I know Maundy Thursday is when the Queen hands out specially minted silver coins, but what is the origin of this practise and what does Maundy mean?

Tabby Tom

'Maundy' is the Old French 'mande' (with an acute accent on the e), from the Latin 'mandatum', meaning a commandment. In John's Gospel, we are told that Christ washed the feet of his disciples before the Last Supper. Subsequently he said to them (John 13:34 in the Vulgate translation) 'Mandatum novum do vobis, ut diligatis invicem, sicut dilexi vos, ut et vos diligatis invicem' ('A new commandment I give unto you: that ye love one {another;} as I have loved you, that ye also love one another') The Latin words were used as an antiphon in the medieval church. The antiphon was sung on the Thursday before Easter while the priest washed the feet of a number of poor parishioners in commemoration of Christ's commandment. The same ceremony was performed in some European countries by monarchs. In some places a gift of money was also made to the poor who had their feet washed. Because of the words of antiphon, the ceremony of foot-washing and distribution of alms came to be known in England as 'Maundy', and the day on which it took place was 'Maundy Thursday'. The last British king to wash the feet of the poor was James VII and II. Since then, the royal Maundy has been limited to the distribution of cash. (Sources: Oxford English Dictionary, Brewer, Bible (KJV/AV and Vulgate)). May 08 03, 8:56 PM

Siskin

It became the custom of popes, Catholic sovereigns, prelates and priests to wash the feet of poor people. In England the sovereign did the same as late as the reign of JamesII. The word has been incorrectly derived from maund (a basket), because on the day before the great feast it was an ancient church custom to bring out food in maunds to distribute to the poor. Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. May 08 03, 9:16 PM