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The Yeomen of the Queen’s Guarde Valecti Garde (Corporis) Domini Regina Polearm Drills
This site best viewed at 1024 x 768. Last updated:
March 3, 2009
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The Yeomen of the Queen’s Guarde
Valecti Garde (Corporis) Domini Regina
Polearm Drills
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(Approx 90 seconds at 28.8 under optimum conditions)Polearm Safety Concerns and Precautions
Standing with the Weapon at the Order
Polearm at the Advance
Polearm at the Port
Polearm at the Charge
Charging to the Left/Right/Rear
Charging to the Outside
Charging to the Outside on the Center
Polearm at the Slope
Polearm at the Check/Cover
Polearm at the Shorten
Polearm General Salute
Polearm Mourn Arms
Stack Arms
Ground Arms
Recover ArmsAs with any other weapon (and make no mistake about it -- the polearms that are used by the Guilde are definitely weapons), safety to you, other Yeomen, other actors and our patrons is of supreme importance. Weapons drills and improper handling of the weapons are the most dangerous thing that can we do, so extreme care must be taken to ensure that no one is endangered.
If at ANY time, you either believe an order is given that you believe could endanger anyone, you should call "HOLD" as soon as possible.
Running while bearing polearms is strictly prohibited.
Standing with the Weapon at the Order
Standing with the weapon resting on the ground is called "Standing at the Order". As well as being the position that you will fall in to formation at, it also serves as the position in which you will be standing at Rest. The butt end of the polearm should be placed just to the right and to the fore of your right foot, with your right hand holding the weapon vertically. However, it is acceptable at the rest to have the weapon somewhat leaning forward and to the right as in the modern "parade rest" position. Your hand should be placed near the midpoint between the height of your shoulder and elbow. Lastly, your thumb should be placed on the weapon vertically and should not be wrapped around the pole itself.
The command to move to this position is "Order Thy, Arms".
The 1997 Yeomen of the Guard in a Rank with Polearms at the Order
You will find yourself with the weapon at the advance for most any time that you are moving. The weapon should be controlled/cradled between your hand, forearm, bicep and shoulder. While it is in this position, it should lean slightly to the rear, but near to the vertical as possible. You may also find that when you are stationary at the advance, resting your right hand on the top of your right thigh will make it easier. This is another reason that illustrates why your right foot should be forward of your left.
The command to move to this position is "Advance Thy, Arms".
Care should be taken whenever you are moving to ensure that overhead obstructions do not catch the weapon. This is especially true of trees, merchant signs/shingles and decorations that are suspended by overhead ropes/wires.
The weapon at the port finds you with your right hand holding the butt of the polearm, the polearm slanting away from your body to the fore and your left hand controlling the direction. Your left foot should be placed comfortably forward of your right foot.
The command to move to this position is "Port Thy, Arms".
The weapon at the charge finds you holding the weapon horizontally, your right hand on the butt of the weapon controlling the direction, while your left hand provides a balance point or rest for the weapon.
The command to move to this position is "Charge Thy, Arms".
EXTREME CARE should be taken when moving to the charge to ensure that no visitors or other personnel are endangered. Visitors should not be within twice the distance of the length of the polearm itself.
If at any time you believe that an order is given that could possibly endanger anyone, call "HOLD!" immediately.
Charging to the Left/Right/Rear
Charging to the Left/Right/Rear is accomplished by turning to the direction of the charge at the same time that you are bringing the weapon to the charge. However, care must be taken as to not bring the weapon completely to the charge until you are sure that no one will be endangered by the movement.
The command for this position is "Charge Thy Arms by Your Left (or Right) Hand, Arms".
A Unit with Pole Arms Charged to the RightA charge to the outside is directly to the flanks of the unit. In other words, if a unit was comprised of two files, each file would charge to their respective sides of the unit. A unit that is comprised of three files would find that the inner file should hold until instructed otherwise.
The command for this position is "Charge Thy Arms to the Outside, Arms".
