The Passing of the Lamp

In most Livery Companies, the passing of the “Loving Cup” is traditional at dinners. Origins date back to Anglo-Saxon times, when at the command of Queen Elfrida, King Edward the Martyr was stabbed in the back whilst drinking a toast from a two-handed goblet being offered to him. To prevent this happening again, the back of the person drinking is guarded by their next-door neighbour, with the “pledge” to prevent them being stabbed in the back.

The Worshipful Company of Nurses follows this tradition. However, when formally dining together, the Nurses’ Lamp is passed instead of a Loving Cup. This has now become accepted and enjoyed as a lasting tradition, unique to our profession – an ancient and venerable representation of unity, trust and fellowship amongst nurses within the livery. The Nurses’ Lamp is a reproduction of the lamp used by Florence Nightingale and working nurses in Scutari during the Crimean War.

How the Lamp is Passed

• The Lamps start their journey from the Master and other Court Assistants who, with a Lamp in their right hand, turn to face the next person on their left or right.
• This person rises from their seat to face the lamp-holder, bows to the Lamp-holder, who will then also bow to greet them.
• The person receiving the Lamp takes it in their right hand, holding it up high in celebration.
• Both people bow to each other again.
• The receiving person then turns to their other neighbour.
• The person who has just passed the Lamp, will then turn their back to the person with the lamp to “protect their back”.
• The next neighbour then stands to accept the Lamp.
• The person who originally passed the Lamp will only then sit down.
• The process continues around the tables until all members have both received and passed the Lamp and all lamps have returned to the Master and Court Assistants.
• Note: No more than three people should be standing at any one time.