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California Sergeant-at-Arms
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Sergeant-at-Arms Office
State Capitol, Room 3030
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-4184
Fax: (916) 327-9222
 

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British History

1279

Sergeants-at-Arms have been a part of British history since 1279 when Edward I formed a bodyguard of 20 Sergeants-at-Arms. The gentlemen, under this title, carried a decorated battle-mace as a weapon and as a badge of this particular office.

Sergeants were armed attaches charged with the personal safety of the monarch, sent out to summons attendance at the court and charged with the duty of arresting offenders for treason and crimes offensive to the Crown

1415

The English bodyguard's strength was later increased to 30, and in 1415, one of their numbers was appointed to attend upon the Speaker and all Parliaments as Sergeant-at-Arms for the Commons.

With the emergence of Parliament as a legislative body, the position of Sergeant was similarly created to ensure the safety of the House, maintain order and summon attendance to meetings and inquires.