A Unit with Pole Arms Charged to the Outside
(viewed from above)Charging to the Outside on the Center
Charging to the outside on the center is performed by all members of the unit charging to the outside of the unit, but on all points of the compass. In other words, each member would charge to the exact opposite direction from the middle point of the unit.
The command for this position is "Charge Thy Arms to the Outside On the Center, Arms".
A Unit with Pole Arms Charged to the Outside on the Center
(viewed from above)
The weapon in Slope is used to control the weapon in a limited area. It is used mostly when there are overhead obstructions.
The command to move to this position is "Slope thy, Arms."
Care must be taken when lowering the weapon to the Slope/Shoulder to ensure that no one behind you is endangered by the steel, nor that anyone to the front is tripped by the butt end of the weapon. This is particularly true when you are the in the front guard positions when escorting mounted personnel, such as Her Majesty. The command will usually be amended by the commander with a statement to perform the movement slowly.
This position (or one like it with slight modification) is used when moving in confined spaces or when clearing overhead obstructions.
The Check is as illustrated, with the point of the steel forward of the left hand.
The Cover is performed by moving the hand over the point of the steel to protect others from the blade and/or point of the weapon.
Normally, if marching, lowering the weapon to the Check is preferred. Care must be taken as the butt of the weapon may present a danger of tripping to those behind you. However, should you find that marching in close quarters while at the Check is possibly endangering someone, the Cover should be used.
Detail of a Polearm at the Cover
An alternative to the Check/Cover, this position can be used when in close quarters. However, care must be taken as the butt of the weapon may present a danger of tripping to those behind you.
The command to move to this position is "Check (or Cover) Thy, Arms".
This position is used to render honors. It is usually performed while in a single rank. The command to perform the movement is "General, Salute".
The position is attained from either the Port or the Advance and is almost the same movements as to move to the Port. However, the blade of the weapon is dropped to the ground, the left hand is removed from the weapon and is moved to grasp the brim of the hat, as in a reverance (bow).
The command to return to the previous position is "Recover". If a command of Port or Advance is given, move to the position as instructed.
With the "Recover" command given, move your left hand from your hat and regrasp the weapon, palm up. Pivot the weapon back to the previous position as you move back to an erect stance.
This position is used to render honors to those who have fallen in service to the Queen or the country.
For the purpose of illustration, during the VRF of 1997 and 1998, it was performed on Memorial Day and the Queen ordered that all weapons in the Shire remain so for the rest of the day.
It is usually performed while in a single rank.
The position is attained by first rendering honors by a General Salute. Once the salute is rendered (but not given the "recover" command), the order of "Mourn, Arms" is given. The point of the weapon is brought towards the right foot and the butt moved overhead. This will result in the weapon being reversed, yet at the Order.
While marching at the mourn, care should be taken in/near crowds as the steel is now at a level that could endanger others. This is especially true when moving in the vicinity of small children. It can also present a danger to noblewomen’s skirts, so extreme care should be taken at all times when at the mourn.
When the command "Stack Thy Arms" is given, all of the men in formation fall out of rank and begin to stack their weapons in a "tee-pee" shape. When stacked, the blades of the weapons must interlock so the stack will not blow over in the wind or fall under its own weight.
Before this command is given, the formation should be at the "Order" Position. When the command "Ground Thy Arms" is given. All of the men in formation walk their pole arms forward leaving the butt of the weapon in place, then return to the attention.
Recover Arms (From the "Stack")
When this command is given, all of the men in formation fall out to where their weapons are stacked. Each man grasps his weapon and retrieves it from the stack at the same time as all of the other men so that none of the weapons fall. The men then fall back into formation.
From the "Ground"
When the Recover Thy Arms" command is given, each man in formation steps forward, grasps the Polearm near it’s head, and, leaving the butt of the weapon on the ground, "walks" it upright into the "Order" position. This is the reverse of the "Ground" Command.
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Last updated: March 3, 2009
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