David Leakey gave us a thoroughly captivating talk about his time as Black Rod. He began by explaining the role, the application and selection process, and what it actually involves. The role is quite an ancient one, originating in the time of Edward III with the postholder being given a staff or a rod topped with a gold lion indicating he has the authority of the monarch. This was important because there was no police force as such and Black Rod had to keep order in royal establishments.
When David performed the role (it has changed since) he was based in the House of Lords but was responsible for ensuring that all the events at the Houses of Parliament had all security arrangements in place. This has also included contingency plans should the HoP be out of action for any reason.
He told an amusing story about an occasion when the Queen had to use the lift rather than the stairs. There was no room in the tiny lift for the usual operator as well as Black Rod, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh so David had to be the lift boy. He was instructed on how to control the lift. In they all went and the correct buttons were duly pressed. However the lift went up instead of down. It stopped on the next floor and the continued to the top of the building where some archivists were hoping to get in. No-one was sure who was the more surprised! After a worrying few minutes for the Queen’s private secretary the lift eventually descended to the ground floor.
Black Rod – Silk Stockings, September 2024
