Rafe Heydel-Mankoo: The Queen's Body Guard for Scotland - The Royal Company of Archers Wednesday, 22 September 2010 The Queen's Body Guard for Scotland - The Royal Company of Archers One of the notable points of Pope Benedict XVI's recent state visit to the United Kingdom was His Holiness's reception by HM The Queen at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The Holy Father is only the second head of state to have commenced a UK state visit in Scotland (the first was HM The King of Norway). A meeting between the Pontifex Maximus and Vicar of Christ and the Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England should always be accorded the greatest honour and dignity. Upon his arrival at the Palace the Supreme Pontiff was greeted by a smart row of elderly gentlemen, dandily attired in green tunics, wearing eagle-feathered bonnets and clutching longbows. Many observers, expecting the traditional red-tunic-and-bear-skinned guardsmen of London postcard fame, will have no doubt been perplexed by this sight.

This elite band of merry men are part of one of Scotland's most exclusive bodies: The Queen's Body Guard for Scotland - The Royal Company of Archers. The Sovereign’s “Body Guard for Scotland” came into existence in 1676 as a private archery club – a function it maintains to this day. Accorded the title of “The King’s Company of Archers” by the Scottish Privy Council, the Company received its Royal Charter from the last Stuart Sovereign (Queen Anne) in 1704. According to tradition, in exchange for “perpetual access to all public butts, plains and pasturages legally allotted for shootings arrows”, the Royal Company of Archers must, upon request, provide the Sovereign with three arrows. There being no extant “King’s Body Guard for Scotland” in the early nineteenth century, the Royal Company seized the opportunity to provide this service during King George IV’s famous visit to Edinburgh in 1822. In preparation for the visit the Royal Company donned uniforms designed by Walter Scott and swore an oath in the presence of the Duke of Montrose. George IV’s successful visit marked the Royal Company’s debut as escort and bodyguard to the Sovereign.

Today the Royal Company’s membership numbers approximately five hundred and thirty. The Officers of the Order include the Captain General (who serves as Gold Stick for Scotland), four Captains, four Lieutenants, four Ensigns and twelve Brigadiers. Members must be Scottish or, in exceptional cases, have a demonstrated connection with Scotland. Knowledge of archery is also an asset. The Royal Company meets and practices archery in Archer’s Hall. The Royal Company’s ceremonial function includes attendance at St. Gile’s Cathedral in Edinburgh for the installation of new Knights of the Thistle, attendance at garden parties at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and attendance at the presentation of Colours for Scottish regiments. The Royal Company’s field uniform consists of a dark green tunic with black facings, dark green trousers and a Balmoral bonnet with the Royal Company’s badge and an eagle feather. As with Clan Chiefs, the Captain General (who carries a stick with a gold top) wears three feathers in his cap.

Posted by heydel-mankoo.com at Royal Week in Scotland: Queen of all she surveys - Telegraph Queen Elizabeth II Royal Week in Scotland: Queen of all she surveys There is nothing normal about 'Royal Week’ in Scotland this year, as a high-profile and hectic schedule highlight the monarch’s presence, with the referendum on independence looming Friendly: the Queen greets Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, yesterday Photo: Andrew Milligan By Alan Cochrane 7:30AM BST 02 Jul 2014 Kilts in every tartan known to man, as well as some that aren’t, mingled with elaborate fascinators and well-brushed top hats on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile yesterday, as thousands of Scots made their way to the Palace of Holyroodhouse for the Queen ’s annual garden party. Her Majesty did not serve alcohol, so a couple of local hostelries were doing a roaring trade and queues snaked from every cashpoint. The event is a hardy annual in the royal calendar – blessed for a change this year with sparkling sunshine and a warm breeze. But there is nothing normal about “Royal Week”, as it’s known in Edinburgh, in this of all years.

The very presence of the monarch in Scotland takes on an added significance with just a little over two months left before her subjects north of the border must decide whether they want to keep her kingdom united after more than 300 years together. The Queen’s schedule would be daunting for someone half her 88 years, not to mention her 93-year-old spouse. Yesterday, she carried out an investiture in which Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Higgs, who predicted what’s now known as the Higgs boson particle, was among those honoured. Then it was time to greet as many of the 8,000 guests at her garden party as it was humanly possible to meet, while they tried desperately to appear nonchalant in the royal presence while balancing delicately cut sandwiches and bone china tea cups. Before the investiture Her Majesty had several private audiences, including one lasting about 15 minutes with Alex Salmond, “her” First Minister of Scotland and the man who is campaigning to break up her realm – although, astute politician that he is, he’d probably not phrase it like that.

Today the Queen and the Duke, accompanied by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, will visit Dumfries House, in Ayrshire. Tomorrow sees a taxing day of public engagements, with the Duke of Edinburgh holding a reception for Gold Award holders at Holyrood and then accompanying the Queen and their grandson, the Duke of Cambridge, who in Scotland is also known as the Earl of Strathearn, and the Princess Royal, to what is, in royal circles at least, the most important of the week’s public engagements. Related Articles Alex Salmond's borrowing plans 'prove currency union won't happen' 30 Jun 2014 They are to attend the ceremony at the High Kirk of Edinburgh at St Giles in which the Earl of Home, son of the late prime minister, and Lord Smith of Kelvin, the prominent businessman, will be installed as Knights of the Thistle – the Scottish equivalent of Knights of the Garter. The Queen and the Duke will then go on to a commemorative service at the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle.

On Friday, the royal couple will visit the Forth Road Bridge on its 50th anniversary, en route for Rosyth, where the Queen is to name the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, not with the customary bottle of champagne but with a bottle of Bowmore Single Malt from the Isle of Islay. So what does all of this hectic royal activity signify? Officially, it will be said to be nothing out of the ordinary for a Scottish Royal Week, and there will no doubt be a host of Buckingham Palace press officers primed to insist that the number of engagements this week is no greater than in any other year. The Palace has a long memory and knows of the controversy in 1979 when a speech the Queen made, in which she said she was very aware of having been crowned “Queen of the United Kingdom”, was taken by nationalists – probably correctly – to be a statement of her opposition to devolution. And the referendum then was about a mere Scottish Assembly with extremely limited powers – not full-blown independence and the break-up of Britain, as is now on the cards.

