GENTLEMEN-PENSIONERS, a band of forty gentlemen, instituted by Henry VIII. in 1509, to form a guard to the royal person to and from the chapel-royal, and on other occasions of solemnity. In 1834 this corps resumed, by royal command, its ancient title of "The Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms;" and it was further ordered, that the appointments should be made exclusively by the
Gentoo sovereign, from lists kept by the commander-in-chief, and on his recommendation, and that none should be eligible but officers of the army or marines, who should also be allowed to enjoy their half-pay along with their salaries. These appointments are placed on the same footing with respect to purchase, and vacancies by death, as commissions in the army. The corps consists of the captain with a salary of L.1000 a-year, the lieutenant with L.500, the standard-bearer with L.310, the clerk of the cheque with L.120, and of forty gentlemen who are entitled esquires and receive L.70 each per annum. They form a body-guard to the sovereign; but their duty is now chiefly confined to an attendance at drawing-rooms, levees, coronations, and other state ceremonies. (Official Handbook, Lond., 1855.)