Beefeater ???? Whats that?
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/5/0/16503560/5668175.jpg?204)
Beefeaters Picture by Mandy Barrow 2012
Beefeater is a nickname for the Yeomen Warders at the Tower of London. It is said to have come from their right to east as much beef as they wanted from the Kings table.
The Yeomen Warders were formed in 1485 by King Henry VII to act as his personal guard, when Henry moved his official place of residence from the Tower of London, he left 12 of the Yeoman as a token garrison, creating two distinct detachments. These 12 became the Yeoman Warders, and the personal guard were named Yeomen of the Guard. To this day their uniforms contain the Tudor Rose badge of the Tudor dynasty.
Their role was to look after prisoners, and safeguarding the crown jewels. Their role today is more ceremonial and they act as tour guides and are a attraction in themselves.
Today there are 37 Yeomen Warders and one Chief Warder, all must have served in the Armed Forces of a commonwealth, with a minimum of 22 years in service. They and their families live inside the fortress in accommodations that go back to the 13th century. The first woman was appointed on July 1 2007.
The Yeomen Warders were formed in 1485 by King Henry VII to act as his personal guard, when Henry moved his official place of residence from the Tower of London, he left 12 of the Yeoman as a token garrison, creating two distinct detachments. These 12 became the Yeoman Warders, and the personal guard were named Yeomen of the Guard. To this day their uniforms contain the Tudor Rose badge of the Tudor dynasty.
Their role was to look after prisoners, and safeguarding the crown jewels. Their role today is more ceremonial and they act as tour guides and are a attraction in themselves.
Today there are 37 Yeomen Warders and one Chief Warder, all must have served in the Armed Forces of a commonwealth, with a minimum of 22 years in service. They and their families live inside the fortress in accommodations that go back to the 13th century. The first woman was appointed on July 1 2007.
What else is there to see?
- Madam Tussaud's, wax museum
- The London Eye - Take a ride and see all of London.
- Big Ben - is that Wendy and Peter standing there?
- London Bridge ... it didn't fall down!
- Feeling homesick? visit One Canada Square, London's tallest building until 2011.
The Towers Real "Beefeaters"
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Tower Ravens Picture by Ingo Zwank Aug 2006
It is claimed that the ravens have been at the Tower of London since the 13th century, and for the last 400 years they have been protected by royal decree.If the Tower of London ravens are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall and Britain with it.” These words have been attributed to King Charles 2, in 1675.
When the Royal Astronomer complained that the ravens were interfering with the astronomers work, King Charles decreed that all the Ravens be killed, but he was stopped by soothsayers prophecy “if the ravens left the Tower, the White Tower would collapse and a great disaster befall the Kingdom”. After hearing this warning the King decreed that at least six ravens be Kept at the Tower at all times, with a seventh as a spare.
The Ravens are kept at the tower by clipping their wings. The ravens’ favourite haunt is the Tower Green, the former site of royal beheadings.Today the Tower's ravens are one of the attractions for tourists visiting the City of London. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, is reported to have been impressed by the birds' verbal skills; one of the ravens greeted each person in his entourage with a "Good morning!"
Why are they the Real "Beefeaters" you may ask, it is because of the rich diet of 8 ounces of meat each day that they get.
When the Royal Astronomer complained that the ravens were interfering with the astronomers work, King Charles decreed that all the Ravens be killed, but he was stopped by soothsayers prophecy “if the ravens left the Tower, the White Tower would collapse and a great disaster befall the Kingdom”. After hearing this warning the King decreed that at least six ravens be Kept at the Tower at all times, with a seventh as a spare.
The Ravens are kept at the tower by clipping their wings. The ravens’ favourite haunt is the Tower Green, the former site of royal beheadings.Today the Tower's ravens are one of the attractions for tourists visiting the City of London. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, is reported to have been impressed by the birds' verbal skills; one of the ravens greeted each person in his entourage with a "Good morning!"
Why are they the Real "Beefeaters" you may ask, it is because of the rich diet of 8 ounces of meat each day that they get.