While any such purpose will be hotly denied this year, I don’t think there will be a nationalist in the land who does not believe that the aim, if not of Her Majesty, then at least of her advisers, is as plain as a pikestaff. And that is to cement the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as it is presently constituted. That is not to say that the Queen doesn’t like Alex Salmond. By all accounts – even if there are, by long-established tradition, no official accounts – the two get on very well. Mr Salmond is genuinely fond of the Queen and, just like her 12 prime ministers and the three Scottish first ministers before him, he has never let slip a word of what they talk about during his regular audiences. However, as both are students of the Turf – Mr Salmond was a successful newspaper racing tipster – it has been assumed that racehorses feature prominently in their conversations. Her Majesty also accords Mr Salmond, and Moira, his wife, the privilege of an overnight stay at Balmoral every year, just as she does David and Samantha Cameron. All British prime ministers and, since devolution, first ministers visit “the Castle”, as it’s called.

For most it is a pleasure; for some, like Cherie Blair, it is an irksome chore. During the Balmoral stay, it is traditional for prime ministers and their spouses to accompany the Royal family to the Braemar Gathering. This year, the festival of caber-tossing and piping will have a distinctly British as well as a Scottish feel to it, and will feature the tug-o-war championships between the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. It takes place on September 9 – just nine days before the referendum. The House of Windsor has been assiduous, as well as publicly neutral, in its dealings with Mr Salmond and other senior members of the Scottish National Party. The Prince of Wales (the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland) has shared a dram more than once with the SNP leader, and other senior ministers in the Scottish Government have visited him and Camilla at Birkhall, their residence on the Balmoral estate. Among them was Roseanna Cunningham, who is arguably the most vehement anti-monarchist in the SNP’s ranks – so much so that her nickname is Republican Rosie.

The role of the monarchy in the event of a Yes vote invariably comes up in discussions, even if Prince Charles approaches it in a somewhat hesitant manner. “He got there in the end,” I was told of one occasion. “He hummed and hawed a bit, but eventually asked, 'And, er, would the, er, role of the, er, monarchy be the same after independence, do you, er, think?’ ” The answer to that question is, of course, a resounding yes. Just as it says it wants to keep the pound, the SNP insists that the Queen would remain the head of state for an independent Scotland. That, at least, is the official position. There are a great many republicans in the nationalist camp and fellow leaders of the umbrella Yes campaign – such as Colin Fox of the Scottish Socialist Party, Patrick Harvie of the Greens and Dennis Canavan, the veteran ex-Labour MP – either oppose the monarchy outright or want a referendum on its continuation. At yesterday’s garden party the Queen was attended by the magnificently dressed Royal Company of Archers, her official bodyguard in Scotland.

But, other than the undoubted colour they lend the occasion, their presence is entirely superfluous, as backing for the monarchy is currently very strong in Scotland. That may change in the event of the Queen’s death, as it could elsewhere in Britain, but for the moment Alex Salmond is taking no chances with the voters’ affections. He is throwing his weight behind Elizabeth Windsor remaining Queen of Scots – there has never been an Elizabeth the First of Scotland, so it’s unlikely she would continue to be called Elizabeth the Second here – if he wins on September 18. As with every other aspect of British national life, the Queen is extremely well plugged in to the political situation in Scotland. She has a wide circle of friends and unofficial advisers, among them her former Lord Chamberlain, the Earl of Airlie and his wife, Ginny, one of her principal ladies in waiting. But while our head of state is staying scrupulously neutral in what could well turn out to be a very bitter climax to the independence battle, it is worth remembering that she is a constitutional monarch. As such she is obliged to take the advice of her first, or prime, minister.

And the last time I checked, David Cameron wasn’t in favour of independence for Scotland. Royal Company of Archers, the Queen's Bodyguard for Scotland - YouTube Royal Company of Archers, the Queen's Bodyguard for Scotland Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on Jun 16, 2012 The Royal Company of Archers marching through St. Andrews in Fife, led by a pipe band. Category Yeomen of the Queen's Body Guard Yeomen of the Queen's Body Guard Ceremonial Dress with Shoulder Belt Tower Warder Pre-History The earliest official form of body guard of which anything is known is that of the Sergeants-at-Arms who were mounted guards raised by Richard 1 in 1191. They were originally sons of knights , and later patents were granted to esquires . By the 15th century however, their role had been extended in such a way that the protection of the sovereign was no longer their first duty.

The first positive mention of a royal guard in English history is found in the records of Edward I ï¿½s reign (1272ï¿½1307), where the description occurs ï¿½Crossbow men of the Householdï¿½. Nothing is actually known of this guard beyond the fact that it had a very short existence, as it is not mentioned again, and the long-bow was then becoming the national weapon, being much quicker in performance. The State records of Edward IIï¿½s reign mention: ï¿½archers on foote for garde of the Kingeï¿½s body who shall go before the Kinge as he traveleth through the countryeï¿½ Edward II maintained this guard of archers, increasing its size and giving it thus a certain permanency, which had not previously existed. Each successive monarch since this time may be assumed to have enrolled a personal Body Guard, though details are not now available in all cases, certainly Henry V , the hero of Agincourt in 1415, and his ï¿½Archers of the Householdï¿½ who accompanied him abroad and fought with him on the battlefield.

These were maintained until the reduction of Henry VI ï¿½s household in 1454, when the Wars of the Roses put an end to all but hereditary State and Household appointments. Creation There had been a long dynastic power struggle even before the forty years of battles ( Wars of the Roses ) between the descendants of King Edward III . The feuding bloodlines, or Houses, the House of Lancaster (its badge being a red rose) and the House of York (its badge being a white rose) fought for the possession of the Crown of England and the power, wealth and influence that went with it. The Wars of the Roses began at St Albans in 1455 and saw the weak Lancastrian King Henry VI (he often suffered from bouts of madness) deposed by the House of York and the new King, Edward IV , enthroned in 1461. In 1483, and seventeen battles later, a fourth King, Richard III (House of York) became Sovereign of England but by now, and thousands dead in battle, the rival Houses wished for peace.

The decision was that the throne should be offered to Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond , on condition that he marry Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Edward IV, thus uniting the Houses of York and Lancaster and ending this costly war both in money and lives. Henry Tudor accepted the invitation and eventually embarked from Harfleur, France, for England in July 1485 with his ï¿½private guard of faithful followers,ï¿½ and a small military force of about 2000 men. Being himself of Welsh extraction, most of his adherents being Welshmen, and his private guard being Welsh born, it was but natural that Henry Tudor selected Wales as his base. He stepped ashore at the village of Dale in Milford Haven on the 1 August 1485; he was soon joined by the Welsh, who flocked to his Standard. With an increasing force Henry pressed forward to attack King Richard III . On the Eve of St Bartholomew's Day, 22 August 1485, they met at the Battle of Bosworth Field .

