The Queen's Body Guard
of the Yeomen of the Guard


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Role of Honour - The Honourable Band of Gentlemen Pensioners
Role of Honour - The Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms
Her Majesty's Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms - the Sovereign's nearest Guard - was instituted by King Henry VIII in 1509.  However, until 17 March 1834 they were originally known as The Honourable Band of Gentlemen Pensioners.  Henry decided to have 'this new and sumptuous Troop of Gentlemen composed of cadets of noble families and the highest order of gentry as his personal Body Guard or "Nearest Guard".  As his Body Guard it accompanied Henry to France in 1513 and took part in the Battle of Guinegate or better known as the Battle of the Spurs and in 1520 attended The King at the Field of the Cloth of Gold.


But for the Yeomen of the Queen's Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard and the Sergeants-at-Arms, the Gentlemen-at-Arms are the oldest corps in England.  At the time that the Gentlemen began conducting their duties on foot in Court, as well as mounted in the field, they carried the battle axe.

Today the Honourable Corps consist of 5 Officers and 27 Gentlemen, all of whom, with the exception of the Captain, are retired Officers of the Army or the Royal Marines and are members of the Royal Household. The Officers are promoted from amongst the Gentlemen and receive Sticks of Office from the hand of the Sovereign on appointment.  Their normal duties include attendance at all State Occasions and Services of the Great Orders of Chivalry.  The Corps has its headquarter in St James' Palace. This is the immediate charge of the 'Axe-Keeper and Butler' whose primary duty is to look after the battle axes which are still carried by the Gentlemen on duty. 

Dress for The Gentlemen-at-Arms:

COATEE - Scarlet Cloth, single-breasted.  Blue velvet collar, cuffs, and turn-backs on skirts.  Gold embroidery on collar and cuffs, with portcullis in silver on collar.  Gold embroidered wreath and crown and portcullis in silver on back skirts.  Nine buttons down front and two at waist behind.  Skirts lined blue silk.

BUTTONS - Gilt, indented. The Garter Star, and garter with the Tudor portcullis in the centre.

EPAULETTES - Gold bullion, boxed, bright gilt crescent rim, check lace strap.  Tudor portcullis in silver embroidery on shoulder-strap.  Badges of army rank in silver embroidery above.

AIGUILLETTES - For Officers only.  Gold gimp cord to hang from under the epaulettes on right shoulder.

TROUSERS - Blue cloth, with gold lace, bias and stand, 2 inch stripes, black leather foot straps.  For Officers: Oak leaf lace, 2 ½ inches wide.

HELMET - Gilt metal, with scroll and leaf ornaments.  Front ornament gilt Royal Arms quarterings within the garter, mounted on silver cut star.  Gilt chin-scales, with lion head bosses.

PLUME - White swan feathers, 18inches long, to hang to edge of helmet.

SWORD - Steel cavalry pattern, with steel scabbard.

SWORD KNOT - Gold bullion, with lace strap.

WAIST SASH - Gold, 2 ½ inches wide, with three red stripes 1/8 inch wide.  Gilt clasp on left side.  Tassels gold and red twist, with round heads, to hang 18 inches.

POUCH - Blue velvet, with Royal Cypher and crown in gold embroidery.  One inch gold lace round the edge.  For Officers: Wreath of oak leaves within the lace. Lace oak leaf pattern.

SHOULDER BELT - Gold 2¼ inch bias and stand lace, with blue velvet edge.  Gilt buckle, tip and slide.  For Officers: Oak leaf lace, 2½ inches wide.

SWORD SLINGS - Gold one inch bias and stand lace on blue leather, gilt flat square billet buckle on black web waist belt. For Officers: oak leaf lace.

BOOTS - Patent leather, Wellington, with spur boxes.

SPURS - Gilt, straight, long neck.

GLOVES - White patent leather gauntlets.

FORAGE CAP - Blue cloth, universal pattern, scarlet band 1 3/8 inches wide and scarlet welt. Blue cloth welt above band, black patent leather peak with one inch gold embroidery. Black patent leather chin strap with two gilt mounted ER buttons.

CLOAK AND CAPE - Blue cloth, double-breasted, six buttons each side, top ones 8 inches apart, bottom ones 4 inches, side edge no opening, 10 inches deep, 2¾ inches wide at points, with three buttons, two cross pockets with plain flaps 2½ inches deep, 6 inch Watteau pleat down back strap, 12 inches long.  Scarlet velvet collar and cuffs, cuffs 3½ inches deep and large enough to go over gauntlets.  Blue cloth shoulder straps, with Gold embroidered badges of rank.  Scarlet linings.  Blue cloth cape, three buttons down front, fly on collar to button on to cloak with five buttons.  For Officers: Gold oak leaf lace patch on collar, 6 inches long, with light of Blue velvet small button at outer end.

MESS DRESS - Evening Dress of His Majesty’s Household

The Captain of the Corps receives a Gold Stick of Office from the Sovereign on appointment; the Lieutenant, the Standard Bearer and the Clerk of the Cheque and Adjutant receiving Silver Sticks; these Sticks are carried by the Officers when on duty with the Corps.  The Sub-Officer carries an Ivory headed Stick which he receives from the Captain on appointment.

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Copyright © 2006 The Yeomen of the Queen's Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard
Last modified: Thursday, 10 July 2008