Royal Almonry

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The Royal Almonry is a small office within the Royal Households of the United Kingdom, headed by the Lord High Almoner, an office dating from 1103. The almoner is responsible for distributing alms to the poor.

Contents

The Lord High Almoner is usually a diocesan bishop or high cleric of the Church of England. [1] There is also an hereditary Grand Almoner, an office dating from 1685 and vested in the person of the Marquess of Exeter, but this is not an office of the Royal Almonry and he has no role to play. The actual work of the office is undertaken by the Sub-Almoner (currently Paul Wright), who is also the Deputy Clerk of the Closet of the Ecclesiastical Household, Sub-Dean of the Chapel Royal, and Domestic Chaplain at Buckingham Palace.

There are in addition a Secretary, and Assistant Secretary, both offices of which are shared with other Royal Household appointments. There are also half a dozen wandsmen.

Duties

In the 13th century, the Lord High Almoner was responsible for giving alms from the royal household to the poor. [2] Today, the Almonry is responsible for the arrangements for the Royal Maundy service, which is held annually every Maundy Thursday. [3] The royal service was traditionally given at Westminster Abbey until the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, when the service rotated among various British cathedrals. [2] The service includes various elements, including the Yeomen of the Guard and six wandsmen who act as ushers. [2] [3] At the service, the sovereign traditionally gives purses of coins ("Maundy Money") to a man and a woman for every year of the sovereign's age. [2] If the sovereign is infirm, then he or she may be represented by a different member of the royal family; for example, in 2022, Charles, Prince of Wales represented the 95-year-old Elizabeth at the service. [4]

Until 1737, the Lord High Almoner personally washed the feet of Maundy recipients. [2]

Lord High Almoners

Henry III (1216)
Edward I (1272)
Edward II (1307)
Edward III (1327)
Richard II (1377)
Henry IV (1399)
Henry V (1413)
Henry VI (1422)
Edward IV (1461)
Richard III (1483)
Henry VII (1485)
Henry VIII (1509); Edward VI (1547); Mary I (1553)
Elizabeth I (1558)
James I (1603)
Charles I (1625)
Commonwealth (1649-1660)
Charles II (1660)
James II (1685)
William III (1689); Anne (1702)
George I (1714); George II (1727)
George III (1760); George IV (1820); William IV (1830); Victoria (1837)
Edward VII (1901); George V (1910)
Edward VIII (1936); George VI (1936); Elizabeth II (1952); Charles III (2022)

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Sources