to look at a few of them...
Cellars
Due to the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, the cellars below the Houses of Parliament are searched before the ceremony every year by the Lord Great Chamberlain and the Yeomen of the Guard. This is now mainly ceremonial and the men searching are paid with a glass of port.
Black Rod
When everyone is in place in the House of Lords, the monarch signals the Gentleman or Lady Usher of the Black Rod to summon the House of Commons. Black Rod then proceeds to the doors of the Commons, only to have the door slammed in their face, symbolising the freedom of parliament from the yoke of monarchy.
Black Rod then uses their staff (Actual Black Rod) to hammer on the doors of the Commons three times, before they are then admitted to the Commons. They then command the presence of both sides of the house to attend on the waiting monarch. Following the Serjeant-at-Arms and Black Rod, the Speaker leads the House of Commons in pairs to the House of Lords to hear the speech.
Ever since Charles I had an unwise outburst and attempted to arrest some MPs in 1642, no monarch has been allowed to set foot in the House of Commons, hence the summons from Black Rod.
Regalia
Three main pieces of royal regalia representing the power of the monarchy make an appearance at the ceremony.
Firstly the Imperial State Crown is carried in its own carriage to the House of Lords. This is the ultimate symbol of the monarch’s sovereignty, as it is the crown that is worn by the monarch after the spiritual act of being anointed at their coronation. It is also stuffed with priceless historic and symbolic precious stones, such as the Black Prince’s Ruby and the Cullinan II diamond.
Traditionally gifted by the Pope, the Cap of Maintenance is carried into the State Opening ahead of the monarch by the Leader of the House of Lords. The insignia is crafted from red velvet and fur of ermine. The Sword of State was made in 1678 and is also carried into the ceremony ahead of the the monarch. It is decorated with the emblems of England, Scotland and Ireland, and features fleur-de-lis and portcullises. It also plays an important part in the coronation ceremony. The Cap of Maintenance and the Sword of State both symbolise the monarch’s authority.
The Weekly Edit
In the news
In last week’s newsletter you may recall we discussed the deadly nature of Scheele’s Green pigment and how it may have contributed to many deaths, including Napoleon’s.
However, this article in The Times argues that he was actually shoved from the mortal realm by his aftershave. According to the piece, he doused himself so liberally and with such a frequent occurrence that he was poisoned by the essential oils it contained.
For the sake of bringing you a rounded view, this article argues that he was indeed poisoned by his wallpaper. They base their argument on the levels of arsenic found in a sample of his hair taken as a memento mori from his dead body.
Last week’s newsletter also touched on a Farrow & Ball paint aptly named Arsenic. For those interested and who don’t mind clicking on a Daily Fail link, here is an amusing tirade against Farrow & Ball, their historical accuracy, and beige in general by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.
Name a Tower raven
The Tower of London’s breeding pair of ravens, Huginn and Muninn, have had babies. The boy raven has been named Edgar after Edgar Allen Poe, but the Ravenmaster needs your help to name the baby girl raven.
The shortlist of names are:
Matilda
Named after fearsome medieval monarch Empress Matilda, who battled her cousin Stephen of Blois over her claim to the English throne in the 1130s and 40s.Branwen
Named after the deity from Celtic mythology, whose name translates as ‘Blessed Raven’.Brontë
Named after 19th-century literary legends the Brontë sisters, who authored some of Britain’s best-loved Gothic novels including Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights.Winifred
Named after Winifred Maxwell, Countess of Nithsdale, remembered for plotting her husband Lord Nithsdale’s incredible escape from the Tower in 1716 disguised as a woman.Florence
Named after Florence Nightingale, pioneering British nurse and social reformer, and namesake of the UK’s NHS Nightingale critical care hospitals during the Covid-19 pandemic.
You can cast your vote on the Tower website here and the winning name will be announced on Wednesday 19th May.
Hope you enjoyed this weeks history jaunt! What raven name got your vote? I voted for the very apt Florence. Have a great week, and you can contact me on here or Instagram for any questions or requests.
See you Friday!