Richard III was killed and it is said that the Royal crown, that he had worn over his helmet on the battle field, was found in a hawthorn bush by Henryï¿½s ï¿½private guardï¿½. The crown was placed on the head of Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, who was then and there hailed as King Henry VII of England. This historical episode was commemorated in the Henry VII Chapel, Westminster Abbey, by his son Henry VIII after his death in 1509. There, in its stained glass windows can be seen at the present day, the design of the Crown on the hawthorn bush under the Tudor rose, with the initials HR on the sides. From Bosworth, King Henry proceeded to Leicester and thence to London, where, on the 1 September, he attended a Thanksgiving Service at St Paulï¿½s Cathedral, and deposited there the three Standards under which he had fought and those he had captured on the field of battle.

Hall, the historian, described them minutely, ï¿½The first had an Image of St George ; the second, ï¿½a Fiery Dragon beaton on white and green sarsenet ,ï¿½ the Ensign of Cadwaladr , the last King of the Britons; the third was of ï¿½Yellow Tartine ï¿½ on which was painted a ï¿½ Donne Kowe ï¿½ which being interpreted means dun cow .ï¿½ Henry VII was surrounded by his ï¿½private guardï¿½ of fifty men, now known as the Yeomen Guard or the Yeoman Archers. The Queenï¿½s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard is now the oldest Royal Body Guard, and also the oldest military corps now existing in this or any other country, pre-dating the Gentlemen-at-Arms by 24 years and the The Queen's Body Guard for Scotland, The Royal Company of Archers , who were founded in 1676.

Though The Body Guard can be traced to the armed personal guards of the Saxon and Norman Sovereigns , its real historical origin is to be found in the body guards of the Plantagenet Kings of eight hundred years ago. These latter guards however, were known by various designations, such as ï¿½Cross Bowmen of the Household,ï¿½ and ï¿½Archers of the Guard of the Kingï¿½s Body,ï¿½ and were often created anew by the Monarch on his accession. It was King Henry VII , the first of the Tudor dynasty, to make his Royal Body Guard a permanent institution and confer on it a definite title, a title it continues to hold. It may well be asked why Henry did not retain the name ï¿½Archersï¿½ of the Guard, seeing that it was these archers who had become the terror of the men-at-arms and won the glorious victories of Crecy and Poitiers , and defeated the hitherto invincible mailed cavalry.

Historians of the time say that there is no doubt King Henry VII conferred the title of Yeomen of the Guard as a proclamation to the people that he had selected his body-guard not from the nobility, but from that class just below them who had proved themselves as the national strength of the country at home and abroad. In the pardons granted by the King on his Accession, this class is described as ï¿½Yeomen or Gentlemen just below the rank of Esquire .ï¿½ Such was the status of the Yeomen of the fifteenth century. Since its creation as a permanent Corps, the Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard has an absolutely unbroken history of over 520 years; for even during the brief period of The Commonwealth between 1649-1659 it continued to serve with King Charles II during his enforced absence in France, and at the Restoration accompanied him on his return to England, took its historic place in his triumphal entry into London, and stood around him at his immediate Coronation.

It is certain, therefore, that Henry VII created The Body Guard between The Battle of Bosworth on 22 August and the 18 September 1485 when a warrant was issued to a William Browne: ï¿½To William Browne, Yeoman of the Kingï¿½s 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 journeyeï¿½ The King took the occasion of the great ceremony of his Coronation on the 31 October to let it be known that the Yeomen of the Guard who attended him were not for his personal protection, but for the upholding of the dignity and grandeur of the English Crown in perpetuity, his successors, the Kings and Queens of England , for all time.

The full title of the Guard in the old Latin MSS Warrants of the Tudor period is: ï¿½Valecti Garde (Corporis) Domini Regisï¿½ ï¿½Yeomen of the Guard (of our Body) of our Lord the Kingï¿½ his historic title has been retained to this day, only being modernized since the ascension of Queen Elizabeth II to that by which it is know today: ï¿½The Queenï¿½s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guardï¿½ The designation ï¿½Yeomanï¿½ is of interest, as it was introduced for the first time into the Body Guard upon the institution of this permanent body. As far as the etymology of the word is concerned, the most probable origin is believed to be a derivation from ï¿½gauï¿½, meaning ï¿½districtï¿½ and the word ï¿½manï¿½ signifying ï¿½man of the districtï¿½.

The term ï¿½yeomanï¿½ had for some time been applied to subordinate members of the sovereignï¿½s household, but previous Body Guards had been designated ï¿½The Cross-Bowmen of the Householdï¿½, ï¿½Archers of The Guardï¿½, ï¿½Archers of the Crownï¿½, ï¿½Archers of the Householdï¿½, ï¿½The Body Archersï¿½, or ï¿½The Kingï¿½s Bowmenï¿½. The 14th and 15th centuries, the golden period of English agriculture, saw the rise and prominence of the yeoman class and its recognition by the State. The yeomen helped to fill in a large gap between the upper class and the labourers. They lived well and in the winter did not have to contend with the hunger and cold endured by those who served them. Thus they were well suited to make fine soldiers, for as a wise statesman propounded "To make good infantry it requireth men bred not in a servile and indigent fashion, but in some free and plentiful manner".

The rewards granted took the form of appointments, such as bailiffs of certain towns, keepers of parks or castles, carrying emoluments, fees, commodities and profits. The title of ï¿½The Kingï¿½s (or Queenï¿½s) Body Guard of the Yeomen of The Guardï¿½ has persisted to the present day, though during the Victorian era it had been altered to ï¿½The Royal Guardï¿½. Before leaving the subject of correct designations, it is intriguing to discover the origin of misapprehensions, which have arisen in relation to the Yeomen of The Guard. A common acceptation of the work ï¿½yeomanï¿½ as coming from the ï¿½yeuï¿½, the wood from which bows were then made, is as incorrect as the assumption that the yew trees of this country provided the source of our bows. In fact the best bows were imported from abroad, being mad from yew trees grown slowly on high ground in a dry climate. Similarly, the nickname of ï¿½Beefeatersï¿½ as applied to the Yeomen has been misquoted in its origin.

