The Royal oath

[chunky from york]

Thanks JR, I always wondered where the term 'Andrew' came from.

[Big Papa Hapa]

Sticky Blue,

Just started reading "The Royal Marines: From Sea Soldiers to a Special Force", and came across the mutiny. That noise you hear is my Grandad's theory crashing and burning!

[Contractor]

I SWEAR BY ALMIGHTY GOD THAT I WILL BE FAITHFUL AND BEAR TRUE ALLEGIANCE TO HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II, HER HEIRS AND SUCCESSORS AND THAT I WILL AS IN DUTY BOUND HONESTLY AND FAITHFULLY DEFEND HER MAJESTY, HER HEIRS AND SUCCESSORS IN PERSON, CROWN AND DIGNITY AGAINST ALL ENEMIES AND WILL OBSERVE AND OBEY ALL ORDERS OF HER MAJESTY, HER HEIRS AND SUCCESSORS AND OF THE GENERALS AND OFFICERS SET OVER ME"

All is explained:

http://www.army.mod.uk/servingsoldier/u ... 5_3_w.html

A good read for any recruit wondering what joining the Army entails and what the expectations are.

This is the interesting part with regard to the Oath of Allegiance:

0307. Irrespective of private beliefs, this Oath embodies the context within which the British Army fights and operates. It expresses the formal yet personal loyalty of every soldier in the British Army to the Sovereign as head of state. This focus on the Sovereign means that whatever the political views of individual soldiers, the British Army is essentially apolitical. Similarly, the Sovereign is the authority for the Commissions and Warrants of the various categories of officers. There is a similar formal yet personal relationship of Corps and Regiments to the Sovereign. These relationships find expression in the Colours, Standards and other emblems of Regimental and Corps spirit which derive from the Sovereign, and in the Ceremonial which demonstrates publicly the role of the Army in the fabric of the nation.

[Jon]

Why is it always 'I swear by almighty god'?

What if you dont believe in god like me?

[chunky from york]

Jon,

In court, you would say that you prefer to 'swear and attest', rather than swear on the holy book of your particular religion.

[Rogue Chef]

Ahoy there Jon!

The Oath of Allegiance footnote:

Note: (Those who do not believe in God "SOLEMNLY, SINCERELY AND TRULY DECLARE AND AFFIRM")

See Contractors link.

[Pilgrim Norway]

I think it was the 'Loyal Oath' - and I've still got me shillin somewhere -
probably in that large ginger sea sack ....

Believe me - you are better off with the Family than the alternative ....

There have been some really, extraordinary, good ones -
Mountbatten of the Kelly for example. He was rather well liked I remember

The present 'Government' is certainly worthy of an 'oath' or two but not
quite in the same spirit.....

[mogoloyo]

Apparently something to do with their never having rebelled against the crown as some did with Cromwell??

Naval Officers still drag their swords because of their involvement in a mutiny!

Wasn't this the Spithead Mutiny of 1797? and because of "Royal's involvement we got the "Fouled Anchor" as well as the Navy....I seem to have heard this story many moons ago

[Sisyphus]

Hmm, interesting question. I'd heard about Naval officers carrying their swords as a result of the Mutiny. But not about the Foul Anchor. I thought it was something to do with being 'steadfast'

It was also used as the official seal of Charles Howard, Earl of Nottingham [1536 = 1624 ] when Lord High Admiral and later as a badge on Naval uniform buttons, cap badges and the Admiralty Crest.