A pencil, pen and ink and watercolour drawing of the buildings of the Black Rod at Windsor Castle during demolition.

The buildings of the Black Rod were taken down in the 1780s. Knight's Windsor Guide (1783), p. 99, records 'The apartments belonging to the Usher of the Black Rod, together with some offices which were greatly out of repair, have lately been taken down to enlarge the space between the castle and the Queen's Lodge, and to open a view towards the keep or round tower; other improvements are now carrying on which when completed will render this a most delightful spot'. This drawing is a valuable record of the buildings in the area before they were taken down.

The Rev. Dr John Fisher, Bishop of Salisbury was good friends with George III and a proficient draughtsman, as mentioned regularly in Fanny Burney's Diary. In 1780 he was appointed Preceptor (tutor) to Prince Edward, later Duke of Kent, a position he held until 1785. The drawing is mentioned by J. H. Glover (Royal Librarian 1837-60) in George III's 'Inventory A', although Glover wondered whether the sheet was by Paul or Thomas Sandby. It is in the same hand as a drawing of the Round House at Eastbourne (RCIN 914710). Another drawing of the same subject, the demolition of the buildings of the Black Rod, is among the King's Topographical Collection at the British Library (CXXXIV, no. 72). The drawing has pencil annotations that suggest it was made on the spot.