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’s reign (1272–1307), where the description occurs “Crossbow men of the Household”. 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 II’s reign mention:

 

“archers on foote for garde of the Kinge’s body who shall go before the Kinge as he traveleth through the countrye”


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 “Archers of the Household” who accompanied him abroad and fought with him on the battlefield. These were maintained until the reduction of Henry VI’s 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 (Lancastrian) 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 “private guard of faithful followers,” 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 Henry’s “private guard”.  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 Paul’s 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, “The first had an Image of St George; the second, ‘a Fiery Dragon beaton on white and green sarsenet,’ the Ensign of Cadwaladr, the last King of the Britons; the third was of ‘Yellow Tartine’ on which was painted a ‘Donne Kowe’ which being interpreted means dun cow.”  Henry VII was surrounded by his “private guard” of fifty men, now known as the Yeomen Guard or the Yeoman Archers.

The Queen’s 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 “Cross Bowmen of the Household,” and “Archers of the Guard of the King’s Body,” 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 “Archers” 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 “Yeomen or Gentlemen just below the rank of Esquire.” 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:

“To William Browne, Yeoman of the King’s 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 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:

“Valecti Garde (Corporis) Domini Regis”
“Yeomen of the Guard (of our Body) of our Lord the King”

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:

“The Queen’s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard”

The designation “Yeoman” 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 “gau”, meaning “district” and the word “man” signifying “man of the district”.

The term “yeoman” had for some time been applied to subordinate members of the sovereign’s household, but previous Body Guards had been designated “The Cross-Bowmen of the Household”, “Archers of The Guard”, “Archers of the Crown”, “Archers of the Household”, “The Body Archers”, or “The King’s Bowmen”.  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 “The King’s (or Queen’s) Body Guard of the Yeomen of The Guard” has persisted to the present day, though during the Victorian era it had been altered to “The Royal Guard”. 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 “yeoman” as coming from the “yeu”, 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 “Beefeaters” 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 ‘Beefeaters’, 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 – 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 James’ 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 ¾ inch gold spot lace surmounted by crown.

BREECHES - Scarlet cloth, split falls, ¾ 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 ¾ inches. Red, white and blue ribbons in bows all round close above brim.

SWORD BELT - Maroon leather, diced, 3 ¼ 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 3¼ 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 Queen’s 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 “Dieu et mon droit” but strange to say, they substituted the St Edward’s 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 Edward’s 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 Edward’s 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 “Dieu et mon droit” (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 ‘caules’ 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 £9 in lieu therefore, in order to prevent the dresses being brought up by person for theatrical or other public exhibitions. In William IV’s 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 £1 or so for it. Most welcome as her wages at the time were only about £1 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 2½ inches wide on the side seams.

HAT - Black silk cocked hat, with special pattern embroidered loop and bullion tassels

PLUME - General’s 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 “train” lace, 2 ¾ 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 Majesty’s 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 Sovereign’s meals, they tasted the food before it was placed on the royal table, they carried out every evening an elaborate ceremonial known as “making the King’s bed” and an Officer of the Guard slept on a truckle bed outside the King’s bedroom.  Today the existence of the “bed” 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’s 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 – 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 –200.  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 VIII’s 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:

It should be noted that the rank of ‘Corporal’, 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 ‘Corporal’.

Recruitment to the Yeomen of The Guard has almost invariably been from the Army, to a lesser extent the Marines and since 1955 the Royal Air Force, and appointments are in the hands of the Captain of The Guard. As already mentioned, selection is made from men who have served with distinction, and a list is maintained of those seeking entry to this exclusive and venerable “The Body Guard”.  Successive monarch have confirmed rules for the selection of suitable candidates, emphasizing that they should be 'of tall personage’, strong, active and of manlie presence (this used to include the mandatory wearing of a beard)'. 

It should be noted that Servicewomen are not excluded from applying for an appointment as a Yeowoman of the Body Guard so long as they meet the criteria. 

Candidates must have completed no less than 22 years in the Army, Marines or Royal Air Force; retired no less than the rank of Sergeant; hold the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal; be at least 5ft 10ins tall and have a chest measurement of at least 38ins and should have been accepted and taken the loyal oath before their 55th birthday.  All Yeomen must retire at the ripe old age of 70.

At this time we are sadly under represented by black and asian servicemen, and women.  However, we look forward to the day when we can cut this text from our webpage and fully embrace diversity.  Indeed, The Body Guard were supporters of Equal Opportunities as far back as 1855 with the appointment of a Sergeant John Breeze 11th Hussars.   Breeze was the veteran of many campaigns including the Crimean War.  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 were 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.

Between 1720 and 1830 a certain civilian element was admitted, following the last personal appearance on the battlefield of an English monarch commanding his army, surrounded by his Body Guard. This combat was the Battle of Dettingen in 1743, when George II won a glorious victory against the French.

As George III was a scholar rather than a soldier, the Yeomen of The Guard did not engage his attention so frequently as had been the case with his predecessors. Upon the accession of William IV in 1830, however, 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 King’s 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 King’s 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 £40 a year, and the Clerk of the Cheque £20 (£ = 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 VIII’s 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 King’s 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.