The Crown Jewels
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/5/0/16503560/1827434.jpg?109)
Picture from HRP
The Crown Jewels are part of the British Royal Collection, and have been worn at Coronation for a number of centuries. William the Conqueror first started the tradition of storing royal treasures in the Tower.
In 1671 The Keeper of the Jewels was Talbot Edwards who lived with his family on the floor above the basement, where the Crown Jewels were kept behind a metal grate.
An Irishman named Thomas Blood, disguised as a 'parson' went to see the Crown Jewels and became friendly with Edwards, returning at a later with his wife who suffered a violent stomach-ache, during the visit, and was taken to Edward's apartment to rest. The grateful 'Parson Blood' returned a few days later with a gift of 4 pairs of white gloves for Mrs. Edwards, and a friendship between the couples blossomed, and soon the Bloods proposed a meeting of their wealthy nephew and Edwards daughter.
On 9th May 1671, 'Parson Blood' arrived with his 'nephew' and two other men. While the 'nephew' was getting to know Edward's daughter the others in the party expressed a desire to see the Crown Jewels.
Edwards led the way downstairs and unlocked the door to the room where they were kept, Blood knocked him unconscious with a mallet and stabbed him with a sword.They then removed the crown, orb and sceptre from behind the grille. The crown was flattened with the mallet and stuffed into a bag, and the orb stuffed down Blood's breeches. The sceptre was too long to go into the bag so Blood's brother-in-law Hunt tried to saw it in half!
Edwards regained consciousness and began to shout. Blood and his accomplices dropped the sceptre and attempted to get away but were arrested as they tried to leave the Tower by the Iron-Gate, after unsuccessfully trying to shoot one of the guards.
What was the Penalty for trying to steal from the King??
Blood retained his life, King Charles had a reputation for liking bold scoundrels and not only pardoned the thief, but also gave him Irish Lands worth 500pounds per year.
In 1671 The Keeper of the Jewels was Talbot Edwards who lived with his family on the floor above the basement, where the Crown Jewels were kept behind a metal grate.
An Irishman named Thomas Blood, disguised as a 'parson' went to see the Crown Jewels and became friendly with Edwards, returning at a later with his wife who suffered a violent stomach-ache, during the visit, and was taken to Edward's apartment to rest. The grateful 'Parson Blood' returned a few days later with a gift of 4 pairs of white gloves for Mrs. Edwards, and a friendship between the couples blossomed, and soon the Bloods proposed a meeting of their wealthy nephew and Edwards daughter.
On 9th May 1671, 'Parson Blood' arrived with his 'nephew' and two other men. While the 'nephew' was getting to know Edward's daughter the others in the party expressed a desire to see the Crown Jewels.
Edwards led the way downstairs and unlocked the door to the room where they were kept, Blood knocked him unconscious with a mallet and stabbed him with a sword.They then removed the crown, orb and sceptre from behind the grille. The crown was flattened with the mallet and stuffed into a bag, and the orb stuffed down Blood's breeches. The sceptre was too long to go into the bag so Blood's brother-in-law Hunt tried to saw it in half!
Edwards regained consciousness and began to shout. Blood and his accomplices dropped the sceptre and attempted to get away but were arrested as they tried to leave the Tower by the Iron-Gate, after unsuccessfully trying to shoot one of the guards.
What was the Penalty for trying to steal from the King??
Blood retained his life, King Charles had a reputation for liking bold scoundrels and not only pardoned the thief, but also gave him Irish Lands worth 500pounds per year.
Bibliography
Barrow, Mandy. British Life and Culture. 2012. 25 02 2013 <http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/beefeaters.htm>.
Historic Royal Palaces. Historic Royal Palaces. 25 02 2013 <http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/stories/buildinghistory/the-crown-jewels>.
Official Visitor Guide. London. 25 02 2013 <http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/place/22249-hm-tower-of-london>.
Historic Royal Palaces. Historic Royal Palaces. 25 02 2013 <http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/stories/buildinghistory/the-crown-jewels>.
Official Visitor Guide. London. 25 02 2013 <http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/place/22249-hm-tower-of-london>.