New-York tribune., 1901-03-17

receding into the dmy lighted reaches OF a
glorious past of romance and tradition.
The Yeomen of the Guard are often confounded
with the Tower Warders, or Beefeaters. These
are old soldiers in service at the Tower. who
wear a similar uniform hut never employed
in court functions and have distinct organiza-
ton. Their nickname is probably a corruption
OF Buffetiers. the old time attendants of the
King who received rations Of beef from the
royal buffet The Warders are pensioners re-
warded for meritorous service in the army and
they have no connection with the scenic environ
rnent OF the cour,. There is a similar body of
eighteen pensioned veterans known as the
knights of Windsor. wearing a picturesque uni
form. but rarely appearing at state functions.s
The foundation IS historic. dating from 13f9
but the corps has ceased to he a military or
ganzation in the service of the court Only a
slender file OF knights Of Windsor was seen at
the funeral of Queen Victoria at st. Georges
The Honorable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms
was established by Henry VIII in 1920 when he
was competing with Francis l in magnihcence
of court appointments and Joined at Cuisines
in tourney of luxury famous the Field OF
the Cloth of Gold" 1t was organized as a
swagger guard of noble courtiers. armed with
spears and superby costumed. The Gentlemen
Spears had scant military service in their time
and after attending at court under many kings
the corps is still retained a body of forty-nne
Gentlemen pensioners. many of high birth but
all officers from the army. The Yeomen of the
Guard outranks the Gentlemen alarms in an
tiquity. for it was created at the opening of
the reign Of Henry VII; and apart from having
an unbroken record OF 416 years of continuous
personal service for the English sovereigns it
has retained its distinctive military organiza-
ton. 1t is not only the oldest bodyguard of
royalty in Europe but it is also the most ancient
and honorable military body in the world.
ITS REAL ORIGIN
The actual warrant of the institution of the
Ye e3nen of the Guard has been lost but the
corps virtually dates from Bosworth Field.
When Henry, Duke of Richmond. was an exile
in Brittany during the reign of Richard III. he
was surrounded by body of adherents recruited
from the rival houses of Lancaster and York. so
long at with each other. These retainers
accompanied him to England landed at Milford
Haven, raised the standard Of revolt against the
tyranny of Richard III, and rallied Welsh VOL
unteers under it. Among the records of the
Guard is map showing the march of the dukes
forces from the coast to Bosworth Field where
tie victory was wen by which the ruin of
Richard III was completed and the reunion of
the Roses was effected The corps was insti-
tuted in the hour of triumph by Henry VII.
From Bosworth the King, with his Yeomen
marched to Leicester and thence to London.
where he attended thanksgiving service at ST.
Paus. and deposited the standards under which
he had fought. The Yeomen surrounded him
there, and also at his coronation in Westminster
Abbey where he proclaimed them to be mot
for his personal security. but for the upholding
of the dignity and grandeur of the British
crown in perpetuity" Saxon. Norman and
Plantagenet kings had their military retainers.
generally archers of the kings guard, who were
| disbanded or reorganized with every change Of
reign. The Yeomen of the Guard has re-
mained from Tudor times a perpetual body
guard of royalty.
The first record of 1t is in warrant dated
September Is, 1915. "to William Browne, Yeoman
of the Kings Guard. for good service that our
humble and faithful servant hath heretofore
done unto us. as well beyond the seas as at our
late victoreUse journeye.
The Yeomen of the Guard still wear virtually
the costume of Tudor times The fighting pixies
of Bosworth Field have been converted into
ornamental court halberts, and, while during
successive reigns the sleeves of the coat have