James I, upon the recommendation of his Captain of The Guard, had the yeomen’s 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 £1,000 per annum. The Lieutenant and Ensign at this time received emoluments of £500 and £300 respectively, the Clerk of the Cheque and Corporals £150 and £100 respectively and Yeomen in daily-waiting were paid £30 per annum, while 70 Yeomen, not in-waiting, were paid £15.

Re-cap:  £sd or lsd  -  £ = librae = pound   -   s = solidi = shilling   -  d = denarii = pence

Competition for admission to the King’s 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 I’s reign (1603 – 25), for he specifically mentioned in orders for the household of the Prince of Wales dated 16 October 1610 that:

“these 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 manner”.

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’s reign (1830 – 37), when the Lieutenancy was valued at £8000, the Exonship at £3500, whilst appointment as Yeoman was attracting about £350. 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 ’60 of the tallest of the Guard.’ 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 Emperor’s 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 King’s 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 “The Gunpowder Plot.” 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 miscreant’s 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

Progresses and Pageantry

The Standard / Ensign

The original Standard of The Body Guard, bearing the Welsh emblem of Henry VII ie the Red Dragon of Cadwaladr, last King of the Britons, perished in the calamitous fire at St James’s Palace in 1809.  King George IV presented a new Standard to The Guard at Buckingham Palace on 5 July 1938.

The Standard is of a crimson damask. In the centre are the Royal Badge of the rose, thistle and shamrock combined, the letters GR and the Royal motto "Dieu et mon droit", the whole ensigned with the Imperial crown.  In the corners are Badges of the Royal Houses of Tudor, Stuart, Hanover and Windsor.  

The current ensign was presented by Queen Elizabeth II in 1985 and is similar but for the Sovereign's initials.  The image below shows the ensign's reverse view.

Top-left corner:  The hawthorn bush crowned and the letters HR.  Represent Henry VII at the Battle of Bosworth when the Royal Crown was found in a hawthorn bush and placed on Henry Tudor's head by his 'Body Guard'. 

Top-right corner:  The thistle crowned. Is that of the badge of James I depicting the thistle which represents the confirmation of the union of England and Scotland. 

Bottom-left corner:  The white horse courant on a green mount ensigned with the Royal Crown.  Represents the House of Hanover.

Bottom-right corner:  Represents the House of Windsor.  The Monarch's name was changed for political reasons from the Royal House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (a German House) to the House of Windsor during the First World War.  In fact, until designed by Garter, King of Arms, there was no badge for the House of Windsor.  George VI requested that Garter replace the original Standard's design from that of VR (Victoria Regina) in the corners to that of the badge of The House of Windsor. After all, Victoria was already a member of the House of Hanover.

Order of Service

a. The Sovereign arrives at the Saluting Base and is received with a Royal Salute; b. The Sovereign inspects the Body Guard; c. The Standard is consecrated thus:

The Captain - "Reverend Sir, on behalf of the King's/Queen's Body Guard I ask you to bid God's blessing on this Standard.

Chaplain - "I am ready so to do.  Forasmuch as men at all times have made for themselves signs and emblems of their allegiance to their rulers, and of their duty to uphold those laws and institutions which God's providence has called them to obey, we, following this ancient and pious custom are met together before God to ask His blessing on this Standard, which is to represent to us our duty towards our Sovereign and our Country.  Let us, therefore, pray Almighty God of His mercy to grant that He may make it to be to those who following it a sign of His presence, and so increase their faith and hope in Him, who is King of kings and Lord of lords.  In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, I do consecrate and set apart this Standard, that it may be a sign of our duty towards our King/Queen and our Country in the sight of God. Amen.  Let us pray.  Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.  The grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Hoy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen. 

d. The Sovereign presents the Standard; e. The Standard is received with a General Salute and is marched to the centre of the Guard, the band playing God Save King/Queen; f. Address by the Sovereign; g. The Chaplain replies; h. The Guard gives a Royal Salute, followed by three cheers for the Sovereign; i. The Officers will fall out and be received by the Sovereign; j. The Guard will march past in fours and return to St James' Palace under the command of the Clerk of the Cheque and Adjutant.

Ceremonial Role

The Guard has a totally ceremonial role today.  The scene of an ancient ceremony, such as the Opening of Parliament or a Coronation, is greatly enhanced by the military precision and sumptuous apparel of those taking part. The British are renowned for their love of pomp and ceremony associated with age-old traditions and, with the termination of so many monarchies throughout the world, the United Kingdom is peculiarly rich in its historical scenes of pageantry. Closely embodied in the great ceremonies connected with the Crown is a select coterie of retired soldiers, marines and airmen who have given distinguished service to their sovereign and country.

On the 2 June 1953 it was present at the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In the same year a detachment of the Guard was present in Northern Ireland for the opening of the Northern Ireland Parliament by Her Majesty.  In 1969 the Guard was at Caernarvon Castle when Charles, The Prince of Wales, was installed and presented to the Welsh people by Her Majesty the Queen; just as the first Prince of Wales was presented to them by his father King Edward I on the same spot in 1284.  On 25 July 1985 Her Majesty the Queen presented the Guard with a new standard in the Gardens of Buckingham Palace to mark the quincentenary of its existence. Her Majesty has also inspected the Guard every fourth Year.  The customary annual occasions on which The Body Guard is present are:

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 Queen’s 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:

“The Queen’s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard”

“Valecti Garde (Corporis) Domini Regis”
(Yeomen of the Guard (of our body) of our Lord the King)