The authentic source of the misnomer is to be found in the narration by Count Cosmo, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, on his travels in England in the 17th century. The Count was frequently at court in 1669, and in referring to the Yeomen of The Guard, he stated: - They are called ï¿½Beefeatersï¿½, that is Eaters-of-Beef, of which a considerable portion is allowed them daily by the Court The nickname was evidently in use at about that time, as it is on record that a respected member of parliament ironically applied it to the Yeomen of The Guard in a speech made in the House of Commons on the 9th November 1685. Weaponry The fighting weapons of The Body Guard at Bosworth Field were those of the ordinary foot soldier ï¿½ the pike and the long bow. Later as technology developed these were replaced by the breech-loading Harquebus , also called Arquebus or Hackbut. This was a long, portable smoothbore matchlock gun.

Although it was the first gun fired from the shoulder it was generally fired from a support, against which the recoil was transferred from a hook on the gun. It was invented in Spain but its name seems derived from German words meaning "hooked-gun". The bore varied and its effective range was less than 650 feet (200m). The gold-embroidered cross-belt worn only by The Body Guard, is one of the most prized and distinctive features of the dress. It was originally the buff-coloured service cross-belt for supporting the heavy butt of the harquebus and afterwards of the equally ponderous matchlock. The massive swivel for attachment to the fire-arm can still be seen on the cross-belt. The Wilkinson sword is carried on the left hip within its black-leather scabbard. But for cleaning, the sword is never drawn. The Body Guard also carried an ornamental partisan or halberd (spear type weapon), similar to that carried to the present day at all ceremonial duties. Our partisans are eight feet long with a wooden shaft. A nine inch tassel of red and gold hangs beneath a steel gilt blade with the insignia of the reigning Monarch.

Uniform - Yeoman Guard The Yeoman State Dress worn is, in its most striking characteristics, the same as it was in Tudor time some 521 year ago. Because so few changes have taken place in the accoutrements of The Guard, it is not difficult to envisage its appearance through a great part of English history. Although in 1809 the ancient records of The Guard were destroyed during a disastrous fire at St Jamesï¿½ Palace, enough information has been compiled from other sources to provide a vivid description. DOUBLET - Scarlet cloth Tudor, embroidered, back and front cut whole. Full sleeves gathered into wrist band with one hole and small button. Four skirts pleated into waist. Three small buttons and holes on left shoulder, and five small buttons and holes on left side seam. Blue Velvet and Gold lace shoulder strap on left shoulder with one large button. EMBROIDERY - Rose, Thistle and Shamrock, with scroll and ER surmounted by a Tudor Crown on back and front. Trimmings: 3/8 inch gold spot lace and blue velvet. Linings: white cotton, body and sleeves, blue shalloon skirts. BUTTONS - Gilt, crown and German border.

SERGEANT-MAJORS - On right arm four chevrons of ï¿½ inch gold spot lace surmounted by crown. BREECHES - Scarlet cloth, split falls, ï¿½ inch gold spot lace garter, with gilt buckle at knee; and three small buttons and holes. Red, white and blue ribbon rosettes at knee. HAT - Flat brimmed black velvet Tudor hat, gossamer body, crown 5 inches deep, brim 2 ï¿½ inches. Red, white and blue ribbons in bows all round close above brim. SWORD BELT - Maroon leather, diced, 3 ï¿½ inches wide, laced as Shoulder Belt with large baldrick frog, gilt oval buckle the width of belt, with gilt metal slide. SHOULDER BELT - Scarlet cloth 3ï¿½ inches wide, lined blue shalloon; four rows gold 3/8 inch light of blue velvet between the laces; two gilt eyelets 4 inches from bottom of each end with blue ribbon tie; a large gilt swivel riveted with two plates to end of belt. HOSE - Scarlet Merino stockings or tights.

SHOES - Patent-leather Oxford, with rosette-buckle, and red, white and blue ribbon rosettes. (Note, if any Yeoman arrived for duty with a pair of patent-leather shoes the Messenger Sergeant Major would have a coronary, regardless of what the Official Court Dress Regulations may state. There is friendly rivalry between the various Regiments/Corps regarding the quality of the shine on one's shoes. Wearing patent leather is seen as the lazy option). RUFFS - White muslin, four rows 3 inches deep, goffered into neck band with tape drawstring. CLOAK - Blue Inverness with hood, lined Scarlet Italian, gilt rose clasp at neck, and eight buttons. Generally only worn at the laying-in of state of a Monarch. GLOVES - White cotton, buttoned at the cuff (used to be buckskin). PARTIZANS - (Yeomen Only) - Steel head, blue and gilt with Royal Arms and Royal Cypher and crown, fitted into long gilt socket, below which is a large yellow and crimson tassel. A lance wood staff 6 feet 2 inches long to top of tassel, steel shoe.

STICK - (Sergeant-Majors and Officers Only) - Black varnished stick, silver boss let in top device, Royal Cypher and crown, with rose, thistle, and shamrock, and motto, plated band, eyes for tassel, plated ferrule. SWORD - Gilt hilt, half basket, with three bars; Royal Crest; Crown pommel; white fish-skin grip, gilt wired. Blade blued and gilt, with Royal Cypher and Crown; Black leather scabbard, gilt locket with hook, Royal Cypher engraved above hook; gilt shoe. The weight of the tunic, breaches, hat and ruff combined is 16lbs (7.2kg); the sword weights 1lb (.45kg) and the partisan weights 7lbs (3.15kg). The total marching weights of The Body Guard kit weighs 24lbs (10.8kg). During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I the ruffs were added, which indeed are worn today. However, in the time of the Stuarts lace and plumed hats took the place of the ruffs and round hats.

This history of the English Monarchy, from 1485 to present day, is told by the gold embroidered emblems on the back and front of the tunic. To emphasize the reconciliation of the Houses of York and Lancaster the coats of the Guard bore the Tudor Crown, with the York and Lancaster Roses superimposed below it, and the initials HR (Henry Rex). The initials changed with each succeeding monarch, i.e. ER (for either Edward Rex or Elizabeth Regina), or CR (for Charles Rex), or JR or AR (for James Rex or Anne Regina). The only instance of the King and Queenï¿½s initials being both embroidered on the tunic was during the reign of William III and Mary II (1689-1694/1702) when they appeared entwined WM RR. As is well know Mary II was the rightful heir to the Throne, but she refused to be crowned unless William of Orange her husband was proclaimed King and crowned with her. By her order both their initials were embroidered on the coats of the Guard.

