The Thursday before Easter, called Maundy Thursday, commemorates
the Last Supper. In England this Christian celebration has been
acknowledged and celebrated for centuries. At the Last Supper
Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. In England, at
Westminster Abbey, the king or queen would wash the feet of poor
people on Maundy Thursday - the last monarch to perform this
service for his people was King James II. In modern times Maundy
Money is given to pensioners by the Queen every Maundy Thursday.
Although early in her reign the giving always took place in
London, the Queen expressed a wish to take the tradition round
the realm and has thus given Maundy Money out in many locations
including Birmingham, Bradford, Canterbury, Ely, Gloucester,
Truro and Wells. The people the queen gives money to are chosen
by the local diocese that is hosting the Maundy Thursday
Service. They identify people who have given time to their
church and/or community, the number of people needed relating to
the Queen’s age; the service