Offices and Ceremonies: From the Parliamentary Collections

Explore the Parliamentary Collections for images and documents from the Archives about Black Rod

• An Act for the Attainder of Henry Norries
• Coronation Procession of Charles II
• Trial of Dr. Henry Sacheverell for High Crimes and Misdemeanours
• Sir Augustus Clifford, Black Rod 1832-1877
• Ceremonial Sword, 1896
• Sir George Mills, Black Rod, in the House of Commons Chamber
• Sir Frank Twiss, Black Rod 1970-1978

Explore the Parliamentary Collections for images and documents from the Archives about the role of police in parliament

• Inspector Denning
• Autograph Album presented to Inspector Denning
• Inspector Denning's Occurence Book
• Letters to the Serjeant at Arms Department
• Transcriptions from Inspector Denning's Occurence Book
• Inspector Denning's Retirement

Explore the Parliamentary Archives for documents and images about the history of Clerk of the House of Commons

• First Journal of the House of Commons
• Gunpowder Plot Journal
• 'The Torn Journal'
• Trial of King Charles I
• John Hatsell
• Act of 1812 relating to Commons' Offices
• Sir Courtenay Ilbert
• Diary of Sir Courtenay Ilbert
• Maclean Committee memorandum
• Memorandum by Sir Edward Fellowes

Explore the Parliamentary Archives for documents and images about the history of the Serjeant at Arms

• Account of the arrest of George Ferrers
• Manuscript Journal on Serjeant and Mace
• John Clementson’s Diary
• Serjeant at Arms uniform sketches
• Letter from Charles Bradlaugh to the Speaker
• Photograph of the Speaker's Procession
• Henry David Erskine
• Alexander Gordon-Lennox
• John Junor brought to the bar of the House

Explore the Parliamentary Archives for documents and images about Sir Thomas Erskine May (1815-1886), Clerk of the House of Commons

• Erskine May: A treatise on the law, privileges, proceedings and usage of Parliament.
• Sir Thomas Erskine May
• Letter to Thomas Erskine May
• Letter from Thomas Erskine May
• Lord Eversley on May's appointment as Clerk
• Erskine May's Letter Patent
• The Speaker on May's appointment as Clerk
• Letter from Gladstone
• May to Carnarvon
• Letter regarding May's Death

The State Opening of Parliament marks the annual start of the parliamentary session. Find out about the traditions surrounding the State Opening

• The State Opening of 1852
• Queen Victoria's throne, 1897
• The State Opening of 1842
• Remember, Remember, the fifth of November
• The Royal thrones, 1901
• The State Opening of Parliament, 1821
• The State Opening of 1875
• State Opening Light
• The State Opening of Parliament, 1974

Explore the Parliamentary collections for documents and images about Parliament and the Queen

• Accession Declaration of Elizabeth II, 1952
• Queen's Speech to Parliament, 1952
• Photographs of Coronation lunch, 1953
• Coronation Ticket, 1953
• Coronation Order of Service, 1953
• Coronation Oath Act, 1689
• Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, 1961
• Silver Jubilee Addresses, 1977
• Golden Jubilee addresses, 2002

Explore the Parliamentary Collections for images and documents from the Archives about Royal Weddings

• An Act for the better regulating the future Marriages of the Royal Family
• Henry Badeley's Invitation to the Wedding of Princess Elizabeth
• List of passholders for wedding of Princess Elizabeth
• Passes for the Wedding of Princess Elizabeth
• Souvenir Programme for wedding of Princess Margaret
• Order of Service for the wedding of Princess Margaret
• Photograph of procession for Princess Anne's wedding