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Can you explain the 4 gold stripes on the sleeves of Chief Justice Rehnquist's
judicial robe?
Anchorage, Alaska - 7/31/00
Chief Justice William Rehnquist in his judicial robe |
In a bit of acknowledged whimsy, Chief Justice William Rehnquist decided to personalize his
judicial robe with 4 gold braid stripes on each sleeve about 5 years ago. All the other Supreme
Court justices wear the traditional unadorned black judicial robes. The inspiration for the gold
stripes came from the costume worn by a character in the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta,
"Iolanthe," first staged in London in 1882.
The costume which inspired Chief Justice Rehnquist is worn by the Lord Chancellor, a character
called upon to settle a dispute among a colony of fairies. Ironically, the story line has the Queen
of the Fairies taking revenge by casting a spell on the hero, Strephon, which turns him into a
Member of Parliament, and grants him the magical power to have any bill passed without
opposition. This allows the fairies to take over Parliament.
In another bit of irony, given the subject matter of the impeachment trial now before the Senate,
the Lord Chancellor sings a song which include these lyrics:
The Law is the true embodiment Of everything that's excellent. It has
no kind of fault or flaw, And I, my Lords, embody the Law.
The constitutional guardian I, of pretty young Wards in Chancery,
All very agreeable girls and none are over the age of twenty-one.
A pleasant occupation for a rather susceptible Chancellor!
To see a photo of the robes used in a recent production, visit "Iolanthe."
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