White Rod

The White Rod, White Wand, Rod of Inauguration, or Wand of Sovereignty, in the

The rod was required to be both white and straight, with the colour representing purity and the straightness of justice, according to the account given by Geoffrey Keating.^[6]

Even after the collapse of all other institutions of Gaelic Ireland, the Chief Poet of a district, who presided well into 18th-century Munster over the district's Cúirt, a poetic court similar to the Welsh Eisteddfod,^[7] would receive a Staff of Office (Irish: Bata na Bachaille), which would later be handed down to his successor.^[8]

Ceremony

Although the meaning and purpose were always the same, the particulars of the ceremony appear to have varied across the Gaelic world. Most notably, who presented the new lord or king with the rod depended on the history and traditions of each kingdom.^[9]

A note to the pedigree of the O'Mahonys at Lambeth, written by Sir George Carew, circa 1600/3:

cow to be paid for erecting a rod in that name.^[10]

The Lord Bishop of Edinburgh, as ex officio chair of the Walker Trustees, is the Heritable Usher of the White Rod. The current holder is The Rt Rev. Dr John A. Armes, Bishop of Edinburgh, but the role carries no duties.^{[clarification needed]}

See also

• Gaelic nobility of Ireland
• Tullyhogue Fort
• Royal sites of Ireland
• Lord Great Chamberlain
• Lord High Steward of Ireland
• Peerage
• Sceptre

References