The
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia · John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
A chief officer of the king, deriving his name from his Black Rod of Office, on the top of which reposes a golden lion. During the session of Parliament he attends on the peers, summons the Commons to the House of Lords, and to his custody all peers impeached for any crime or contempt are first committed.
Black Book 255; Wharton.
His deputy is the Yeoman Usher. Similar officers are found in the Dominion of Canada and other colonies. Cent. Diet.