The Stuarts added the motto ï¿½Dieu et mon droitï¿½ but strange to say, they substituted the St Edwardï¿½s Crown for the Tudor Crown. Queen Anne reverted to the Tudor Crown , and added in 1709, the Thistle, on the confirmation of the Union of England and Scotland. Here may also be noted the curious historical fact that when King James I of Scotland married the daughter of Henry VII in 1502, one of the most prominent features of the royal ceremony in the Banqueting Hall in Edinburgh Castle was the stone corbels on the walls supporting the roof, which were elaborately carved with the Tudor rose between two thistles the national emblem of Scotland. Only after 200 years was the double emblem reproduced in England (below). The Georges again altered the Tudor Crown to the St Edwardï¿½s Crown , and in 1801 George III added initials GR. In 1901 King Edward VII adopted the Tudor Crown but in 1953 Queen Elizabeth II adopted the St Edwardï¿½s Crown.

The embroidery now consist of the Crown, the superimposed York (white) and Lancaster (red) Roses, the Thistle and the Shamrock, underneath is the motto ï¿½Dieu et mon droitï¿½ (God and My Right) with the initials ER (Elizabeth Regina) on either side. In the past, the rich attire of the Yeomen of The Guard was worn only on ceremonial occasions, a different uniform naturally being supplied when marching or fighting. For jousts and tournaments special uniforms were also supplied. These were at their most magnificent during the reign of Henry VIII , who spent a fortune on arraying his Guard in a most opulent manner. At royal funerals black ï¿½caulesï¿½ or coats were worn, with black hats, or crepe bands round the bonnets, black gloves, and even the partisans had black fringes. Until the early 19th century, when uniforms were still issued annually, the discarded dress becomes the property of the wearer on receiving his new outfit.

George IV commanded, however, that in future every Yeoman should receive an allowance of ï¿½9 in lieu therefore, in order to prevent the dresses being brought up by person for theatrical or other public exhibitions. In William IV ï¿½s reign the duties of the Yeomen became lighter and the annual issue ceased, new uniforms being supplied only as required. Workers of the tunic: Mrs Gertrude Elizabeth Boud was born 1882 and originally lived in Ilford and worked as a military tailoress. After losing her husband at Gallipoli in WW1 she moved to London with her 3 children. She found work at Pimlico making the full dress uniforms of the Yeomen of the Guard. The cuttings of the gold braid used for the uniforms was classed as a 'perk' and she was allowed to take home any little snippings. This could be quite profitable in that after hours of unwinding the gold thread from the cotton base, a small ball of gold thread could then be taken to the local pawnbroker and Gertrude would receive a ï¿½1 or so for it.

Most welcome as her wages at the time were only about ï¿½1 and 6 pence per week. In about 1936 Gertrude had to change employment and it is not known what company she worked for but it was situated in Lea Bridge Road, Silvertown, London where she trained women in the making of the uniforms. Upon the outbreak of WW11, in September 1939, the making of Body Guard uniforms was abandoned and made way for the making of Officer's uniforms for the war. Gertrude moved to Barking and worked in Bromley by Bow, London eventually retiring at the age of 75 years and passing away at the age of 82 years old. Webmaster comment: Thank you Gertrude and to all of those ladies that worked on these very heavy and superbly made uniforms. I think I'm still wearing the one in the picture!! Uniform - Officers COATEE - Scarlet Cloth, double-breasted, stand collar. The collar and cuffs of dark blue (Life Guards) Velvet. The skirts turned back with white cloth. There are nine buttons in each row down the front and two at the waist behind.

Three pointed slashes of scarlet cloth on the cuffs, embroidered, and having three small buttons down the centre of the embroidery. Three pointed sword flaps of scarlet cloth on the skirts, with a large button at each point. White silk linings. EMBROIDERY - Gold: rose, shamrock and thistle device, on the collar, cuff slashes and sword flaps and at bottom of skirts. BUTTONS - Gilt, mounted, the rose, shamrock, and thistle surmounted by the Imperial Crown. EPAULETTES - Loose gold bullion, with device in embroidery. TROUSERS - Blue cloth, with stripes of gold oak-leaf lace 2ï¿½ inches wide on the side seams. HAT - Black silk cocked hat, with special pattern embroidered loop and bullion tassels PLUME - Generalï¿½s 11 inch white swan feathers with red feathers under. SWORD - Straight, special pattern. Gilt hilt, with folding guard. Black scabbard with gilt mountings. SWORD KNOT - Gold lace strap, with bullion tassel.

WAIST SASH - Gold ï¿½trainï¿½ lace, 2 ï¿½ inches wide, with three rows of narrow crimson silk; long bullion tassels hanging on the left side, 19 inches long in all. BOOTS - Plain military, patent leather. SPURS - Gilt, straight, embossed rose, shamrock and thistle. GLOVES - White cotton. AIGUILLETTES - Gold gimp and orris cord with gilt tags, worn suspended from end of epaulette on right side by the Captain. Lieutenant, Ensign, and Adjutant. (Not worn by Exons.) CLOAK - Dark blue serge, Inverness pattern, fastened with one hook and eye, five gilt crown buttons with German border (plate II, No 33). The cape forms part of the garment, and should be long enough to reach to the knuckles, and has three buttons in front. Scarlet lining throughout. Gilt rose cloak clasps and chain on cape. MESS DRESS - Evening dress of His Majestyï¿½s Household. GOLD STICK is carried by the Captain. Ebony with gold mountings and tassel.

SILVER STICKS are carried by all other Officers when on duty. Ebony with silver mountings and tassels. All sticks are presented personally by the Sovereign on appointment. Constitution and Duty Since its inception The Body Guard has been headed by a Captain of the Guard ; an important and highly prized position that grew in power as successive Captains were appointed a member of the Privy Council and Vice-Chamberlain , thus, becoming the executive-officer of the Lord Chamberlain . Other officers of The Body Guard in descending order are Lieutenant , Ensign or Standard Bearer, Clerk of the Check and Adjutant and Exon . Non-Commissioned Officers are Messenger Sergeant Major , Divisional Sergeant Major, Yeoman Bed Goer and Yeoman Bed Hanger and Yeomen. Confusingly, several of the 66 serving Yeomen are also Commissioned Officers, some commanding Territorial Army units throughout the Country. These men have completed their 22 years service in the Armed Forces as Warrant Officers or Senior Non-Commissioned Officers and have now accepted a Commission. They are not however eligible as Officers in The Body Guard.

