Inside Westminster: Black Rod

Knock, knock, knocking on Pugin's door: essential to Black Rod's role

Black Rod is Parliament's mystery man - only seeming to appear at the State Opening of Parliament, all dressed in black - but what does he do for the rest of the year?

Inside Westminster is your chance to see the current Black Rod Sir Michael Willcocks reveal the history of the post and what he does on a day to day basis.

Sir Michael Willcocks became 'Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod and Serjeant at Arms of the House of Lords' on 9 May 2001.

Traditionally Black Rod is a man of arms and Sir Michael is no exception, a Lieutenant General with a glittering military record.

Black Rod's origins stem from the 14th century but it was not until Henry VIII's reign that the office was mentioned in statute.

He acts as the messenger of the Queen whenever MPs are required in the House of Lords.

The name Black Rod is derived from his staff office: an ebony stick topped with a gold lion dating from 1883.

State Opening

Black Rod is most visible during ceremonial events in Parliament. At the State Opening it is he who summons MPs to the Lords to hear the Queen's Speech and has the Pugin door to the Commons slammed in his face.

He knocks on the door three times with the rod: once for the executive, once for the legislature and once for the Speaker.

After gaining entry into the Chamber he leads the procession of MPs out of the chamber and across central lobby to hear the speech.

In between official ceremonies Black Rod has a plethora of duties to perform.

He is responsible for the security of the House, peers office accommodation and the vast undertaking that is the maintenance and upkeep of the Palace of Westminster amongst other things.

Catch Parliament's mystery man, Black Rod, as he reveals all on 0850GMT on Monday 26 January only on BBC Parliament.