Houses of Parliament [by Anna Butler, 10 June 2013]

On June 10th, we went to the Houses of Parliament.  Freda, our British tour guide, was fantastic.  She was extremely knowledgeable and called us her “little Maryland chums.”  Fun fact--here in the UK, Maryland is pronounced “Mary-land,” not “Mar-a-lind.”  According to Freda, Parliament is set up like a “ham sandwich” because it is long and thin with the building as the meat and the Thames River and Parliament Street as the bread.  After walking through the security checkpoint, we felt like VIPs as Freda took as around the rooms, bringing the history of the United Kingdom’s government to life.

Thanks to King Charles I strolling into the House of Commons to arrest and behead five right-wing members in 1642, British monarchs are no longer allowed inside of Parliament without an invitation.  Famously, the Speaker Lenthall refused Charles, saying “I have neither eyes to see nor tongue to speak in this place but as this house is pleased to direct me…”  Ironically, the Houses of Parliament are still owned by the crown.  We learned when the queen arrives she is dressed in the “Royal Robing Room,” an ornate, Gothic style room designed by Augustus W.N. Pugin - who “dressed” the Houses of Parliament, while Charles Barry built it.  Then, Blackrod, literally a man carrying a black rod, knocks on the chamber door to the House of Commons and requests their presence in front of the queen.  Freda told us they run like “cheeky school boys” down the hall to show that they are choosing, not required, to attend.

It’s difficult to unpack the Houses of Parliament in a few paragraphs because there is symbolism behind every design and decoration.  To me, this building is the epitome of British tradition, documenting the nation’s history on its walls.  It was fascinating, and Freda made the experience unforgettable.

[By Anna Butler, 10 June 2013]