| Keys Chamber | ||
| Chamber | Presiding Officers | Officers | Members | Work of the Keys | Election to the House | Seating Plan | ||
| The historic seat of the Manx Legislature and Executive was in Castletown. There the House of Keys met in Castle Rushen until 1706. In 1709 they moved to a building on the east side of the Castle. This was used until 1818 when, due to its disrepair, the Keys retired to the George Inn which they termed "highly improper" for a body of "so much importance". A new building was subsequently erected on the old site of the Keys building and this was used until 1874, though from the 1860s the Keys had transferred most of their sittings to Douglas and met in the former Douglas Court House. The Court House proved too small and in 1879 the Keys moved to the present building which was part of the premises of the Bank of Mona and was acquired from the liquidator of the Bank for £3,700. The remainder of the building, including the distinctive "wedding cake" was, and remains, a part of Government Offices. The present Chamber has undergone many alterations and the present seating arrangements date from 1932. In the desk in front of the Chaplain's seat is a book containing the names of all known members of the House from 1417. The snuff box on the Speaker's desk dates from 1863. In earlier times when Members sat around a large table the snuff box was circulated. It is ornamented from the horns of a Loaghtan ram; Loaghtan sheep are a native Manx breed. The snuff box is still kept filled for the use of Members. Around the walls of the Chamber hang portraits of former Speakers. |
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