Woolsack, Ceremonial seat in House of Lords, United Kingdom.
The Woolsack is a large cushion covered in red cloth, positioned without arms or a back in the center of the House of Lords chamber. The Lord Speaker sits here to direct proceedings, with the Lords' Mace resting on its rear section during each session.
The Woolsack was introduced in 1337 by King Edward III to symbolize the economic importance of wool trade during the English medieval period. This establishment reflected how central this commodity was to England's prosperity at the time.
The Woolsack represents parliamentary authority and the formal protocols that govern how Lords address the chamber during debates. Members direct their speech toward this seat as a mark of respect for the institution itself.
Access to the Woolsack is limited to the secured areas of the Palace of Westminster and requires standard security procedures like all visits to this location. Visitors should know that entry to the chamber itself is restricted and only possible under specific conditions.
The cushion was reconstructed in 1938 using wool from British Commonwealth nations to represent imperial unity. This renovation replaced the original horsehair filling with material that symbolically embodied the far-reaching connections of the British Empire.
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