The duties of the Guard during the first three centuries of its history were of a most onerous nature. The Guard was absolutely responsible for the personal safety of their Sovereign. The Captain, being also Vice-Chamberlain of the Household, was practically responsible for the correct performance of all Court ceremonials. The duties of guarding the interior of the Palaces were entirely in the hands of the Yeomen of the Guard who were posted on all the doors of the Palace, both inside and out. They collected the Sovereignï¿½s meals, they tasted the food before it was placed on the royal table, they carried out every evening an elaborate ceremonial known as ï¿½ making the Kingï¿½s bed ï¿½ and an Officer of the Guard slept on a truckle bed outside the Kingï¿½s bedroom. Today the existence of the ï¿½bedï¿½ duties is still acknowledged, though of course, never carried out by the Yeoman Bed-Goer (YBG) and Yeoman Bed-Hanger (YBH).

Until the Guard ceased their daily duties in and around the Royal Palaces early in the last century, yeomen lived within the Palace; we are now permitted to live in own homes, indeed with the exception of the Messenger Sergeant Major, we are not allowed to live-in. We are summoned only when required, approximately eight times a year which includes an annual Roll Call and Roger Monk Dinner . This was instituted in Queen Victoria ï¿½s reign and developed into an Annual Inspection in the grounds of one or other of the Royal Palaces; mostly taken by the Sovereign or a member of the Royal Family. The late Duke of Connaught frequently inspected the Guard. In a few instances a distinguished soldier of the day has been honoured by being selected to take it ï¿½ Field Marshal Viscount Wolseley, Sir Donald Stewart, Earl Roberts, and Sir George White. The first Inspection was held by King Edward VII when, as Prince of Wales, he was about to leave England on a visit to India. The inspection of the Guard in the Gardens of Buckingham Palace by Queen Victoria formed part of the Diamond Jubilee Ceremonials in 1897. The original Guard was 50 in total.

The permanent Guard made its first public appearance at the Coronation of its founder Henry VII . The strength of The Guard was soon after increased to 120, and has varied considerably since then, though its average membership has been 150 ï¿½200. Henry VIII , who inherited a full treasury from his thrifty father, gradually raised the number of yeomen to the highest lever they ever, and strove to make them the most splendid and powerful Body Guard in Europe. In 1510 their number complement stood at 600. Henry VIIIï¿½s extravagance was such, however, that by 1524 he realized that there must be a check to his household expensed and the yeomen were reduced in number to about 300, fluctuating somewhat according to the varied duties they were call upon to perform.

When Charles II re-organized the royal households, and founded, for the first time, a permanent regular army (mainly at the instigation of his brother, later James II ), he fixed the establishment of the yeomen of The Guard much as it remains to this day: Charles II 60 Yeomen It should be noted that the rank of ï¿½Corporalï¿½, which was introduced into the new regular army, was a very different status from what it is now. At that time the rank Captain was referred to as ï¿½Corporalï¿½. Recruitment to the Yeomen of The Guard until 1823 was by purchase and the majority of The Guard were civilian. From 1830 candidates must have served in the Army or Marines. In 1955 the first Royal Air Force candidate was accepted and two (including myself) currently serve. Until 2011 members of the Royal Navy were excluded from becoming Yeomen due to their tradition of not swearing allegiance to The Queen; this has now changed and two have been sworn-in and now on duty with the Yeoman Warders.

As already mentioned, selection is made from service personnel who have served with distinction, and a very long list is maintained of those seeking entry to this exclusive and venerable ï¿½Body Guardï¿½. Successive monarchs have confirmed rules for the selection of suitable candidates, some emphasizing that candidates should be 'of tall personage, strong, active and of manlie presence' (in Queen Victoria's reign this included the mandatory wearing of a beard)'. Today, candidates (servicemen and servicewomen) must have completed no less than 22 years in the Army, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force or Royal Navy, attained the rank of at least Sergeant or Petty Officer (at least Chief Petty Officer for The Yeoman Warders) and awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. All Yeomen must retire at the ripe old age of 70, if only to give others a chance of joining. During Queen Victoria's reign there was a minimum height restriction of 5ft 10in but since Edward VII's reign this restriction has but been disregarded.

Edward VII is anecdotally attributed to have as stated 'if he's tall enough to fight for his country, he's tall enough to be one of my body guard' . There is a very long list of candidates and places limited to 60. See Recruitment The Body Guard were supporters of Equal Opportunities as far back as 1855 with the appointment of a Sergeant John Breeze 11th Hussars. John Breeze was the veteran of many campaigns including the Crimean War, but on 5 November 1854, during the bloody Battle of Inkermann he lost his right arm and then was an unfortunate victim of the Crimean winter where many dying and injured soldiers were left unattended on the harbour at Balaklava. He was invalided out of the Army in 1855 and accepted into The Body Guard in the same year. The last personal appearance on the battlefield of an English monarch surrounded by his Body Guard was George II who won a glorious victory against the French at the Battle of Dettingen in 1743.

And between 1720 and 1830 a certain civilian element was admitted to The Body Guard but upon the accession of William IV in 1830 his majesty commanded that in future no one could belong to his Body Guard who had not served in the regular Army or Marines. Furthermore, it was stipulated that no one under the rank of Captain could become an Officer and no one under the rank of Sergeant could be a Yeoman in the Kingï¿½s Body Guard. The Officers and Yeomen of The Guard are re-sworn under each new Sovereign, and their ancient privileges are confirmed. These included exemption from public or parish offices and duties and from serving on juries, as well as confirmation of accustomed positions on State occasions. From the outset, the Yeomen of The Guards were paid for their service in The Guard, but, as can be imagined, appointment as a yeoman of the Kingï¿½s Body Guard was far more valuable than any pay could make it.

There was originally no actual salary given to the Captain, as he held a number of great offices of the state, but the Standard Bearer received ï¿½40 a year, and the Clerk of the Cheque ï¿½20 (ï¿½ = librae = pound) a year. The pay of the yeomen varied from 6d (d = denarii = pence) to 1s (s = solidi = shilling) a day. Early in Henry VIIIï¿½s reign a yeoman is recorded as being paid at 12d a day as Petty Captain of 'The Garbrielle', whilst the ordinary Yeomen of The Guard received 8d a day as long as they were employed at sea. At the time when Henry VIII had raised his Guard to 600 they were being paid varying amounts according to their personal circumstances, as the Kingï¿½s extravagance began to tell on his treasury and those who were wealthy house-holders were willing to take little pay.

