Video: 2013 St George’s Peppercorn Ceremony
Even cloudy skies and the threat of rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the large crowd which turned out at King’s Square in St. George’s yesterday [Apr 24] for the pomp and pageantry of the annual Peppercorn ceremony.
Governor George Fergusson, in all his ceremonial finery, inspected the band and troops of the Bermuda Regiment while the Master, Officers and Brethren of Lodge St. George paraded onto the square in full Masonic regalia to present him with their annual peppercorn rent for the use of the old State House.
24-minute video of the Peppercorn Ceremony:
As long-established a Bermudian a tradition as kite flying on Good Friday and shark oil barometers, the Peppercorn Ceremony dates back to 1816 when the island’s capital was moved from St. George’s to Hamilton.
As a result the State House — the oldest stone building in Bermuda, dating from 1620 — fell vacant. Believing the building too valuable to be left unused, the government negotiated a long-term lease with the East End Freemasons lodge for the annual rent of one peppercorn. It is that agreement which was honoured for the 197th time yesterday.
You can view a photo gallery of the ceremony here.
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