The memory of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 is preserved by many cheerful customs in various parts of the United Kingdom and by one dignified ceremony that takes place in London before the Opening of Parliament.

This is the searching, by a detachment of Yeomen of the Guard, of the cellars under the Palace of Westminster, either on the evening before the opening or more usually on the morning itself. The Yeoman in their scarlet and gold uniforms come from the Tower of London to the Prince's Chamber in the House of Lords and there, in the presence of a number of palace officials, they are given old candle-lanterns for use during their prolonged tour of the basements, vaults and cellars.

Carrying their lighted lanterns and firmly ignoring the existence of the very efficient electric lighting, they search every corner and conceivable hiding place to satisfy themselves that no gun-powder barrels, or bombs have been concealed anywhere with intent to blow up Sovereign, Lords or Commons.

When they have proved by personal and careful inspection that all is well, a message is sent to the Queen, the Yeoman are given some well-earned refreshments and march back to the Tower. Parliament is then free to assemble without fear of disaster.

It need hardly be said that the safety of Parliament does not really depend upon this picturesque last minute ceremony. Nevertheless, there was a night in 1605 when it did so depend upon a grim but earnest search through the multifarious cellars that then under-ran the Palace of Westminster and it is this event which the modern ceremony traditionally commemorates.