Photos: 2016 Peppercorn Ceremony
The 200th Peppercorn Ceremony took place this morning [Apr 20] in St. George’s, following a tradition which first began in 1816.
Marked by pomp, circumstance, and pageantry, the King’s Square ceremony requires the Governor to accept the annual peppercorn rent paid by Freemasons for use of the State House.
The State House was built in 1620 and is Bermuda’s oldest stone building. The landmark was used for the General Assembly of Bermuda until 1816, when the capital moved to Hamilton.
The Government of the day then rented the building for one peppercorn a year to Bermuda’s Masonic Lodge 200 of Scotland, an agreement which continues to this day. As tradition dictates, the symbolic peppercorn was presented to the Governor on a velvet cushion.
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Update: Click to enlarge photos:
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Congratulations to Mayor Francis and all members and staff of the Corporation of St. George’s. The town is looking fabulous, especially Somers Garden after the storms in 2014. Well done everyone!