Keepers: The Ancient Offices of Britain - Tapa dura

'Keepers is a tour guide to a fascinating part of our history. These ancient, and often eccentric titles and appointment not only tell us about what our ancestors valued but they persuade us to value them too.' Julian Fellowes This glorious photographic celebration, published to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the Coronation of HM The Queen, observes and records over a thousand years of living British history, through titles, ancient offices and appointments that are still in use. Some titles are inherited, some retain a connection to something now irrelevant and others come with an important job. The earliest dating back to Saxon times and the most recent was created in 2008. Keepers features over 100 titles: we see Her Majesty The Queen, photographed exclusively and for the first time as Chief of the Chiefs, Prince William as a newly installed Knight of the Garter and the Duchess of Cornwall as Lady of the Isles; other titles include the Bearer of the Dog Whipper's Rod, reenacting the once vital post of clearing Exeter Cathedral of wild dogs, the Boy Bishop of Hereford, the Sculptor in Ordinary in Scotland; the Searcher of Sanctuary and High Bailiff of Westminster Abbey and the Keeper of the Great Clock, all photographed in their robes - if they have them - and in places relevant and significant to each title.

Alastair Bruce is the Royal, Constitutional and Religious Commentator for Sky News and the historical advisor on ITV's Downton Abbey and on films including The King's Speech and Young Victoria. An Officer of Arms, as Fitzalan Pursuivant of Arms Extraordinary, and a Colonel serving in the Reserve Army, his enthusiasm for history and his unparalleled knowledge of Court procedure and military detail inspire and inform every subject in Keepers.