Yeomen of the Guard

Oldest of the Royal bodyguards and also the oldest military corps which is still in service. Operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan.

History

According to legend, the history of the Yeomen of the Guard began in the year 1485 and the Battle of Bosworth Field. King Richard III was killed in the battle and it is said, that one of his private guards found his crown in a hawthorn bush. The guard saved and returned the crown, so it could be placed on the head of the next monarch. Richard’s successor on the throne was Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond: Henry VII. Historians proved that it was Henry’s decision to form a new official group of “private bodyguards”, which were from then on called the Yeomen of the Guard.

Until today you still see the historical connection to the Battle of Bosworth Field and Richard III’s death in the badge of the Yeomen of the Guard. It shows the design of the crown on the hawthorn bush under the Tudor rose, with the initials HR (or ER) on the sides. Beyond that, till today the Yeomen of the Guard wear typical Tudor uniforms in the colours red, white and yellow.

Functions

In the early years of their existence the Yeomen of the Guard had to protect their sovereign and to follow him on the battlefield. Nowadays their function is solely ceremonial. The guards take part in many of the annual Royal ceremonies like the Royal Maundy Service, the State Opening of Parliament or the installation of Knights of the Garter (The Order of the Garter) at Buckingham Palace.

Today the Yeomen of the Guard consist of 73 guards. All of them are retired officers from the British Army, Royal Marines or Royal Air Force who have completed no less than 22 years in duty and fit into the strictly required body measurements. They have to retire, when they reach the age of seventy.

Sources

http://www.yeomenoftheguard.com/

http://www.royal.gov.uk/RoyalEventsandCeremonies/Ceremonialbodies/YeomenoftheGuard.aspx