Dimensions
240 x 240 x 20mm
Her Majesty's Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of
Gentlemen at Arms [HM Body Guard] is one of the world's
older existing military corps. It was first formed five
hundred years ago in 1509 during the turbulent times of
Henry VIII to act as a mounted escort to protect the
sovereign. The Corps was present as part of the King's
entourage at the Field of Cloth of Gold in 1520, and as time
progressed they became a dismounted Body Guard armed with
poleaxes - which they still carry today on ceremonial
occasions. It last saw active service as a unit during the
English Civil War at the Battle of Edgehill (1642). Over
the years HM Body Guard has evolved primarily into a
ceremonial unit, but the emphasis of this book is very much
on its members - past and present - and their remarkable
contributions to military history over the last five hundred
years. This book is a very well-written and valuable
addition to military and royal history, and is beautifully
illustrated with over 130 photographs. It includes a
comprehensive Roll of Gentlemen and the main office holders
as well as individual profiles of distinguished Gentlemen
and the citations of the 13 members who were holders of the
Victoria Cross.
