Legal Definition and Related Resources of Black Rod

The Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod is the official of the House of Lords analogous to the Serjeant-at-Arms of the House of Commons. He executes the orders of the House in taking offenders into custody, and assists m ceremonies

Browse or run a search for Black Rod in the American Encyclopedia of Law, the Asian Encyclopedia of Law, the European Encyclopedia of Law, the UK Encyclopedia of Law or the Latin American and Spanish Encyclopedia of Law.

Black Rod in Historical Law

You might be interested in the historical meaning of this term. Browse or search for Black Rod in Historical Law in the Encyclopedia of Law.

For more information about Historical Law definitions, see Historical Definitions in the Encyclopedia of Law. For more information about Historical Law Books and Legal Documents, see Legal Encyclopedia of Historical Books and Documents and Legal Encyclopedia of Books and Documents of the 20th Century.

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What does Black Rod mean in American Law?

The definition of Black Rod in the law of the United States, as defined by the lexicographer Arthur Leff in his legal dictionary is:

The full title of this English functionary is “Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod,” the name coming from his symbol of office, a black rod topped by a gold lion, which he carries on formal occasions. He anciently was an important officer of the Order of the Garter and technically still is, but his more significant present function is to attend upon the House of Lords when Parliament is in session, acting as the Crown”s chief herald (e.g., summoning Commons to Lords when the King makes his address from the throne), and as a sort of Sergeant-at-Arms. Into his custody all peers impeached for crime were, and are, committed.

English Legal System: Black Rod, Gentleman Usher of The Gentleman Usher of The Black Rod

In the context of the English law, A Dictionary of Law provides the following legal concept of Black Rod, Gentleman Usher of The Gentleman Usher of The Black Rod : An official of the House of Lords whose title derives from his staff of office – an ebony rod surmounted with a gold lion. The office originated as usher of the Order of the Garter in the 14th century; the parliamentary appointment dates from 1522. Black Rod is responsible for maintaining order in the House and summons members of the Commons to the Lords to hear a speech from the throne.