CE090
King & Country
Wearing his State Ceremonial uniform this man steps out with his ‘Partisan’, which is a kind of decorated halberd dating back to medieval times. In addition, like the other three, he also carries a short sword on the left side of his waist belt.
Special Uniform Note:
All four Yeoman carry the late Queen Elizabeth Ⅱ ‘Royal Cypher’ EⅡR on the front bodice of their uniform alongwith the four floral symbols of Great Britain; the rose of England, the thistle of Scotland, the leek of Wales and the shamrock representing Northern Ireland.
The Yeomen of The Guard form the personal bodyguard of the British sovereign and have been in continuous existence since their formation by King Henry Ⅵ in 1485.
Originally, they were responsible for the King’s (or sometimes Queen’s) safety on journeys at home or abroad and on the battlefield. In addition, they guarded his palaces, patrolled their precincts and perimeters as well as guarding all entrances and exits. They even, in times gone by, tasted the sovereign’s own food!
Today’s Yeomen of the Guard still wear uniforms that harken back to their formation during the reign of the Tudors and carry weapons that are distinctly similar to the same historical period.