Even so, it became necessary to effect a reduction in The Guard, many being retired, others being placed on half-pay, and only called upon for expeditions abroad, receptions of foreign envoys, and for great ceremonials or stately programmes. J ames I , upon the recommendation of his Captain of The Guard, had the yeomenï¿½s pay raised from 2s to 2s 4d per day in the summer and from 1s 8d to 2s for the winter, the year being divided equally. After Charles II acceded to the throne the Captain received a salary for the first time, amounting to ï¿½1,000 per annum. The Lieutenant and Ensign at this time received emoluments of ï¿½500 and ï¿½300 respectively, the Clerk of the Cheque and Corporals ï¿½150 and ï¿½100 respectively and Yeomen in daily-waiting were paid ï¿½30 per annum, while 70 Yeomen, not in-waiting, were paid ï¿½15.

Re-cap: ï¿½sd or lsd - ï¿½ = librae = pound - s = solidi = shilling - d = denarii = pence Competition for admission to the Kingï¿½s Body Guard become so keen that appointments being in the hands of the Captains, who received the greater part of the sums paid, it is not difficult to see that his recommendations often went in the direction of those who could afford to pay most. This practice was certainly in force in James Iï¿½s reign (1603 ï¿½ 25), for he specifically mentioned in orders for the household of the Prince of Wales dated 16 October 1610 that: ï¿½these places of my Guard be not traffickt or sould, but freely disposed of for merit and sufficiency, for otherwise it must needs be a hindrance to my service to have hem impoverished by purchasing their places in a mercenary mannerï¿½. During the reign of Queen Anne a century later the purchases of appointments was said to be very prevalent.

She declared it to be highly dishonourable to Her Majesty, prejudicial to her service, introductive of corruption and extortion, and discouraging to virtue and true merit. In spite of these clear directives, appointments to The Guard were being purchased in William IV ï¿½s reign (1830 ï¿½ 37), when the Lieutenancy was valued at ï¿½8000, the Exonship at ï¿½3500, whilst appointment as Yeoman was attracting about ï¿½350. It was during this reign, however, that appointment by purchase was finally abolished. Fighting Role For over 250 years the Yeomen of the Guard maintained their reputation as fighting men on many well-known occasions, as at Therouanne, Tournai , Siege of Boulogne, Dixmuyden in Flanders, Battle of the Spurs , Neumuden, Namur and at the Battle of Dettingen ; they also served at sea as well as upon land. When Henry VIII fitted out a British fleet he appointed the Captain of the Guard to the command of one of the men-of-war.

The Sovereign, and gave him ï¿½60 of the tallest of the Guard.ï¿½ They have been traced to nearly every country in Europe not only as the personal guard of English monarchs (as with Henry VII, William III, and George II), but as attendants of Royal Ambassadors to foreign Courts, as with Sir Charles Somerset to the Emperor Maximilian in 1501. It is said that a Yeoman of the Guard saved the Emperorï¿½s Standard in the reign of Henry VIII. After the Battle of Dettingen in 1743, when the Guard made their final appearance on the field of battle as the armed attendants on King George II , although the heroes of the victory, the duties of the guard became entirely ceremonial and domestic, until on the outbreak of the Great World War in August 1914. By the Kingï¿½s command The Body Guard resumed at once its ancient useful and honoured duty of guarding the Royal Palaces, thus releasing the civil police required elsewhere.

Later, the King placed the whole of the Guard, who had already volunteered for active service, at the disposal of the military authorities for the training of the new armies at home and for active service abroad with the troops in the field. Of the veteran Officers and Yeomen chosen for these duties many earned further honours and distinctions, one rose to the rank of Lt Col and several became Majors and Captains. During the Second World War 1939-45, as in the First World War 1914-18, Yeomen of the Guard were again allowed to join the Services and civil defence services, bringing further honour and glory to the records of the Guard. Every member whether Officer or Yeoman, is appointed for his active service record, preference going to members of fighting arms of the Army and Royal Marines and since 1945 from the Royal Air Force, the first, Flight Sergeant Hewlett, being appointed in 1955.

The records of The Guard teem with striking episodes, but in such a brief history it is only possible to mention a few of the more important: The Great Review of the Army at Tilbury on the 5 August 1588 when Queen Elizabeth I, clad in armour, rode down the ranks and addressed them in stirring terms on the approach of the Spanish Armada which, as is well know, failed to invade these islands. The arrest of Guy Fawkes in the cellars of the Houses of Parliament, where he was hidden preparing to blow them up on the 5 November 1605. This episode is popularly known and remembered as ï¿½ The Gunpowder Plot. ï¿½ The Guard continues to search the cellars on the morning of the Opening of Parliament. The protective role of the Yeomen was evident in the 18th century, when a perfidious attempt was made by a madwoman to stab the King. Fortunately a Yeoman warded off the blow and another wrenched the knife from the miscreantï¿½s hand.

A few years later, when George III was attending a state performance at Drury Lane Theatre, a madman suddenly rose from the front of the house and fired a pistol at the King, who was seated in the front of his box. The shot passed between the two Yeomen standing before him, and in the embroilment, which followed, none of them managed to seize the offender. Duties The multifarious duties performed by the Yeomen of The Guard are full of fascination and amply repay study. They encompass, as their founder intended, not only the personal protection of the monarch, but also the upholding of the dignity of the Crown. Apart from the guarding of the outer doors of the Palaces and doors to ante-rooms, they lined the approaches to the audience chambers at all state ceremonies, and accompanied their sovereign whenever he went out. The most elaborate precautions were taken in serving the Royal dinner, when one of the Yeomen would be required to take a sample of the food before it was permitted to go forward to the Kingï¿½s table.

Even the making the Kingï¿½s bed had its own set of rules and to this day the connection with this ancient and quaint ceremony is maintained in the descriptions affixed to the names of certain yeomen on the Muster Rolls ï¿½ YBH (Yeoman of Bed Hanger) and YBG (Yeoman Bed Goer) ï¿½ though, needless to say, the duties concerned have long been obsolete. It is relevant to note, however, that these estimable duties extended to the ï¿½viewing of such houses as should be fit to entertain his Majestyï¿½ on progresses through the country, which was a feature of Tudor times. As previously stated, the position of Captain of The Guard was of particular significance. Not only was he answerable for the sovereignï¿½s personal safety, but he also carried the responsibility for ensuring that all details of court ceremony were accurately performed. In addition, it was his duty to look after and protect, together with the Yeomen, important guests such as foreign potentates and ambassadors, escorting them to and from the royal presence.

Indeed, on many occasions the Captain was actually dispatched abroad, accompanied by a group of Yeomen, to escort diplomatic missions to great emperors or kings, or to act himself as an ambassador. Negotiations for royal marriages were often included in such missions. In cases where a noble had to be arrested, perhaps for plotting against the sovereign, the Captain was responsible for apprehending him. Several times in their history the Yeomen of The Guard found themselves in the ironic position of having to seize a great or royal personage who, a few years earlier, had actually come under their protection. Such was the fate of Cardinal Wolsey , the Lord Protector Somerset, and Anne Boleyn. The appointments of Captain of The Guard and Vice-Chamberlain were held by one official until towards the end of the 17th century. As the daily duties of The Guard in attendance on the Sovereign gradually diminished, the connection of the two appointments became unnecessary and was finally severed. The Vice-Chamberlain became a separate appointment and was bestowed on an official whose duties were of a less important nature.

Whilst the Captaincy of The Guard, shorn of its daily and hourly responsibilities, became a ministerial and honourable sinecure, as it is at the present day. Though no longer Vice-Chamberlain, the Captain is under the direct orders of the Lord Chamberlain, and with The Guard attends his Sovereign, as a member of the Royal household, on all state occasions. The Clerk of the Cheque had special responsibility for maintaining the roll of everyone connected with the royal household, in addition to handling large sums of money in his capacity of paymaster. Until modern times a portion of The Guard was mounted, as a travelling escort to the monarchs of England. The Yeomen of The Guard figure prominently in a number of old engravings and examples of sculpture, in some instances being shown on horse back, always very closed to the Sovereignï¿½s person whether in representations of battles or ceremonial occasions. Even at this time of the Commonwealth the Kingï¿½s Body Guard continued its celebrated history, serving Prince Charles (eventually Charles II) during his enforced absence abroad. At the restoration The Guard accompanied him on his return to England, taking its historic place at his triumphant entry in to London, and at his magnificent coronation.

In addition to attending the sovereign, the Yeomen were also called upon to serve the Queen and heir to the throne. During George IIIï¿½s long illness, the Prince of Wales became Regent, in 1811. The Kingï¿½s portion of the Yeomen of The Guard was transferred to Carlton House, where Prince George resided. This led to a significant change in the board and pay of The Guard. At the time, the yeomen were the only court officials still receiving their meals at St James Palace, which it was then contended was an unnecessary extravagance and should cease. Arrangements were made for payment in lieu of these meals, thus dispensing with the ancient position of The Guard as part of the royal household. When William IV decided that no more civilians were to be allowed in The Guard, he commanded that lists of retired officers and non-commissioned officers, recommended for distinguished service in the field, desirous of becoming members of his guard should be kept by the Commander-in-Chief; and that when vacancies occurred selections should be made from these lists and submitted to the Captain of The Guard for final approval.

The Lieutenancy was assigned to a Colonel or Lieutenant Colonel of the Army or Royal Marines; the positions of Ensign and Clerk of the Cheque were to be held by a Lieutenant Colonel or Major; and Exons were to be selected from Captains. As far as the Exons were concerned, it became the duty of the Captain to lay before the sovereign the names of four officers from which one was to be chosen. It has always been considered the privilege of the Captain to present prominently the name of the officer he wished to see appointed, and this selection has almost always been confirmed, though of course the monarch reserved the royal prerogative of confirmation. Promotion to the higher grades of Clerk of the Cheque and Adjutant, Ensign and Lieutenant now takes place within the corps. The Captain exercises the right of approval of all Warrant Officers and Sergeants selected by the Commander-in Chief for appointment to the rank of Yeoman. The Yeomen are divided into three Divisions and undertake at least eight duties in the course of a year.

Although the function of guarding the outer doors of the royal palaces no longer comes with their jurisdiction, any State duties to be performed inside the palaces are undertaken, as they always have been, by Yeomen of The Guard. The distribution of Maundy Money , Epiphany Service , State Visits by Foreign Heads of State , the installation of Garter Knights , Buckingham Palace Garden Parties , The State Opening of Parliament , Investitures and the Diplomatic Party at Buckingham Palace. In addition, The Guard is present at services for Orders of Chivalry and has attended Royal Weddings and sadly for the lying-in state and funerals of Monarchs. Our last Royal laying-in of state was for our beloved Queen Elizabeth The Queenï¿½s Mother in April 2002 when we stood on the corners of the catafalque guarding her coffin. Other laying-in of state occasions that The Body Guard has attended are those of the Duke of Wellington in 1861 and Sir Winston Churchill in 1965. Those occasions were at the Sovereigns special instruction as a tribute to their great services to their country. This has been a brief of history of the most ancient of Corps.

To expand your knowledge look at History 1485-1885 . The Body Guard exists today to a large extent as it did over 520 years ago. As former servicemen, we are proud to have fought yesterday for our Sovereign and Country; we are proud and honoured to guard Her Majesty today. We keep alight the memory of those Yeomen Guard that served before us, and we welcome to our ranks those Soldiers, Marines and Airmen yet to be appointed.

We feel they will be as proud to wear the red State Dress and cross-belt as we, and to call themselves by that most prestigious of titles: ï¿½The Queenï¿½s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guardï¿½ ï¿½Valecti Garde (Corporis) Domini Regisï¿½ (Yeomen of the Guard (of our body) of our Lord the King) Bibliography The Official History of the Guard, by Colonel Sir Reginald Hennell, CVO, DSO, OBE, Lieutenant, published in 1904 (amended in 1958 and 1991) The Yeoman of the Guard 1485 ï¿½ 1885 by Thomas Preston published 1886 The Yeomen of the Guard 1485 ï¿½ 1985 by Julian Paget published 1984 The Yeomen of the Guard 1823 ï¿½ 1903 by Ian McInnes Extended Essay written between 1973-1975 by Anita R Hewerdine BBC History - Monarchs Old England.

A Pictorial Museum Vol I, II British Arms of Dominion

Question: What is the name of the Queen's bodyguard in Scotland?
Answer: Royal Company of Archers